Small Business Blog

Accounting and payroll resources for small business owners.

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Valuable Business Articles & Updates

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5 min read

What's the Difference Between Accounting and Bookkeeping?

Is accounting just a fancy word for bookkeeping, or are they totally different?

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5 min read

Top 3 Financial Mistakes Small Business Owners Make

Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats—owner, marketer, HR manager, and often, the bookkeeper too. It’s like trying to play quarterback...

Graphic with a scale balancing pros (storefront and growth) and cons (calculator, dollar sign) of owning a small business.

5 min read

Pros and Cons of Owning a Small Business

Let’s be real: owning a small business is not for the faint of heart.

Guide on switching accountants with icons of old and new folders, checklist, and pen.

5 min read

How to Switch Accountants: A 5-Step Guide for Small Business Owners

Switching accountants might sound like a hassle, but sometimes it’s the smartest move you can make for your business. If you’ve ever felt ignored by...

Flat illustration of a loss document connected by a bridge to a tax relief chart.

2 min read

Can You Turn Business Losses into Tax Relief?

Even well-run companies experience down years. The federal tax code may allow a bright strategy to lighten the impact. Certain losses, within limits,...

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2 min read

4 Ways Business Owners Can Make the Leadership Connection

To get the most from any team, its leader must establish a productive rapport with each member. Of course, that’s easier said than done if you own a...

notebook with

4 min read

Don't Let Quarterly Estimated Tax Payment Obligations Catch You Off Guard

If you're self-employed, run your own small business, or have rental or investment income, there's a good chance you must make quarterly estimated...

Icons of a bar chart with dollar sign and a dollar bill with arrows, illustrating the difference between profit and cash flow.

4 min read

Profit vs. Cash Flow: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

Have you ever looked at your business’s profit and loss statement and felt pretty good, only to open your bank account and wonder where all the money...

Salaries on a file tab in a filing drawer

2 min read

Corporate Business Owners: Is Your Salary Reasonable in the Eyes of the IRS?

Determining “reasonable compensation” is a critical issue for owners of C corporations and S corporations. If the IRS believes an owner’s...

Icons of a factory, hard hat, and laptop with shopping cart under text about businesses not suited for TMA's services.

4 min read

What Kinds of Businesses Aren’t a Fit for TMA’s Services

We’ll say it upfront: TMA Accounting isn’t the right choice for every business.

Cost written out on wooden blocks with a yellow background

2 min read

Cost Management is Critical for Companies Today

Many business owners take an informal approach to controlling costs, tackling the issue only when it becomes an obvious problem. A better way to...

Illustration comparing in-house vs outsourced accounting, with icons of a building, calculator, globe, and financial documents.

5 min read

Should You Hire In-House or Outsource Your Accounting?

Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats—sales, operations, customer service, and yes, accounting. But let’s be honest: accounting isn’t...

Two illustrated bank buildings labeled

5 min read

3 Best Practices for Keeping Business and Personal Accounts Separate

When you own a business, your personal and business finances can easily get tangled up. At first, it might not seem like a big deal. You pay for...

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5 min read

5 Signs Your Accountant Isn’t Doing Enough

As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats—marketer, manager, problem-solver, and sometimes even bookkeeper. With so much on your plate, it’s...

Comparison of QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks apps on tablets over a light green background.

7 min read

Business Accounting Apps Compared: QuickBooks vs Xero vs FreshBooks

When it comes to running a small business, there’s one thing that’s always on your mind: money. Are you spending too much? Can you afford to hire...

Cartoon image of tax items with the title “How to Handle a Large Tax Bill.”

5 min read

How to Handle a Large Tax Bill as a Small Business Owner

Getting hit with a large tax bill can feel like a punch to the gut, especially when you weren’t expecting it. For small business owners juggling...

Tax document, dollar envelope, and warning icon on orange banner.

4 min read

3 Reasons Small Business Owners Get Tax Surprises

Imagine this: You’ve wrapped up a successful year. Sales are up, customers are happy, and you’re feeling confident about your business. Then, tax...

Three financial statements with charts on an orange background.

5 min read

3 Essential Financial Statements and Why They Matter for Your Business

Let’s be honest—most business owners don’t get excited about financial statements. They’re full of numbers, charts, and accounting terms that can...

Stressed man with tax forms and bookkeeping errors, symbolizing confusion from poor financial records.

7 min read

5 Common Tax Mistakes Caused by Poor Bookkeeping

Small business owners often face enough pressure managing day-to-day operations without the added stress of tax season. Between juggling client...

Illustration of business accounting: checklist with coins and calendar, tax data on a computer, and payroll documents on a laptop.

5 min read

What Accounting Services Does My Business Need?

Running a small business is an exciting journey, but let’s be honest—managing finances isn’t always the most exciting part. In fact, for many...

A split-background graphic featuring a deep blue (#24588d) and warm orange (#f59e40) color scheme. On the left side, the blog title “Monthly vs. Year-End Accounting: An Honest Comparison” appears in bold white text against the blue background. On the right, accounting-themed icons include a calendar and a checklist document, symbolizing the comparison between monthly and year-end accounting practices.

5 min read

Monthly vs. Year-End Accounting: An Honest Comparison

Running a small business means juggling a lot, but one thing you can’t afford to ignore is your finances. A surprise tax bill, a cash flow issue, or...

Illustration of payroll management showing a laptop screen with a payroll calendar, a large salary slip, stacked coins, a calculator, a pencil, and a businessperson standing beside the laptop, representing financial planning and payroll cost analysis.

2 min read

6 Ways Employers Can Address Payroll Costs During Economic Uncertainty

Payroll is one of the biggest costs for most small to midsize employers. If this holds true for your organization, you may be looking at the year...

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2 min read

6 Essential Tips for Small Business Payroll Tax Compliance

Staying compliant with payroll tax laws is crucial for small businesses. Mistakes can lead to fines, strained employee relationships, and even legal...

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3 min read

FinCEN-Related Fraud Heats Up: How to Avoid Getting Burned

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recently identified an increase in fraudsters using the bureau's...

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2 min read

Business Owners Should Get Comfortable with Their Financial Statements

Financial statements can fascinate accountants, investors, and lenders. However, for business owners, they may not be real page-turners.

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3 min read

Planning for the Future: 5 Business Succession Options and Their Tax Implications

When it’s time to consider your business’s future, succession planning can protect your legacy and successfully set up the next generation of leaders...

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7 min read

Understanding Accounting Complexity in Small Businesses

Accounting is an essential part of running a business, but for many small business owners, it can quickly become overwhelming. What starts as a...

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5 min read

The Small Business Guide to Organizing for Tax Season

Running a small business is exciting—but let's be honest, tax season is not.

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4 min read

Dispelling 10 Federal Tax Myths and Misconceptions

In the complex world of federal taxes, myths and misconceptions can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities — especially for business owners...

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5 min read

Is Your Venture a Partnership for Tax Purposes?

If you're involved in a business or investment venture with one or more co-owners, you may have an unintended partnership for federal income tax...