Small Business Blog

Accounting and payroll resources for small business owners.

Easily filter through articles and find what you want to learn below.

blue-arrow
Valuable Business Articles & Updates

PASBA Accounting Firm of the Year symbol on white background

2 min read

TMA Named PASBA’s Large Firm of the Year—Here’s What That Really Means

At the May 2025 conference of the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants (PASBA), held at the Opal Sol Resort in Clearwater, Florida,...

money bills pouring out of a faucet

2 min read

Business Owners Can Rest Easier with Sound Cash Flow Management

Slow cash flow is one of the leading causes of insomnia for business owners. Even if sales are strong, a lack of liquidity to pay bills and cover...

Title text with bar graph, coins, and money bag on pastel background.

6 min read

What's the Difference Between Profit and Distributions?

Many small business owners see a healthy profit on their books and assume they can take that money home right away. But it’s not that simple. There’s...

coding background with a shield and keyhole on it in the foreground

2 min read

Companies Should Take a Holistic Approach to Cybersecurity

Today’s businesses have two broad choices regarding cybersecurity: wait for something bad to happen and react to it, or proactively address the...

2D illustration showing a spreadsheet with a red question mark, surrounded by a calculator, bar chart, pie chart, and coins. Blue background with scribbles and lightning symbols, conveying accounting frustration.

5 min read

5 Common Accounting Frustrations (and How to Find a Better Solution)

If you’ve ever felt like your accountant just doesn’t “get” your business, you’re not alone. Many small business owners feel overlooked, confused, or...

forms 1065, 1040, and 1120 on a desk

5 min read

5 Common Business Entities and Their Tax Implications

Choosing the right business entity is one of the most important decisions entrepreneurs make when launching or restructuring a business. The type of...

blue sky with yellow sign that reads

4 min read

8 Life Events that May Change Your Tax Situation

Life is full of changes, and many significant milestones can affect your tax situation in unforeseen ways. Whether you're getting married, welcoming...

Illustration with the headline

5 min read

It’s Time to Handle Business Expenses Like a Pro

As a small business owner, you wear a dozen hats. You're leading your team, driving sales, managing customer relationships—and somewhere in the...

Bold white title on a solid blue background with icons of cash, coins, a downward-trending graph, a calculator, and a stop sign

5 min read

5 Ways to Prevent Cash Flow Problems in Your Business

Running a small business takes hard work, long hours, and smart decision-making. Whether you’re managing a restaurant, a dental practice, or a home...

Illustration with accounting and bookkeeping icons and bold text

5 min read

What's the Difference Between Accounting and Bookkeeping?

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

Illustration of financial mistakes: error sign, calculator, and dollar icon on an orange background with text about small business owners.

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,...

Illustration of a central figure surrounded by interconnected colorful pegs, representing a network or social connection structure.

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...

Illustration of financial tools with a warning symbol.

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...