Managing Executive Compensation Packages for CPA Practices
Imagine planning for retirement in ancient Rome: Augustus Caesar offered veteran soldiers a hefty lump sum (about 13 times their annual pay) upon retirement – a strategy to reward loyalty and prevent mischief. Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and American companies were handing out gold watches at retirement – a nice gesture, but hardly […]
Captive Insurance for CPA Practices
Imagine it’s the 1950s in Ohio: A steel company owns several coal mines that feed its furnaces, and those mines are dubbed “captive mines” because they serve only the company. To protect those mines, the company’s advisor Frederic Reiss helped set up an insurance company owned by the steel company itself – effectively ensuring the […]
From CPA Practice to Retirement: How Business Restructuring Impacts Your Retirement Plan
Running a CPA firm is a numbers game—but the most important ledger might be your own retirement balance sheet. One eye-opening fact is that a huge portion of many business owners’ wealth is tied up in their companies. One study found that 80% of the average business owner’s net worth is locked into their business. […]
Strategic Use of Leverage in CPA Portfolios
Imagine moving a massive ship singlehandedly. Sounds far-fetched, but ancient accounts say the Greek mathematician Archimedes did just that using a clever system of levers and pulleys eurovps.com. He famously boasted, “Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough, and I shall move the world.” That story illustrates the core idea of […]
Blended Families and CPA Practices: Navigating Estate Planning
Imagine spending thirty years building a thriving CPA practice, carefully nurturing client relationships, and gradually expanding your service offerings. Your child has worked in the practice for nearly a decade, effectively managing key accounts and earning the trust of long-term clients. Now, as you consider your second marriage, you face a critical challenge: how do […]
How to Monetize Illiquid Assets as a CPA Practice Owner
As a CPA practice owner, you’ve devoted years to building your business. But have you considered how that business will fund your retirement? To exit on your terms with a comfortable retirement, you need a plan to turn your illiquid business into reliable retirement income. Your practice is likely one of your largest assets, yet […]
How to Utilize Opportunity Zones in 2025
Have you ever heard of Opportunity Zones? Established as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Opportunity Zone program was created to spur investment in economically distressed communities by offering investors significant tax incentives. In essence, they’re a government-backed way to encourage you to reinvest capital gains into designated areas in […]
Can Your Estate Pay Its Bills? Why Liquidity Matters
As a CPA practice owner, you know numbers—but have you run the numbers on your own estate liquidity? A lack of liquid assets could leave your heirs and executor scrambling to cover estate taxes, business expenses, and probate costs. Without careful planning, the IRS and creditors may get paid before your loved ones do. That’s […]
Strategic Exit Planning for CPA Practice Owners: Maximizing Practice Value
As a CPA, you’ve probably seen your share of business transitions – some smooth, some… not so much. But when it comes to planning your own practice exit, the stakes feel different, don’t they? Unlike selling a retail store or manufacturing business, your practice’s value isn’t sitting on shelves or spinning on factory floors. It’s […]
How to Save in Taxes When Selling Your Practice via QSBS Exclusions
CPA firm owners know the drill: when you sell your practice, you’re looking at a tax bill. But there’s a special provision in the tax code that could change your entire exit strategy: Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS). Here’s how it works: If you structure your practice as a C corporation and meet certain requirements, […]
