By Lee Byrd
Small business owners and nonprofit executives often wear many hats while managing their organization. Whether it’s day-to-day accounting or oversight of an internal accounting department, an accounting firm offers many services that will allow you to focus on the core strategies of your business. Here at Langdon & Company LLP, we offer a wide range of services from basic bookkeeping to acting in a CFO role to financial statement audits and tax return preparation. Often times you will find that the cost of hiring an accounting firm to perform these services is less than hiring an employee.
Bookkeeping Services
Many small organizations do not have the need or financial resources to hire a full-time employee to perform the day-to-day bookkeeping tasks. In such ca
ses, it may be helpful to seek the aid of an accounting firm that can provide services such as accounts payable and receivable, billing, payroll, bank reconciliations, general ledger entries and monthly financial reports. You will gain the knowledge of an experienced bookkeeper with access to CPAs within the firm at a cost effective rate.
CFO Services
Do you need the expertise of a Chief Financial Officer but can’t bear to add such a salary to your already tight budget? A CPA firm can offer the expertise of a CFO in tasks such as creating budgets, preparing financial statements, analysis of financial data, or review of your organization’s internal accounting personnel offering a greater segregation of duties. These services can be provided on a periodic basis, such as monthly or quarterly, or on a project by project basis, as needed throughout the year.
Audit and Attest Services
Whether it is at the request of a lender or required by the organization’s by-laws, many organizations feel the need for a higher level of review of the financial statements. CPA firms offer attest services that will provide the level of assurance needed. An Audit provides the highest level of assurance that the fina
ncial statements are free from material misstatement and includes the auditor obtaining an understanding of the client’s internal controls and assessing fraud risks. An audit is also the most costly level of attest service. While less costly, a Review is substantially narrower in scope than an audit and provides only limited assurance. A review consists mostly of inquiry and analytical procedures. If the audit or review services do not meet the needs of the organization, CPA firms also offer Agreed Upon Procedure (AUP) services. An AUP is an engagement in which an auditor is engaged to carry out procedures of an audit nature to which the auditor, the client, and any appropriate third party have agreed and to report on factual findings.
Tax and Consulting
In addition to day-to-day booking or more extensive oversight services, accounting firms also advise clients on financial strategies, such as lowering tax burdens, providing suggestions on a business plan, or suggestions on the most effective way to comply with third party regulations. CPAs can also assist with the preparation of state and federal tax returns.
Langdon & Company LLP is a full-service CPA firm committed to providing quality customer service in the highest professional manner. Contact us to see how we can help you!
Lee ([email protected]) is an Audit Manager with Langdon & Company LLP. She works with many not-for-profit and healthcare organizations.