Resources Library

Easy to read ebooks, guides, checklists, and infographics to help you run your accounting firm or business.

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TEMPLATES

Email Templates for Selling Client Advisory Services

Use this selection of ten email templates to promote your client advisory services to both new and existing clients.

 

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Reports 

Botkeeper's Four Simple Questions Report 2023

Get the report that provides the trends across four key questions we've asked accountants since 2019. The report contextualizes and analyzes the data, teasing out what the implications might be for you and your firm.

 

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The Cherished Advisor Report

The Cherished Advisor helps businesses and individuals reach their goals, and looks beyond compliance to something more meaningful: success and fulfillment. 

 

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Checklists

 

Accounting Firm Hiring Considerations Checklist

Accounting firm hiring is complex. Use this checklist of considerations to help your process.

 

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How Does Botkeeper Make Life Better for Bookkeepers?

Botkeeper makes Bookkeepers' lives easier. It doesn't replace them! Here's how Botkeeper makes the bookkeeping job one anyone would be excited to do.

 

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Selling Advisory Services

Get ready to use your tax filing season discussions to build stronger and more lucrative client relationships. This checklist offers 10 questions you can ask naturally in the course of conversations revolving around taxes, to help determine if the client is ready for client accounting and advisory services from your firm.

 

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Ebooks and WhitePapers

You can find concise, convenient content on bookkeeping, tax prep, general business tips and tricks, as well as in-depth reports and education on more specific subjects, particular methodologies, and advanced problem-solving guides here! Access now and share them with your clients.

Client Advisory Services (CAS)

For those firms changing with the times, moving to Client Advisory Services, or CAS, plays an enormous part in becoming what visionaries in the profession have termed the “firm of the future.” In this detailed overview, learn the basics of CAS: what it is, why you need to offer it, and how to go about it.

 

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Bookkeeping Software/
Accounting Software

The complexity of accounting tasks makes it a natural fit for software and automation. Once upon a time, accounting software and automation were a strategic advantage. Today, they're quickly becoming a necessity. Learn more about how automation and accounting software make the modern firm... well, modern.

 

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Accounting Firm Mergers and Acquisitions

Merger and acquisition activity among firms has always been an important part of the accounting landscape. In recent years, it’s heated up even more. Whether your firm is acquiring, looking to be acquired, or merging with another firm, there’s a lot to know before you get started. Find it here!

 

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Firm of the Future

No one has a crystal ball, but firms that aren't paying careful attention to trends not just in accounting, but in business writ large, risk falling behind. Here, we take a look at today's world of people, process, and technology to see where things might be headed.

 

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Building a Botbrain

Deploying Machine Learning and AI in your Accounting Practice

Learn about what AI is and is not, and discover tips to getting started with your own BotBrain to save you time and money. 

 

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Crush Tax Season Without Getting Overwhelmed

It’s no secret that public accountants’ work is seasonal. Every year tax time rolls around and not only creates additional work, but also a heightened sense of urgency that piles on more stress.

 

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How to Build a CAS Practice: The Ultimate List of "Do"s & "Don't"s

What should you absolutely do when starting a CAS practice? And on the flip side, what should you avoid doing? Jump-start your advisory firm with this list of tested strategies — and actions to avoid. Access your copy today!

 

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The Accountant's Guide to Selecting an Automated Accounting Solution

A HELPFUL GUIDE FOR Accountants

It’s no longer a question of if you need technology to survive — it’s about which technology is the best fit for your accounting firm. Numerous factors weigh in on the decision to invest in technology. This selection guide was created to assist you through the process of knowing what to consider when it comes to accounting software built on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

 

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Exploring 8 Promising Market Verticals for CAS Practice Growth

Take control of your firm's CAS practice growth by knowing which market verticals are best suited for your services. Access this live eBook today!

 

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Bookkeeping Basics for Small Business Owners

Access this live eBook, share it with your clients, and make both your lives easier knowing you're on the same page!

 

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Who Benefits the Most From Automation at Your Firm?

Time to value is always a critical consideration, but it's not always easy to identify who benefits the most from each new tool you bring on board. This short guide will help you determine the true value of automation to everyone at your firm.

 

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How Uniting Accounting With Smart Technology Is the Way of the Future

CPA and digital evangelist David Bergstein explains the importance of prioritizing an effective tech stack for a smart approach to accounting advisory services.

 

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The Great Resignation: What Firms Need to Know to Prevent Massive Turnover

Access this live eBook to learn more about the "great resignation" and what accounting firms can do to overcome the industry-wide mass exodus.

 

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The Rise of CAS & Virtual CFO Services: A New Approach for Modern Firms

Audit is changing, and modern firms are taking a new approach when it comes to their service offering. In this live eBook, we cover the rise of CAS and virtual CFO services.

 

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Breaking Down Blockchain for Accountants

Blockchain technology, along with being a buzzword, is also one of the most exciting technologies of the 21st century. Blockchain is a universally decentralized ledger system that can share data among an infinite number of users and is essentially unhackable. The implications for accounting are enormous. Learn what you need to know by accessing the eBook today!

 

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What’s the difference between AI and ML?

Artificial or augmented intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have become hot topics in tech, business, and our everyday lives. In fact, a Google News search for the term “AI” returned 26.1 million results within the last 24 hours alone. But do we all know what we're talking about when it comes to AI and ML? Access this live eBook to learn more!

 

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Outsourced Bookkeeping: Nearly everything you need to know

Outsourcing has opened the doors to a world of new options. These days, outsourced services are the ideal way for a businesses to handle non-essential administrative tasks, with a special shout-out to one of the most important: Accounting and bookkeeping. You want to know more about outsourced bookkeeping? You'll find what you need here.

 

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Artificial Intelligence for Accounting: An Introductory Guide

Here, we’re going to delve into the specifics of AI, its uses in accounting, and the impacts of incorporating it into your daily life. Read on for an approachable intro to AI, and if you’re an accounting firm, share this guide with your clients so they better understand why automation is so important for their businesses!

 

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Client Data Security Best Practices to Protect Your Firm From Serious Threats

Cyberattacks can be time-consuming and expensive to deal with, and the odds are good that your accounting firm is already a target for one. Fortunately, there are steps you can take now to prevent major security issues from impacting your firm.

 

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How Changing Compliance Software Will Impact Finance in the Future

There was a time when compliance was resigned to a few employees working through Microsoft Excel. However, modern regulations are now much stricter than before. Financial crime and non-compliance can be detected much more easily than before. Hence, the software has had to take over. Over time, the software has become more complex and automated several processes for efficiency. It’s safe to say the software will have a far-reaching impact on the financial sector.

 

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Overcoming the 5 Biggest Obstacles to Growing Your Accounting Firm

A HELPFUL GUIDE FOR ACCOUNTANTS

With an ever-changing landscape, the accounting industry has seen drastic disruption over the past few years. Accounting is a profession with many nuances—working long hours, keeping up with evolving tax laws, managing complex client relationships, etc. — how does a firm manage to stay competitive when new obstacles seem to emerge every day?

 

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Finding Profitability In Timesheet Data

Inefficiencies run rampant in CPA firms. That probably comes as no surprise to you. You don’t have to look too hard to find something that could be done more effectively. But do you really know what all those inefficiencies equate to?

 

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7 Strategies for Maximizing Post-Tax Season Profit

A bit of planning goes a long way toward having a good busy season and maximizing post-tax season profit. This eBook offers 7 strategies you can explore right away.

 

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How Diversity and Inclusion Benefits Your Accounting Firm

Minority hiring at accounting firms is flat — and it has been since 2012. So what can firms do about it? This eBook highlights the actionable steps a firm can take today to help change the direction of the profession for the better.

 

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Bookkeeping Meets AI: Trends and Predictions for the Future of Accounting

By now you’re probably used to the integration of various forms of technology in the accounting industry, including machine learning, cloud computing, and different forms of automation. Small and large accounting firms alike have begun recognizing the importance of automation as they move forward with modern-day trends in bookkeeping.

 

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You Already use Automation, but are You Getting the Most Value From it?

Whether or not you realize it, many aspects of daily life are already automated — for the better. Accounting automation has the power to transform how an accountant operates to maximize ROI.

 

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Prioritizing Internal Growth to Achieve Comprehensive Growth

Discover some of the most highly recommended strategies for maintaining internal growth while your firm expands externally, as well. Access this pocket guide to scalability now!

 

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The Accounting Firm's Intro Guide to Hiring & Retaining Premium Talent

Finding and retaining the best accounting talent can feel like a never-ending puzzle — until now. Access this guide on improving your hiring & retention practices!

 

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The Perfect Time to Offer CAS Services & Create Advisory Opportunities

Not all of your clients are right for your CAS services, and for those that are, timing is everything. Learn what you should look out for when offering CAS services in this free eBook.

 

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The True Costs of Recreating Your Accounting Firm Tech Stack

How much is bad technology costing your accounting firm? This free ebook helps firm leaders take control of their firm's growth by investing in appropriate technology

 

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Tech & CAS: How Advisory Benefits From The Use of Automation

When it comes to building an efficient and scalable CAS practice, firms can't overlook the power of technology. Learn more in this ebook on advisory and tech.

 

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How to Drive New Revenue with Practical Automation

With AI and ML, you can focus your experience and judgment on the core needs of the business without wasting time on data manipulation. These technologies are driving new opportunities for revenue, enhancing profitability, and fueling the shift to advisory services. The only question that matters is: How will your firm adapt to the new world?

This eBook is your gateway to AI and ML for accountants. Access your copy today!

 

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4 Times Accounting Mistakes Cost Big Companies Big Money

You’d think a degree in accounting and finance would be a requirement to help run a big company, especially as errors in financial spreadsheets can put millions of dollars at risk for these organizations. But if the four cautionary tales in this eBook are an example of how it’s normally done, it might seem that a degree isn’t required at all.

 

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Is the Automated Tax Return Possible?

An introduction by Bill Sheridan from Maryland Association of CPAs — explores how technology can benefit accountants, specifically related to one of the most arduous and uninspired areas in accounting: the tax return.

 

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How to Sell CAS: Your First Steps Toward Big Results

Selling client advisory services should be easy — it's what clients want, after all. But there are some things you should know.

 

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From Tax to CAS: The Accountant's Guide to Creating More Opportunities

Firms might have different ideas of what growth looks like, but one message resounds: advisory creates opportunities.

 

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7 Experts Weigh in on the Future of Accounting

Every industry is impacted by the rise of technology and automation, and for many, that can be an overwhelming — possibly even scary — thought.

 

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Advanced Guide to Automation in the Accounting Industry

Like the transition from the abacus to the calculator, the accounting industry eagerly embraces changing technology — and the ability to make accountants’ lives easier.

 

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The 3 "A"s of Evolving your Firm

Evolving your firm is always a challenge. The three “A”s can help you get there. Accounting, Automation and Advisory are the keys to firm success. 

 

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The 79 Tactics to Save Time in your Firm

In this guide, Ryan Lazanis will share some of his favorite tactics when it comes to saving time in your firm — so you can scale your business while working less in it.

 

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Increasing Accounting Firm Capacity Without Adding Staff

Download this ebook to discover how capacity planning can be done effectively and efficiently — through the use of technology. 

 

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Videos and Presentations

  Presentations, talks, and demos, recorded for your viewing pleasure.

 

 

Avoiding Virtual Pitfalls with Jody Padar and Justin Whitehead

There are a number of cyber risks popping up that can put your systems and data at risk. Bad actors are taking advantage of remote workers - here's what you need to look out for

 

 

A Q & A Session with Jody Padar | The Bridge to the Cloud with Wolters Kluwer and Botkeeper.

How can you continue to differentiate your offering, and ensure your clients’ success? How do you adopt new technologies and new processes that can help us live in the “new normal”? Now is your chance to get the answers to these questions! Watch the live Q&A session with Jody Padar, VP of Strategy at Botkeeper, and The Radical CPA who has successfully achieved the "No-Touch Tax Return" to get those questions answered!

 

 

The Art of the Leadership Pivot

Gretchen Pisano’s pointer for nailing the pivot and common missteps: Every new day is an opportunity to communicate and support your clients.

 

 

Leading while afraid

The world in the time of Corona is upside-down! In the next six to ten months, new legislation, new social and professional norms, and new practices in every sector will become solidified to create a new normal. Where does this position CPAs?

 

 

CARES Act Opportunities for Your Clients

Are you trying to ensure your clients take advantage of every opportunity the CARES Act presents them? Learn more with Nellie Akalp, founder and CEO of CorpNet to help your clients better navigate their options! 

 

 

Dealing with emotional ramifications

What does virtual leadership mean in a coronavirus environment? Listen to the full recording of this video interview for more awesome insights to help you and your team right now!

3 Approaches to Bookkeeping Tips and Tricks to Help You Become a Pro

Poor accounting is a weakness for many small businesses. For owners, finding the time to do the job right isn’t easy. Thankfully, there’s another way.

5 Ways to Make Your Small Business Bookkeeping Efficient

With improved accuracy and speed, Botkeeper offers you the chance to leverage technology in a way that can greatly benefit your business.

The Cost of Bad Bookkeeping

The importance of making the right bookkeeping decision for your business should not be underestimated. Make sure your business will never fall victim to sloppy bookkeeping!

5 Steps to Streamline Your Bookkeeping Operations
Instead of falling farther and farther behind, check out our 5 steps to streamlining your bookkeeping operations!
7 Things All Business Owners Do Daily

If you're just getting into business for yourself, you might be wondering what to expect. Learn more in our video, "7 things All Business Owners do Daily"!

Four Signs that Your Bookkeeper is Stealing

Watching for these major red flags can help clear the way for you to take steps as needed Do you know what to look for? Here are 4 signs that can help you determine if your bookkeeper is stealing!

The Impact on the Accounting Profession

In this trying times, how do all of these uncertainties for CPAs and Accountants impact future revenue, staffing, firm operations, and more? Join our VP of Strategy, Jody Pada get the scoop from Daniel Hood, editor-in-chief of Accounting Today, on the findings from their recent survey done in conjunction with ADP.

 

Infographics

Fun infographics to help take complex topics into captivating experiences.

Scale with Botkeeper and Reap the Rewards

Botkeeper's automated bookkeeping saves time, effort and money for your firm on even a single client. But scale up to more clients on Botkeeper, and the benefits can be incredible!

 

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What Is the Great Resignation? an Interactive Infographic

Learn all you need to know about the Great Resignation in this infographic — plus what your accounting firm can do to prevent major turnover.

 

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How does Botkeeper’s ML Work?

Discover the power of machine learning for accounting firms, including a general overview, Botkeeper's application of ML tech, and how it brings value to accounting firms.

 

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Accounting Graduate Landscape

Having the right talent for your Accounting firm is vital for growth and success! However, recruiting and retaining top talent are one of the challenges Accounting firms face thanks to major shifts in the supply of talent and the changing demographics of accounting graduates.

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CALENDARS

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2024 CAS CALENDAR

Daily ideas for social posts, training, tips, and tricks to help you market your CAS department. Get your services front-and-center with your existing and prospective clients!

 

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CALCULATORS

Accounting calculations can be a tad easier with the help of our free online accounting calculators

 

Accounting Glossary

A collection of basic financial terms and acronyms

 

Accounting 101

No matter what size your business, understanding the basics of accounting is incredibly useful. Accounting is simply the process of recording, analyzing, and interpreting a business’s financial information.

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Accounting Software

Accounting software is a type of computer software used by business owners and accounting specialists to perform bookkeeping and accounting operations.

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Accounts Payable

An accounts payable (AP) entry indicates a company's obligation to pay off debts to its suppliers or creditors within a given period in order to avoid default.

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Accounts Receivable

The accounting term “accounts receivable” specifies “accounts” a business is entitled to receive because it delivered a service or goods.

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Accrual Accounting

Unlike the cash accounting method, which records economic events only when cash is exchanged, accrual accounting entails revenue and expenses are recorded in the periods in which they are incurred.

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Adjusted Trial Balance

The adjusted trial balance is similar but distinct from the trial balance. An adjusted trial balance is essentially a master list that showcases the balances of all accounts, following the posting of adjusting entries at the end of an accounting period.

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Amortization

Amortization is a comprehensive financial concept with dual implications. In the context of loan management, amortization refers to the systematic process of repaying a loan through regular, scheduled payments over a predetermined period.

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Audit

An audit entails a systematic and comprehensive examination of an organization's financial statements, records, transactions, and procedures. This inspection is typically performed by an independent and external body to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial statements with accounting standards and regulations.

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Bad Debt Expense

The concept of bad debt expense represents a significant aspect of financial accounting, acknowledging the reality that not all accounts receivable will convert into cash due to customer defaults.

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Balance Sheet

A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides a snapshot of what a business owns and owes, as well as the amount invested by shareholders.

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Bank Reconciliation

Bank reconciliation is a critical financial control process aimed at comparing a company's internal financial records against bank statements to ensure congruence.

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Benefits

Benefits play a major role in the workplace, representing anything given to an employee beyond their wage or salary.

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Bonds Payable

Refers to the long-term debt a company owes to its bondholders and must repay at a specified maturity date, typically more than one year from the balance sheet date. When a company issues bonds, it effectively borrows money from investors who become creditors holding the company's debt.

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Book Value

Book value offers a concise measure of the net worth of an asset, as recorded in a company's financial statements, specifically on the balance sheet.

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Capital Asset

Capital assets embody the significant resources a business procures and employs over the long run, representing substantive investments within the company's operational framework.

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Cash Basis Accounting

Cash Basis Accounting is the method where a business records revenue and expenses at the time they are actually received or paid, not in the period in which they were incurred.

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Cash Flow

Cash flow captures the actual financial movement within a company, playing a pivotal role in highlighting a business's ability to generate cash and meet its operating, investing, and financing obligations.

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Cash Flow Statement

A cash flow statement is just what it sounds like: an indication of the cash generated or used by a company in a given period.

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Chart of Accounts

Think of a chart of accounts (COA) as a filing cabinet where all a company’s financial transactions are stored and a complete listing of all the accounts that are currently in use are kept.

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Class Tracking

Businesses that want to get a more detailed view of their finances can use class tracking to determine which areas of the business are doing well and which need improvement.

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COGS

One of the most important business accounting terms, COGS is the acronym for the cost of goods sold and represents the total cost required for a company to produce a product or deliver a service, including labor and materials.

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Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income extensively chronicles a company's change in equity during a financial period that is not derived from transactions with shareholders (such as dividends or share buybacks).

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Contingent Liability

It is a potential financial obligation that may occur depending on the result of a future uncertain event. This liability is not certain to occur but depends on the outcome of a particular event, such as a lawsuit, government investigation, or product warranty issue.

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Contractor vs Employee

Independent contractors are self-employed and provide specialized or requested services on an as-needed basis, while employees work for employers and often have little control over their work and performance.

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Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

A financial metric that represents the direct costs linked to the production of the goods sold by a company. This figure includes the cost of the materials and labor used to create the product but excludes indirect expenses such as sales and marketing.

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Cost of Sales

Often equated to the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), it represents the direct costs of producing the goods or services a company sells. It is a defining factor for determining gross profit, making it central to a range of key business operations, from production to financial reporting.

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CPA, Controller, CFO

Quick definitions: A CPA is a Certified Public Accountant. A Controller is responsible for all accounting-related activities within an organization. A CFO is the Chief Financial Officer, responsible for all financial actions of a company.

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Credits and Debits

All business transactions have a monetary impact on the financial statements and the bottom line of an organization. When accounting for these transactions, a company records the numbers in two accounts, a debit column on the left and a credit column on the right. The use of a 2-column transaction recording format is the most essential of all controls over accounting accuracy.

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Current Ratio

The current ratio is an analytical metric that offers insight into a company's capacity to satisfy its short-term obligations within a year or operating cycle, using assets expected to be liquidated in the same period.

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Deferred Revenue

Also known as prepaid revenue or unearned revenue, deferred revenue is the money received by a business in advance of having earned it. It calculates an asset’s depreciation expenses based on the date of purchase, initial cost, useful life (how long a company intends to use it), and tracks beginning and ending accumulated depreciation, or the value of the assets when it is replaced.

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Depreciation Schedule

A depreciation schedule or chart helps businesses keep track of long-term assets and gives a look at how they’ll depreciate over time.

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Direct Cost

An expense that can be directly traced to producing a specific good or service without any allocation. It includes raw materials and the labor directly involved in a product's manufacturing process. These costs are directly attributable to the cost object, which can be a product, service, or department.

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Double-Entry Bookkeeping

Double-entry bookkeeping is a comprehensive system in which every financial transaction records at least two accounts.

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Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT)

Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) is a financial measure that assesses a firm's operational profitability by focusing solely on the business's core income-generation capabilities.

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Equity

Equity refers to the portion of a company's total value that belongs to the shareholders after subtracting all liabilities. It represents an owner's interest in an organization and is often referred to as shareholder's equity or owner's equity in the context of different types of businesses.

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Financial Reviews

A financial review is performed to ensure no material changes are needed to bring a company’s financial statements into compliance within an applicable financial reporting framework such as GAAP.

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Fiscal Policy

Embodies the government's budget management strategy and taxation policies to influence the national economy. These economic policies control inflation, drive economic growth, reduce unemployment, and stabilize the economy over the business cycle.

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Fiscal Year

A fiscal year, often abbreviated as FY, is a one-year period governments and businesses use for accounting and financial reporting. It is tailored around a company's operational needs or specific regulatory requirements and does not necessarily align with the calendar year.

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Fixed Cost

Expenses that remain unchanged with fluctuations in production volumes or sales output, standing as a constant number regardless of the level of business activity. Fixed costs include rent, salaries, insurance, and depreciation charges.

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GAAP

GAAP stands for “generally accepted accounting principles” and is used by businesses to: Properly organize their financial information into accounting records, summarize the accounting records into financial statements, and to disclose certain supporting information.

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General Ledger

The general ledger is the foundation of a company's financial information system. It contains all the accounts necessary to prepare financial statements and records all of a company's business transactions through double-entry bookkeeping.

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Gross Margin

Gross margin, also known as gross profit margin, significantly influences business strategy and pricing policies. This financial ratio demonstrates the percentage of revenue remaining after subtracting the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), a critical measure showing how efficiently a company manages its production and supply chain operations.

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How to Calculate Income

Calculating income is essentially deducting costs and expenses from profits. It starts by calculating the total amount of sales made during accounting and is followed by deductions for certain costs or other operating expenses. When all is said and done, the company learns how much it earned or lost during the accounting period.

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Income Statement

Also known as the Profit and Loss Statement, it is a financial report detailing a company's financial performance over a specific period. This statement breaks down the revenue earned and expenses incurred, concluding with a net figure representing the company's financial gain or loss.

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Indirect Cost

Expenses that are not directly traceable to a specific cost object, such as a particular product, service, or project. These costs are necessary for the overall operation of a company but cannot be directly allocated to the goods or services produced.

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Internal Control

Procedures and policies implemented by an organization to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its financial reporting, safeguard assets, and encourage adherence to laws and regulations.

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Inventory

It encompasses all the goods a company holds with the intention of sale or use in production, making it a critical component of business operations and financial management. Proper inventory management balances the need to meet demand without incurring unnecessary costs or losses from overstocking or stock obsolescence.

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Journal Entry

This is a fundamental accounting process component, documenting every financial transaction in an organization's ledger. Each journal entry includes important details: the date, involved accounts, and amounts debited or credited.

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Liability

Liabilities are a fundamental part of the financial structure of a company, representing debts or obligations that arise during business operations, which must be settled over time through the transfer of economic benefits, including money, goods, or services.

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Liquidity

Liquidity is a multifaceted concept in finance, referring to the ability of an asset to be converted into cash quickly and the capacity of a company to meet its short-term obligations. In the context of assets, liquidity indicates the ease and speed with which an asset can be sold in the market without affecting its price significantly.

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Modified Adjusted Gross Income

Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), determines an individual’s eligibility for important tax benefits, including whether they can contribute to an IRA or deduct contributions to an individual retirement account. Eligibility for certain income tax credits and education tax benefits are also based on MAGI, as is the eligibility for subsidized health insurance through the marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act, and for income-based Medicaid.

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Monetary Policy

The mechanism through which a country's central bank influences its economy, primarily by managing interest rates and controlling the money supply. The primary objectives of monetary policy include handling inflation, controlling unemployment rates, stabilizing the currency, and fostering an ideal environment for economic growth.

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Net Income

Net income, the quintessential measure of a company's profitability, encapsulates the essence of a company's financial success over a specific period. Derived by subtracting total expenses, including taxes and cost of goods sold, from total revenues, it provides a comprehensive snapshot of the company's financial performance.

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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses encompass the array of costs associated with running a business that are not directly tied to producing goods or services. These expenses include sales and marketing, administrative salaries, office supplies, and utilities.

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Operating Margin

The operating margin is a profitability ratio calculated by dividing the operating income by the net sales. It measures how much of every dollar in sales translates into profits before deducting taxes and interest. This metric is a key indicator of a company's core business's efficiency and health without distortion of non-operating incomes, financing costs, or tax impacts.

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Payroll Taxes

Payroll taxes represent compulsory taxes employers must withhold from employees' wages and salaries. These taxes are crucial to a country's taxation system, financing essential public services such as social security and healthcare. For businesses, administering payroll taxes is a significant responsibility, requiring diligent adherence to all tax codes and rates, which may vary by jurisdiction.

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Prepaid Expense

Prepaid expenses represent a company's advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future. They are recorded as current assets on the balance sheet, reflecting the future economic benefits the company expects to receive.

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P&L Statement

All companies must generate revenue to stay in business. It is used to pay expenses, taxes to local, state, and federal governments, and interest payments on debt. Once the costs of doing business are paid, what's left over is called net income which is, in theory, available to shareholders. Often the decision is made to retain earnings for growth and future investments in the business instead.

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Retained Earnings

 The accumulated profits a company chooses to reinvest in the business rather than distribute to shareholders as dividends. This internal funding source enables companies to finance expansion, research and development, debt reduction, and other activities aimed at long-term growth and value creation.

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Return on Investment (ROI)

A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency or profitability of an investment or to compare the efficiency of several different investments. ROI directly measures the return on a particular investment relative to the investment’s cost.

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Revenue Recognition

A cornerstone principle in accounting, responsible for setting the framework within which revenue is officially recorded and reported on financial statements. This principle dictates that revenue should only be recognized when earned or when earning it is possible.

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Sales Revenue

The total money generated from selling goods or services before any expenses are deducted. This vital metric is often viewed as the primary indicator of a company's financial performance and market position.

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Straight-Line Depreciation

It is a method used to evenly distribute the cost of a tangible asset over its estimated useful life. This approach assumes that the asset will provide equal utility or value to the company each year, resulting in a consistent annual depreciation expense.

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Tax Liability

Refers to the total amount of tax that individuals, companies, or other entities are legally obligated to pay to tax authorities within a specified period. It encompasses various forms of taxes, including but not limited to income tax, corporate tax, sales tax, and property tax.

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Trial Balance

An essential bookkeeping worksheet, acting as a checkpoint in the accounting process to verify the balance of debits and credits across all accounts in an organization's ledger.

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Unearned Revenue

Unearned revenue represents payments a business receives for services or products that are yet to be delivered or completed. This is crucial for understanding a company's cash flow and future obligations, as it embodies the prepayment from clients for goods or services expected to be provided later.

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Variable Cost

Variable costs are business expenses that fluctuate proportionally with the production or service output levels. Components of variable costs often include raw materials, production supplies, and labor directly implicated in the production process.

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Variance Analysis

A financial management tool that helps assess the differences between planned financial outcomes and actual financial performance. By comparing actual results to budgets or forecasts, businesses can identify the reasons behind financial deviations, whether favorable or unfavorable.

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Wage Expense

Constitutes a company's total cost to compensate its hourly employees. This expense is reflected on the income statement and can be categorized either under the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) or as an operating expense.

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Working Capital

A financial metric representing the difference between a company's assets and liabilities. It is a critical indicator of operational efficiency and short-term financial health.

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Write-Off

A write-off in accounting is a formal recognition that a portion of a company's assets has lost all or part of its value and is no longer recoverable. This action reduces the value of an asset on the balance sheet to zero or a lower valuation.

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Yield

Represents an income return on an investment, typically expressed as a percentage, indicating the interest or dividends earned from holding a particular security. It encapsulates the returns an investor realizes on securities, such as bonds, stocks, or other financial instruments.

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Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB)

A budgeting process where every expense within an organization must be justified for each new period, essentially starting from a "zero base." Unlike traditional budgeting methods that adjust previous budgets to account for new expenses, ZBB requires departments to justify every dollar of their requested budget regardless of past expenditures.

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