RCReports is introducing its new Entity Selection Planning Tool, which will help support accounting and tax professionals in choosing the appropriate entity type for their business clients based on their ownership structure, performance, and goals.
The tool enables users to compare pass-through entities [Partnerships, LLCs] and sole proprietorships to an S Corp based on the tax implications associated with each one for a business. It also allows users to assess requirements regarding owner pay, reporting, record-keeping, and more.
Understanding each entity choice, the current state of the business in question, as well as the business’ future goals are key in determining the most appropriate entity type for the business.
“For SMBs that are experiencing financial or management changes based on year-over-year data, it is recommended to complete an entity selection analysis each year,” says Dawn Brolin, CPA, CFE and owner of Connecticut-based accounting and advisory firm Powerful Accounting.
CPAs, tax accountants and bookkeepers are all in a good position to initiate an entity selection planning analysis. Professionals should work with their client to gather key information, then use their knowledge and tools to complete the analysis and report back to the client.
Traditionally, entity planning has been a manual and time-consuming process for accounting, tax and business valuation professionals, requiring them to gather the data and calculate entity scenarios themselves or create formulas in Excel to show what the tax savings/cost would be for each entity being evaluated.
With RCReports’ Entity Selection Planning Tool professionals now can input client data to automatically create a report showing the best entity type over the next 10 years. Profit and owner compensation projections can also be adjusted to further fine tune the entity analysis.
Paul Hamann, founder and CEO of RCReports, says there are significant advantages for accounting and tax professionals to gain by adding entity selection planning to their advisory services offerings.
“Not only can entity selection planning add a lucrative new revenue stream for firms, but it also showcases the immense value that you add as a trusted advisor to the business owner," Hamann says. "This type of analysis starts a natural conversation about the overall health of the business and can be a great segue into other areas where you can help the business improve.”
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