MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC

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How Forensic Accounting Saves Your Business from Fraud

August 26, 2022 / / 0 Comments

No company in the world is completely safe from a variety of internal and external threats such as fraud and misinformation. As such, it is critical for a business to work with forensic accountants to make sure everything is in order regarding accounting and bookkeeping operations. Forensic accountants have keen minds and they like figuring out what really happened! In this month’s blog, we will discuss how forensic accounting keeps your business away from fraud and how to choose the right accountant for this task.

You May Benefit From A Forensic Accountant If…

First of all, before hiring a forensic accountant, you have to determine when and why you need their services and help. Well, if you have been robbed, are suffering from commercial damages, or even if you catch one of your employees stealing from your business, then it’s time to seek their assistance. A forensic accountant is a trained professional that combines a set of skills to investigate financial cases from the inside out.

Related: Learn more about the main role of a forensic accountant here.

How to Hire the Right Forensic Accountant

A forensic accountant must have many skills to be able to do their job to the fullest and provide the desired results. Nevertheless, forensic accountants can specialize in a variety of industries. Therefore, hire someone who has undertaken similar cases before. Not to mention that you have to research their portfolio, experience, and credibility.

The Objectives of Forensic Accounting

While forensic accounting primarily aims to detect fraud in financial activities, it has much more far-reaching implications than simply identifying fraud.

Below are four forensic accounting objectives:

  • It can help the company reduce losses significantly.
  • Forensic accounting ensures that business activities are legitimate.
  • It can help businesses avoid a range of legal threats.
  • Forensic accounting can help a company develop value-added economic policies.

Related: Learn more about forensic accounting and how it works here.

Conclusion

Nowadays, our news feeds are constantly flooded with stories regarding fraudulent acts. The age of the internet has given scammers and cybercriminals an opportunity and a channel to fraud businesses. This is where a forensic accountant comes in handy. If you need seasoned a forensic accountant in Mission, TX, choose MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC. We have many years of experience in the industry and specialize in all accounting areas. To learn more about our accounting firm and services, visit our website.

Expenses That You Didn’t Know Were Tax Deductions!

July 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments
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Tax deductible expenses are basically work or company expenses in which the government allows tax relief. During tax season, it is much better to come prepared and have all your books and records straight for a successful financial audit. You can claim tax deductions on expenses that are exclusively made in the interest of the business as per HMRC. The following is a list of tax deductibles that you can claim this tax season.

1. Expenses of Your Business

If you have invested a significant amount of capital on the expenses of a startup or your business, you can claim it all as a tax deductible by showing it as a business expense. All the hardware and supplies like computers and office stationery necessary to set up your business, the cost of business registration as a licensed product, the web domain fees, and advertising are all under the umbrella of tax deductibles. Any expenses that are paid for using personal funds can be claimed when the company or legal entity starts trading, so be sure to keep receipts and maintain accurate records.

2. Office Maintenance

For any repairs and maintenance work for your office, the amount is tax deductible. If you are working from an office, you can also file your rent for the premises as a tax deductible as well. This also includes small business owners who work in a home office. In this case, you would have to report what percentage of your home is used for your business and measure your work space.

3. Electricity, Water, and Gas Bills

Due to the spread of COVID-19, people were assigned to work from home. If you also work from home, you can easily claim a certain percentage of your electricity, water, and gas bills as tax deductibles. Determine how much of your home is used for professional work purposes. The said amount will be registered as a tax deductible amount from all your expenditure. This includes power bills, council tax, and even some part of the interest on your mortgage payment.

4. Subscriptions

If you are paying for subscriptions strictly for professional purposes, it can also be stated as a tax deductible. For example, a production company will have access to multiple editing and animation software products.

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Conclusion

Claiming tax deductibles is a technical aspect and should be left to seasoned professionals to take care of it. Are you looking for a public accountant to take care of your financial affairs? Let a professional do it for you. MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC offers professional accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation services at affordable rates in Mission, TX. Visit our website to learn more about our services or simply give us a call at (956) 997-0067 for further assistance.  

Ways to Help Your Clients Survive an Audit

June 24, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Audits can happen to anyone and at any time and can easily stress and petrify any client or tax professional. As a result, it is your responsibility to look after your client and ensure that they face the situation with caution. With your assistance, advice, and support, your clients can deal with audits professionally. Not only this, but with your necessary accounting and tax services, your clients can easily overcome late tax payments, fines, and other issues. To help you out, we have created a guide that will help you know what to do if your client ever goes through an audit.

You can be a representative.

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At times, tax rules can be complicated and can vary depending on the situations and clients. Therefore, it becomes necessary to have adequate counsel from a professional and well-experienced tax specialist. If you are a CPA or an enrolled agent, then you can easily be a volunteer and represent your client. This way, you can ease the stress of your client and seek out better solutions for audits.

Related: “How to Minimize Your Chance of an Audit”

Assist your client with their tax record.

Try to assist and work with your client to make sure all the valid records are arranged in the correct order and can easily be submitted to the IRS for a successful audit. You can also advise your clients to keep clear and transparent records throughout the year. This way, you have all the important information readily available if the IRS needs it.

Everything is written in black and white.

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Ask your client to demand their auditors capture their contacts on paper or with narrative explanations. Not only that, but you can also encourage your clients to keep records of all their formal and informal contacts with their auditor. This allows you to easily take care of the official requests and document exchanges that may likely appear in the future.

Related: “What is the Audit Process?”

Plan ahead of time.

Instead of rushing at the end, encourage your client to plan ahead of time. Ask them to arrange all the paperwork correctly and provide support for the position they have taken or plan to take. Though time extensions are frequently granted on legitimate requests, it is still better to take the proper time to plan ahead because you might not know what circumstances and challenges you might encounter in the future.

The Bottom Line

If you need professional auditing advice, rely on MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC. We are here to make the process easy and stress-free for our valued clients. Just let us know your requirements and we will ensure all your audit needs are successfully met. Learn more about our services by visiting our website or by calling us at (956) 997-0067.

How the Landscape of Internal Auditing Will Change in Coming Years

May 27, 2022 / / 0 Comments
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COVID-19, undoubtedly, affected the entire work dynamics and environment on a global level. Every field had to adapt to new circumstances. Internal auditing faced a number of unprecedented challenges. It brought a number of opportunities and challenges alike. It has, in fact, become a race against time to be prepared for the inevitable. The following are the key risks we believe that internal auditors will need to focus on.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is an elephant in the room and we need to address it fast. With COVID-19, we saw an increased dependance on technology among all organizations, no matter what field you choose to review. Cybersecurity has become one of the greatest concerns among corporations and businesses. Data security should be the first concern of internal auditors in 2022.

Other Risk Factors That Require Auditing Efforts

Apart from cybersecurity, the following are growing key risk factors that all internal auditors must be prepared for by 2030:

  • Continental drifts in the global economy
  • Diversity of the workforce
  • Efficacy of management from the top hierarchy
  • Inevitable climate change
  • Rising artificial intelligence and its implementation

Strategies and Resources to Overcome the Upcoming Challenges

There is always a silver lining to a dark cloud. Amidst the crisis, resources have grown considerably in favor of internal auditors to tackle the aforementioned risks of the future. Here are some tactic driven approaches to take out the problem in a constructive manner:

  1. Proactively prepare for the key risks by considering their solutions right now rather than later.
  2. Figure out the necessary skills required for the future and train your staff, so everyone is equipped with an adequate skill set for a relevant job market.
  3. Develop a communication link between the workers and stakeholders in the organization for a better understanding of the company’s future goals.
  4. Introduce and adopt technology and the latest methods and practices of the trade to maximize results and stay up to date with the market.
  5. Gather all the experience and data retrieved through remote working and test possibilities with a hybrid-working environment.
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Conclusion

Internal audit requires many qualifications and years of experience to develop an insight on how finances run through the market and corporations. Are you looking for a public accountant to take care of your financial affairs? Let a professional do it for you. MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC offers professional accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation services at affordable rates in Mission, TX. Visit our website to learn more about our services or simply give us a call at (956) 997-0067 for further assistance.     

What Can a Forensic Accountant Help You With?

April 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments

A forensic accountant is a person who has all the expertise and skills needed to thoroughly investigate financial cases. He or she can also provide you with professional advice and solutions to overcome issues. So, if you’re thinking about which matters a forensic accountant can help you with, stress less. To clear your doubts, we’ve discussed all the possibilities that you can consider.

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1. A Shareholder or Partner Dispute

If you’re a person who is involved in a shareholder or partner dispute, fret not. A forensic accountant can help you with all sorts of disputes. The accountant will carefully study, analyze, and take the whole situation into consideration. Without being biased, the accountant will help determine the benefits and compensation that are owed to each shareholder and partner. The accountant will also ensure that the shareholder and partner agree to continue a diplomatic partnership. Not only this, but also accepting the outcome.

2. Selling your business

A forensic accountant can also assist you in figuring out a precise valuation of your company, so that you are well aware of how much it’s worth when the time comes to sell it. Even if you don’t plan to sell your company, at least you will know the value of your business and stay in the loop.

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3. Account Record

It becomes quite crucial to keep an eye on your business and also ensure that it is in good trustworthy hands when there are many people handling your records, because accounting malpractice can happen at any time. But if you lack expertise and you are suspicious about your bookkeeper, a forensic accountant can help you maintain accounting records. The accountant will walk you through the whole record your bookkeeper is maintaining and review how exactly they were handling.

4. Commercial Damage

You can also refer to a forensic accountant if you are suffering from commercial damage. The accountant will accurately study all the breaches of the contract, fraud, and construction claims and will provide you with expert testimony. Once the review of all the complexities of a commercial damage case is completed, your accountant can also help you present the facts to the jury.

5. The Fraud Risk Assessment

Not every person working and holding a position of power can be trustworthy. If you believe that your manager is involved in fraudulent activities, you can hire a forensic accountant. The accountant with all this expertise and experience will perform a fraud risk assessment. This process will help you prevent further financial theft at your workspace.

Conclusion

If you come across any of these situations, you should consult the professional services of a forensic accountant immediately. They will undoubtedly protect you and provide you with the best solutions. For instance, if you’re looking for a forensic accountant, you can rely on MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC. We offer professional forensic services in Mission, TX. Check our website to learn more about our services, or simply give us a call at (956) 997-0067 for further assistance.

How to File Your Taxes in 2022

March 25, 2022 / / 0 Comments
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Tax season is upon us. It can be a daunting and tiresome experience, especially for the people who are filing taxes for the first time. So, if you are in a jam thinking about how you are going to file your taxes, we have a cheat sheet for you to follow up with. Read the following article and get the basics of filing your taxes.

1. Select Your Tax Filing Method

There are basically 3 ways to file your taxes. The first one is that you fill out an IRS Form 1040 and send it through mail. We don’t recommend it because paper processes take up to 6-8 weeks.

The second way is to file taxes online through a tax software. It is a fairly easy method that covers all the areas that are under inquiry during the audit. IRS also offers access to tax preparation software. You must have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less to avail this service.

The third one is to hire a professional tax expert or tax preparer. The professionals are well-aware of everything that goes in the system. They are familiar with all the requirements and technicalities involved in the process of the IRS audit. You might want to seek the guidance of a professional if you have a healthy earning side gig.

2. Have a Clear Understanding of How Taxation Works

Your payable tax amount is determined by dividing your taxable income in to tax brackets. Each bracket gets taxed at a corresponding tax rate. This system ensures fairness. So, a person with a high taxable income will pay more taxes and a person with a low taxable income will be subject to a small amount of tax as per the laws.

3. Know Your Tax ABC

You need to gather all the right documents and get them organized or you will be scrambling for everything at the last minute. It is good to be prepared and ready for everything. Here is a list of must-have documents that you will need during the process.

  • Social Security Numbers (Yours and the dependents)
  • W-2 Form (Form that states your annual earnings from last year and how much tax you have already paid)
  • 1099 Forms (Records that a person or entity gave or paid you money)
  • Contributions towards retirement
  • Proof of state and local taxes you paid
  • Educational expenses
  • Unreimbursed medical bills

4. Settle Your Score With the IRS

If you have outstanding balance against IRS, now would be a great time to pay it all back. You can use cash, electronic payment methods, wire transfers, checks, and credit/debit cards to clear whatever you owe to the IRS.

If you can’t pay your taxes in one go, you can opt for an IRS payment plan. You can choose between a long-term plan or a short-term payment plan. Both come with their own pros and cons. Whatever you select, you will be making monthly payments after this.

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Conclusion

As discussed in our blog, it is quite helpful if you hire the services of a professional tax expert to file the taxes for you. This will give you the freedom of mind so you can focus on better and more productive things in your life. MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC offers professional accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation services at affordable rates in Mission, TX. Check our website to learn more about our services or simply give us a call at (956) 997-0067 for further assistance.

How Accountants Can Help You Make the Leap from Good to Great

February 18, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Behind every successful business is a great accountant – that is one of the key reasons why small companies become great.

Being a business owner is a huge job with many facets, since running a business involves so many important challenges and you are responsible for them all. But skilled accountants can lighten your load by taking responsibility for a few of these challenges based on their deep knowledge of tax loopholes, deductions, and government subsidies.

In this month’s post, we’ll show you exactly how the work of an accountant supports the long-term growth and success of your business.

What Do Accountants Do?

To begin with, we’d like to bring to your attention that there are many types of accountants, and each accountant can specialize in a particular area. However, public accountants might be the most critical financial consultants for business accounting. Public accountants often work independently and may contract with companies. Not only will they improve financial processes and produce reports and data, but they will also advise you on planning strategies, helping you with tax preparation, and other financial planning.

Is an Accountant Able to Transform Your Business From Good to Great?

While some companies settle for good results, there are other companies in the same industry and with the same opportunities that manage to make the leap from good to great. You may wonder how that is possible, and if so, how? The answer is figuring out if your business needs accountants, then handing over your financial tasks to them and having confidence in them. You heard it right!

Accountants can do an amazing job in improving business efficiency and saving money. An experienced accountant strives to give you all the information you need to make competent and effective business decisions.

Here are some of the specific services provided by a masterful accountant:

  • Advice and Assistance in Selecting a Business Entity

You have to work extensively with an accountant before any official registering of your business, because every decision you make early on will have a huge impact on the future potential of your company. Therefore, getting all the information you can get is crucial to making the right choices.

  • Create and Maintain Cash Flow Projections

A healthy cash flow is essential for a healthy business. That’s exactly what a masterful accountant will do. They will help you assess your cash flow and take control of it by studying your business and keeping you up-to-date about your business budget.

A great accountant will provide you with neat weekly and monthly budget reports so you can know how the budget is flowing in and out of your business.

  • Offer Financial Advice

In the business world, there is nothing better than an experienced accountant to advise you. When working with clients and jumping in to make big purchases or start new marketing campaigns, it’s best to consult with an accountant who can analyze the risks and benefits of your options.

Final Thoughts

The leaders of great companies get the right people on the bus and put them in the right seats; then they figure out where to drive it. Be sure to work with the best accountant in your city. MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC offers the most professional accounting services in Mission, TX. Our experienced accountants will cover all of those exhausting tasks and accompany you through your business journey. Please call us at (956) 997-0067 to learn more information about our working hours or visit our website for more information.

3 Signs That Your Business Needs Accounting Services

January 19, 2022 / / 0 Comments
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For startups, it is easy to get by without the services of an accountant in the beginning as there is barely any need of it. If you own a business and have access to an accounting software with the know-how of accounting for small business owners, you will do just fine. But as you continue to expand, there will be tell-tale signs that it is time to hand over the task to a professional accountant.

1. Your business has experienced a major growth spurt.

With great power, comes great responsibility. Every business owner dreams of such progress and if you are experiencing such a shift in paradigm, you will need to expand. More staff, inventory, work processes, and internal system only leads to more paperwork and calculations. It is wise to have a person dedicated to this task and responsible for keeping all the finances in order.

2. You find yourself in need of professional financial reporting.

If your business is in search of investors or loans, it is better to have your company’s financial state and history in order. It is one of the most integral parts of a loan application or a proposal to investors. You will need a professional who knows the trade inside out. An accountant understands the relevant information that needs to be included with financial reports to score investors and loans. An accounting specialist will also produce financial forecasting for your business. This will provide insights for what direction your business is heading to.

3. An audit hangs over your head.

An audit due can be a stressful experience. If it is your first time being audited, you should know what the audit process is. If you don’t have a professional accountant by now, it’s high time you get one. An accountant will work through your paperwork and help you organize and identify the information that the IRS will inquire about in the audit. Your hired accountant can also directly liaise with the IRS on your behalf. This will free up your time to work towards more productive and constructive goals. 

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Conclusion

MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC offers professional accounting and bookkeeping services in Mission, TX. We guarantee you success through our highly experienced team of accountants, tax experts, and bookkeepers. We don’t ask for your vote of confidence – we will earn it through our services. Get yourself an accountant at MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC or call us at (956) 997-0067 to book an appointment.

How Accounting Services Can Drive Your Business

December 30, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Accounting refers to the detailed and systematic recording of any financial transaction in a business. Accounting plays an essential role in running a company, mainly because it helps track income and expenditure. In addition, accounting enables statutory compliance and provides the government, investors, and management with qualitative financial information vital to making business decisions. Furthermore, it helps in scaling a business, as it generates critical financial statements, such as:

  • The income statement gives profit and loss information.
  • Balance sheets give a clear understanding of the financial position of any business.
  • A cash flow statement acts as a bridge between the income statement and the balance sheet.

Accounting reports the cash the business generates and spends during a specific period. Any business must keep its financial records clean and updated to enable the company to run smoothly. Below are the key points on how accounting can help speed up your business.

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  1. Enables Business Evaluation

Accounting helps in evaluating your business since financial records reflect the business operations. It also allows you to see the business’s financial position and get a better understanding of the business’s financial state. In addition, it enables in keeping track of gross margin, expenses, and compares the current data with the previous accounting. This report supports allocating budgets appropriately.

2. Allows for Budget Creation and Future Projections

Financial records play a crucial role for any business, especially for future projections. Budgeting is critical as you base business trends and forecasts on vital financial data provided by well-structured accounting processes.

3. Filing of Financial Statements

It is a requirement that businesses file financial statements with the register of companies. In addition, it’s critical to file them with the stock exchange, direct and indirect tax filing purposes. Accounting plays a vital role in these scenarios for business evaluation.

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Conclusion

For any business to be successful, there have to be clear financial records that govern the company. Business success is fundamental if you are looking to understand the financial state of your enterprise. If you need accounting, bookkeeping, audit, tax, and business management consulting services, contact our team of specialists at MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC.

What is the Audit Process?

September 29, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Usually referred to as a financial statement audit, an audit is an unbiased examination and evaluation of the financial records of an organization. This process ensures that all records, statements, and transactions are fair and accurate to what the organization reports. Audits can be conducted internally by the organization’s employees or conducted externally by an outside CPA firm. In this month’s blog, we examine the four main phases of the audit process and how it is conducted.

Planning and Preparation

During the planning phase, the auditor will notify the client and discuss the scope and objectives of the evaluation in a formal meeting with the organization’s management. The auditor will also request a copy of the previous audit report, original bank statements, receipts, ledgers, and other necessary files. After gathering background information and meeting with key personnel, the auditor will begin preparing a draft of the audit plan and how it will be executed.

Fieldwork

The fieldwork phase, also known as the execution phase, involves the auditor speaking with staff members and reviewing procedures and processes. There will be tests conducted for compliance with policies and procedures as well as evaluating internal controls. The auditor will also identify and discuss any problems that arise.

Audit Report

After conducting all of the necessary interviews and tests, the auditor will then finalize their audit report draft for review. This report outlines the objective and scope of the audit, relevant background information, the findings, any errors, and recommendations for improvement or correction. During this time, the draft will also be sent to management for their review and will give them a chance to respond to the report. Their responses should include their plans for improvement or correction and what steps they plan to take.

Closing Meeting and Follow-up

Finally, a closing meeting is scheduled with management and the entire report, responses, and any revisions will be reviewed and discussed. If there any issues, they will be resolved in this meeting and once all parties have come to an agreement, the audit report will be finalized. The final audit report including the management responses will then be distributed to all department personnel involved in the audit as well as to the CPA firm if an external auditor was enlisted.

After approximately six months to a year, a follow-up review will be performed to ensure the corrective measures were implemented. The effectiveness and timeliness of actions taken by management since the start of the audit will be evaluated.

Learn More

When you need an audit conducted, call on the reputable services of MARIELA RUIZ, CPA, PLLC. We have many years of experience executing audits and strive to help companies improve their operations and internal workings. We are here to help you accomplish your objectives and improve the effectiveness of management and other procedures. Learn more by visiting our website or by calling (956) 997-0067 for any questions.

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