--- title: Machen McChesney Blog | Chris Earnest (3) description: Chris Earnest is the Director of Small Business Services (3) --- [Family of Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/family-of-companies/)  |  [CPA & Business Advisory](http://machenmcchesney.com)  |  [Payroll, HR & Benefits](http://focuspaysolutions.com/)  |  [Wealth Management](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/financial-planning-and-wealth-mangement-services/) Auburn-Opelika (334) 887-7022 | Montgomery (334) 244-8900 [![mm-re-cobrand-fd-blues](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/hubfs/mm-re-cobrand-fd-blues.png?width=279&height=100&name=mm-re-cobrand-fd-blues.png)](http://machenmcchesney.com) Search this site on Google Search Google Search this site on Google Search Google - [Client Portal](https://machenmcchesney.sharefile.com/Authentication/Login) - [1040 Electronic Organizer](https://www.my1040data.com/account/login/HT7902990) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/675439?trk=tyah&trkInfo=idx%3A1-1-1%2CtarId%3A1424436970395%2Ctas%3Amachen+mcchesney) - 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The month-end close requires accounting personnel to round up data from across the organization. This process can strain internal resources, potentially leading to delayed financial reporting, errors, and even fraud. Here are some simple ways to streamline your company’s monthly closing process. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/tips-for-a-faster-month-end-close) Posted in [Accounting & Outsourcing](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/accounting-outsourcing) ## [5 Steps to Track Vehicle Mileage in QuickBooks](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/5-steps-to-track-vehicle-mileage-in-quickbooks) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Chris%20Earnest%202025%20udpate%20.jpg) Posted by [Chris Earnest](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/chris-earnest) on Aug 16, 2023 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Mileage-945420202-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/5-steps-to-track-vehicle-mileage-in-quickbooks) Your organization may need to track business miles to maximize its tax deductions, reimburse employees for personal vehicle use, and comply with IRS rules and regulations. Navigating this process can be administratively burdensome. Fortunately, QuickBooks® offers functionality that can make the process easier and more accurate. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/5-steps-to-track-vehicle-mileage-in-quickbooks) Posted in [Accounting & Outsourcing](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/accounting-outsourcing) ## [Is QuickBooks Right for Your Nonprofit?](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/is-quickbooks-right-for-your-nonprofit) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Chris%20Earnest%202025%20udpate%20.jpg) Posted by [Chris Earnest](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/chris-earnest) on Jun 13, 2023 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/words%20nonprofit%20-1264257431-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/is-quickbooks-right-for-your-nonprofit) Not-for-profit organizations exist to achieve nonfinancial or philanthropic goals, not to make money or build value for investors. But they still need to monitor their financial health — that is, how much funding is coming in from donations and grants and how much the organization is spending on payroll, rent, and other operating expenses. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/is-quickbooks-right-for-your-nonprofit) Posted in [Business Advisory](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-advisory) ## [How to Use QuickBooks as a Fraud Detection Tool](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/how-to-use-quickbooks-as-a-fraud-detection-tool) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Chris%20Earnest%202025%20udpate%20.jpg) Posted by [Chris Earnest](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/chris-earnest) on May 08, 2023 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Fraud%20-1405013101-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/how-to-use-quickbooks-as-a-fraud-detection-tool) Many businesses and nonprofits use QuickBooks® as a cost-effective solution to manage their accounting processes. However, the software’s capabilities extend beyond organizing and streamlining your company’s accounting. QuickBooks can also help you detect fraud. Here’s an overview of the software’s fraud detection and prevention features: [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/how-to-use-quickbooks-as-a-fraud-detection-tool) Posted in [Business Advisory](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-advisory) ## [Spring Cleaning in QuickBooks](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/spring-cleaning-in-quickbooks) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Chris%20Earnest%202025%20udpate%20.jpg) Posted by [Chris Earnest](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/chris-earnest) on Apr 20, 2023 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Accounting%20charts%20-654231214-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/spring-cleaning-in-quickbooks) Have your company’s accounting records become cluttered with duplicate items and unused accounts? When you need to revise your QuickBooks® lists — such as the chart of accounts, customers, and vendors — the software provides methods for deleting, inactivating, and merging list entries. Here’s what you can do to help spruce things up. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/spring-cleaning-in-quickbooks) Posted in [Business Advisory](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-advisory) ## [FAQs About QuickBooks](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/faqs-about-quickbooks) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Chris%20Earnest%202025%20udpate%20.jpg) Posted by [Chris Earnest](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/chris-earnest) on Jan 09, 2023 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Quickbooks%20words%20with%20computer.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/faqs-about-quickbooks) Almost 40 years after its launch, QuickBooks® remains the leading accounting software program for small and medium-sized businesses. If you decide to use QuickBooks for your bookkeeping needs, you may have questions about implementation and using it to run your operations. Here are answers to some basic frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you get started. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/faqs-about-quickbooks) Posted in [Business Tax](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-tax) [Previous](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/chris-earnest/page/2) Search this site on Google Search Google ### Recent Posts ### Subscribe to Blog ### Posts by Category - [Business Tax (356)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-tax) - [Business Advisory (242)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-advisory) - [Payroll, HR & Benefits (124)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) - [Audit & Assurance (113)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/audit-assurance) - [Accounting & Outsourcing (81)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/accounting-outsourcing) - [Individual Tax (75)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/individual-tax) - [Tax Planning (33)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/tax-planning) - [Tax Updates (25)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/tax-updates) - [Retirement & Wealth Management Planning (18)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/retirement-wealth-management-planning) - [Taxation (15)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/taxation) - [Alerts (13)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/alerts) - [Business Valuation (11)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-valuation) - [News & Events (11)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/news-events) - [Tax News (11)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/tax-news) - [Individual Tax Planning (10)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/individual-tax-planning) - [Not For Profit (10)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/not-for-profit) - [Retirement Planning (9)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [Estate Planning (8)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [Manufacturing Industry Insights (7)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) - [Individuals (1)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/individuals) - [Insider (1)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/insider) - [Professional Standard News (1)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/professional-standard-news) see all [![Returning\_Value](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/file-2504250850-jpg/Machen-Blog-Image/Returning_Value.jpg)](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/mission-and-values/) - [![AICPA](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/logos/aicpa.jpg)](https://www.aicpa-cima.com/) - [![NACVA](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/logos/nacva.jpg)](http://www.nacva.com/) - ![2026 INSIDE Public Accounting Top 400](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2026-ipa-top-400.jpg) - ![2026 Best of Auburn-Opelika](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2026-best-of-auburn-opelika.jpg) - [![2025 Best of OA](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2025-best-of-oa.jpg)](https://oanow.com/exclusive/readerschoice/ballot-2025/) - ![2026 Best of OA Winner](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2026-best-of-oa-winner.jpg) - [![2025 Accounting Today Regional Leaders](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2025-accounting-today-regional-leaders.jpg)](https://www.accountingtoday.com/) - [![ClearlyRated Best of Accounting](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2024-best-of-accounting.jpg)](https://www.clearlyrated.com/accounting) - [![ClearlyRated Best of Accounting Employee](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/2024-best-of-accounting-employee.jpg)](https://www.clearlyrated.com/accounting) 1820 East University Drive, Auburn, AL 36830 | Tel: (334) 887-7022 | Fax: (334) 887-7221 1761 Taliaferro Trail, Montgomery, AL 36117 | Tel: (334) 244-8900 | Fax: (334) 364-0927 † This is not a CPA firm. \* Assurance, attest, and audit services provided by Frazier & Deeter, LLC. “Frazier & Deeter” is the brand name under which Frazier & Deeter, LLC\* and Frazier & Deeter Advisory, LLC† and its subsidiary entities provide professional services. 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