Returning Value Blog

What To Look For on Your Balance Sheet — and How to Strengthen It.

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jan 14, 2026

The balance sheet shows your company’s financial condition — its assets vs. liabilities — at a specific point in time. However, the balance sheet is more than a static report. It can also serve as a diagnostic tool for managers and other stakeholders to analyze historical performance and plan for future growth. Taking your balance sheet to the next level requires context, judgment and forward-looking analysis.

Posted in Accounting & Outsourcing

How Activity-Based Costing Can Improve Business Performance

Posted by Lesley L. Price, CPA on Jan 08, 2026

Your income statement indicates whether your business is profitable — but it doesn’t always explain why . For many small businesses, traditional cost accounting can mask where time and money are really being spent. Activity-based costing offers a practical way to understand the true cost of the work you perform, helping you make better decisions about pricing, profitability, and operational efficiency.

Posted in Business Advisory

Not All Business "Expenses" Are Tax Deductible

Posted by Jessica L. Pagan, CPA on Jan 07, 2026

With 2025 in the rear view mirror and the tax filing deadline on the road ahead, it’s a good time for businesses to start gathering information about their deductible expenses for 2025. But what’s deductible (and what’s not) might not be as clear-cut as you think.

Posted in Business Tax

Secure 2.0 Act Impacts High Earners Catch-up Retirement Contributions

Posted by Amber Cochran Saxon on Dec 22, 2025

FocusPay Solutions wants to share an important update regarding changes to catch-up contributions effective for the 2026 plan year. We want to make sure you understand what is changing, who is affected, and how you can plan accordingly.

Posted in Payroll, HR & Benefits

IRS Makes Retirement Plan Changes for 2026

Posted by Murry Guy, CPA on Dec 19, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a release explaining changes in retirement plan limits for 2026. Below is a summary of this release. The provisions can be complex, so current and prospective plan participants should work with a financial professional.

Posted in Business Advisory

Significant Changes to Information Reporting Go Into Effect for the 2026 Tax Year

Posted by Murry Guy, CPA on Dec 16, 2025

If your business has employees or uses independent contractors, you have associated annual information reporting obligations. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) makes changes impacting these rules, but not for the 2025 tax year.

Posted in Business Advisory

Year-End Reminder: Don't Overlook Your PTO Accruals

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Dec 12, 2025

As 2025 winds down, it’s important to review your company’s accounting for unused paid time off (PTO). Many employers allow employees to carry forward unused vacation, sick leave, or personal time. This policy may create liabilities under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) — and, if your staff tends to bank time off, your PTO accrual may be larger than expected. Here’s what to consider as you finalize your financials.

Posted in Audit & Assurance

Using the Audit Management Letter as a Strategic Tool

Posted by Aaron K. Waller, CPA on Dec 11, 2025

Year-end is fast approaching. Calendar-year entities that issue audited financial statements may be gearing up for the start of audit fieldwork — closing their books, preparing schedules, and coordinating with external auditors. But there’s one valuable audit deliverable that often gets overlooked: the management letter (sometimes called the “internal control letter” or “letter of recommendations”).

Posted in Audit & Assurance

2025 Year-End Tax Planning Guide for Individuals

Posted by Lesley L. Price, CPA on Dec 10, 2025

With the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, and inflation showing signs of moderating, tax planning remains as important as ever for taxpayers seeking to manage cash flows and reduce their tax liabilities over time.

Posted in Individual Tax

New Law Eases the Limitation on Business Interest Expense Deductions for 2025 and Beyond

Posted by Nick Wheeler, CPA on Dec 08, 2025

Interest paid or accrued by a business is generally deductible for federal tax purposes. But limitations apply. Now, some changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will result in larger deductions for affected taxpayers.

Posted in Business Tax