At Machen McChesney, we are committed to Returning Value to you through our monthly e-newsletter, The Value Report.

Here you'll find regular tips to help with your business and personal finances, as well as strategies to grow and run your organization more efficiently. 

Table of Content

1. Review Your Business Expenses Before Year-End
2. What's the Right Inventory Accounting Method for Your Business
3. 5 Ways to Streamline Your Billing Process
4. What You Need to Know About Deducting Business Gifts
5. Business Owners: You Don't Need a Crystal Ball to See the Future, Just Your CPA
6. 2025 Business Year-End Tax Planning Guide
7. Ready, Set, Count Your Inventory
8. Is Your Accounting Software Working for Your Business — or Against It?
9. What's New at Machen McChesney

Review Your Business Expenses Before Year-End

Now is a good time to review your business’s expenses for deductibility. Accelerating deductible expenses into this year generally will reduce 2025 taxes and might even provide permanent tax savings. Also consider the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It makes permanent or revises some Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions that reduced or eliminated certain deductions. Continue reading.

What's the Right Inventory Accounting Method for Your Business?

Inventory is one of the most significant assets on a balance sheet for many businesses. If your business owns inventory, you have some flexibility in how it’s tracked and expensed under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The method you use to report inventory can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line, tax obligations, and financial ratios. Let’s review the rules and explore your options. Continue reading. 

5 Ways to Streamline Your Billing Process

When your business is growing, billing can easily fade into the background. After all, once invoices go out and payments come in, it may seem like everything’s running smoothly. But small inefficiencies and overlooked errors can quietly chip away at cash flow. Continue reading. 

Business Owners: You Don't Need a Crystal Ball to See the Future, Just Your CPA

Financial statements report historical financial performance. But sometimes management or external stakeholders want to evaluate how a business will perform in the future. Forward-looking estimates are critical when evaluating strategic decisions, such as debt and equity financing, capital improvement projects, shareholder buyouts, mergers, and reorganization plans. While company insiders may see the business through rose-colored glasses, external accountants can prepare prospective financial reports that are grounded in realistic, market-based assumptions. Continue reading. 

2025 Business Year-End Tax Planning Guide

Businesses face unprecedented complexity as legislative changes, shifting economic conditions, and technological advancements reshape the tax landscape for organizations of all sizes. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings both new opportunities and risks, making proactive planning and compliance essential. Continue reading.

Ready, Set, Count Your Inventory

When businesses issue audited financial statements, year-end physical inventory counts may be required for retailers, manufacturers, contractors, and others that carry significant inventory. Auditors don’t perform the counts themselves, but they observe them to evaluate the accuracy of management’s procedures, verify that recorded quantities exist, and assess whether inventory is properly valued. Continue reading.

Is Your Accounting Software Working for Your Business — or Against It? 

When buying new accounting software or upgrading your existing solution, it’s critical to evaluate your options carefully. The right platform can streamline operations and improve financial reporting accuracy. However, the wrong one can result in reporting delays, compliance risks, security breaches, and strategic missteps. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid. Continue reading.

What's New at Machen McChesney?

Sponsorships, new hires, announcements
Continue reading. 

We hope you found value in The Value Report you've received this month. We look forward to finding even more ways to Return Value to you in the future.