R&A CPAs blog

Understanding the Rising Threat of Deepfake Fraud

Fake or doctored images appear all over the internet and on our phone and computer apps these days. Some are harmless and entertaining. See how you will look as you…

Strengthening the Foundation: A CFO’s Perspective on the Importance of Internal Controls

In our article last month, “Why More Businesses are Turning to Fractional CFO Services,” we shared that many growing businesses lack the sophisticated financial controls and systems that are needed…

Navigating Financial Complexity in Construction: Strategies for Cash Flow, Cost Control, and Long-Term Profitability

Construction professionals operate in one of the most financially complex industries, where managing cash flow and cost control from job to job creates fluctuating liquidity patterns unlike any other sector.…

June 2025 Newsletter

How to Read a Not-For-Profit Tax Return (Even if you are not a tax professional) Part II

In a way, IRS Form 990 consists of two separate tax returns. The first is the “numbers” section (discussed in part I of this article) where organizations report their income…

Meet Jessica Nutbrown: Client Accounting Services Supervisor

Jessica Nutbrown is a Supervisor in our Client Accounting Services department and has been a member of the R&A team for four years. In her role, she supports a variety…

Top 10 Cybersecurity Practices Every Business Needs to Stay Ahead of Threats

As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital technologies to run their operations, cyber-related attacks have taken a quantum leap in both number and sophistication, threatening to derail continuity and create…

Are Nonprofits Exempt from Arizona Sales Tax?

One of the appeals of establishing a nonprofit organization is that these organizations are generally exempt from paying one or more types of tax. But just because an entity is…

Why More Businesses are Turning to Fractional CFO Services

For many small and mid-sized businesses (SMEs), hiring a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) can often exceed operational needs or current budget realities, despite the clear value seasoned financial leaders…

Succession Planning is Vital – What You Need to Know

In 1977, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak incorporated Apple Computer, a company that would revolutionize technology and consumer electronics and have a profound impact on the music, film, and wireless…

What You Need to Know About Paying Household Employees

October 22, 2026

When you hire someone to do work in your home, they may be considered a household employee, and you might have some tax withholding responsibility when you pay them. You may have heard of this tax referred to as the “nanny tax.” These taxes are actually employment taxes and include social security, Medicare, and sometimes…

Update on Trump Accounts – Automatic Enrollment

October 22, 2026

Do you have a child under the age of 18? They most likely have a Trump Account now, whether or not you signed them up for one. The US Department of Treasury recently began automatically enrolling eligible children in the program rather than waiting for parents or guardians to apply. Even though your child may…

September 2026 Newsletter

September 24, 2026

Employee or Independent Contractor?

September 24, 2026

Suppose your business hires an outside person to complete a task. What is your tax withholding responsibility when you pay this person? The answer depends on the business relationship between you and the person doing work for you. Types of workers There are two kinds of workers: employees and independent contractors. (We know this is…

Payroll Security Best Practices for Small Businesses

September 24, 2026

Payroll systems handle large volumes of sensitive personal data, making them vulnerable to breaches. To safeguard this data, organizations need integrated security measures that minimize the risks of errors, fraud, and operational disruptions. AI can support these efforts by identifying processing issues and suspicious activity, but it is not a standalone solution. Effective payroll security…

Checking Your Federal Tax Withholding – Why, When, and How

September 24, 2026

If you are an employee, you know that various taxes are withheld from your paychecks. While you generally can’t change the amount of social security and Medicare taxes withheld, you can change the withholding amounts of federal and state income tax. In fact, the IRS encourages taxpayers to review their income tax withholding at least…

R&A Named a 2026 Top 500 US Accounting Firm

September 24, 2026

R&A is very pleased to share that we have been recognized as a Top 500 Firm in the US for 2026 by INSIDE Public Accounting based on US net revenue. INSIDE Public Accounting is a leader in practice management and CPA firm resources for the public accounting profession. Of this recognition, Phillip C. Dalrymple, CPA, CFE, and R&A Managing Partner said, “We are proud…

Trusts Can be Powerful Estate Planning Tools

September 24, 2026

You’ve probably had a check-up with your doctor or dentist in the last year as part of your routine practice of self-care. Preventive visits like this can detect and address potential health issues in their earliest and most treatable stages. We think of estate planning as preventive care for your life and loved ones. No…

Promises of Tax Settlements for “Pennies on the Dollar” are Often Too Good to be True

September 24, 2026

At R&A CPAs, we often find ourselves counselling individuals or businesses that are overwhelmed by large tax liabilities or mired in IRS bureaucracy. Like you, we see ads promising amazing “pennies on the dollar” settlement deals with the IRS touted by “professionals,” backed up by dramatic testimonials of success. These settlements refer to the IRS’s…