R&A CPAs blog

After the Audit: An Overview of SAS 114 & SAS 115, Auditor’s Communication Letters

Independent financial statement audits are designed to provide assurance that the amounts reported in them are reasonably stated. An integral part of the audit process is an assessment of the…

Understanding Business Travel Deductions

If you travel for business, you want to claim valid deductions, but the rules can be confusing. Following are just a few tax details business travelers should know. Business travel deductions…

February 2023 Newsletter

An integral part of the audit process are letters to both governance and management communicating their findings.

Arizona Sales & Use Taxes—Short-Term Rentals for Winter Events

The Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) reminds taxpayers that short-term residential rentals are considered lodging rental stays for less than 30 days. The income from short-term rental stays is subject…

New Law Ushers in Major Retirement Changes

There’s been buzz about new retirement plan provisions for weeks, and now they’re final, bringing about changes to various federal rules and adding flexibility for current and future retirees. The…

The After-Effects of the CARES Act: Preparing for a Single Audit

While most of the financial relief benefits driven by the pandemic have expired, there are some after-effects to consider as we head into 2023. If your business received financial assistance…

January 2023 Newsletter

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) is the primary regulation used by federal agencies for acquisition of supplies and services.

December 2022 Newsletter

The IRS makes inflation adjustments for each year, which affect a wide range of provisions. And this year, there are some new additions as well.

Check Tampering Fraud in Small Businesses/Organizations

How one trusted employee defrauded a charity and how she got away with it for so long. If your small business or organization maintains a paper checkbook, whether you typically…

Key Social Security Changes for New Year

According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 70 million Americans will see an 8.7 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2023. On…

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…