The Benefits of An External Audit

Evaluate your system accurately!

In an external audit, expect that professional accountants will interview the owner, discuss the accounting system and test the company's accounting information and procedures.

External audits offer several benefits for small business owners:

• Providing ValidityMany small business owners do not have an in-depth understanding of accounting principles.  Professional accountants can review this information objectively and thoroughly and provide business owners with insight on the accuracy and validity of the accounting process. Valid accounting information can help business owners secure external financing from lenders and investors, and is also pleasing to the IRS.
  
• Uncovering ErrorsBusiness owners can use external audits to discover errors in their accounting process. Errors in accounting information may prohibit managerial staff from making the best decisions. Business owners can also find it difficult to review historical financial information and discover trends if errors are in place. Trends allow business owners to plan future production output and estimate sales for the upcoming months.
  
• Limiting Tax and Legal IssuesLegal issues arise when business owners provide inaccurate or fraudulent accounting information to lenders, investors and the general public. Overstating income, inventory value or other items can significantly increase the amount of taxes owed by the company. Small businesses organized as a sole proprietorship also need accurate accounting information since income will be reported on a personal income tax return. Inaccurate accounting information can trigger a personal and business tax return audit.
  
• Educating the Business OwnerBusiness owners often work closely with external auditors to improve their accounting process. External auditors will provide business owners with information on current accounting issues. Public accounting firms may also provide business owners with free educational seminars to improve their accounting process. Creating a personal relationship with a public accounting firm provides business owners with professional insight for future accounting questions.

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READ MORE>> smallbusinessChron.com: What Are the Benefits of An External Audit?
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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

The CGMA Designation: Why It Matters

CFO Ghassan Ghraizi received
the CGMA designation.
ATLANTA, GA (FEB  2011)  

Started in January 2012, the CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) certification is a global honor that can be bestowed on a Certified Public Accountant who passes the stringent qualifying exam.

The designation was the merger between the London based Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and  the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and was created to foster an understanding of the  vital  role accounting and financial institutions play in world economics.  The institutions also wanted to set in place a universally accepted quality gradient for an ever growing economically assimilated world.

The CGMA will also be heralded as something of a gold standard that small to  large companies can towards for when seeking business services.  This means that when a client utilizes the services of a CPA or CFO who has a CGMA designation, they can rest assured that:

• The accountant has passed a strict qualifying exam that is backed by AICPA-CIMA, two of largest financial governing bodies in the world.
• One can rest assured that CPA'S  and other certified accounting and business managers with the CGMA certification have to adhere to required codes of ethics and conduct.
• People who earned this certification take their jobs seriously and thus, will attempt to provide customers with top notch financial services.

In other words, those who endeavor to earn their CGMA title have decided to commit to a system of financial integrity and fiscal responsibility that greatly benefit business.

Ghassan R. Ghraizi of GBC SERVICES LLC has taken a step towards that level of care and commitment by recently earning his Chartered Global Management Accountant designation.

Contact GBC SERVICES, LLC., today to learn more about the services they provide for companies like you.

READ MORE:
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
GBC Services LLC, Tax Accounting Services for Atlanta GA
GBC Press Release : MORE

What is the Objective of an External Audit and What Standards are Required?

Weigh the fairness of your financials
with an objective assessment by an
external auditor and gain credibility.

An audit is a systematic process of objectively obtaining and evaluating the accounts or financial records of a governmental, business, or other entity. Whereas some businesses rely on audits conducted by employees—these are called internal audits—others utilize external or independent auditors to handle this task (some businesses rely on both types of audits in some combination).

The primary objective of the external audit is to add credibility to the financial statements of the management.

The role of the external auditor is to render an independent professional opinion on the fairness of financial statements to the extent that is required by generally accepted auditing standards. External audits are often used by smaller businesses that do not have the resources or inclination to maintain internal audit systems.

The auditing process is based on standards, concepts, procedures, and reporting practices that are primarily imposed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). AICPA general standards and standards of field work declare that:

• External audits should be performed by a person or persons having adequate technical training and proficiency as an auditor.
• The auditor or auditors maintain complete independence in all matters relating to the assignment.
• The independent auditor or auditors should make sure that all aspects of the examination and the preparation of the audit report are carried out with a high standard of professionalism.
• The work is to be adequately planned and assistants, if any, are to be properly supervised.
• Independent auditors will carry out proper study and evaluation of the existing internal controls to determine their reliability and suitability for conducting all necessary auditing procedures.
• External auditors will make certain that they are able to review all relevant evidential materials, whether obtained through inspection, observation, inquiries, or confirmation, so that they can form an informed and reasonable opinion regarding the quality of the financial statements under examination.

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READ MORE>> referenceforbusiness.com: Audits, External- percentage, type, cost, Independent Auditing Standards

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Essential Financial Services
• Tax Requirements By State
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

Checklist for Small Business Tax

Start gathering the right info
for your tax professional.

Are you overwhelmed about preparing your taxes for your small business? 

There is much to gather regarding information on income and expenses! This can include different types of inventory, different types of business transportation expenses, and forms. Hiring a CPA is probably the best way to do all this, but before you throw your hands up, here is a handy checklist to help you start getting an overview, and also to help your accountant:

• Gross receipts from sales or services rendered
• Sales records (for accrual based taxpayers)
• Inventory (if applicable)

And then from your inventory:

• Beginning inventory
• Inventory purchases
• Ending inventory
• Items removed for personal purposes

SEE MORE>> HRBlock.com: Small Business Tax Prep Checklist

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READ MORE GBC Tax Services Website
For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232

The ABC's of an External Audit

A very wise step for any business is
to choose an external auditing team.

An audit is a systematic process
of objectively obtaining and evaluating the accounts or financial records of a governmental, business, or other entity. Whereas some businesses rely on audits conducted by employees—these are called internal audits—others utilize external or independent auditors to handle this task (some businesses rely on both types of audits in some combination). External auditors are authorized by law to examine and publicly issue an opinion on the reliability of corporate financial reports.

The business of external auditing
is to determine the extent to which the organization adheres to managerial policies, procedures, and requirements. The independent or external auditor is not an employee of the organization. He or she performs an examination and issues a report containing an opinion on a client's financial statements. During the course of an audit study, the external auditor also becomes well-acquainted with the virtues and flaws of the client's accounting procedures. As a result, the auditor's final report to management often includes recommendations on methodologies of improving internal controls that are in place.

The compliance audit,
the financial statements audit, and the operational audit are among the major types of audits conducted by external auditors. A compliance audit has as its objective the determination of whether an organization is following established procedures or rules. A financial statement audit (or attest audit) examines financial statements, records, and related operations to ascertain adherence to generally accepted accounting principles. An operational audit examines an organization's activities in order to assess performances and develop recommendations for improvements, or further action.

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READ MORE>> inc.com: "Audits, External" from Encyclopedia of Business Terms 

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

 

Find Out About Your 2015 Credits and Deductions!

Click on the picture to go to the site.

Weigh your situation!!

Click on the scales to go quickly to the IRS page on credits and deductions in 2015. There are quite a few both for individuals and businesses, both small and large.

Examples are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), and the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which help millions of families every year.

In addition to the standard deduction for individuals, common deductions include home mortgage interest, state and local tax, and charitable contributions. Many business expenses are deductible as well.

Check this out to get a preview of your tax outcome in 2015!

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READ MORE>> www.IRS.gov: Credits and Deductions
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READ MORE GBC Tax Services Website
For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232