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Atlanta small-business owners are operating in a demanding environment. Costs are unpredictable, hiring is competitive, and many industries are working with tighter margins than just a few years ago. In that context, the CPA relationship often goes beyond filing and compliance. Business leaders rely on clear answers, timely turnaround, and guidance that supports better decisions throughout the year.

Outsourced accounting is moving from the margins into the mainstream. A recent survey found that 45% of middle-market companies now outsource some or all of the accounting function, a sharp increase from 2022, when most respondents said they had not even looked into it. Smaller businesses are heading in the same direction as leaders see the benefits of more consistent reporting, access to specialized expertise, and relief from ongoing hiring pressure. As interest grows, many Atlanta business leaders want a better picture of what outsourced accounting includes and when it might make sense for the organization.

The Treasury Department and the IRS have released proposed regulations that explain how a new federal income tax deduction for car loan interest will work and how lenders will be expected to report that interest. The proposal would allow eligible taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 of qualified passenger vehicle loan interest each year and would create information reporting rules for businesses that receive at least $600 of interest in a calendar year on specified passenger vehicle loans from individuals.

Sponsoring a 401(k) plan provides meaningful value to employees, but it also requires employers to demonstrate each year that the plan is working as intended. Nondiscrimination testing is the primary way the IRS evaluates that performance, checking whether contributions and participation patterns are balanced between highly compensated employees (HCEs) and everyone else. For plan sponsors, a clear understanding of these tests can support compliance and plan design decisions.

Year-end planning looks different for 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which passed earlier this year, expanded several deductions and introduced new tax breaks for workers, families, and seniors. It also extended rules that were expected to change. With so many updates in place, a review of personal finances before December 31 can help uncover new tax-saving opportunities for 2025.

Organizations don’t usually decide to outsource accounting because of one major issue. It’s almost always a collection of small, persistent challenges that start to interfere with decision-making. These signs tend to emerge gradually, and leaders often suspect there are issues before they can articulate them. When several of the patterns below start to show up at once, it’s usually a sign that the accounting function needs more structure, capacity, or specialized skill than the current setup can offer.

The IRS and Treasury have issued the first round of guidance on Trump Accounts in Notice 2025-68. This offers the earliest look at how the new accounts will function when they launch in 2026. Created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Trump Accounts are designed as long-term retirement savings vehicles for children. The program includes a highly anticipated $1,000 federal contribution for eligible children born between 2025 and 2028, provided a parent or guardian elects to open an account. The new guidance explains how those elections will be made, how contributions will be tracked, and what investment options will be allowed during a child’s early years.

Roughly 6 million U.S. workers rely on tipped income, and more than 80 million earn hourly wages, many of whom receive overtime pay. To support this large segment of the workforce as new tax rules take effect in 2025, the Treasury Department and IRS have released Notice 2025-69, which explains how workers can calculate the new deductions for qualified tips and overtime compensation created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

As 2025 winds down, many businesses are taking time to review year-end tax strategies. Recent changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) restored several tax breaks and adjusted rules that will apply for the first time in the upcoming filing season. Companies should look closely at these updates to determine if they qualify to take advantage of these tax saving opportunities. For many there will be an opportunity to reduce taxes before year end.

Organizations across every sector are asked to provide financial statements at one point or another. A bank needs them for a loan renewal. A foundation wants to see them before releasing a grant. These requests often come with deadlines, but not always with clear instructions. Many leaders hear the terms compilation, review, and audit and wonder what the differences mean for the organization. This often depends on how the financial statements will be used and what level of assurance outside parties need. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations avoid delays, reduce costs, and meet compliance obligations.