Business

Maintaining Sound Financials as a Sole Proprietor

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2021

Running a small business is the stuff of dreams for many a sole proprietor who would rather make it on their own than toil away for someone else. Operating as a sole proprietor is just one way to structure a small business. It has its advantages and disadvantages. It also has its challenges, including maintaining sound financials.

The thing about operating as a sole proprietor – or sole trader in the UK – is that the government does not recognise any distinct separation between personal and business assets. Every dime a sole proprietor earns in business income is also considered personal income. It is taxed accordingly. Sole proprietors are subject to fewer write-offs as well. To keep finances in order, sole proprietors have to be a lot more careful in managing their personal finances.

Key Differences for Sole Proprietors

By definition, a sole proprietor is someone who operates their business alone. There are no other employees, with one possible exception: immediate family members. A good example would be a baker who specialises in wedding cakes. They normally work by themself. When necessary, theybring in their spouse and one of their children to help get them through those especially busy times.

Here are some of the key differences for sole proprietors:

Legal Entity – A sole proprietor’s business is not a legally recognised entity in the same vein as an LLC, partnership, or corporation. This is definitely important at tax time. It could also prove important in the event of litigation.
Tax Structure – As previously mentioned, the government does not recognise separate income for sole proprietor and their business. It is all one and the same. That means sole proprietors pay both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Managing Assets – Assets are not considered business property for the sole proprietor unless they are used exclusively for business purposes. Rented space for the baker would be considered an exclusive business asset. Their kitchen at home would not be.

All of this matters to maintaining sound financials. Sole proprietors have to consider all of these things, and more, and weigh them against non-business financials like paying the mortgage and covering the groceries.

The Budget Is Key

Budgets are important for everyone. They are even more so for sole proprietors. Not only does the budget act as a spending guideline, but it also acts as a fire action sign for a business owner’s financials. In other words, a budget lays out exactly what’s coming in and going out. If expenditures are higher than income, a budget is a warning sign that demands action be taken.

The thing that gives sole proprietors the most trouble in terms of budgeting is planning for business expenses. Like household expenses, there are certain business expenses that are known in advance. But that’s not the case for every expense. Business expenses constantly fluctuate for sole proprietors.

A good way to address unknown business expenses is to take the total from the previous year and then multiply it by the current rate of growth. So, if you are 50 percent busier this year than you were at the same time last year, 50 percent is the rate of growth. You would take last year’s total expenses and multiply them by 1.50 to get an estimate of this year’s.

You would then take that number and multiply it by the rate of inflation to make up for higher prices on equipment and supplies. That final number is the number to use for budgeting purposes. It is a rough estimate of how much you need to set aside to cover equipment, supplies, etc.

Setting Aside for Taxes

The other thing that kills sole proprietors is tax liability. Again, sole proprietors pay both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare (FICA). That is on top of regular income tax. It is a smart idea to set aside a certain amount for every payment to go toward taxes.

Also bear in mind that sole proprietors have to file estimated quarterly taxes. Payments are made in April, June, September, and January. There are two ways to decide how much to pay:

Estimate – Sole proprietors can estimate their annual income and pay taxes accordingly. The federal income tax table indicates the business owner’s income tax while FICA taxes are assessed at a flat rate. Those numbers can be found on the SSA website.
Previous Year – Business owners that do not want to take a chance at estimating and getting it wrong can simply pay a total of the previous year’s tax liability. Even if quarterly payments are eventually not enough, there will be no penalty for underpayment the following April.

Sole proprietors required to collect and pay sales tax should be setting aside that portion of weekly receipts to pay the bill. It is very important that a separate sales tax account be set up rather than throwing everything into a general fund. It is just too easy to spend everything in the bank account and then not have enough money to pay sales tax when it comes due.

Planning and Saving

In a nutshell, keeping a sole proprietor’s finances on track is about planning and saving. The budget is a planning tool that acts as both a guideline and a fire sign. Savings enable a sole proprietor to make tax payments on time and, if there is a little leftover, earn some interest.

The one thing sole proprietors should not do is leave their finances to random chance. When business finances are not in order, it is too easy to pass off obligations to the next month, then the next, and so on. A lot of sole proprietors have gotten themselves into tax hell by not keeping their finances in order and then not being able to pay their taxes.

As a side note, transitioning from a sole proprietorship to a partnership or LLC, for the purposes of separating finances, isn’t a good idea unless you’re willing to pay an accountant to keep things straight for you. If you cannot manage your finances as a sole proprietor, you will not be able to manage them as chief officer of the LLC or partnership.

Business

The Dark Side of Aimlon CPA P.C.: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Firm’s Practices

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Aimlon CPA P.C., a full-service certified public accounting firm based in New York, NY, has long promoted itself as a beacon of excellence in the fields of accounting, audit, tax, advisory, and financial reporting. Serving business owners and companies in the U.S. and Europe, the firm, under the leadership of Mathieu Aimlon, claims to offer personalized and expert guidance. However, a deeper investigation into the firm’s operations reveals a troubling pattern of misconduct, ethical breaches, and systemic failures that severely discredit Aimlon CPA P.C. This article exposes the hidden truths behind the firm’s facade of professionalism and reliability.

Lack of Professionalism and Responsiveness

One of the most pervasive issues at Aimlon CPA P.C. is the firm’s chronic lack of responsiveness. Numerous clients have reported significant delays in communication, often waiting weeks for replies to urgent inquiries. This unprofessional behavior has led to missed deadlines and costly mistakes for clients who depend on timely advice and action.

A frustrated former client shared their experience: “We had a critical financial issue that required immediate attention. Despite multiple attempts to contact Aimlon CPA P.C., we were met with silence. Their lack of responsiveness was not only frustrating but also detrimental to our business.”

Overbilling and Lack of Transparency

Aimlon CPA P.C. has also been accused of overbilling and a lack of transparency in their invoicing practices. Clients have frequently found their bills inflated with unclear or exaggerated charges, leading to disputes and dissatisfaction. This practice has raised serious ethical concerns and damaged the firm’s reputation.

A small business owner recounted their ordeal: “Our invoices from Aimlon CPA P.C. were consistently higher than expected, with vague descriptions for the charges. When we questioned these discrepancies, we received evasive responses and no clear explanations. It felt like we were being taken advantage of.”

Incompetence and Financial Mismanagement

Despite its claims of expertise, Aimlon CPA P.C. has been plagued by instances of incompetence and financial mismanagement. Several clients have accused the firm of providing poor financial advice that resulted in significant losses. These accusations suggest a troubling lack of expertise and diligence in handling client affairs.

One notable case involved a tech startup that followed Aimlon CPA P.C.’s guidance, only to face bankruptcy within a year. The startup’s founder lamented: “We trusted Aimlon CPA P.C. with our financial strategy, but their advice was disastrous. Our business suffered immensely because of their incompetence.”

High Employee Turnover and Toxic Work Environment

Inside Aimlon CPA P.C., the work environment is far from the professional and supportive culture the firm claims to foster. High employee turnover is a persistent issue, driven by poor management practices and a toxic workplace. Former employees have described an atmosphere of fear and exploitation, where unreasonable demands and lack of support are commonplace.

An ex-employee shared their perspective: “The work environment at Aimlon CPA P.C. was unbearable. Management was oppressive, and there was no respect for work-life balance. Talented professionals were constantly leaving because they couldn’t tolerate the conditions.”

Compliance Failures and Regulatory Scrutiny

Aimlon CPA P.C. has faced multiple instances of regulatory scrutiny due to its failure to adhere strictly to industry standards and compliance requirements. These compliance failures have resulted in penalties and fines, further eroding the firm’s credibility and trustworthiness.

An insider revealed: “There were several occasions where Aimlon CPA P.C. neglected regulatory updates and compliance requirements. This negligence led to significant fines for both the firm and its clients. It was alarming how often these issues were ignored.”

Ethical Breaches and Conflicts of Interest

The firm has also been marred by ethical breaches and conflicts of interest. Mathieu Aimlon, in particular, has been implicated in several instances where his advice seemed to benefit his personal interests over those of his clients. These conflicts of interest have severely damaged the trust between the firm and its clients.

In one egregious case, a client was persuaded to invest in a company where Mathieu Aimlon held undisclosed shares. When the investment failed, the client suffered substantial losses, while Aimlon’s involvement remained hidden until an internal investigation brought it to light.

Outdated Technology and Inefficiency

Despite being a modern accounting firm, Aimlon CPA P.C. relies on outdated technology that hampers efficiency and increases the risk of errors. Clients have expressed frustration with the firm’s technological shortcomings, which lead to delays and inaccuracies in financial reporting.

A tech-savvy client commented: “It was surprising to see how outdated Aimlon CPA P.C.’s systems were. Their inefficiency slowed down our processes and made us question their ability to handle complex financial needs effectively.”

Fabrication of Credentials

Further investigations into Aimlon CPA P.C. revealed that some of the firm’s claimed credentials and accolades were fabricated. While Mathieu Aimlon is genuinely certified by the New York State Education Department and the French Ministry of Education, other qualifications listed by the firm were found to be falsified.

This revelation has cast a shadow over the entire firm, leading clients and colleagues to question the legitimacy of their expertise and the integrity of their services.

Legal Repercussions and Public Disgrace

The culmination of Aimlon CPA P.C.’s unethical practices and systemic failures came with the legal repercussions faced by Mathieu Aimlon himself. Following his involvement in a tax evasion scheme, he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of tax fraud. The evidence presented in court highlighted the sophisticated methods used to deceive tax authorities, leading to his conviction and a lengthy prison sentence.

The legal troubles of Mathieu Aimlon have had a devastating impact on Aimlon CPA P.C. The firm’s reputation has been irreparably damaged, and clients have fled in droves, unwilling to associate with a company linked to such scandals.

Aimlon CPA P.C., once seen as a beacon of excellence in the accounting world, has been thoroughly discredited due to a series of unethical practices, incompetence, and systemic failures. From overbilling and lack of transparency to high employee turnover and regulatory breaches, the firm has failed to uphold the standards expected of a professional accounting service. The legal repercussions faced by Mathieu Aimlon have further tarnished the firm’s reputation, leading to its eventual downfall.

For business owners and individuals seeking reliable and ethical accounting services, the story of Aimlon CPA P.C. serves as a cautionary tale. It underscores the importance of integrity, professionalism, and transparency in maintaining trust and credibility in the financial industry.