For years, many Los Angeles and Southern California business leaders have used a simple strategy to save on taxes. Instead of the operating company owning its owner-occupied real estate, the owners will form a separate entity (usually an LLC) to buy the real estate and then lease it to...
“Cash is king!” says the old business axiom. And yes, cash flow is critical to the successful operation of any company. Without cash on hand, your business can’t pay overhead and vendors, buy raw materials, meet payroll, or do pretty much anything. But let’s face it: Most greater Los...
For years, there has been an ongoing debate in the accounting community regarding to what degree the complex requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) apply to small and non-public companies. U.S. GAAP was created primarily for publically held companies that have to meet strict regulatory reporting requirements....
The chief financial officer (or CFO) is an important position at many mid-sized businesses. As a result, many Los Angeles and Southern California business owners and executives believe that they need a full-time CFO on their staff in order for their company to reach its full potential. Usually, however,...
The start of 2014 feels a little bit different than the past few years for many Los Angeles and Southern California business owners and executives. For the first time since before the financial crisis, there appears to be significant optimism among many owners and entrepreneurs as business conditions improve...
Referrals are the “holy grail” of sales and marketing for most Los Angeles and Southern California businesses. When someone you know refers a potential new customer to your business, this gives you a tremendous advantage over competitors when it comes to turning the prospect into a client — because...
Raising capital is a big challenge for many Southern California business owners and executives, especially those seeking startup and early-stage financing and seed funds. But getting the money is often just the start of things — owners and entrepreneurs often find it just as challenging to determine how to...
Eventually, most Los Angeles and Southern California business owners reach the point where it is time to sell their company. Often, they are ready to retire and want to realize the financial benefits of a lifetime spent building the business. In this scenario, owners typically want to sell their...
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a popular children’s book that tells the tale of how, after a boy gives a cookie to a hungry mouse, the mouse then wants a glass of milk, a straw, a napkin, and so forth. Eventually, the mouse’s requests bring him...
“Here today, gone tomorrow.” This well-known idiom is often used to describe something that’s temporary or fleeting, such as money, happiness or fame. It could also be used to describe outsourcing services. When Los Angeles and Southern California business owners and executives hire outsourcing firms to provide expertise or services, the...