W-4′s and W-9s
W-9s

Make sure you have a W-9 on file with a legible number for every vendor you receive goods and/or services from – you’ll save time and frustration come the following January! Instituting a policy that no vendor will be paid until you have a W-9 on file will help prevent this frustration. Go through your existing vendors, too, to ensure you have accurate information. Has anything changed? Are they now a corporation? Did they close down a corporation and revert to a partnership or sole proprietorship? These things happen!  Plan to periodically contact all vendors for whom you hold W-9s to ensure your information is accurate.

W-4s

If you have employees, keep up to date on correct addresses to avoid problems when W-2′s are issued each January. Have employees confirm deductions, address, and SSN are correct each year.  Encouraging employees to use the IRS tax withholding estimator will help them in determining tax withholding  (https://www.irs.gov/payments/tax-withholding).

Bookkeeping Fraud Red Flags
Your bookkeeper:​

• appears to have a lifestyle inconsistent with income
  
• refuses to take time off or go on vacation; if on site takes minimal breaks during the day and tends to come in early and stay late
  
• often suggests giving check signature authority will make it easier for you
• doesn’t mind “saving you time” (or other department employees’ time) by always picking up the mail (so they can check it first) and handling all contact with your banks, accountant, vendors, etc.
  
• strongly urges you to “save money” by letting them handle the work your accountant now does
  
• difficulty finding files, deposit records, invoices/estimates, etc. when asked
  
• always says “everything is fine” and is very “protective” of their job, claiming they do not need help no matter how busy
  
• becomes flustered when you unexpectedly appear in the office
  
• becomes defensive whenever you or your accountant ask questions
  
• tells you the bank statement has been reconciled but does not provide the statement and reconciliation for your review

​Disclaimer:

For both your protection and ours, ALPICE Bookkeeping Inc. is bonded and insured. We do not offer or provide legal or tax advise.

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Corporate Identify Theft

This type of theft, referred to as corporate account takeover, occurs when business online credentials are stolen by malware.  To help prevent this from happening to your company, keep your antivirus software up to date, routinely run virus scans, talk with your IT provider to determine how to best safeguard your devices and networks, and do not open emails from people you do not know or click on links in those emails.

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                                   As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, we are provided with the software,  support,                                                information and resources necessary to give outstanding service and
​                                     support to our QuickBooks and small business clients.

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