Frequently asked questions

Yes. Laura helps with entity selection (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership), state formation paperwork, EIN registration, initial chart of accounts setup, and building a tax-efficient financial plan. Getting the entity structure and tax elections right from day one prevents costly corrections later. She has guided businesses through formation and early-stage growth for over 25 years.

Yes. Laura has taught QuickBooks for Boise Schools Community Education and has trained business owners across the Treasure Valley for over two decades. She does one-on-one training, group sessions, initial setup, chart of accounts configuration, and cleanup of misclassified entries. Whether you're setting up QuickBooks for the first time or you know your existing file has issues, she can help.

Yes. As a licensed CPA, Laura has the legal authority to represent you directly before the IRS in audits, appeals, and collections proceedings. She has extensive experience with audit representation, correspondence disputes, penalty abatement, and back-tax resolutions. If you receive any notice from the IRS, contact Laura before you respond. She'll review the notice, explain your options, and handle the communication on your behalf.

Yes. Laura handles payroll processing, federal and state tax deposits, quarterly 941 filings, annual W-2 and 1099 preparation, unemployment reporting, and Idaho state compliance. Payroll errors can result in IRS penalties and employee trust issues, so having a CPA manage it ensures accuracy and timely filing.

Yes. Laura works with individuals and families on the tax aspects of estate and retirement planning: estate tax strategies, trust taxation, gift tax considerations, retirement distribution planning, and Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) calculations. If you've received an inheritance, you're approaching retirement, or you want to structure your estate for tax-efficient wealth transfer, she can help you understand and plan for the tax implications.

Either works. Laura regularly meets clients at their office, home, or wherever is most convenient. She also meets at her Eagle office at 911 E. Winding Creek Dr. Many clients prefer in-person meetings for tax reviews and planning sessions, but phone calls and secure electronic communication work well for routine questions and document exchange.

Yes. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, but Laura is available evenings and weekends by appointment. She understands that business owners don't always operate on a 9-to-5 schedule.

It depends on your needs. Some clients meet monthly for bookkeeping reviews and financial check-ins. Others meet quarterly for planning sessions. Tax preparation clients typically meet two to three times during tax season. Laura works on your schedule and at whatever frequency makes sense for your situation.

Laura's office is in Eagle, Idaho. She serves clients throughout the Treasure Valley, including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Middleton, and surrounding areas in Ada, Canyon, and Valley counties. She also works with out-of-state clients remotely via phone, email, and secure document exchange.

Yes. Laura has clients in multiple states. Everything can be handled via phone, email, and secure electronic document exchange. Distance isn't a barrier to getting great CPA service.

Laura accepts documents through secure email, encrypted file sharing, and in-person delivery. All client financial information is kept strictly confidential in accordance with AICPA professional standards and applicable state and federal privacy regulations.

Yes. The initial consultation is complimentary with no obligation. It's an opportunity to describe your situation, ask questions, and determine if Laura is the right fit for your needs. She'll provide an honest assessment of what services would benefit you and a written cost estimate before any billable work begins.

Now. The best time to plan for next year's taxes is the moment this year's return is filed. Effective tax planning requires a full year to make strategic adjustments: estimated payments, retirement contributions, entity elections, expense timing, and income deferral. Waiting until Q1 of the following year means most planning opportunities have already passed. Laura works with clients year-round on proactive tax strategy.

Not necessarily, but you should review it annually, especially after major life events: marriage, divorce, buying a home, having children, or changing jobs. If you owed a significant balance or received a large refund last year, your withholding likely needs adjustment. Laura can review your W-4 and help you set the right withholding so you're not over-withholding (giving the government an interest-free loan) or under-withholding (facing a penalty at filing time).

They're the financial scorecard of your business. Your profit and loss statement (P&L) shows revenue minus expenses over a period, telling you whether you're operating profitably. Your balance sheet shows total assets versus total liabilities, revealing your net worth and financial position at a point in time. Your cash flow statement shows where money actually moved. Together, they let you compare periods, identify trends, measure margins, and make informed decisions about pricing, spending, hiring, and growth.

Tax preparation is filing your return after the year closes. It's backward-looking: documenting what happened and calculating what you owe. Tax planning is forward-looking: making strategic decisions throughout the year, like timing income and expenses, maximizing retirement contributions, choosing optimal entity structures, and estimating quarterly payments, to legally minimize your tax liability. Most people only do preparation. Laura does both, which is where the real value of a CPA relationship shows up.

QuickBooks is Laura's primary platform and the software she recommends for most small businesses due to its flexibility, integrations, and widespread accountant support. She also works with Microsoft Excel for financial modeling and analysis. If you're using a different platform, she can advise on whether a transition makes sense for your situation.