Category: Baton Rouge Dental Accountant

Dental CPA Baton Rouge LA | How An Accountant Can Solve Problems Through Creative Solutions

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Dental CPA in Baton Rouge

 Al Capone was a notorious mobster and crime boss who committed countless crimes either himself or through his organization. However, the crime that finally got him caught and sent to prison wasn’t related to his gangster reputation. Ultimately, Capone was arrested and convicted for income tax evasion. The man who had a seven year reign as crime boss of Chicago ended up being taken down by a team of accountants. 

While this story may not have much to do with dentistry, it is a testament to just how important accountants can be to any field. More than just the people who help you with your taxes, accountants are trained to understand businesses and create solutions that others may not think of. Here are just a few of the ways accountants can solve problems for your practice find success.

Understanding Dentistry:

While an accountant of any type may be able to be helpful to your practice, a dental CPA fully understands all the ins and outs of dentistry and is able to use that knowledge to help you. Dental accountants are uniquely qualified to assist you because they understand your issues in the larger context of dentistry and can examine an issue from every relevant angle. They know the business and therefore have a better grasp on will be the right solution for you. 

Big Picture Thinking:

Accountants are known for their analytical minds. When it comes to solving a financial problem in your practice, a new perspective that considers all the widespread consequences may be exactly what your practice needs. This capacity for lateral thinking is one of the reasons why dental accountants are able to make such significant contributions to your practice success.

Creativity:

Difficult problems require creative solutions. While accountants aren’t always respected for their originality, you may be surprised to know that their line of work takes quite a bit more creative flexibility than most believe. Combining their knowledge of the dental field with the ability to bring a unique approach allows dental accountants to come up with innovative solutions that work to meet and exceed your practice’s financial goals.  

While it’s better to have an accountant before trouble arises, we are here to help you no matter your circumstances. If you’re facing a problem that requires a special touch, contact our team of professional dental accountants today and find the solution for success you’ve been looking for. 

Baton Rouge LA Dental CPA | 5 Qualities Your Next Accountant Should Have

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The easiest way to gage how well your practice is doing is to hire a professional dental accountant. However, not all accountants are the same, and you should know what you’re looking for before you trust your business to anyone. As you research your options, make sure your next accountant has these five qualities.

Informed

It may seem like a no brainer, but your accountant should be an expert in bookkeeping and accounting specific to the dental industry. Make sure they know the best options for dentists and stay on top of practice related financial details and information.

Organized

If you’ve tried to do your accounting yourself, you know just how quickly it can turn messy. Hire an accountant that knows how to clean up the mess and keep it that way. Not only will this allow you to reach your goals faster, but it was also help ensure your business is both efficient and compliant.

Credible

Trust is one of the most important factors when deciding on an accountant. You are often putting your practice, your financials and your life in their hands. In this case, reputation means everything. Find out everything you can about the company and accountant before signing anything. Consider contacting professional references for testimonies.

Responsible

The devil is in the details, and one mistake could cost your practice dearly. Discuss the ways that your accountant would avoid mistakes and stay familiar with your financials. You spend a lot of time familiarizing yourself with your patients, an accountant needs to do the same with your practice.

Dedicated to You

The top dental accountants understand that customer service is paramount. Your accountant should go above and beyond to help your practice become successful. Our team knows this to be the case, and gives each of our clients the respect and dedication they deserve. Contact our office today and see how a great accountant can help you. 

Baton Rouge LA Dental Accountant | Top Three Tips for a Profitable Dental Practice

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Part of what makes being a dentist so exciting and fulfilling is establishing your own practice. Dentists can work on their own or in a partnership setting. In either case, though, they’re at the top of their business. Being the CEO of a small business comes with responsibilities outside of the appointment rooms. Dentists need to invest time making sure their practices are profitable. This means having a grasp of things like overhead, revenue, and marketing strategies. Here are some of the most important tips to help dental practices become more profitable.

Analyze Your Expenses

This should be the first priority for any practice focused on widening profit margins. Dentists should produce a detailed list of their monthly expenses. This includes equipment, supplies, employee salaries, liability insurance, and rental costs or property taxes. Carefully scrutinize this list for anything that’s not strictly necessary, or that your practice spends an excessive amount on. You may be able to reduce your overhead by cutting down on specific supplies, finding savvy ways to limit your insurance payments, or even writing off more expenses to reduce your taxes. There are myriad routes to pulling down your overhead. They all start with patiently poring over your expenses. Having a certified dental accountant is a great way to make sure this work is done accurately and effectively. 

Establish Growth Objectives

Businesses without specific goals are often their own worst enemy. That’s because when you lack concrete objectives, you’re more likely to fall into a state of complacency with your company. It goes without saying, of course, that complacency leads to stagnation and lost profits. Dental practices that want to be as profitable as possible should map out where they want their business to be in three months, six months, a year, and five years. Have a clear sense of the number of patients you want to gain within each time frame, and start developing strategies that help get you there.

Master Online Marketing

In 2019, the majority of people looking for a dentist in their area will use the internet to find one. In fact, statistics show that 90 percent of Americans use internet search engines to find local businesses. That includes dental practices. So how can dentists gain a foothold in these searches and put their practice’s website in front of as many eyes as possible? The answer is online marketing. More specifically, search engine optimization (SEO) marketing. SEO marketing has one simple, powerful objective: get a business’s website and content to rank as high on search engines as possible. In today’s marketplace, where Google, Bing, and Yahoo dominate the way we discover small businesses, this is a critical step in boosting profits.

For expert help in making your business as profitable as possible, contact our office today. We know how to help your business generate all new levels of success.

Baton Rouge LA Dental CPA | Why a Dental CPA Is Your Most Valuable Asset

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Dental practices are businesses, and the dentists at the heart of them are CEOs. If you own a dental practice, or are one of several dentists in a partnership-based practice, you should be treating that practice like a business. That means looking for ways to grow revenue, trim overhead, maximize business deductions, and minimize your tax liability. A dental CPA can help dentistry firms achieve all these goals. Here’s how.

They’re Specialists

A dental CPA is more than just a generic accountant. Dental CPAs work exclusively with dentists and their practices. This means that they have specialized knowledge that other accountants lack. Dental CPAs have an insider’s grasp of the industry, including expenses, trends, and the best ways to lower a practice’s tax burden. They also understand what new equipment is delivering the best return on investment, and how to save money every year from the depreciation of assets unique to the dentistry field.

They Can Analyze Your Firm’s Financial Health

The benefits of having a dental CPA go far beyond just getting an advantageous grip on your business’s taxes, though. They can also apply their financial acumen to your overall business model. An experienced dental CPA will be able to look at a practice’s financial reports and determine how it can reduce its expenses and increase profits. They’re trained to recognize financial oversights and areas of inefficiency specific to the dental industry.

Given just a few months to carefully analyze your practice’s finances, a dental CPA will be able to make insightful, actionable suggestions that make an immediate difference.

Industry Benchmarks

Benchmarking is the practice of comparing a business’s performance metrics with both competitors and the highest standards in the industry. While a dentist in Ohio may have no idea how their practice compares with firms in California, Texas, or New York, a good dental CPA does. They’re thoroughly versed in the industry’s key performance indicators (KPIs). These include metrics like patient loads, profit margins, and the percentage of active patients that are currently under schedule.

Dentists primarily focused on their patients and the scientific aspects of their profession may have never even considered evaluating their practices in these ways. But benchmarks and KPIs are powerful ways to frame and understand your business. Dental CPAs can leverage those tools better than anyone. Our office offers you expert guidance on all of these financial strategies and more. Contact us today and learn more about the many ways a Dental CPA can help you.

Dental CPA Near Me | Retire Confidently With a Dental Accountant

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Dental CPA in Baton Rouge

There is a saying made famous by Stephen Covey that has stuck with us for years. The saying goes, “begin with the end in mind”. While these words can mean many different things to many different people, to us, they mean that it’s never too early to start planning for your retirement.

As a dentist with your own practice, your eventual retirement requires a great deal more planning than that of the average person. Hiring a dental accountant can reduce your financial waste, helping you to retire sooner with confidence.

If retirement planning feels like it’s still a long way down the road, consider what has to be accomplished in order to ensure success:

  • In-depth debt reduction strategies
  • A strong practice exit plan (estate planning)
  • A retirement funding plan
  • Understanding risk management
  • And, if necessary, providing for your family.

It’s never too early to start working your way through this list. In fact, its recommended by most accountants that you meet with your advisor at least once a year to report on your progress and make necessary adjustments.

Think of a dental accountant like a financial coach. Among the many services offered, accountants can help you find the right pensions, properties, and business opportunities to invest in while you’re still working. As your revenue starts to increase, they can also help you understand where your money is being spent in order to put you in better financial shape once you’re ready to retire.

When you do retire, an accountant will also help you divvy up your assets while making sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Retirement shouldn’t feel like work. Start building financial peace of mind today with a certified dental accountant. Call our office to get started today. 

Baton Rouge LA CPA | Thousand Dollar Mistakes You May Be Making

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Baton Rouge LA CPA | Thousand Dollar Mistakes You May Be Making

Most dentists are experts at what they do. They keep teeth healthy. Many of those same dentists are less experienced in making sure their books are well kept and accurately reflect the financial health of their practice. Both of these skills are absolutely critical to maintaining the longevity of your practice. With that in mind, here are 3 common bookkeeping mistakes that could be costing you thousands of dollars and eventually your entire business. 

Misunderstanding the Difference Between Cash Flow and Profit 

Understanding financial reports is no easy task. The complexity can often be confusing for inexperienced people, leading to some costly mistakes. Commonly, a dentist/in house bookkeeper will mistake profit figures for the amount of available cash. This is not correct. As a result of this mistake, dentists make purchases hat incur overdraft fees and charges costing your practice a lot of money. Profits are computed using a profit and loss statement. Cash flow however, is measured using a cash flow equation and factoring in depreciation expenses, inventory, and accounts receivable.   

Accidently Recording Transactions in the Wrong Period 

Another common mistake is made as practices “close the books” at the end of each month. As your in house bookkeeper reconciles accounts and prepares your financial statements, transactions from previous periods can be wrongfully entered. If this mistake goes unnoticed, all of your future reports will be wrong as well as you tax documents and cash figures. As you can imagine, that is not good news. Misrepresentation of cash, whether or not it was an honest mistake, can mean a doubling of repair costs and harsh penalties from the IRS. 

Not Working With an Experienced Dental Accountant 

Trying to manage your financials yourself or hiring and inexperienced bookkeeper can spell disaster for your practice. High tax bills, theft, common cash mistakes and more are all results of an unreliable accounting system.  

Working with a dental accountant can save you time and money by implementing an effective system. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have an accurate understanding of your practice finances at all times. Contact our office for more information. 

AG Dental CPAs and Advisors
6421 Perkins Road • Bldg. A, Suite 1B Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 767-1020

Dental CPAs in Baton Rouge | Is Your Business Healthy?

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The definition of success is subjective. However many can agree that accomplishing a healthy work-life balance seems to be one of the most important ways to achieve success on many levels. By establishing healthy business habits, you can minimize the occurrence of career burn-out. If you’re experiencing career dissatisfaction and questioning the health of your business, consider the following:  

Establish healthier habits. Arrive at work at the same time each day. Consistency for yourself and your team can make a difference in creating a peaceful work environment. Dedicate time to work on your business, and stick to it. When administrative work, important decisions and other owner responsibilities stack up, it’s common to carry that stress around with you. Eventually it affects your team and patient satisfaction as well.  

Know your number. Money is not the root of all evil. It’s also not the solution to every problem. It’s a necessary component to running a healthy business. It’s important to know where you stand financially and have the ability to make smart investment decisions. Before purchasing that $30,000 “high tech solution to all of your problems”, consider how it will truly aid in providing better care for your patients. What will the ROI be? How have others in your situation made this investment profitable? Our team will help advise your major financial decisions. When it comes to your numbers, it’s helpful to know where you stand at all times. We are here for you. 

Owning a business can be a very satisfying and rewarding responsibility. It can be difficult to find the time needed to accomplish everything on your to-do list. Prioritize your responsibilities and create deadlines. This alone will help you make the time for the important items that often get pushed to the backburner. Once your priorities are clear, it will become easier to say “no” when necessary and to have the focus required to check off important items.  

If you’d like assistance in making wise financial decisions, contact us.  

AG Dental CPAs & Advisors

Phone: (255) 767-1020 6421

Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Baton Rouge Dental CPAs | There’s Power in Numbers

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Being a member of the exclusive Academy of Dental Certified Accountants (ADCPA.org) allows our team the benefit of providing collective experience, national averages and best practices. The ADCPA meets twice per year to learn and grow together. By joining with dentistry’s top dental accountants, we have the ability to expand our service offerings, continually improve our communication and technology, as well as learn about ancillary supporting services which benefit our dental clients.  

If considering a general CPA for your dental practice, consider the advantages to hiring an ADCPA member.  

When uniting with other top dental CPA’s, our team has the ability to learn alternative ways to serve our clients. We discuss controversial topics and learn where our peers stand in terms of providing the most ethical, and beneficial tax strategies. Having a CPA that is well versed in tax law and is up to date on best practices can save you time and money.  

Dental CPAs provide a wide range of dental specific accounting needs. As your Practice grows, your taxes become more complex. Dental CPAs will share effective techniques for maximizing your tax savings. Aside from tax planning and support, we offer proficient insight on current trends and relevant issues that aid in making sound decisions for your business. Whether starting your first practice or managing your established growth, you can rest assured knowing your our team is by your side, providing you with strategic advice, every step of the way.  

For more information on how our team will help you, contact us.  

AG Dental CPAs & Advisors

Phone: (255) 767-1020 6421

Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dental CPAs in Baton Rouge | How Team Morale can Make or Break Your Dental Practice

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Team morale can make or break your dental practice. It’s a bold statement, but there are several reasons why it is true. The morale of every member of your team impacts other team members, your patients, and over time, even your bottom line. If you want your dental practice to be a success, team morale needs to be a priority.

Unhappy staff are less productive. When a member of your team is unhappy in their job, they work more slowly, are less efficient, and are less likely to “go the extra mile” to ensure a great patient experience. When an unhappy staff member isn’t giving a great patient experience, that patient is less likely to be a repeat patient and unlikely to refer anyone else to your practice. Over time, this could potentially cost you dozens of patients and thousands of dollars.

Unhappy staff make other staff unhappy. When one person is feeling unmotivated, unappreciated, or disgruntled, their attitude affects those around them. Other staff are forced to work harder to compensate for the lack of productivity. One person complaining about being unhappy can hurt the morale of every other person in your office. What starts as a seemingly small problem can quickly gain momentum if it isn’t addressed quickly and correctly.

Unhappy staff are more likely to quit. On the surface, this may seem like a good thing: take the poor attitude and low morale out of the equation. However, the cost of finding, hiring, and training a replacement can be high. Even more, the most common reason why an employee quits a job is that they feel unappreciated and/or unsupported by management. Chances are good that if one of your staff feels that way, others aren’t far behind.

Overcome team morale issues with good leadership. As the dentist and CEO of the practice, you are the primary person your team is looking to for leadership. Hold yourself accountable to your team for following through on your promises. Deal with conflicts as soon as they arise. Have an open door policy that makes your staff feel comfortable coming to you with problems so you can address them before they become unmanageable.

Hold regular effective team meetings to ensure every team member understands their place in your vision for the practice. Recognize individual and team successes. Show appreciation. Ensure that you are supportive of any staff empowered to make decisions. If you need to coach them on a change in policy, do so privately to avoid undermining their authority.

You are the leader of your team. The trust, support, recognition, appreciation, and respect you give to your team is the foundation of your team’s morale. When you create a great working environment, your team morale is high. High team morale creates a better patient experience and greater productivity, which benefits everyone. To ensure your practice thrives, make your team’s morale a priority.

If you’d like assistance with employee morale, contact us.  

AG Dental CPAs & Advisors

Phone: (255) 767-1020 6421

Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dental CPA | Medicine for Your Business

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70808 Dental CPA

The business world often goes hand in hand with stress. Pressures to attract new customers, meet quotas, or increase productivity can make working feel like an unpleasant chore. If you have begun to dread going into the office due to an oppressive atmosphere, chances are strong that you are not alone in your feelings. Turning things around for you and your team may be easier than you think. Consider adding fun back to your business with a daily dose of laughter.

While the addition of humor to the workplace does not move deadlines or reduce the expectations for performance, it can help create a more enjoyable environment for everyone there. When the office feels fun and engaging, the work feels lighter and more accessible. Scientific studies have shown that laughter relieves tension, boosts the immune system, and relaxes the muscles. Additionally, laughing can increase memory, energy, and creativity and elevate the mood. Every office can benefit from these effects.

There are many ways to inject some humor into your workdays. Try sharing a joke with your team to start the huddle and invite them to bring their own. Post a board in a shared space and challenge everyone to bring a funny image or comic strip to hang. Have a silly shirt day once a week or once a month. Take silly photos or videos of you and your team to share on social media.

Embracing a little more humor with your colleagues and team takes only a small investment of time and can yield large increases in mood, productivity, and worker morale. For more ideas on making your work more engaging, contact our office.

AG Dental CPAs & Advisors

Phone: (255) 767-1020 6421

Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B

Baton Rouge, LA 70808