Blog - Payne Nickles & Company - Ohio Accounting Firm, Business CPAs & Advisors

Is Your Fee Structure Costing You Customers?

Key Takeaways Pricing influences profitability and customer perception, and misalignment can reduce both margin and market share. Understanding cost, customer value, competitor behavior, and your pricing model leads to stronger pricing decisions. Regular pricing reviews help maintain profitability and strengthen customer confidence. Pricing is one of the most powerful levers for improving profitability, yet many …

Balance Sheet Ratios Every Business Owner Should Monitor

Key Takeaways A few key balance sheet ratios can help owners quickly understand liquidity, leverage, and the overall financial footing of their business. Reviewing ratios on a consistent schedule highlights shifts in performance earlier than traditional reports. These tools support clearer decisions about cash management, staffing needs, and long-term planning. Many business owners rely on …

Why a Strong Budget Is the Blueprint for Construction Success

Key Takeaways A well-built construction budget gives contractors a dependable roadmap for controlling costs, managing resources, and protecting profit. Job costing systems, cost codes, and construction accounting software help companies track spending accurately through every phase of a project. Partnering with an accounting advisor ensures budgets are realistic, regularly monitored, and aligned with long-term business …

How to Prepare Your Construction Business for Seasonal Slowdowns

Key Takeaways Seasonal slowdowns can be managed through data-driven forecasting, flexible budgeting, and proactive financial planning that anticipate shifts in demand. Diversifying revenue streams and maintaining strong cash flow ensure profitability even when considerable projects pause or material costs fluctuate. Leveraging the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and investing in workforce development builds long-term stability …

What Does TCJA Mean for Your Year-End Tax Strategy?

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Reshapes Your Year-End Tax Strategy

Key Takeaways The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) makes most Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions permanent, keeping lower brackets, a larger standard deduction, and full business expensing in place. Temporary deductions for overtime pay, tips, and auto loan interest are available through 2028, creating short-term opportunities for additional savings. Business owners should …

How to Spot Red Flags Across Your Financial Statements Before They Become Problems

Key Takeaways Consistent financial reviews help reveal risks before they disrupt performance. Tracking trends in cash flow, debt, and margins supports long-term stability. Transparent accounting builds trust and stronger financial decision-making. Looking Deeper: What Your Balance Sheet Might Be Revealing A balance sheet is more than a static list of numbers. It tells the …

Understanding the New IRS Regulations on SECURE 2.0 Catch-Up Contributions for 2026

Key Takeaways Beginning in 2026, employees aged 50 or older who participate in a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) plan and earned more than $145,000 from their employer in the previous year must make their catch-up contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis. Employers must update plan documents, payroll systems, and employee communications to stay compliant. All …

Building Your Emergency Fund: Why Every Construction Firm Needs One

Key Points An emergency fund is a financial buffer that helps firms cover payroll, materials, and obligations when disruptions strike. Planning for multiple scenarios and sizing reserves appropriately makes businesses more resilient. Use new opportunities, like those in the One Big Beautiful Bill, to strengthen your financial position and fund future growth. Navigating Financial Uncertainty …

The One Big Beautiful Bill: Strategic Tax Planning for the Construction Industry

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) into law, ushering in a transformative era for American tax policy. This legislation carries far-reaching implications for construction business owners—from capital investment strategies and workforce compensation to long-term succession planning. This industry-focused summary outlines the provisions most relevant to construction companies …

Strengthening Business Resilience Through Diversified Revenue Streams

Key Takeaways Diversifying income helps businesses stay stable during change and uncertainty. Data-driven insights reveal which revenue opportunities will deliver the most impact and consistency. A flexible, forward-looking mindset builds the foundation for long-term business growth. Building Stability Through Smarter Revenue Design When a business depends on one primary source of income, it’s walking a …