How can I manage cash flow better?

Good cash flow management and forecasting are essential for maintaining the financial health of your business. Having a rolling 12-month forecast of revenues and expenses helps you proactively avoid shortfalls and capitalize on opportunities.

How can my business benefit from outsourced CFO services?

Outsourced CFO services, also known as fractional or virtual CFO services, let small and mid-size businesses leverage the deep financial expertise and strategic insights needed to accelerate growth and profitability for a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time CFO. Key offerings include profitability analysis, cash flow forecasting, KPI benchmarking, and budgeting.

How can I ensure that I don’t pay more taxes than necessary?

Effective tax planning involves leveraging all available tax credits, avoiding unpleasant surprises, keeping up with changes in the law, and ensuring you pay only your fair share.

How can a CPA firm increase the profitability and value of my business?

When you partner with an accounting firm that offers advisory services, you will have the clear financial visibility needed to confidently make big decisions and drive profitable growth for your business.

What should I look for in an outsourced accounting firm?

Growing a business requires more than tax preparation and basic accounting services. You need a holistic and forward-looking approach to your financial health. For best results, look for a partner who employs a proven process and a diverse range of services tailored to optimize cash flow, increase profitability, and maximize the value of your business.

Case Study: Construction Business Finds $80K in Income and Tax Savings with QuickBooks Cleanup & Strategic Tax Planning

Kirsch CPA Group

Mar 11, 2026

When the owner of a commercial interior finish company found Kirsch CPA Group during a Google search, he was intrigued by the idea that Kirsch was an employee-owned CPA Firm. The owner was considering the ESOP model for his expanding business.

Although he was not initially convinced he needed to hire a new accounting firm, the business owner was frustrated with the surprise tax bills he received in recent years. The company’s tax filings were often last minute and followed by the need to write a large check to the IRS.

He asked Kirsch to provide him with a tax plan that would provide better and earlier visibility into how much he would owe. This project served as a trial run of what it might be like to work with an accounting firm with a more strategic approach, especially as he was contemplating selling off part of the business to focus on the growth of the most promising division.

Highlights

Client Profile

Industry: Commercial Interior Finishing / Construction Services
Size: Growing small-to-mid sized business
Systems: QuickBooks
Goal: Reduce surprise tax bills

Challenges

Inaccurate financial records
Last-minute tax filings
Surprise tax liabilities
No forward-looking tax strategy

Solutions Implemented

QuickBooks cleanup
Tax return review
Identification of deductions and credits
Strategic tax planning
Financial reporting improvements

Results

$80,000 income error discovered
$20,000 tax savings
$15,000 in additional deductions and R&D credits
Improved visibility and cash flow
Clear option for ESOP transition

Blind Spots & Missed Opportunities

The Kirsch CPA Group started with a QuickBooks cleanup and a review of tax returns. Because construction and commercial trades often rely on job costing, percentage-of-completion accounting and accurate project financials, even small bookkeeping errors can significantly impact tax liability and cash flow. The review revealed more than a few blind spots:

A balance sheet showed negative assets and liabilities
Unreconciled bank and credit card records and errors
Duplicate bills inflated accounts payable
Unreconciled loans, including $40,000 of interest
Missed tax credit & deduction opportunities

Solid Financials, Tax Savings & A Window of Opportunity for Growth

The business was overstating $80,000 in income on its tax returns and had failed to capitalize on available tax credits and deductions including a SALT workaround pass-through entity (PTE) credit.

It was a win for the business owner. Results included $20,000 in bottom line tax savings, $15,000 in deductions and R&D credits, and cash flow. Clean records now provide visibility that help minimize taxes over the life of the business.

With accurate financials and proactive tax planning, the business owner has the financial clarity needed to evaluate growth opportunities and long-term succession options.

The bottom line: immediate tax savings and clear financial visibility.

Put Your Business on “The Path” to Long-Term Success

Today, the business is poised to take advantage of immediate growth opportunities and chart its long-term goals.

Ongoing advisory support from Kirsch CPA Group includes:

Helping with a transition to percentage of completion accounting, which improves financial reporting accuracy and cash flow and reduces profit volatility
Support for an eventual transition to becoming an ESOP
Training support for a new bookkeeper
Improved financial visibility and cash flow
Strategic tax planning — and no more surprises

It’s the kind of big picture thinking made possible when business owners move from uncertainty and reactive decision-making to clear direction, actionable goals and a source of strategic and financial advisory support for reaching them.

And while it may begin with a tax return, our approach to helping businesses grow goes beyond helping you get your taxes right. We help you get your business right, with a proven process we call “The Path.”

Partnering with Kirsch CPA Group for Clear Direction and Better Results

If you’re struggling with surprise tax bills and financials that don’t let you see where you’re going, speak with a member of the Kirsch team to learn more about our approach. We can help you craft a strategy to reach your goals, clarify your definition of success and grow with confidence.

Schedule a meeting to learn more about the Path

More Resources

Guide: Next Level Accounting Services for Your Growing Business

Guide: Build a Better Business by the Numbers

Case Study: Strategic Accounting Support from Acquisition to Sale

About The Author

Kirsch CPA Group is a full service CPA and business advisory firm helping businesses and organizations with accounting,…

info@kirschcpa.com

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