Patel & Associates, PLC - Client Services

Our firm offers a wide range of services to our individual and business clients. Because our firm is relatively small, our clients benefit by getting personalized, quality service that is beyond comparison. Below we have listed the services that we offer to our clients along with a brief description.

As the list below is by no means all-inclusive, please feel free to inquire about a service if you do not see it listed. If it is not a service we provide, we would be more than happy to refer you to a qualified professional.

Accounting Services

Providing financial information to our clients in a timely and accurate manner is a commitment that we feel cannot be compromised. Meaningful, well-organized financial records ensure that your business operations will run more efficiently on a daily basis. Our firm provides a full range of cost effective accounting services including the following:

Audits, Reviews and Compilations

We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company's profitability and efficiency. We provide financial reporting on all three levels of assurance:

*Compilation - based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use.

Bookkeeping/Write-Up

Meaningful, well-organized financial records ensure that your business operations will run more efficiently on a daily basis and are the foundation of a successful business. Our qualified staff can assist you with the day-to-day tasks associated with bookkeeping.

Cash Flow & Budgeting Analysis

A business can be profitable and still run into trouble due to cash flow issues. We can forecast and evaluate your company's financial condition, estimate financing requirements, and track cash-flow sources and uses.

Compilations

We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company's profitability and efficiency. Compilations differ from reviews and audits as they are based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use only as no assurance is expressed.

Financial Forecasts & Projections

Forecasting is a necessity when trying to effectively manage and lead a business to profitability. From simple projections to complex financial modeling, our experienced staff can assist you in achieving your company's financial goals.

Financial Statements

We can assist you in the preparation of your financial statements in accordance with professional standards, but express no opinion or any other form of assurance on the underlying information included in them. The financial statements produced can be a useful tool for management for making financial decisions.

Forensic Accounting

We use accounting and auditing skills to provide an analysis of financial records in conjunction with dispute resolutions, as well as fraud and theft investigation. Our damage measurement methods can determine the extent of financial loss and illegal accounting practices.

Reviews & Compilations

*Compilation - based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use.

Consulting Services

We gauge our worth by the personal and business successes of our clients. We can help your business identify areas negatively affecting profitability and growth and develop solutions that are practical and technically sound. In addition to acting as a sounding board for management, we provide comprehensive, flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business. The following is just a few of the areas in which we provide consulting services:

Accounting Software Selection & Implementation

With the number of computerized accounting software packages available for small businesses and individuals growing every day, selecting one that is right for you has become increasingly difficult. As accounting professionals, we are exposed to most programs through trade journals and actual use. Our experienced staff can help you choose and implement the system that best fits your needs.

Business Consulting

Business Entity Selection

Choosing the form of entity of your business (e.g. "S" corporation, sole proprietor, limited liability company…) is a crucial decision that can have longstanding tax implications, positive or negative. We can assist you in evaluating the pros and cons of each entity type to help you determine the most advantageous form of business for your company.

Business Succession Planning

Effective coordination of the transition of your business to your successors is critical to ensure its continued success once you decide to remove yourself from the company's day to day operations. With a solid background in tax and other financial matters, we are fully qualified to address the complex issues of business continuation and can assist you in developing a strategically sound plan.

Business Valuations

Whether you are thinking of buying a new business or in the midst of a difficult divorce, the amount attached to the value of your business is important. We can provide useful and objective analysis to assist you in the valuation of any business in which you have an interest.

Buying & Selling a Business

Structuring the purchase or sale of a business properly is a critical step in the process of buying or selling a business. Our competent staff has experience to guide you through the acquisition/disposition process by addressing such issues as cash flow analysis and tax considerations.

Computer Consulting

Whether you are contemplating the addition of new computer hardware or overhauling your network, our experienced staff can assist you with many of the difficult decisions that must be made when designing your business' computer systems.

Debt & Financing Services

Debt management and the evaluation of financing options are issues that an experienced professional deals with every day. Let us use our experience to assist you in securing financing for your personal or business needs or consolidating your current debt to a more manageable level.

Estate Planning

Effective estate planning facilitates the orderly transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, provides security for your surviving spouse, and can reduce or eliminate the tax due on the transfer of your business and other assets. For business owners, providing for business continuity and succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order.

Financial Planning

A properly structured financial plan enables you to face any financial challenge that may present itself at each stage of your life. Through the financial planning process, we can help you assess your financial needs and develop strategies that will enable you to achieve your goals and strengthen your financial security.

Fraud Prevention & Detection

We use accounting and auditing skills to provide an analysis of financial records in conjunction with fraud and theft investigation. Our damage measurement methods can determine the extent of financial loss and illegal accounting practices.

Investment Review

As you develop your investment strategy, we will act as your sounding board. We can help you and your investment advisor build an investment portfolio that takes into consideration the impact of taxes and produces a favorable after-tax return.

Management Advisory Services

Even the most qualified managers can benefit from competent, objective feedback. We can help your company's management team develop long-term objectives and specific strategies to facilitate your business' future growth and success.

Pension & Profit Sharing Plans

Qualified retirement plans (e.g. defined-contribution or defined benefit plans, Keoghs, SEPs…) can provide significant tax advantages for closely held businesses and self-employed individuals. Our qualified staff can assist you in evaluating the type of pension plan that will best serve the retirement needs of you and your employees.

Retirement Planning

Successful implementation and periodic review of your financial plan will ensure financial independence during your working years and through your retirement years.

Pension & Profit Sharing Plans

Qualified retirement plans (e.g. defined-contribution or defined benefit plans, Keoghs, SEPs...) can provide significant tax advantages for closely held businesses and self-employed individuals. Our qualified staff can assist you in evaluating the type of pension plan that will best serve the retirement needs of you and your employees.

Tax Services

We prefer to take a proactive vs. reactive approach to tax services. By keeping current on new tax laws and legislation, we are in a position to identify key tax planning opportunities that minimize both your current and future tax liabilities. We provide our individual and business clients with the taxation expertise and knowledge that they deserve throughout the year. Tax services offered include but are not limited to:

Estate & Trust Tax Preparation

Effective estate and gift planning facilitates the orderly transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, provides security for your surviving spouse, and can reduce or eliminate the tax due on the transfer of your business and other assets. For business owners, providing for business continuity and succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order.

International Taxation

Our experience with the taxation of U.S residents working abroad and foreign citizens working in the U.S. has provided us with an extensive base of knowledge in the area of international taxation.

IRS Representation

During our years of experience dealing with many taxing authorities, we have achieved a level of competence that can ensure our clients they are being properly represented before the various federal and state tax agencies.

Payroll Services

As a business grows, it must hire more employees, which can result in increased payroll administration. We can assist you in implementing the controls necessary to ensure a reliable, efficient, and effective payroll system. Our firm can also help you develop a payroll system and prepare all necessary payroll tax returns in a timely manner.

Sales Tax Services

Many of our clients are responsible for collecting and submitting sales taxes in many different vicinities. We can assist your company in the compilation of information and preparation of sales tax returns in an efficient and timely manner.

Tax Planning & Preparation

Tax planning and preparation form a winning combination for our successful individual and business clients. Whether you are an individual or a multi-tiered partnership, our experienced staff can develop tax strategies that take advantage of new tax laws and legislation.

Other Services

Due to our diverse client base, we encounter a wide array of financial and tax issues. As a result, we have gained valuable experience over the years in numerous specialized areas, many of which are listed below. We feel our ability to provide such a variety of services reflects our versatility and competency, as well as our dedication to quality client service.

Asset Protection

Asset protection, or wealth preservation, plan makes the enforcement of judgements against protected assets nearly impossible and allows the owner of protected assets to retain substantial control over these assets. Our firm can assist you with an asset protection plan that may include family limited partnerships, or offshore trusts.

Bankruptcies

Filing for bankruptcy is a serious and involved process with many legal and tax issues. Our firm is familiar with the complexities of the bankruptcy filing system and can competently guide you through the process.

Employee Benefit Plans

The accounting and tax issues involved with employer-provided benefit plans can be overwhelming. We can assist with the development, implementation and administration of your employee benefit plan.

Expert Witness Services

Pending or existing litigation can result in the need for a qualified professional to present his/her opinion to support or oppose evidence submitted to the court. Our level of competence allows us the opportunity to function as expert witnesses in such cases.

Internet Commerce

The internet has created an ever-changing global economy with a new way to conduct commerce. Our firm can help determine if your company would benefit from setting up a virtual storefront and assist in implementing proper systems and controls.

Litigation Support

Litigation support involves the quantification of economic damages pursuant to existing or pending litigation using accounting and auditing techniques. We have experienced competent staff who can compile information efficiently to assist in the calculation and documentation of any potential economic loss or damages.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Finding the right business partner for your company can be a difficult task. We can assist you in the merger or acquisition process by assessing such critical elements as tax considerations; product/service compatibility; competitive tactics and position; financial impact; and cash flow considerations.