Someone who has vision and passion, assumes risks, sees the potential, takes action, embraces innovation and change, and knows success is possible!  

Entrepreneur or Established Business Owner?

Whether you are an entrepreneur just forming your company or an established business owner, there are a myriad of challenges and opportunities you encounter during the journey, including:

• What business entity structure is best for us? – or – The business was formed as an LLC (partnership) and now is looking to bring in outside investors. Should we change to a C Corporation or an S Corporation?
• We are interested in purchasing a business. Can you help us through the process of due diligence to integration?
• How do we handle hiring employees and payroll administration?
• Our health care premiums keep increasing and we aren’t sure we are fully expensing them. Are health care premiums deductible by the business?
• We are thinking of establishing a 401(k) plan. What is the difference between a qualified and nonqualified plan?
• What options exist for us to finance the purchase of a building?
• We want to strengthen management of the company using performance goals such as cost and profitability measures, ratios and industry benchmarking. How can we access this data?
• Can you recommend a banker? An attorney?
• We are looking to source product in China. Do you have any contacts that can help us?

• Seeking a professional advisor on business structure, accounting and tax issues
• Needing to strengthen record keeping and accounting
• Requiring more personal, professional attention to challenges during growth
• Experiencing a change in ownership or other significant event that requires special guidance and service
• Requesting reviewed or compiled financial statements issued by a respected independent professional services firm

Business owners partner with RubinBrown because we help them improve and grow their businesses. We are not just accountants or tax professionals. We are trusted business advisors — from entering the marketplace to deciding it is time to exit, through retirement, selling the business or transitioning to the next generation.

The Entrepreneurial Services Group serves over 475 clients with a broad knowledge of business, accounting and tax issues. RubinBrown started over 55 years ago by serving emerging, entrepreneurial enterprises. These clients are still a key part of our business. We have been partners throughout the years as they evolve and expand, offering personalized, objective advice and guidance.

We understand the issues and risks encountered by business owners. The members of the Entrepreneurial Services Group possess a high level of expertise in handling the challenges of managing a profitable, growing business in today's marketplace.

Our clients have big ideas. We help them reach their potential. As your company grows, you need the support and expertise of a firm that can cater to all aspects of your business. We are ready to assist you with:

• Information technology
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Benefits
• Wealth management

We work with clients in a variety of industries including physician practices and other health-care related entities, law firms, architects and engineers, advertising firms, manufacturers and distributors, contractors, home builders, retailers and technology-related companies.

RubinBrown’s Entrepreneurial Services Group is proud of our client success stories.

One of RubinBrown’s first clients was in the automotive industry and 50 years later we continue to provide a range of services including quarterly compilations, tax return preparation and consulting. At the request of the client, we provided assistance when the company’s ownership transferred to the founder’s son. We prepared the founder’s estate tax return and continue to prepare the individual tax returns for the son and the current owner of the company, as well as other relatives. We assist the company throughout various business cycles and offer guidance to help manage difficult economic conditions and achieve success for the next generation.

During the course of performing an operational review at a physician’s office, it was discovered that managed care contracts were not loaded into the billing system. In addition, over $100,000 in patient receivables were greater than 365 days since the claims were not being properly appealed. As a result of the operational review, the client loaded payment terms in the billing systems to ensure proper reimbursements from payers were being received. Because of the appeal of the claims, the client was able to recover the $100,000 in outstanding patient receivables.

This premier structural engineering firm provides consulting services across the United States and has received accounting, tax and consulting services from RubinBrown for over 20 years. As the firm grows, RubinBrown provides a variety of services including planning for and managing the Company’s S Corporation election, performing a study of projects for the purpose of calculating research and experimentation credits, assisting with the purchase of term life insurance to support their buy/sell agreement, performing a business valuation, purchasing state income tax credits and benchmarking their operations.

As this software development company continued to grow, management sought a new accounting firm with the ability to provide a variety of professional services. RubinBrown now prepares the corporate tax return and offers advice regarding international tax issues, transactions, research and development tax credits and individual tax planning. We also provide estate planning to transition company ownership to the next generation and are currently analyzing the company’s retirement plan investment options and expenses for potential changes and savings.

Prior to purchasing a four-location retail business, this client requested advice on transaction details and business expense deductions. The client was guided through the process of establishing an LLC and obtaining a Federal ID number. Following the completion of the purchase, RubinBrown was engaged to continue to serve this client by assisting with monthly accounting, including bank account reconciliation, inventory tracking and depreciation on fixed assets. Our professionals also prepare the tax return of the business owner and have proposed an IT solution for a Point of Sale system needed by the company.

The Entrepreneurial Services Group provides these specialized services:

• Record transactions, prepare general ledger and related journals
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annually compiled financial statements
• Prepare reviewed financial statements
• Perform operational reviews Assess internal controls
• Outsourcing of accounting services
• Installation, support and training on automated accounting systems including QuickBooks and Peachtree

• Tax planning for business entities and their owners
• Analysis of records
• Preparation of federal, state and local tax returns
• Planning for quarterly estimated tax payments
• Preparation and planning for sales and use tax
• Preparation of property tax returns
• Preparation and/or review of payroll tax filings
• Research on payroll related issues

• Start-up services
• Business entity selection/change
• Business plan development
• Budgeting and financial analysis
• Analyze cash flow and cash management
• Lease vs. purchase analysis
• Office procedures review
• Succession planning
• Estate and retirement planning
• Mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence
• Strategic planning
• Employee benefit planning and consulting

• RubinBrown Speaker Series offers programs that provide knowledge on relevant, current issues business owners are facing
• E-Focus Newsletter provides insights on various issues on a monthly basis
• Employer’s Guide to Payroll and Fringe Benefits is an annual publication to inform and assist employers with changes in payroll and benefits requirements
• Horizons Magazine contains current topics of interest, events and happenings and client profiles
• Community Partnerships allow us to demonstrate our belief in the potential of the broader community and do our part in making it an attractive place to live and work, including fostering a climate of entrepreneurial success. We collaborate with other community organizations in the following ways:
  • Sponsor of programs and activities initiated by the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington University
  • Founding partner in Missouri with the Women’s Business Development Center to develop and support women entrepreneurs
  • Present tech-entrepreneurship training with the Center for Emerging Technologies
  • Work with the BEGIN New Venture Center at St. Patrick’s Center and Habitat for Neighborhood Business

Serving you requires commitment on our part and yours. All of our expectations center on building a strong relationship and promoting a sense of partnering with you. We are proactive – promoting and encouraging interaction throughout the year so we understand your plans, challenges, and opportunities.

We develop a relationship with you that focuses on achieving your organizational and personal goals. As professional advisors, we specialize in helping owners of entrepreneurial businesses realize a sound financial future through effective succession, tax, retirement, financial, estate and fringe benefit planning.

You are not a client of any one individual of our firm. Rather, you are OUR client, with the full RubinBrown team ready and able to assist you.

2012-13 Payroll & Benefits Tax Guide

The 2012-2013 Payroll & Benefits Tax Guide is now available!  This publication is published by RubinBrown's Entrepreneurial Services Group and provides guidance regarding the handling of compensation and fringe benefits.  

Click here to view the publication 

Guide To Starting A Business

This comprehensive resource assists professionals who are contemplating starting or buying a business.  The guide includes information on entity structuring, business planning, operations, tax planning and compliance, and much more.

Click here to view the publication. 

We have compiled online resources that may be helpful to you or your business. You may wish to bookmark this page for future reference.

	Kansas City Chamber of Commerce The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing responsive and committed leadership that builds a vibrant and thriving community as we seek to achieve prosperity and an outstanding quality of life. We will assist our members in growing their businesses by creating a community where members are connected to one another in the local, regional, and global marketplace.
	Missouri Department of Economic Development The goal of the Missouri Department of Economic Development is to make Missouri the best place to live, work, vacation and conduct business. They offer several resources on its Web site including information on professional licensing, workforce development, international marketing, and financial regulations.
	Missouri Secretary of State The Missouri Secretary of State offers numerous resources for the small business owner. Its Web site includes helpful links to information about starting and operating a business in Missouri, commissions, the notary public handbook and many more related sites.
	St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the Greater St. Louis region, which includes St. Louis City; the Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Franklin, and Jefferson; and the Illinois counties of St. Clair, Jersey, Madison, Clinton and Monroe. RCGA's 4,000 member companies constitute nearly 40% of the regional workforce. RCGA's Web site provides information on public policy, news, economic development and available discounts.
	United States Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition to a venture capital portfolio of $13 billion, the SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses. Last year, the SBA offered management and technical assistance to more than one million small business owners. The SBA also plays a major role in the government's disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery loans to both homeowners and businesses. Its Web site offers advice on starting a small business along with statistics and an answer desk.

For more information, please contact:

Greg Osborn, CPA
Denver Managing Partner
303.952.1250
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Mary Ramm, CPA
Partner
913.499.4406
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