Services

Accounting and Auditing Services

Tax Services
Industries Served by the Firm

 

ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING SERVICES

We offer many types of accounting and auditing services. A brief explanation of these services follows:

Compilation of Financial Statements--In performing a compilation, we prepare financial statements from information provided by management. A compilation is useful when limited in-house capabilities exist for preparing financial statements.

Review of Financial Statements--During a review engagement we apply inquiry and analytical procedures to financial statements provided by management. A review provides limited assurance that no material changes need to be made to the financial statements. These engagements are frequently conducted in connection with financing arrangements.

Audit of Financial Statements--An audit provides the highest level of assurance that the financial statements present fairly the entity's financial position and results of operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

As part of an audit, we confirm amounts with outside parties, complete physical inspections and observations of inventories and facilities, and test selected transactions by examining supporting documents.

Audits are performed in connection with financing arrangements, governmental regulations, and entities wishing to provide the highest level of assurance to their stockholders.

Monthly Bookkeeping and Payroll Services--This area encompasses preparing monthly financial statements for our clients by inputting their data into our computer system. We also prepare payrolls and related payroll tax returns. In these engagements, our involvement ranges from very limited to extensive, depending upon the needs of our clients. We are a member of the QuickBooks Certified Professional Advisors Program.

Forecasts and Projections--In addition to working with historical financial statements, we also assist clients in forecasting future results. These are often helpful in assisting them to make decisions on future courses of action as well as obtaining appropriate financing.

Agreed-Upon Procedures--These engagements entail performing limited testing of accounting records or systems as directed by our clients. Some examples of agreed-upon procedures are directors' examinations of banks, internal audit services for clients that are not large enough to have a full-time internal auditor on staff, or reviews of the internal controls of Information Technologies Departments. These engagements are helpful to clients of all sizes to assist them in certain areas of their business or to comply with regulatory requirements.

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TAX SERVICES

We provide comprehensive tax services to clients ranging from individuals and sole proprietorships to multi-million dollar corporations.

Tax Preparation--We prepare tax returns in compliance with federal and state regulations for individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, gifts, and inheritances as well as information returns for non-profit organizations such as charitable groups and pension plans. All returns are thoroughly reviewed by a CPA to ensure accuracy as well as technical compliance with applicable regulations. Recommendations are made, where appropriate, to allow the taxpayer the best tax advantage based on current law.

Tax Planning--Tax planning services are performed based on the taxpayer's needs and objectives. Issues are brought to our clients' attention in order to discuss and further enhance their position.

Estate Planning--Estate planning encompasses a review of individual needs based on the level of assets that a client owns. These services frequently include recommendations as to the types of a trust that may be established (irrevocable, revocable, or charitable), planning regarding gifting of assets, and computation of estimated taxes on an individual's estate. We assist our clients in reducing taxes to a minimal level and map out a plan during their lifetime to attain financial security and achieve their goals.

Representation Before the IRS--We have represented taxpayers before the IRS from the smallest matter to very complex audits. We have an excellent rapport with the various taxing authorities and are very familiar with their policies and procedures which may allow for more favorable results.

Other Tax Services--Other specialized projects are performed and tailored to meet clients' needs as they arise. Some examples are lease-vs-buy decisions and business valuations.

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INDUSTRIES SERVED BY THE FIRM

We provide accounting, auditing, and tax services as well as other consulting engagements to over 700 clients throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The primary industries served by the firm include:

Attorneys
Petroleum Distribution
Education
Physicians
Financial Institutions
Professional Firms
Insurance Agencies
Railroad
Logging/Timber
Real Estate Development
Manufacturing
Restaurants/Hotel Operations
Not-for-Profit Organizations
 
   
This mixture of industries served by our firm provides all of our professional staff with a well-versed background in several industries. This enables us to draw from a wealth of experience in serving our clients' needs.

By serving clients throughout the Upper Peninsula we have become well informed of the economic environment in the particular areas where our clients operate. This is essential in assisting our clients.

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