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Client Services

Our independent CPA firm offers a wide range of services to our individual and business clients. Because our firm is relatively small and has a 40 year history of serving McDonald's Owner/Operators, our clients benefit by receiving experienced, proactive, responsive, quality service, delivered with a personal touch, that is beyond comparison.

We are committed to technology. We continually invest considerable time and resources in order to make sure that we possess and maintain current high tech computer hardware and software capabilities. This committment to technology has placed us in the forefront of independent CPA firms. 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 can not be compromised.

Fast, Accurate, Five Day Turnaround ... No Set-up Fees!!

Balance Sheet.

Detailed P & L General Ledger and Journal Register.

Monthly Sales Trends, five year history.

*Cash Flow, Net Debt, all McDonald's Financial Ratios, we track on a trailing twelve month basis.

Electronic transmission of monthly financial information to McDonald's Corporation. Our McDonald's Owner/Operator accounting services provide you with accurate and quick turnaround of your monthly Compiled Balance Sheets and Profit and Loss Statements. These are electronically transmitted to McDonald's Corporation via WebFFS. Our monthly accounting service also includes the preparation of a detailed general ledger, journal registers, bank reconciliations, and sales/property tax reporting. Ratio calculations, monthly cash flows and updated sales histories are also provided to you for each restaurant. We review your financial statements each month to ensure the highest quality and service to you. We look for opportunities in your Profit and Loss Statements whereby you can reduce your costs and increase your profits.

Payroll Services

As a business grows, it must hire more employees, which can result in increased payroll administration. Our firm offers a no-hassle comprehensive payroll service. This service includes all elements involved in payroll such as preparation of payroll checks, payroll registers, payroll transfer detail, tax deposits, quarterly returns, year-end returns and W-2's.

Cash Flow and 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.

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:

*Tax planning & return preparation
- Individuals
- Corporations
- Partnerships
- LLCs/LLPs
- Estates, trusts & gift
- Not-for-profit organizations
*Taxing authority representation
*Divorce and support issues
*Tax effects of buying/selling a business

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 and Retirement Planning

James Howard An Accountancy Corporation's goal is to help you reach your financial goals and maintain financial independence through a comfortable retirement. We can guide you through tough decision-making processes such as asset allocation, investment performance monitoring, college education funding, retirement plans, insurance, and tax, estate, and business succession planning. Whether you are developing an investment strategy or evaluating current investments, James Howard An Accountancy Corporation can ensure that your portfolio will take into account tax implications for an advantageous after-tax return. The road to retirement is a long one and we can help you to take the proper steps to reach your goals.

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.

Financial Forecasts and 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.

We assist our McDonald's Owner/Operator clients with planning and forecasting for future growth and other financial opportunities. We prepare cash flow projections, analyze opportunities and strategize with you to ensure success.

Debt and 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.

We have an excellent working relationship with McDonald's National Lenders and McDonald's Treasury Department. We provide you with up-to -date interest rate options and assist you in expeditiously obtaining the appropriate financing for your restaurant(s)

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.

Our income tax preparation service for our McDonald's Owner/Operator clients includes semi-annual income tax planning projections to ensure that all legitimate methods of decreasing federal and state income tax liabilities are being used to maximum advantage. During this process, each Owner/Operator's personal income tax situation and cash flow requirements are reviewed to guard against unexpected tax liabilities.

Business Succession Planning

We work with McDonald's Franchising to ensure that your estate planning needs are met. We review your restaurant ownership and structure to ensure that it is appropriately set-up to meet the needs of the present Owner/Operator and your second generation licensees.

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.

We provide valuations of McDonald's restaurants should an opportunity arise for an acquisition, sale, personal financial planning, family ownership transfer, divorce settlements, or special circumstances.

Buying and 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.

We possess an expertise in reviewing restaurant acquisitions and sales, including tax-free exchanges. We complete a comprehensive review including but not limited to the pricing, cash flow, real estate tenure, base rent, percentage rent, franchise term, projected growth and competition, operational profitability, tax ramifications, and our Owner/Operator's strategic objectives.

Retirement Planning

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

Business Consulting

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.

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.


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