Every week, I open a QuickBooks Online file that a principal or firm owner has been managing independently. Often, they’ve been doing it for years, moving forward with the confidence that their records are in order. And almost every time, there is a significant disconnect between what the software shows and the financial reality of the business. This isn’t a reflection of their capability. Most business owners I work with are incredibly sharp, growth-oriented professionals who understand...

Ever feel like your shop is a bucket with a tiny, persistent hole in the bottom? You’re crushing it in the bays, the team is moving fast, and the parking lot is full of cars waiting for service. But when you look at your profit and loss statement at the end of the month, the numbers just don't feel... right. You know you’re buying parts. You know you’re installing parts. But somehow, between the delivery truck and the final invoice, money is leaking out of the building. For many Multi-Shop...

Keeping up with employment regulations in Illinois can feel a bit like trying to hit a moving target while wearing a blindfold. Just when you think you’ve got your payroll reporting dialed in, a new administrative code update rolls across your desk. If you’re a growth-oriented business owner, you know that these "small" shifts in reporting are often where the most significant audit risks hide. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently dropped a notice that every employer...