Starting a Business

What do CPAs bring to the table? Can I just try and do them on my own or will I miss vital deducations?

My wife and I have setup a new pet care business and are having a hard time keeping track of everything! Our customers pay in advance for services to be rendered in the future. As we provide them services, we need to deduct these services from their account. I’ve got gnucash (double entry accounting software) setup but I can’t wrap my head around how I can make a sale of $200 for one client and then record services against his account later. I’m thinking we need professional help to setup the system but we just don’t have the budget. I want to avoid something that will not work going forward and have a big mess later. Any advice on what I should setup? Thanks!

What are the tax benefits of being a self employed professional?

I recently started a small retail business and I currently do not have any insurance. What types of insurance do I need? What is most important and what are the likely costs on an annual basis?

How can I go about finding this out?

I recently started my own business (as a consultant) and I am wondering what taxes I will need to start paying?

I was laid off and I am currently unemployed, but decided to start a business. I don’t expect to make any money from the business for awhile, can I still collect umemployment?

I recently started an online retailing business (sell clothes that I make) and I am wondering what kinds of taxes I should expect to pay as an online business? thank you

I recently started my own sole proprietorship audio production company and am trying to set everything up in Quickbooks. Although I know I will be seeking advice from an accountant within the next couple of months, in the meantime, I haven’t been able to find the answer to my question. Besides the personal funds I invested in the company, I’ve also used personal audio equipment including a computer, microphones, and thousands of dollars worth of audio equipment (before starting this officially as a business). Can I add any of these items as inital ‘investment’ or startup expense? And can I expense or depreciate this equipment? Do I put these in my assets? Thank you!