Author:

Maria Tanski-Phillips

Maria creates helpful and practical content for Patriot’s marketing department. She began as a Content Writer in 2018.

Hiring Family Members: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It’s not unheard of for business owners to hire their family members. In fact, approximately 90% of U.S. businesses are family-owned or controlled. With so many other businesses hiring relatives, you might be itching to do the same.

Creating a Code of Conduct for Your Small Business

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

As a small business owner, you have certain behavior expectations for employees. To guide workers on ethics and how to represent your company, consider creating a code of conduct.

Part-time vs. Full-time Employment: Determining the Status of Your Employees

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

As a small business owner, you must decide what types of employment you need, such as hiring part-time workers, full-time employees, or a mixture of both. And, it’s your responsibility to understand the differences between part-time and full-time workers. Read on to learn about part-time vs. full-time employment and which is best for your small […]

Accountant meeting with a potential client.

How to Get More Clients for Your Accounting Firm: 8 Tips

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

Want to win over some new clients? If so, you have to be willing to put in a little elbow grease. Sure, growing your client base doesn’t happen overnight. But with a little research, the right marketing strategies, and a few tips (eight to be exact), you can expand your client base in no time. […]

Direct Deposit vs. Check: The Pros and Cons of Payment Methods

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

Employers can choose from a few types of payment methods to offer employees. One popular option is direct deposit. You can also pay employees with handwritten or printed paychecks. Before deciding what is the best option for your business, you should weigh the pros and cons of each.

What to Know About Paid Leave of Absence

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

As an employer, you may wonder why an employee would receive a paid leave of absence and how it will affect your business. It is your responsibility to understand the laws about leaves of absence. Continue reading to learn more about types of leave, laws restricting leave of absence, and what to do when an […]

Form 943: What to Know About Agricultural Withholding

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

Various types of employers must withhold taxes from employees’ wages, including employers hiring farm workers. If you are an agricultural employer, you likely withhold taxes from your employees’ pay. And, you are responsible for reporting wages on IRS Form 943. So, what is Form 943?

What to Know About Form 941 Reconciliation

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

As a small business owner, you have likely heard of IRS Form 941. If you file IRS Form 941, do you know the steps you must follow for Form 941 reconciliation? Find out how to reconcile Form 941 and why reconciliation is important for your small business.

How to Improve Financial Reporting Processes: 6 Tips

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

Let’s face it: Your finances play a major role in your business’s success. You need to have accurate reporting to know where your business stands financially. Otherwise, you could end up overspending and running your business into the ground. To keep your small business finances in shipshape, learn how to improve financial reporting processes.

Can You Spot the Differences Between Back Pay vs. Retro Pay?

By Maria Tanski-Phillips

Everybody makes mistakes. And if you’re an employer, you’ve probably made (or will make) a payroll mistake at some point. If you make a mistake or forget to pay an employee certain wages (e.g., bonus), you might need to provide retroactive or back pay.