Tag: Dental CPA in Baltimore

Towson MD Dental CPA | Manage Your Calendar to Balance Your Life

Appointments and continuing education consume most of your time. How do you manage to live a happy, well-adjusted, balanced life when you simply don’t have time? The key is in planning. Do you use a calendar to manage your time or do you simply make agreements and arrangements as they come up? Here is how you can balance your schedule by managing your calendar.

Schiff Dental CPA | Manage Your Calendar to Balance Your Life

Set Clear Boundaries

The first step to achieving a work-life balance is to consider your basic responsibilities and obligations. Set aside blocks of time in your calendar to meet with patients, hold team meetings, and attend organizational group meetings. Your calendar should be your primary time-management tool.

Time Off Means Time Off

You need to set aside time for activities unrelated to work. When you decide to take a day off, make sure it’s in your calendar. If it’s not in there, your time off is likely to be consumed by an emergency patient appointment, unexpected meeting, or other business-related expense. Make your scheduling priorities clear with your office team so they are not left with the burden of how to handle unexpected situations while you are away.

It’s Not Just for Work

Your calendar doesn’t need to be exclusive to work. In fact, it may be beneficial for you to regularly include your other commitments. From your children’s school activities to anniversaries and birthdays, seeing these events alongside your work schedule can help you make better scheduling choices. You’ll be more reluctant to accept an invitation to a meeting or convention when you know it will conflict with another occasion. By including other events on your calendar, you minimize the risk of dealing with a stressful schedule conflict between your work life and your personal life.

Never let your calendar run your day. You have the ability to schedule your day by using your calendar as a tool for time management. Start by setting clear scheduling boundaries by blocking the time you need for your main responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to take time off, but always make sure it is a part of your schedule.  Also, consider including other life events and activities in your calendar to better manage your schedule.

For more tips on effectively managing your work schedule, contact our team today.

Towson MD Dentist | Planning for Retirement

Whether you have been working for 3 years or 30, it is important to have a retirement plan in place. Unfortunately, many people have never taken the time to create a realistic estimate of what kind of savings they will need to enjoy the lifestyle they want during retirement years. Here are a few key factors that influence how much you should be saving to ensure that you can retire comfortably on schedule.

Towson MD Dentist

  1. How long will you be retired? Advances in modern medicine have increased life expectancy over the past decades. Depending on your health and family history, you may want to plan as though you will live to 100 and estimate your needs accordingly.
  2. What do you plan to do during retirement? If you are planning to travel more, visit family members more frequently, or embrace a hobby, you may have increased living expenses compared to your working years.
  3. What other expenses will change? Your commute, work clothes, and business lunches may stop, but you may have higher costs for medical care and prescriptions. Talk with our financial planner about the types of changes to your budget that are likely to occur during retirement.
  4. How much are you currently saving? When you meet with our financial planner, you will review the details of your current retirement savings plans and how your portfolio is performing. During retirement, it may be beneficial to continue some of your investments to help your savings outpace inflation.
  5. Do you have a withdrawal strategy? If you are an owner or partner in your business, is there a written agreement for buying you out when you retire? Do you plan to transition by working part time for a year or more or should you stop all at once? How are your retirement savings affected by taxes? All these and more should be part of your strategic plan for retirement. Our financial planning expert can guide you through the details of your withdrawal process.

For more information on planning for your comfortable retirement, contact our office and schedule a financial planning consultation.

 

Towson MD Dental Accountant | Revitalize Revenues through Increased Investment

Every business experiences trends of increasing and decreasing revenues. When new business slows and income begins to dip, many business owners react by cutting back on the item in their budget they think is most expendable: marketing.

Towson MD Dental Accountant

The unfortunate reality is that this is almost definitely the wrong step to take. When you cut your marketing budget, you reduce your revenues as well.

Today’s business cannot survive through only word of mouth referrals. Your company needs to attract new clientele on an ongoing basis, not just in the weeks following a postcard blast or mass email. In addition, you need to engage and maintain the loyalty of your existing customers.

Consistent, effective marketing helps you achieve both ends.

One recent study examined the marketing budgets of several publicly-traded companies. The researchers found that businesses that were spending an average of 16.5% of revenue grew up to 15% annually, and those that spent an average of 22% grew 16% – 30% annually.

When your marketing budget increases, your revenue follows suit.

There are several factors that can influence how much your business should be spending on marketing.

  • Are you a new startup company? You may need to invest more until you have established a client base.
  • Is business established and you want to maintain growth? Compare your current rates of new customers to those lost annually to determine how your current budget is doing.
  • Is business stagnant or decreasing? Consider investing an additional 5% or 10% above your current marketing budget, at least until the trend reverses.
  • How competitive is your local market? Higher competition requires greater investment to grow business.

For more advice regarding your marketing budget and business growth, contact our office.

Towson MD Dental CPA | Smart Money – Filing Taxes with an Accountant

Did you know that more than 65% of failed businesses blame financial mismanagement as their downfall? This is why forming a good relationship with a professional financial advisor is paramount to the longevity of your business.

Towson MD Dental CPA

When is the most important time to have this established relationship in place? That’s right – tax time. If you’re thinking about taking any shortcuts during this time (like using online software), you may want to reconsider. Why risk your entire business by cutting corners on something so crucial? Consider these reasons why you should work with a professional accountant.

 

Accountants understand tax code. Tax code is not only complicated – it changes frequently. It’s literally a full-time job interpreting and staying up to date. A financial professional will be able to guide you through this and take that stress off your plate. You’re already busy enough without having to keep up to date on tax law. Knowing you’re working with a professional can eliminate the stress of tax compliance. It’s hard to put a price on peace of mind.

 

Accountants know how to get you more deductions. Everyone wants to maximize their deductions, but only a true professional financial expert can get you everything you deserve.  Don’t leave any money on the table and don’t overpay on your taxes. Working with an accountant throughout the year will ensure you have the documentation you need to get your deductions and not overpay your taxes. This is exceptionally important especially for small businesses, like most dental offices.

 

Accountants minimize your risk. Are taxes the place where you want to cut corners and take a risk with your business and your team’s financial future? One mistake can land you in a heap of trouble. No one wants to deal with any sort of issue with the IRS let alone an audit. If you run into one of these scenarios, you’ll wind up paying far more than you would have if you worked with a professional from the beginning.

 

Everyone is willing to take some risks, especially small business owners and entrepreneurs.  Being brave enough to start your own business or follow your dreams is a risk in itself.  Don’t jeopardize your dream by cutting corners on one of the most important tasks of every year.  Work with a financial professional and allow yourself the peace of mind to protect what you’ve built. Contact Schiff & Associates, CPA today.

 

 

Towson MD Dental CPA | The Bright Side of Patient Complaints

No matter how fantastic you and your team are, you will occasionally have a patient complain about something. When this happens, you and your team may feel discouraged, frustrated, or even annoyed, depending on the specific complaint and how it was shared. It can be easy to brush the complaint aside and tell yourself that the patient was just having a bad day. However, changing the way you think about patient complaints can be highly beneficial to your business.

Towson MD Dental CPA

Patient complaints may involve anything from office décor or other patients to the time, cost, or outcome of a treatment. Even concerns that feel trivial or unfair to you should be handled with respect and appreciation. Like any consumer, your patient wants to feel like you care about their experience and their feelings. A complaint is an opportunity for you to win back a patient’s trust.

 

If you thank your patient for bringing their concerns to you, commit to taking action to correct the situation, and follow through on your commitment, you will earn loyalty from that patient. This loyalty can translate into fewer rescheduled or cancelled appointments, increased case acceptance, and even referrals to friends, family, and social media connections. Over time, handing one complaint as an opportunity to improve can lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in revenue.

 

However, if patients leave your office feeling that their concerns are unimportant to you, they will likely look elsewhere for dental care in the future. Unhappy patients do not stay with your practice. They do not refer others to you. They may even tell others about their unpleasant experience with your office, which can cost you potential patients and revenue.

 

Every patient complaint you receive is a gift. Your team or practice may have a weakness that you were unaware was an issue. If one patient voices a complaint, it is likely that others have noticed the problem as well. Consider asking patients for feedback after a visit. Let them know proactively that you appreciate their input and are ready and willing to provide the best experience possible. When your patients feel valued, they will be more loyal to you, your team, and your practice.

 

For more tips on providing a better patient experience, contact our office.

Towson MD Dental CPA | Why You Should Join (or Start) a Dental Study Club

Science is a field where the only true constant is change. Dentistry is no different. With advances in techniques and new technologies every year, it can be challenging to stay current, especially without breaking your budget.

Towson MD Dental CPA | Why You Should Join (or Start) a Dental Study Club

Study clubs can be an ideal solution to this inevitable problem. There are many reasons why you should be gaining the benefits of membership in a dental study club. Here are some of the most valuable advantages you stand to gain:

Continuing Education
By pooling the resources of a group of dental professionals, you can attend continuing education lectures and clinical hands-on training in your local area, without all the time and expense of travel. This added source of training and education can be invaluable for staying current with new techniques and new technological advances. If you have a desire to focus your practice on one or more specific areas of dentistry, such as implants or sleep apnea treatment, a targeted study group can help you find and attend the courses you need to develop the skills and qualifications to reach your goal.

Peer Support
With a dental study club, you are interacting with other dentists and specialists in your area. Group discussions have been shown to be one of the most effective ways to share experiences, techniques, challenges, and new ideas with like-minded individuals for the benefit of everyone involved. This informal venue can allow you to explore new ways of approaching a problem or a treatment and allows you to benefit from what another has already tried.

Networking
While it is not the primary reason to join a study club, you should not overlook the importance of networking. Making other dental contacts in your area can be highly beneficial. Specialists, in particular, depend on referrals from other dentists. It can be much easier to refer a patient or gain a referral when you have developed a relationship with other professionals and know how they treat their patients, what technologies they use, and other such information.

Whether you join a local study club or decide to create one of your own, the benefits of membership far outweigh the costs. For more information, contact a local study club, or contact our team today.

CPAs in Towson | Protect Your Practice Against Employee Fraud

Towson CPAs

Did you know that at least one in three dental practices have been victim to some sort of embezzlement? Protect your practice against employee fraud by understanding the tactics involved, and how to watch for them with tips from a Dental CPA.

Check Fraud

Oftentimes, patients will pay for their portion of fees by check. One instance of fraud can happen by a team member instructing the patient to leave the payee section blank, letting them know they have a stamp for the payee section. Then, it’s as simple as writing in their own name or business and depositing the check. To combat this, do not allow the use of payee stamps and ensure that your checks are reviewed carefully, both before and after they are deposited.

Altering Book Transactions

Committing fraud is a two-part process — siphoning money or resources, but also covering up the tracks. As a business owner you need to be aware of both. A fraudulent employee may alter transactions in your accounts receivable to create a false trail that shows payment was made in the right steps. Ensure that any additions, deletions, or adjustments of activity in your accounting or bookkeeping software are properly logged and audited.

Skimming Cash or Patient Credits

A fraudulent employee may be stealing money directly from cash transactions, or indirectly, by refunding patients’ credit balances onto their own credit cards. Both of these examples of fraud are easy to catch with the proper systems in place. Tally your cash balance at the end of every office day and have it confirmed by more than one employee. In addition, ensure a proactive approach to any credit balances that patients might accrue so that they will not remain and be forgotten about.

Quick Tips from a Dental CPA to Protect Yourself

In addition to keeping watch for the potential fraud examples above, here are a few pointers to help avoid others:

  • Reconcile every payment logged in your accounting software by confirming them on the bank’s end.
  • Implement a business credit card to easily track any purchases made for the office, and to reduce the need for reimbursement.
  • Investigate transactional history that does not make logical sense or is overcomplicated.
  • Bring another agency aboard to monitor and control your accounting duties to ensure quality and validity.

If you feel that your business is at-risk for fraud or you have already been a victim to it, contact Dental CPA Allen M. Schiff today to schedule a consultation.

100 West Road, Suite 410
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 321-7707

Dental CPA in Towson | Career Tips for New Dentists

Towson Dental CPA

Starting your professional career as a new dentist can be one of the most exciting (and anxious) times of your life. Whether you are beginning your own practice or joining one, there are several important aspects to keep in mind. We have compiled a quick guide that will help you manage your priorities as a new dentist with confidence.

  1. Protect Your Work-Life Balance – While you might be used to a heavy schedule during your years in academia, don’t let yourself burn out. You deserve a healthy work-life balance. By setting expectations and following them, you can enjoy your time with friends, family, or hobbies without feeling tread on by your work schedule.
  2. Know Your Strengths – Your practice should center on two things: what you are compassionate about, and what you are incredible at. Don’t pursue a specialty just to appeal to your community if it isn’t something you are excited about. Focusing on your strengths will bring you more satisfaction in your work as well as higher quality to your service.
  3. Manage Your Debt – Dental school graduates usually have a significant trail of student debt following them. Whether you refinance, make extra payments, or choose an alternate repayment plan, focus on reducing your balance instead of simply paying off the interest. Don’t forget to contribute early to your retirement fund, either. The best time to start saving was yesterday.
  4. Successful Practice Management – A dental practice is a business, and a business needs a strong leader. Dental schools don’t typically prepare you for the financial and leadership elements of your career, so don’t be afraid to seek coaches or consultants. With the right mentor, both you and your practice can succeed.
  5. Continue Your Education – The last advice you want to hear as a new dentist is ‘more schooling,’ but it’s true. Once you have settled in, you should look for new opportunities to hone your skills. There exists a world of workshops, lectures, and courses that can further your passion in dentistry, bring you confidence in your work, and improve the value of your practice.

With the right mindset and plan, you can build yourself up as a new dentist, achieving your leadership and financial goals. If you are considering starting your own practice, our team at Schiff & Associates will be the resource you need to secure your future in success. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

100 West Road, Suite 410
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 321-7707

21204 Dental CPA | What Sets Dental CPAs Apart

Towson, MD Dental CPA

towson md dental cpaCPAs are a valuable resource for business owners of all kinds. Whether you’re looking to ensure that you remain legally compliant while saving as much as possible during tax season or are looking for guidance in how to allocate incoming resources well, a CPA can help you run a more efficient and profitable business. At Schiff & Associates LLC, we recognize the benefits that come from working with a dental-specific firm. As a proud member of the ADCPA, we understand the specific needs unique to dentists and will help you run your practice better.

Below are just some of the benefits that come from working with a dental CPA. For more information about the difference we can make for your practice, contact Schiff & Associates today!

Wealth Management: A dental CPA can help plan and implement wealth management strategies for your practice that will help you get the most out of your earnings in both the short and long term.

Tax Preparation: We can prepare your taxes and ensure that you’re complying with all laws while minimizing liability, allowing you to keep more of your earnings. We’ll also represent your practice before tax agencies if needed.

Practice Analysis: Our firm will analyze your practice to find areas of opportunity, measure efficiency, and evaluate overhead and profitability. The first step to improving your practice is to recognize ways in which you could grow.

Purchasing Advice: We will help you understand the pros and cons of big ticket investments such as equipment and real estate. Understanding the earning potential tied to a purchase is important in determining whether or not it’s a good investment.

Team Management: Whether you’re looking to grow your team or discern whether an existing employee needs to be terminated, we’re pleased to offer business insights tailored to help your practice thrive.

Legacy Planning: Whether you’re thinking of selling your practice or want a plan in place for the unforeseen loss of a partner, we can help you analyze the ideal trajectories for your practice and create plans for a number of different potential situations.

100 West Road, Suite 410
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 321-7707

57 Definitive Dental Practice Management Tips from 57 Dental Practice Consultants

Dental CPA

Allen Schiff, Dental CPA, has been featured in delmainanalytics.com’s latest article “57 Definitive Dental Practice Management Tips from 57 Dental Practice Consultants” giving advice regarding:

  • Management
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Customer Service
  • Time Management
  • And Much More…

Please follow this link to see what these professionals have to say: 

57 Definitive Dental Practice Management Tips from 57 Dental Practice Consultants

Dental CPA in Baltimore | Are You Prepared for the Future of Dentistry?

MD Baltimore Dental Broker

Dental Practice SalesWhat will the dental profession will look like in 10 years? Are you and your team prepared to face the future with a successful action plan?

As a dentist, you are used to thinking about the big picture. This is true when you are caring for your patients, as they turn to you for your expertise to establish a lifetime of optimal oral health. But do you employ the same forward-thinking strategies to ensure the long-term health of your business?

Dentistry is changing. New technology is constantly being developed leading to entirely new procedures, which in turn creates a new market of patients who could benefit from your services. Furthermore, the business landscape of the profession is evolving. What used to be a field dominated by independently owned practices has become increasingly more corporate-based. Ask yourself where your practice fits into the landscape of differing business models in dentistry.

If one thing is for certain in dentistry, it is that the future will continue to bring change. Did you ever think you would be ordering supplies from your smartphone or connecting with potential new patients on Facebook? The future will likely bring innovations bridging the education and communication gap between dentist and patient.

Like today, the key to success will lie in your ability to build trusting, loyal relationships. It is essential that your marketing messages hone in on the unique qualities that make your practice and your team stand out from the crowd. A re-branding strategy can help freshen your practice’s appeal to your community and attract your ideal new patient.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The future will bring changes to the dental profession, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise nor should it be a cause for concern. Face the future with optimism and an action plan.

Towson Dental CPA | Don’t Manage. Lead.

Dental CPA in Towson, MD

Dental CPA in TowsonPractice leaders set the standard and pace of your work. Managers hover and maintain status quo. Which definition sounds like you? Changing the way your practice is structured or operates can be a vast undertaking. Use these tips to get started on a path for developing an innovative practice that you lead, not manage.

Leaders Innovate

Leaders develop ideas that further practices. Managers use the framework that is already in place. Don’t hover over your hygienists or office staff. Let their work speak for itself and step in where necessary. Demonstrate to your team the qualities you want through your own actions.

Do What You Do Best

The bulk of your time should be spent with patients; that is the best use of your abilities. This means you must delegate tasks to other team members. Leaders delegate tasks. Let your office staff handle the clerical side of the practice. Utilize a hands-off strategy where appropriate to free your time for patients.

Track Team Tasks

Rather than micromanaging your team, have them write or email their daily tasks to you. This will allow you to track the team’s progress and use of time. It will also save you from constantly asking, “What did you do today?” Hold your team accountable for their tasks. Request that your team define their tasks in quantitative terms. Spot-check as you feel necessary.

Know When to Hire and Train

When your practice feels swamped, hire and train. Leaders can recognize if their team is unable to handle the current workload. Pushing your team beyond their limits is not going to produce the results you are striving to achieve. Your team will work best when they have the necessary time and resources to do their tasks.

Leaders don’t have the time to micromanage. Leaders know when to back off and let the practice run on its own. This doesn’t mean you should let your entire operation always run on auto-pilot, but focus on letting each team member contribute their abilities in the best capacity. The only way to break through the status-quo is to allow for new ideas and strategies to take hold. This cannot be achieved if you are spending your time hovering over your team. Transform the way you manage your practice and your practice will transform itself.
To learn more, contact our office.

General Practice seeking an Associate in Montgomery County, MD

Highly skilled and motivated General Dentist needed as an Associate ( 2 1/2 – 3 days per week ) to join a successful, high-end Fee for Service General Dental Practice located in Montgomery County, Maryland. The ideal associate would demonstrate a passion for dentistry and patient care, contagious energy, a willingness to learn and grow and at least 2-3 years of clinical experience. The ideal Associate is able to perform one appointment endo, post and crown prep; as well as both simple and surgical extractions. Dentists with a desire and ability to offer a variety of procedures to a diverse patient demographic will best fit with this practice.  Please email Resume and Salary History to: Eric Schiff, Schiff Dental Brokerage; 410-321-7006 Fax; ESchiff@Schiffcpa.com