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.
Accounting Services
Accounting Services
Providing financial information to our clients in a timely and accurate manner is a commitment that we feel cannot be compromised. Meaningful, well-organized financial records ensure that your business operations will run more efficiently on a daily basis. Our firm provides a full range of cost effective accounting services including the following:
- General ledger & financial statement preparation
- Bookkeeping (Monthly/Quarterly/Annual)
- Accounting system setup for new businesses
- Computerized payroll services
- Business tax return preparation (Sales & Use/Business Property)
- Personal financial statements
- Litigation support
Audits, Reviews and Compilations
We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company's profitability and efficiency. We provide financial reporting on all three levels of assurance:
- Audit- an intensive examination with the highest level of assurance
- Review - some analytical procedures conducted with limited assurance
- Compilation - based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use.
Agreed Upon Procedures
This is perhaps the most exciting development in the field of attest services. In recent years, the AICPA has developed numerous standards and policies that allow us to “Agree-Upon” specific procedures to be performed for clients to target our work to those areas that financial statement users are interested in. Because of this we can give our clients the most bang for their buck, and through our targeted procedures answer the questions our clients and other users are interested in.Elgee Rehfeld Mertz has taken a leadership in this area and is already regularly performing “Agreed Upon Procedures” engagements in the following industries:
Construction Contractors - Most contractors need to provide certain financial information to the bonding companies in order to get bonds for large (usually government) jobs they are bidding on. Historically, bonding firms have requested “reviewed” financial statements. Unfortunately, when we prepare reviewed financial statements, much of the information contained in these financial statements is of no interest to either the bonding firm or our client. As a result, we have worked with some of our clients and their agents and underwriters to develop a set of “Agreed Upon Procedures” to provide the firm with information the underwriter is really interested in. These engagements typically include procedures to provide the following : A list of current long-term and short-term debt A Schedule of Contracts Completed during the past year – prepared as prescribed by the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA). A Schedule of Contracts in Progress at the end of the current year -- prepared as prescribed by the AICPA A balance sheet An income statement This may not be the right thing for all contractors or for all situations; however, we have found the cost of an Agreed Upon Procedures engagement to be significantly less than the historical reviewed financial statement engagement – and it provides only the needed information.
United Way Organizations – The United Way of America, and our local United Way chapter, have historically required members to be annually audited if they receive more than $100,000 a year in total support and revenue. Many member organizations spend more than $100,000 but less than the $500,000 federal and state audit thresholds. And for these organizations, a full audit, which usually costs at least $4,000 or much more, is a real hit to their budgets.
To answer this problem, Elgee Rehfeld Mertz proposed an “Agreed Upon Procedures” engagement to the Board of Directors of United Way of Southeast Alaska (UWASE) which it approved on November 18, 1998, for all member organizations who receive $100,000 to $500,000 in assistance per year.
Under this approach we “audit” the nonprofit’s controls over the disbursement and receipt of cash, and regulations that it is subject to (IRS, grant, gaming, etc.). We then report to the board of the organization and UWASE whether its controls are sufficient and which areas are not sufficient.
Using this approach, we target what’s really important for non-profit boards – that their organizations have proper internal controls. And for United Way contributors we target what they are interested in -- that their contributions are properly safeguarded and used. Also, we are able to bill non-profit organizations typically $1,500 for these services which can be a huge help in times of tight budgets!!
Common Interest Realty Associations (CIRAs) – The by-laws of CIRAs – that is to say homeowners associations – usually call for an annual audit or review. However, many times what the board of directors or CIRAs are really interested in is whether proper internal controls exist. Accordingly, we have developed an “Agreed Upon Procedures” engagement to target our work to answer those questions. As part of these engagements we examine:
Bank statements and reconciliations Checks written during the year Dues received and receivable IRS tax filings Balance sheet and income statement (optional)
By performing these procedures we fulfill the audit or review requirement of the by-laws but eliminate procedures that provide little benefit to our clients -- and reduce their fees in the process!
Reviews & Compilations
We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company's profitability and efficiency. We provide financial reporting on two levels of assurance:
- Review - some analytical procedures conducted with limited assurance
- Compilation - based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use.
Consulting Services
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.
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 Planning
A properly structured financial plan enables you to face any financial challenge that may present itself at each stage of your life. Through the financial planning process, we can help you assess your financial needs and develop strategies that will enable you to achieve your goals and strengthen your financial security.
Management Advisory Services
Even the most qualified managers can benefit from competent, objective feedback. We can help your company's management team develop long-term objectives and specific strategies to facilitate your business' future growth and success.
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.
Consulting Services
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. The following is just a few of the areas in which we provide consulting services:
- Accounting software selection and implementation
- Type of entity selection
- Business valuations
- Buying/selling a business
- Computer systems
- Financial & retirement decisions
- Estate, trust & gift planning
Tax Services
Estate & Trust Tax Preparation
Effective estate and gift 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.
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.
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.
Other Services
Expert Witness Services
Pending or existing litigation can result in the need for a qualified professional to present his/her opinion to support or oppose evidence submitted to the court. Our level of competence allows us the opportunity to function as expert witnesses in such cases.
Litigation Support
Litigation support involves the quantification of economic damages pursuant to existing or pending litigation using accounting and auditing techniques. We have experienced competent staff who can compile information efficiently to assist in the calculation and documentation of any potential economic loss or damages.
Election Preparation and Processing
We have experience in every phase of the election process and have provided over 20 years of expertise to our clients in this area. Elgee Rehfeld Mertz has served as the Inspectors of Elections for several Alaska Native Corporations.