Services
Apicella, Testa & Company, P.C. offers a wide range of services to individuals and closely held business clients.
As one of the larger, local accounting firms, clients get the benefit of expert advice combined with personalized, quality service.
The clients we serve include C-Corporations, S-Corporations, Partnerships, LLP’s, Non-Profit Organizations, LLC’s, and Schedule C’s. While we work with a wide cross section of businesses, we do have concentrations of clients in certain industries. Visit INDUSTRIES to learn more about the areas in which we have particular expertise.
Below we have highlighted Firm service offerings along with a brief description.
This list is by no means all-inclusive, so please feel free to inquire about a service if you do not see it featured. If it is not a service we provide, we would be more than happy to refer you to a qualified professional.
Accounting Software Selection & Implementation
Buying & Selling a Business
Business Entity Selection
Business Consulting
Management Advisory Services
Pension & Profit Sharing Plans
Retirement Planning
Estate Planning
Business Succession Planning
Organizational Planning
Litigation Support
Expert Witness Services
Business Valuations
Non-Profit Mergers
Accounting Services
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. Auditing services include GAAP, single audit, HUD, DOL and other specialized government and grantor compliance services.
- Review – some analytical procedures conducted with limited assurance
- Compilation – based upon client information provided and used primarily for internal use.
Bookkeeping/Write-Up
Meaningful, well-organized financial records ensure that your business operations will run more efficiently on a daily basis and are the foundation of a successful business. Our qualified staff can assist you with the day-to-day tasks associated with bookkeeping.
Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor ®
We are a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor ®. We can assist you in QuickBooks ® Setup, Training, and Reporting.
Payroll Services
As a business grows, it must hire more employees, which can result in increased payroll administration. We can assist you in implementing the controls necessary to ensure a reliable, efficient, and effective payroll system. Our firm can also help you develop a payroll system and prepare all necessary payroll tax returns in a timely manner.
Audit Services
We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company’s profitability and efficiency. Audits differ from reviews and compilations, as they are an intensive examination of your company’s systems and records providing the highest level of assurance.
We provide Auditing services that follow governemental regulations including GAAP, Single Audit, A-133, HUD, DOL and other specialized government and grantor compliance services.
Federal and State Grant accounting includes compliance with programs to accurately account for grants.
Audits for Employee Benefit Programs which examine retirement, health, and other employment benefit programs with specified procedures that comply with IRS, ERISA and DOL requirements.
Agreed Upon Procedures
The users of the Report agree upon the procedures to be conducted by our staff that the users believe are suitable. In this type of engagement, the user takes responsibility for the procedure and we do not express an opinion or negative assurance.
Non-Profit Organizations
As a non-profit organization, your Form 990 tells a lot about your organization.
Our nonprofit clients have distinct needs and each has its own identity. Our clients include associations, membership organizations, clubs, camps, health care providers, social service agencies and more. The key to providing quality services is to understand our clients’ needs. This enables us to help them achieve their mission and develop resources to provide for the future.
Cost Reporting
Whether it’s Medicaid, Medicare or a DSS/DDS Annual Report for Residential and Day Services, our staff understands how important proper cost report preparation is for your organization. We understand regulations and the effect cost reporting has on your reimbursement.
Reimbursement Planning and Rate Appeals
Proper budgeting is a necessary tool to improve cash flow and achieve financial stability. We can estimate rates of reimbursement, cost settlements and assist in obtaining interim rates. Properly prepared reimbursement projections can take the surprise out of settlements with funders.
Our staff is well experienced in understanding how reimbursement rates are calculated and are ready to identify potential items of aggrievement and prepare your appeal and to address your issues with your funders.
Tax Services
Tax Preparation
We prefer to take a proactive vs. reactive approach to tax services. By keeping current on new tax laws and legislation, we are in a position to identify key tax planning opportunities that minimize both your current and future tax liabilities. We provide our individual and business clients with the taxation expertise and knowledge that they deserve throughout the year. Our years of experience enable us to accurately and efficiently prepare returns for various types of entities:
- Individuals
- Corporations
- Partnerships
- LLCs/LLPs
- Estates, trusts & gift
- Not-for-profit organizations
Sales Tax Services
Many of our clients are responsible for collecting and submitting sales taxes in many different vicinities. We can assist your company in the compilation of information and preparation of sales tax returns in an efficient and timely manner.
Estate & Trust Tax Preparation
Our staff is well experienced handling estate-related administration and settlements including the preparation of estate, trust, and gift tax returns. You can expect to receive timely engagements that minimize tax obligations all handled with the utmost professionalism, confidentiality, and helpful, caring consideration.
International Taxation for Individuals
Expert preparation and advice on tax issues relating to American working abroad and foreign citizens working in the United States is available.
Tax Planning
Tax planning is an essential element of the tax preparation process. Be sure to make tax planning part of your overall personal and business strategy. We can advise you on the most current new developments in the tax laws as they relate to your situation to minimize both your current and future tax liabilities.
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. Call us to request a copy of our pamphlet, “IRS Audits: What Every Taxpayer Should Know.”
Health and Human Service Providers
Apicella, Testa & Company PC provides services to Health and Human Service Providers for both non-profit and for profit. Our clients include:
- Clinics;
- Community living;
- Day program providers;
- Residential care homes; and
- Nursing facilities.
We understand third party reimbursement regulations and how important it is to know your cost of providing specific services. We can help you obtain the maximum allowable revenue for those services. Whether it’s Medicaid, Medicare DSS, DDS, or DCF, we know your funders and our professionals are here to help you.
Applications for Tax Exemption
Applying for Tax Exempt status can be a daunting process. Our experienced staff will guide you through the process and prepare your application for exemption.
Consulting Services
Accounting Software Selection & Implementation
With the growing number of computerized accounting software packages available for small businesses and individuals now available, selecting one that is right for you has become increasingly difficult. As accounting professionals, we are knowledgeable about most programs through trade journals and actual use. Our experienced staff can help you choose and implement the software that best fits your needs.
Buying & Selling a Business
Properly structuring the purchase or sale of a business is a critical step in the buying or selling process. Our competent staff has experience to guide you through acquisitions and dispositions by addressing such issues as cash flow analysis, tax considerations, as well as by supplying business valuation reports.
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.
Business Consulting
We gauge our worth by the personal and business successes of our clients. We can help your business identify areas that affect profitability and growth and then develop solutions that are practical and technically sound. In addition to acting as professional partners to management, we provide comprehensive, unique, and flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business. We also advise business start-ups. Call to receive a complimentary copy of our pamphlets “Business Checklist For Starting A Business” and “Choose The Right Legal Form For Your Business”.
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 the future growth of your business and its ongoing success.
Pension & Profit Sharing Plans
Qualified retirement plans (e.g. defined-contribution or defined benefit plans, Keoghs, SEPs…) can provide significant tax advantages for closely held businesses and self-employed individuals. Our experienced staff can assist you in evaluating the type of pension plan that will best serve the retirement needs of you and your employees.
Retirement Planning
Successful implementation and periodic review of your financial plan will ensure financial independence during your working years and through your retirement.
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. Call us to request a copy of our pamphlet, “Is Your Estate In Order?”
Business Succession Planning
Effective coordination of the transition of your business to your successors is critical to ensure its continued success once you decide to remove yourself from the company’s day-to-day operations. With a solid background in tax and other financial matters, we are fully qualified to address the complex issues of business continuation and can assist you in developing a strategically sound plan.
Organizational Planning
We can assist you in the due diligence process when considering a merger with another organization. Our staff can identify key aspects of the organization governance, operations, etc. that need to be considered before any agreements are reached.
We can also assist you in identifying assets or operations that potentially cold be segregated using different corporate structures to protect assets, such as real estate or endowment funds.
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.
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.
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.
Non-Profit Mergers
Finding the right business partner for your company can be a difficult task. We can assist you in the merger or acquisition process by assessing such critical elements as tax considerations; product/service compatibility; competitive tactics and position; financial impact; and cash flow considerations.
How Can We Help You?
Want to learn more? Contact us at 203-925-9494 or info@ctcpa.com to initiate discussions. We offer a free, preliminary, no-obligation appointment.