Business Strategy & Marketing
General business related topics including strategy, marketing and of course, finance. Fraim, Cawley & Company, CPAs provides business advisory services along with a full array of accountant services to the Roanoke area. Learn more »
Accrual Basis vs. Cash Basis Accounting
Accrual Basis vs. Cash Basis Accounting Q: If an accountant’s wife can’t get to sleep, what does she say? A: “Tell me about work today, dear.” Welcome to Round 2 of Micah’s Accounting 101. A few weeks ago I wrote an article on inventory timing and...Inventory Timing and How It Can Affect Your Taxes
Inventory Timing and How It Can Affect Your Taxes “An accountant is someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.” OK, that old line, as with many jokes, contains a certain amount of truth. You’re a business owner and you’re...Me, Myself, and I: The Self-Employed Perspective
“I try not to kid myself. You know, I don’t mind romancing someone else, but to fool yourself is pretty devastating and dangerous.” – Bill Veeck Hermann Göring was by any measure a horrible human being. During the Second World War he was the second in...Do Not “Go to Sleep” This Winter
Do Not “Go to Sleep” This Winter “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”...Virginia Sales Tax Holiday – Back to School Items
Virginia Sales Tax Holiday – Back to School Items This weekend – August 1-3, 2014 – is a Virginia sales tax “holiday” for a long list of “back to school” type items. This applies whether a person is in school or not. The...Branding and Perception: The Mademoiselle Noir Effect
Branding and Perception: The Mademoiselle Noir Effect A couple of years back I stumbled on an interesting song called “Mademoiselle Noir.” The whole premise is the same as Rapunzel, except instead of being viewed as virtuous and lovely, the townspeople...No Need to Worry My Accountant Handles That
“No need to worry, my accountant handles that” – The Notorious B.I.G Since I’ve been in practice I have found that a lot of people have the Biggie Smalls viewpoint on money management. This sounds reasonable in theory. Accountants are financial professionals. The...Business Efficiency – How to Avoid Troublesome “Kelp”
Business Efficiency – How to Avoid Troublesome “Kelp” “” “Sometimes I have a difficulty talking to people who don’t race sailboats.” – Bruno Gianelli That was one of my favorite lines from The West Wing, a show where the dialogue...
The “Dollar Menu Economy” and How it Skews Our Perspective
The “Dollar Menu Economy” and How it Skews Our Perspective “Something for nothing, a bargain, a steal Used cars on credit card, lost another wheel I’d like to get it for free It’s what the price should be I just wanna pay less I just have to confess...Independent Contractor vs. Employee
Independent Contractor vs. Employee “A little bit independent in your walk A little bit independent in your talk … A little bit independent with your smile A little bit independent in your style” – Fats Waller “A Little Bit Independent” With the start of a new...Effective Networking: Revere vs. Dawes
Effective Networking: Revere vs. Dawes I am a wandering, bitter shade, Never of me was a hero made; Poets have never sung my praise, Nobody crowned my brow with bays; And if you ask me the fatal cause, I answer only, “My name was Dawes” – “The Midnight...Personalized Financial Advice – An Outdated Concept?
Personalized Financial Advice – An Outdated Concept? “” “Free advice is often overpriced.” — E. C. McKenzie In the age of the internet, it is increasingly easy to find advice and information on…pretty much every topic. I love it. If I want to find...In All Things Balance
In All Things Balance Originally published November 11, 2013: “” “Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation” – Friedrich Nietzsche I love my job. As dry as accounting seems, I find it fascinating. You get insight into a...The Empty Box Phenomenon
The Empty Box Phenomenon “” Originally published October 21, 2013: “” My favorite uncle, Sam Stevens, has always had a lot of insight. Throughout my life I’ve often looked to him as a source of perspective and discernment. One of my favorite...Now He Tells Me
Now He Tells Me Originally published October 7, 2013: “I crossed that intersection Truck came in my direction Crashed – then the driver said: “Look out, can’t you see that light is red?” Now he tells me Now he tells me People wait until it’s much too late Now he tells...Promises, Promises – Be Careful How You Charge Your Clients
Promises, Promises – Be Careful How You Charge Your Clients Originally published September 9, 2013: “It is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises – but only performance is reality.” – Harold...Has Your Business Borrowed Too Much? How to Measure and Manage Your Business Debt for Better Cash Flow
Has Your Business Borrowed Too Much? How to Measure and Manage Your Business Debt for Better Cash Flow “” Originally published August 20, 2013: “” “Debt is the slavery of the free.” – Publilius Syrus “” “” I’m a firm...
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