Category: Accounting Services

Video Game Marketing Jobs are constantly growing and are a great way to break into the entertainment industry. Games can be highly addictive, so the opportunity to promote them to a wider audience is endless. In fact, there are more than one million games out there! You can even start your career in this industry as a writer. If you have the aptitude and the desire to work in this field, you should consider this exciting career option.

As a video game marketer, you will be responsible for spreading awareness about a new game and getting people to buy it. To do this, you will need a variety of skills. Some of the most popular skills are creative and analytical. You’ll need to be a creative and innovative thinker. You should be able to come up with unique marketing campaigns and work with designers and developers to make these games popular. There are many different types of video game marketing careers.
When looking for a video game marketing job, you should focus on understanding the mechanics of video games and how to promote them effectively. You should also have a strong understanding of the industry as well as of the game’s target market. This will give you a head start in finding the best position in the video game marketing field. With an understanding of how video games work, you’ll be able to find a great position in this field.
Video game marketing requires a lot of creativity. Not only do you need to know how to create a compelling marketing campaign, but you should be able to come up with an original idea to reach your target market. This is how to breakthrough in this competitive industry. In video games, creativity is a must, and it can lead to a lucrative career in video game marketing. For this, you need to be creative and innovative.
The right education is essential. A video game marketing job requires creativity and a passion for video games. The right education and connections can help you advance your career. A graduate degree in marketing will help you stand out in this industry. You’ll need to be able to develop and implement a marketing campaign that is fresh and unique. If you love video games, then this is the career for you. There are many opportunities in this industry.
You will need to be passionate about video games. You should be able to develop a strong marketing strategy. You’ll need to be able to create and execute a solid marketing strategy. If you’re an excellent team player, you’ll be a successful video game marketing manager. But if you’re not interested in gaming, you can still work as a freelancer. You can also hire other people to work for you.
Experience is essential for video game marketing. In this industry, experience is an absolute must. Summer internships and PR agencies are two ways to get the inside scoop. If you’re a recent graduate, you can try out an internship to learn about the industry and how it works. Then, you can begin your career by getting in touch with other people in the industry. In addition to networking with other professionals in the industry, you can also make connections through conferences and trade shows.
In this field, you’ll work in a team. As a video game marketer, you’ll need to know how to market your products to the right audience. You’ll be the one to make the game as popular as possible. During the development process, you’ll need to create a strong marketing strategy for your games. The success of your game will depend on the strategies that you implement. If you’re a good communicator, you’ll probably have an edge in the industry.
Marketing is vital for video games. You’ll need to create awareness for the game and encourage people to buy it. You’ll need a team of digital experts to create effective campaigns. You’ll also need copywriters and graphic designers. These professionals are the key to a successful launch. You’ll need to make the most of social media to get the most out of your games. The more you do it, the more popular they’ll become.

Edward Rountree

www.digital-accountants.com

Ed. note: Have a safe and happy holiday out there, everyone. We hope a good chunk of you are rocking the out of office message this weekend and can get some much-deserved rest and relaxation, and that the rest of you can at least fit in a nap and a text message to your grandma. We’ll be back Monday with the usual end of the year phoned-in trash. Merry Christmas!

The Future of Accounting: How a New Generation Can Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges [Bloomberg Tax] As the tax and accounting landscape changes, it’s natural to wonder what that means for the profession. Carmine Di Sibio, the Global Chairman and CEO of EY, writes that he’s “never seen a more important, inspiring moment to be an accountant.”

How companies are responding to rising pressure on wages and benefits [Journal of Accountancy] In the fourth-quarter edition of the Business & Industry Economic Outlook Survey released by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, respondents predicted an average increase of 4.3% in salary and employee benefit costs in the year to come — the highest such measurement in at least 12 years.

KPMG blocks referrals to former insolvency unit over Silentnight scandal [Financial Times] KPMG will not refer any work to its former UK restructuring business Interpath Advisory in the latest fallout from the scandal over the sale of bed manufacturer Silentnight to a private equity firm. The decision is part of KPMG’s attempts to repair its image after a series of fines and investigations.

PwC Hong Kong purchases land plot in The Sandbox [Cointelgraph] PwC Hong Kong, an international subsidiary of the global PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) organization, announced Thursday its emergence in the metaverse space with the acquisition of LAND in the popular world The Sandbox. Though the cost of its LAND asset was undisclosed, it was noted that PwC Hong Kong intends to construct a Web 3.0 advisory hub to facilitate a new generation of professional services, including accounting and taxation.

A Survey of Tax Analytics and Automation Technologies [CPA Journal] Tax departments are always looking for ways to streamline their processes and procedures, and provide greater value-added services to management. Tax analytics and automation technologies present new opportunities to corporate tax departments, and the benefits will trickle down to small and medium-sized businesses as the technologies diffuse. The authors surveyed larger companies on the deployment of tax analytics and automation, and the lessons learned in the process.

Spotlight on tax season [Journal of Accountancy] CPAs assessing the start of this year’s round of client tax return preparation can take some satisfaction in knowing that they’re not likely to face a repetition of last year, when retroactive tax law changes required revisiting many of the returns they’d already completed.

Auditors investigated four unlawful actions over Fairfield Halls [Inside Croydon] Twelve months after Grant Thornton was asked to conduct an audit of the botched and budget-busting refurbishment of the Fairfield Halls, their report has yet to be published. The delay seems likely to be because the auditors have discovered evidence of unlawful conduct.

There’s Inside Information in SEC Filings [Bloomberg Opinion] A good plot for, like, an insider-trading Hollywood thriller would be if the villains hacked into the computers of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC, after all, is maybe the world’s greatest repository of material information about public companies. Companies are constantly filing earnings releases, merger announcements, management changes, proxy fights, all sorts of material news on the SEC’s Edgar system. If you hacked into Edgar you could … well, in a movie, I guess you could delay every filing by like 10 minutes, to give you a chance to read and trade on it?

Are practitioners ready for new pricing models? [Accounting Today] The tax and accounting profession has long talked about evolving to subscription services and pricing. Some have made the leap. Others are still trying to hammer out the details — and the potential benefits.

Privacy and Trust Are in Jeopardy If IRS Gains Power to Monitor Bank Accounts [U.S. Chamber of Commerce] Implementing a new mandatory reporting regime whereby banks must monitor and collect data on their customer’s accounts will hurt not only banks but also the businesses and communities that rely upon their services.

The post Friday Footnotes: Accounting’s Future; PwC Plants a Flag on the Metaverse; Netflix For Professional Services? | 12.24.21 appeared first on Going Concern.

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

Nearly half (49%) of UK accountancy firms are suffering huge blows to growth, amid the skills and salary war raging across the profession. The astounding figure was uncovered during research conducted by IRIS Software Group (IRIS), to understand more about the vital role accountancy professionals play in British business.

Professional services firms have been hit hard by labour shortages, with many forced to turn work away due to a lack of staff, according to KPMG. IRIS also found a third (32%) cite the current skill set of talent in their firm as a barrier to growth in the next 12 months.

A leading global software provider of accountancy solutions, IRIS surveyed British accountancy firms to uncover the state of the profession as demands on their time increase as they play a vital role in helping businesses get back on their feet and boost the economy.

Startlingly, nearly one in five firms don’t want to grow any fee-paying areas over the next 12 months. With 23% citing a lack of time and skill to market the business within the firm as the main reason why they aren’t looking to expand their business.

Jim Scott, MD for accountancy at IRIS comments on the findings, “While technology is vital to driving growth, it will never replace the insight and guidance an accountant can provide businesses. They are the forgotten heroes of the pandemic. Yet the number of firms being affected by the skills shortage is eye opening and this is only being exacerbated by the “Great Resignation”. It is truly an employee’s market. The industry must do more to support firms in listening intently and working with teams to create a culture with flexibility and hybrid working at its heart to attract and retain the best talent.”

The profession is gaining awareness of this fact – over half (55%) of accountants say managing work-life balance keeps them awake at night, and one in five say implementing flexible and hybrid working arrangements in their firm does the same.

Scott continues, “Firms need to empower teams with the best software to help them thrive wherever they choose to work. New starters, and even many who have been in the profession a while, expect consumer-like technology in the workplace and won’t think twice about leaving for a digital-first firm if technology and culture don’t meet their expectations. Firms must put this at the heart of their practice to win the talent war.”

The post British accountants crippled by raging talent war appeared first on Accounting Insight News.

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) publishes its manifesto today outlining what more must be done to build and maintain the UK’s resilience against economic crime.

The Manifesto calls for four clear areas for change including SARs (Suspicious Activity Reporting) reform and intelligence sharing, ongoing funding of the UK’s Economic Crime Plan, more action to eliminate modern day slavery from supply chains and the need for public education on fraud risk and personal finance.

Angela Foyle, Chair of the CCAB Economic Crime Panel says: ‘Our first economic crime manifesto was launched 5 years ago, and since then progress has been made in key areas, including proposed reforms to Companies House to introduce identity verification for company directors, and a raft of initiatives from the UK’s Economic Crime Plan. However, we remain mindful of the challenges, especially as Covid-19 and Brexit present complex scenarios that can be exploited.

‘Economic crime is damaging and widespread, and we believe that our manifesto

presents actions which the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments need to address. These are sensible reforms and actions to ensure the progress already achieved in the UK’s Economic Crime Plan with the aim of maintaining the UK’s resilience against economic criminal activity.’

Also commenting on the manifesto, Paul Henry, chair of CCAB and director of property consultancy Osborne King adds: ‘The leaking of the Pandora Papers is a timely reminder of the need to strengthen our AML defences. SARs reporting is clearly one important tool in the fight against money laundering but further reform is needed to make intelligence sharing more effective including a two-way intelligence sharing mechanism to enable law enforcement to share new and emerging intelligence with professional body supervisors. As we say in the manifesto, intelligence sharing between the accountancy profession and law enforcement is essential.’

CCAB’s Economic Crime Panel will send the manifesto to policymakers and government officials to highlight these areas of concern and to reinforce the vital role of the professional qualified accountancy profession in mitigating these economic crimes.

To find out more, download the CCAB Economic Crime Manifesto here.

The CCAB is comprised of five bodies – ICAEW, ACCA, ICAS, CIPFA and
Chartered Accountants Ireland. CCAB provides a forum for the bodies to work together collectively in the public interest on matters affecting the profession and the wider economy.

The post CCAB releases Economic Crime Manifesto calling for more measures to ‘maintain the UK’s resilience’ appeared first on Accounting Insight News.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.digital-accountants.com/?p=671

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

Starting your own business is a daunting task. So how can you get your startup off the ground?

Starting your own business is a daunting task. Entrepreneurs will need the proper planning and strategizing to get any business off the ground successfully. There are a few key steps that any new business owner will need to tackle before launching their own business. No matter what type of business it is, these steps will usually be quite similar. Here are the initial steps that any entrepreneur needs to take to thrive in the business world as an owner. 

Conducting Market Research

Knowing your industry is one thing. But, knowing what your clients or audience needs and wants become integral to any successful business. Market research is a great way to find more information on your demographic and how your service or product fits within the industry or field itself. The reality is, understanding what potential customers need and want is the best way to provide those things to your future consumers. This instantly gives you a much better competitive advantage as you step into the business world as an entrepreneur. 

Writing A Proper Business Plan

Executing and writing down your business plan becomes increasingly important for any successful business. Your business plan will serve as the foundation for your business — so you’ll want to make sure that it is effective and thorough. The reality is, even if you are new to the business world, there are so many resources available to you to help execute a business plan effectively and efficiently.

dequate Funding For Your Business

Within your business plan, you’ll need to dedicate space to determine how you plan on funding it. There are various options available to people when it comes to starting their own business and gaining access to capital to help it grow and thrive. Looking at all your options is just a phone call or Google search away. As a result, getting in touch with professionals who understand the nuances associated with starting your own business can make the process much easier than you may have thought! 

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

The post Steps for Initiating Your Startup Business appeared first on The Harding Group.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.digital-accountants.com/?p=620

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

So how do you dissolve an S-Corporation?

Ending your business is an unfortunate experience. Every entrepreneur fears their venture failing. Even if it was thriving before, your business model might be outdated. A sole proprietorship can only go so far. But even with a solid core of partners, coworkers, or employees, termination could be your company’s ultimate fate. So how do you dissolve an S-Corporation? 

Why Does This Become Necessary? 

Even though your S-Corporation has gone under, you’re still on the hook. The IRS will still demand you pay your fair share. Thus, you must inform the IRS and your relevant state authorities of the situation. Otherwise, you’re obligated to file inactive business annual reports with the state. Beyond that, you are required to continue filing tax returns and submitting them to both state and federal authorities. Maintaining your business license is also essential, but all of these steps come at a cost. Since you are not generating any more revenue from your business, it’s time to cut ties. Continuing to pour money into it is a losing battle.

How Do I Know When It’s Time? 

Terminating the business as early as you can (once you know you are going to fold, that is) is the best move you can make. Complete the process by the end of the tax year. Suppose this scenario unfolds at the start of your tax years. In that case, there is a deadline for your paperwork. This deadline falls on the 16th day of the third month within your relevant tax year. But if it is at some other point, you can choose any date you want to declare your S-Corporation as defunct. That said, send all of your related documentation to the IRS before this date arrives.

So How Do I Do It?

The first step in this process is to find your Articles of Incorporation. This document is the one you sent to the state when you first opened your business. As you read it again, keep an eye peeled for the language describing the dissolution of the S-Corp. After that, initiate proceedings to dissolve the LLC or corporation. Co-owners and other shareholders must vote on this matter, as well. Be sure to record the outcome of the vote in the meeting minutes or draw up a written consent form. In other words, put it down in writing. The Articles of Dissolution (or Certificate of Termination) kick in at this point. Send these forms with the Secretary of State serving your state. There is more to it, but we will have to explain more later! 

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

The post How Are You Supposed to Dissolve an S-Corporation? appeared first on The Harding Group.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.digital-accountants.com/?p=591

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

Aw, better luck next time, GTers. Maybe some good news on Dec. 17? Anyway, here’s what Grant Thornton sent out on Dec. 1:

Grant Thornton has further embraced the changing nature of benefits by taking its traditional benefits package — which includes items such as retirement plans and medical insurance — and layering on a host of newer offerings, including:

Flexible work arrangements such as reduced-work schedules, compressed work weeks and flexible days — regardless of level;Flexible time off that allows employees to disconnect from work as needed instead of tapping into a predetermined set of paid days off;Expanded family-care benefits, including enhanced parental leave and access to childcare, eldercare, pet care, meal planning, housekeeping and other resources to support quality of life;Subsidized meal-delivery services;40 hours of chargeable time annually to engage in volunteer activities;Flexible career-development and learning opportunities that work with people’s real-world schedules;Quiet hours and other measures to reduce the fatigue of video conferences and remote work;Lifestyle accounts that offer reimbursement for wellbeing expenses, such as fitness equipment purchases.

Further, Grant Thornton believes that offering ample and forward-thinking benefits also means doing so affordably. For this reason, the firm is absorbing employee premium increases for its medical benefits for the 2022 calendar year.

GT did an OK job of spreading the wealth around last summer, and now we have these enhanced benefits which Mike Monahan, national managing principal of people and community, said creates “total wellbeing across multiple dimensions: emotional, physical, career, social and financial.”

Will last summer’s raises and these new souped-up benefits keep GTers from leaving for the Big 4 or industry? Who knows. But if employees are planning on handing back their purple roses next year, giving them a mid-year salary adjustment before Jan. 1 would at least give them a third reason to stick around.

Related articles:

Compensation Watch ’21: Grant Thornton Is Dragging Its Feet On Announcing Mid-Year Raises

Compensation Watch ’21: Did Grant Thornton Give Employees Briefcases Full Of Money This Year?

The post Grant Thornton Is Trying to Keep Heinies In Seats By Giving Raises Enhancing Benefits appeared first on Going Concern.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.digital-accountants.com/?p=585

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

With that in mind, we have created this list of tips for properly claiming tax dependents when the time comes.

Taxes are no joke. There’s a reason why they are included in a popular joke about the only constants in life. Whenever you go to fill out and file tax-related paperwork, you must do so with caution. The IRS doesn’t consider mistakes to be accidental. As such, any perceived infractions could result in harsh fines, claims denials, and even refusal of tax refunds. With that in mind, we have created this list of tips for properly claiming tax dependents when the time comes. 

Caveats Regarding Qualifying Relatives 

Last time, we discussed the process for claiming your children as dependents. This week, we turn our attention to the other relevant category: your qualifying relatives. These people do not have to be adults; any age is fine. However, they cannot be listed as someone else’s qualifying child. You must share a relationship bond with the person in question, and they have to be a member of your household. That’s also one of the big reasons why you could theoretically add elderly parents to your papers. They might need your support, but otherwise, they’re capable of living on their own. 

The Gross Income Test 

Gross income is capped for the purposes of this procedure. It is also part of what is known as the gross income test. The ceiling associated with this test is $4,300 in the tax years for both 2020 and 2021. People with disabilities and those who receive their income from a sheltered workshop are considered exceptions. Where does this money come from? Revenue streams include rental properties, business income, unemployment benefits (the ones which are not tax-exempt), and related Social Security benefits.    

The Financial Support Test 

Likewise, there are a few conditions that fall under the umbrella of the financial support test. You need to provide a majority of the person’s financial support within that given year. The support manifests as rent, groceries, utilities, clothes, and medical expenses that were not reimbursed. Additional support examples come from travel costs and recreation expenses.  

Who is Not Considered a Dependent?  

It is also good to know – indeed, great – to know whom you cannot name as a dependent on your taxes. When you are someone else’s dependent, then you cannot claim others as your tax dependents. Spouses who join you in filing a tax return are likewise disqualified. Anyone who is not an official American citizen or a resident alien and so on cannot be dependents either. Moreover, you can’t cite someone from Canada or Mexico.   

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

The post More Advice for Correctly Claiming Tax Dependents appeared first on The Harding Group.

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com

Here’s another look at the way your CPA can help you run your business!

Having one accountant on your team is a smart play. Retaining an entire team is even smarter. Last time out, we discussed some ways your certified public accountant can save you and your business much-needed cash. Times are tough all around, and your financial considerations can keep you out of hot water. Here’s another look at the way your CPA can help you run your business!

Making the Most of Your Eligible Deductions

Your CPA has enough savvy to determine which deductions you can write off of your taxes. Understandably, you’d hesitate to claim too many deductions. It might look suspicious on your filings. Still, your CPA knows how to keep you on the right track with the IRS. Side income (say, from subsidiary companies) falls under your accountant’s purview. That way, revenues, expenses, and deductions will be responsibly reported.   

Using Tax Laws to Your Advantage

Various tax laws govern what you can do and what you can’t for your cash flow. Suppose, for example, that you stockpiled a “war chest” of financial resources for leaner times. This “rainy day fund” is a good idea, but you’ll want to be careful as the rules change. That way, you won’t get into trouble, and newer enterprises, such as C-Corps and S-Corps, can take flight without having their wings clipped. 

Detecting Potentially Disastrous Mistakes

Mishaps, mistakes, and misappropriations can cause havoc. Human error or carelessness is to blame for many tax-related problems. But when you work with a highly-respected CPA firm, you’ll find out why their reputation precedes them. Older returns can still yield dividends. It just takes some patience and persistence. Think about it this way – the amended paperwork could bring back enough money to pay your CPA for their kind contributions.  

Handling Bookkeeping-Related Logistics 

Running the books can be a challenge. Besides, when you are a business owner, you have enough on your plate. Now imagine if you were a sole proprietor. Your ventures, no matter how modest, can quickly overwhelm you. That’s why CPAs can step in and handle the relevant logistical demands for you. Having someone there to supervise your business operations keeps them humming along – and they can sniff out embezzlement if their numbers don’t look right!   

trust the professionals at the Harding group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

The post 4 More Ways Your CPA Can Help You Save Some Dough appeared first on The Harding Group.

Christina Lane

www.digital-accountants.com