You trust your business with your own hands. You also trust your numbers with someone else. That mix can feel risky. A CPA can guide you through taxes, cash flow, and growth. Yet many owners stay silent in meetings. They leave feeling unsure and alone. You do not need more reports. You need clear answers to sharp questions. This blog gives you three questions that protect you, your staff, and your future plans. Each question helps you see risk, save money, and gain control. You can use them with any CPA or with a Van Nuys accounting firm. You will know what to ask, why it matters, and what a strong answer sounds like. Then you can stop guessing and start making choices with steady confidence.
Question 1: “What do my numbers say about the health of my business right now?”
You should never sit in the dark about your own books. Ask your CPA to give you a clear, plain answer to this question. Not a long chart. Not a pile of terms. A direct health check.
Ask your CPA to walk you through three simple views.
- Profit and loss for the last 12 months
- Cash in and cash out for the last 6 months
- Debts and savings today
Each view should come with a short message. You want to hear if you are strong, weak, or at risk. You also want to hear what changed from last year.
The U.S. Small Business Administration on finances explains that steady review of cash, debt, and profit lowers failure risk. Your CPA should tie your numbers to that kind of clear standard.
Here is a simple check you can use during each meeting.
|
Topic |
What you ask |
What a strong answer looks like |
|---|---|---|
|
Profit trend |
Are profits rising, flat, or falling over the last 12 months |
Plain trend with a number. Example. Profits rose 8 percent. Here are the three main reasons. |
|
Cash safety |
How many months can we pay bills if sales stop |
Exact month count. A short plan to raise that number if it is under three. |
|
Debt load |
Is our debt level safe for our size and sales |
Clear yes or no. A target range and steps to reach it. |
If your CPA cannot answer in simple words, ask them to slow down. Ask them to use real dollar amounts. Ask for one page that sums it up. You have a right to the clear truth about your own money.
Question 2: “What tax moves should I make now, not at tax time?”
Many owners only talk about taxes when returns are due. That habit costs money. Tax rules touch your pay, your staff pay, and every big buy. You should ask this question at least twice each year.
Ask your CPA to cover three key points.
- What to change in how you pay yourself
- What to change in how you track and plan expenses
- What to change before you buy big items or hire staff
For example, the IRS guide for small businesses shows how record keeping and choice of business type affect your tax bill. Your CPA should link your current setup to those rules. You should hear where you stand and what to fix.
Here is a simple comparison you can use when you talk about taxes and planning.
|
Topic |
Common habit |
Stronger habit to request from your CPA |
|---|---|---|
|
Timing |
Only talk at tax filing time |
Schedule mid-year and year-end planning talks |
|
Records |
Send a pile of receipts with no summary |
Keep a clean log of income and costs by type |
|
Big buys |
Buy equipment first. Ask tax questions later. |
Ask how a buy will hit taxes before you sign. |
|
Staff pay |
Guess at pay mix and bonuses |
Review pay plans with your CPA before changes |
End this talk with a short list. You want three moves to make in the next 90 days. For each move, ask how much tax it could save or how much risk it cuts. That number keeps you focused.
Question 3: “What could hurt my business in the next year, and how do I get ready?”
Every business faces risk. Slow sales. A hard audit. A key staff member who leaves. You cannot stop all of it. You can prepare for much of it.
Your CPA sees patterns in your numbers. They also see what hits other clients. Use that insight. Ask them to name the top three threats they see for you in the next 12 months. Then ask for one clear action for each threat.
Common threats include these.
- Too much debt and not enough cash
- Late or missing tax payments
- Weak records that invite audits or fines
For each threat, your CPA should spell out what you can do now. For example.
- Raise cash by cutting low-return costs and speeding up collections
- Set up automatic tax payments based on real cash flow
- Move to a simple system that tracks income and costs each week
You can also ask how your numbers would look in a hard month. You might say. If sales fall 20 percent, what happens to cash and debt? Then ask what you should change today to survive that hit.
How to keep your CPA talks honest and useful
These three questions only work if you ask them often. They also work best when you push for clear answers. A strong CPA will respect that. They know your business supports your home, your staff, and your peace of mind.
- The three numbers that worry you most
- The one goal you have for the next year
- The one fear that keeps you awake
Then ask the three core questions again.
- What do my numbers say about my health right now
- What tax moves should I make now
- What could hurt me next year, and how do I get ready?
When your CPA answers, ask for one page that sums it up. Ask for dollar amounts, timelines, and names of who will do what. You run your business with care. You deserve that same clear care with your numbers.
