Why the Most Valuable CPA Work Happens After Filing

For most businesses, tax season feels like a deadline. You gather documents, submit forms, sign returns—and move on. But at Stanaland Dodson & Associates LLP, we believe that once your return is filed, the real work begins.

Your tax return is more than a report for the IRS. It’s a mirror reflecting your financial decisions, a roadmap showing where you’ve been—and, when used well, a launchpad for where you want to go next.

Here’s how we help clients turn compliance into clarity—and a tax return into a strategic advantage.

1. We Look for Patterns, Not Just Numbers

Anyone can plug in data. The real value lies in asking why the numbers look the way they do:

· Why did net income increase but cash flow decline?

· Why is your effective tax rate climbing?

· Why did one owner owe significantly more than the other?

These aren’t just tax questions—they’re strategic ones. And they lead to better decisions about compensation, distributions, entity structure, and cash planning.

2. We Use the Return to Guide What’s Next

Once your return is filed, we sit down and ask: What can we learn? What should change? What’s the opportunity for 2026?

For example, we might help you:

· Reassess owner draws or W-2 wages for tax efficiency and retirement funding

· Adjust your estimated payments so you’re not overpaying—or under-withholding

· Set up or refine your retirement plan based on business cash flow

· Evaluate whether your current structure (LLC, S Corp, etc.) still fits your business trajectory

Filing the return isn’t the finish line—it’s the kickoff to smarter planning.

3. We Plan Early to Avoid Surprises Later

When clients call in December asking how to lower their tax bill, there’s only so much we can do. But when we use Q1 to analyze last year’s return, we can act early:

· Timing asset purchases for Section 179 or bonus depreciation

· Adjusting payroll or distributions

· Making smart charitable giving decisions

· Proactively managing cash for Q4 taxes or year-end bonuses

A tax return done in January can save thousands come December.

4. We Translate Financials Into Strategy

Business owners don’t need more spreadsheets—they need insight. That’s why we go beyond the return to ask:

· Are your margins strong enough to support hiring or expansion?

· Are you overpaying in quarterly taxes because you lack accurate projections?

· Could cleaned-up or reviewed financials help you qualify for better lending or bonding terms?

Tax work is just the beginning of a bigger conversation. That’s why our clients rely on us year-round—not just at tax time.

You Deserve More Than a Signature on a Return

At SDA, our goal is simple: to give business owners the financial clarity and guidance they need to lead with confidence. We know that filing your return is just the start of a smarter, more strategic year.

Ready to turn your tax return into your 2026 strategy session? Let’s talk.

Stanaland Dodson & Associates LLP Certified Public Accountants in Winston-Salem, NC Helping businesses grow “Beyond the Bottom Line” since 1984

(336) 765-2817 info@sdallp.com sdallp.com