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| General Business/Management Strategies |
Nearly half of workers who could become managers don't want the job -- a situation that could lead to a shortage of qualified managers in the future.
| Wealth Advice/Estate Planning |
The consensus among financial advisors is that you should put retirement savings ahead of college savings. But with the hit most 401(k)s have taken lately, you may wonder how you'll ever be able to retire and still afford to send your children to college. Here's one idea. Community colleges offer quality course work and can be significantly less expensive than the first two years of study at a public or private university.
| Family Business/Succession |
More than 90 percent of businesses in the United States are family owned, but fewer than 30 percent make it to the second generation. And fewer than 12 percent make it to the third generation. The key reason cited for failure is that they had a poor - or worse yet - no business succession plan.
Tax planning is never easy. But 2010 may be one of the more challenging years that tax planners have faced in a long time. As your medical practice tries to stay flexible enough to adjust to expected changes in the healthcare system, your financial plans must be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the tax laws.
Nonprofits have always measured their success by being socially and financially sustainable. Now there is a third measure - ecological sustainability - which can magnify the impact of the other two. Your organization's commitment to environmentally friendly operations can only increase your group's positive benefits and influence.
Managing Your Company - Instill a sense of urgency throughout your business.
Your Estate - Develop a cohesive strategy to protect your assets from liability.
| Latest Business Headlines |
USA Today
Kiplinger
Fox Business
New York Times
Forbes
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Announcements
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April 15 - Roth/Traditional IRAs
Make contributions to your Roth or Traditional IRA as an eligible deduction for your 2009 tax return.
April 15 - Federal Tax Deadline
Corporations - Deposit the first installment of estimated income tax for 2010.
Individuals - File an income tax return for 2009 (Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) and pay any tax due. For an automatic six-month extension, file Form 4868. If you are not paying your 2010 income tax through withholding, pay the first installment of your 2010 estimated tax (form 1040-ES).
Partnerships - File a 2009 calendar-return (Form 1065). Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Schedule K-1. For an automatic six-month extension, file Form 7004.
Have you reviewed your life insurance coverage recently?
If not you might be underinsured, over insured or even paying too much. Through our strategic relationship with Holmes Murphy Financial Services (HMFS), McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith can now offer you a free review of your life insurance policies. The free review will consist of evaluating your specific needs and objectives, and at the same time, analyzing your current polices to determine if they are meeting your needs. HMFS will also review costs to ensure that you are not paying too much. Please contact our WDM office at (515) 288-3279 and ask for Kellie Masters for more information. Just one more way, McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith strives to meet the financial needs of our clients.
QuickBooks Training Classes
QuickBooks Training Classes, offered by McGowen Hurst Clark & Smith, P.C., will be held on Monday, May 3, and Thursday, June 3, from 4pm - 8pm at Small Business Technology Services, 1906 Ingersoll Avenue, Suite 12, Des Moines. Our QB training class is geared for beginner to intermediate users. It is a hands-on class with each participant having access to a computer. The cost is $100 with all materials provided and dinner is included. Please call 515-288-3279 to register today. Payment is due upon registration. The instructor will be MHC&S QuickBooks Proadvisor, Tara Raymond.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl-for-Kids Sake event
On March 6, MHC&S team members participated in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Iowa's fundraiser, Bowl-for-Kids Sake, held at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines. This was the 19th year our firm has participated in this event and collected a record amount of $2,615 in donations. We are proud to have Big Brothers/Big Sisters as our client and privileged to help the children in Central Iowa.
On the Home Front
Congratulations are extended to:
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Rachel Burds and Zach Blome upon successfully completing all parts of the CPA exam.
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Karen Behrens, Supervisor, and her husband, Jon are the proud parents of Finley Rose Behrens born on January 18.
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Dave Farnsworth, Manager, and his wife, Sarah are the proud parents of Clare Evelyn Farnsworth born February 16.
Congratulations to all!
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| Contact Information |
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McGowen Hurst Clark & Smith, P.C.
1601 West Lakes Parkway Suite 300
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515) 288-3279
106 E. Jefferson, P.O. Box 312
Winterset, IA 50273-0312
Phone: (515) 462-1882
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Our firm is a member of CPAmerica International
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