Having a meaningful mentor when starting college will help smooth your path to becoming the accountant you want to be. But this does not mean finding a mentor just to be able to say you have one, or to tick off an item on your to-do list. It’s about finding the...
The Balancing Act
Weinstein Spira Blog
Weinstein Spira’s blog, The Balancing Act, provides helpful information on technical accounting and CPA firm culture.
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Tips on Accounting for Tips
Despite current challenges regarding the pandemic, whether offering carry-out or dine-in options, restaurants remain a mainstay in many communities around the country. Owning or operating a restaurant comes with a unique set of requirements for reporting and paying...
Richard Morrison Joins Weinstein Spira as Tax Manager
Weinstein Spira, the mid-market public accounting and business advisory firm for Houston’s top high net worth individuals and privately held businesses, has hired Richard Morrison as a tax manager. Morrison brings experience in providing tax advice to his high net...
Accounting Internship Etiquette: How to Leave on a High Note
The way you finish an internship really matters. You create a lasting impression. If you can leave on a high note, that’s what people tend to remember the most. Regardless of how your time went along the way, you can go out with a bang if you focus on the following...
Karl Wolpert and Tobias McFaul Admitted as Weinstein Spira Shareholders
Weinstein Spira, the mid-market public accounting and business advisory firm for Houston’s top high net worth individuals and privately held businesses, is pleased to announce that Karl Wolpert and Tobias McFaul have been admitted as shareholders. Wolpert began his...
Cost Segregation for Restaurants and Hotels
Need a Cost Segregation Study? If you own a restaurant or hotel establishment, the answer most certainly could be “YES!” As a tax accountant with clients in this space, I urge you to consider conducting a cost segregation study to maximize your tax deductions. In this...
8 Ways to Become a Powerful Networker
Networking is an important aspect of doing business in the accounting world, where personal, authentic relationships really do count. It does not have to be formal networking, per se, as connections can be made anywhere, anytime you are around other people (virtually...
How to be a Successful Mentor to NextGen Accountants
What is a NextGen Mentor? In this context, a NextGen mentor is someone who coaches an employee in the accounting profession, where the person coached has less than five years of experience. Whether you are mentoring Generation X, Y, or Z…being an early career coach is...
3 Ways to Prevent Remote Work Burnout
Prior to the pandemic, Weinstein Spira allowed everyone to work from home once a week as part of the firm’s work-life balance philosophy. Now that we are working from home every day, there are some ways to avoid “remote work burnout.” Since I moved during the...
Insider Tips on Passing the CPA Exam
Taking the CPA exam at any time is a huge challenge, as those who have been through the process will attest. It can be a challenge trying to work full-time while studying, so most people want to take the exams as quickly as possible upon graduation. In light of the...
American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed into law on March 11, 2021. Some of the highlights of the business provisions include: Employee retention credit – Extended for quarters through December 31, 2021 The...
Employee Retention Credit
Updated in March 2022 The Employee Retention Credit (ERC), established by the CARES Act, provides a dollar-for-dollar credit against employment taxes to qualifying companies impacted. The credit availability extends through September 30, 2021 for most taxpayers (the...
Landing Your First Job: Six Best Questions to Ask an Interviewer
During pandemic or non-pandemic times, it can be daunting to land that first entry-level job right out of college. Likewise, an early career move from one company to another comes with a certain amount of interview anxiety. At any given point in time, there are many...
Virtual Job Hunting: How to Put your Best Foot Forward
Even outside of COVID-19 times, applying and interviewing for a new or first-time position can be challenging. As a result of the pandemic, job hunting is different. To add to it, there are an increased number of people going after the same spot. You may be thinking:...
Weinstein Spira Hires Three New Managers
Houston, Texas – Weinstein Spira, the mid-market public accounting firm for Houston’s top high net worth individuals and privately held businesses, is thrilled to announce that Carolyn Stanton, Heather Branham and Hillary Felice have joined the firm’s leadership team....
What Has Working Remotely Taught Us About Communication?
After working from home for so many months, a big reveal for me and countless others has been the importance of communication—both casual communication and deliberate conversations that drive business excellence. That includes problem-solving, feedback sessions,...
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: Summary of Business Provisions
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act) is now law. The Act provides $900 billion for COVID-19 related relief, including $285 billion for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). In summary, the Act makes multiple modifications to existing laws, including...
Lease Accounting for Restaurants
In case you haven’t heard…a new accounting standard is coming that will affect accounting for business leases of all kinds for the calendar year ending December 31, 2022 (for privately owned businesses). In this blog post, I will focus on restaurant leases as this...
Estate Planning During the COVID-19 Era
Our world has been turned upside down, and the year 2020 will forever be remembered as the year of COVID-19. With everything that is happening around us, both young and old are wondering: What if I contract COVID-19? Are my affairs in order? Will my family know my...
Tips for Success in Accounting Internships During COVID-19
My experience with Weinstein Spira as an intern has been nothing short of amazing, even during COVID-19. Was it different than I expected? Yes. Was it worth my time? Absolutely. In this post, I am sharing what my internship looked like in the summer of 2020. Securing...
Weinstein Spira Announces Senior Manager Promotions
Weinstein Spira, the mid-market public accounting firm for Houston’s top high net worth individuals and privately held businesses, is proud to announce two promotions to the firm’s senior manager level. Amy Sbrusch has been with Weinstein Spira for over 12 years. She...
Weinstein Spira Relocation Provides Growth and Innovation
Weinstein Spira, the public accounting firm for Houston’s top high net worth individuals and privately held businesses, has relocated to the Regions Financial Center in Houston, Texas. Their new address is 3773 Richmond Avenue, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77046. The new...
PPP Flexibility Act Becomes Law
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act of 2020 (the Act) became law on June 5, 2020. This Act applies only to section 1106 of the CARES Act, which pertains to the forgiveness of PPP loans. The following is a summary of the Act: PPP borrowers have...
6 Ways to Ace Video Interviews
Video job interviews are becoming more common in the hiring process due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With stay-at-home orders in place for many areas, video interviews prove to be the best way to continue the hiring process without causing major delays. These...