If you have never worked from home for an extended period of time, this pandemic-induced new schedule may be a shock to you and your family. Have you settled into your “new normal”? How is your family adjusting? As a Weinstein Spira virtual team member, I spend most...
The Balancing Act
Weinstein Spira Blog
Weinstein Spira’s blog, The Balancing Act, provides helpful information on technical accounting and CPA firm culture.
Top Categories: Culture Tax Audit Our Team Employee Benefit Plan Audits
The Impact of the CARES Act on Retirement Plans
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) became law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides financial relief to individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and contains several provisions that affect retirement plans. The...
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Summary
Relief Available for Businesses and Individuals The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act), enacted on March 18, 2020, requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide a certain amount of paid sick and paid family leave to employees affected by...
The CARES Act Summary
Relief Available for Businesses and Individuals The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the Act) became law on March 27, 2020. The estimated $2+ trillion and 880-page legislation includes public health spending, immediate cash relief for citizens, a...
April 15 Tax Filing Deadline Extended
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS announced that tax returns, originally due on April 15, 2020, will not have to be filed until July 15, 2020. The postponement applies to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, associations, companies or corporations with a...
COVID-19 Tax Payment Deferral
Following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated at a press conference on March 17, 2020 that individuals can defer tax payments up to $1 million for 90 days. Corporations can defer up to $10 million of tax...
A Message from Weinstein Spira Regarding COVID-19
Given the recent developments surrounding the spread of COVID-19, Weinstein Spira has instituted a remote work plan for our employees, and our physical office is currently closed. We are taking every step possible to ensure the health and safety of our clients,...
Why Public Accounting Was the Right Choice for Me
Now that I am a staff auditor for a public accounting firm, I find myself reflecting on the choices I made that led me to this role—a perfect decision for me, as it turns out. In this blog post, I will describe my journey and offer some pros and cons for those who are...
Beth Russell Joins Weinstein Spira as Audit Manager
Weinstein Spira, the mid-market public accounting firm for Houston’s top high net worth individuals and privately held businesses, is pleased to announce that Beth Russell has joined the firm as an audit manager. “We are enthusiastic about the level of experience and...
Estate Planning Tips for High Net Worth Singles
The more wealth you accumulate over your lifetime, the more important it is to think about legacy and estate planning. For married individuals, all assets normally go to the surviving spouse, unless otherwise specified. However, singles need to be more actively (and...
How to Get the Most Out of Career Fairs
Are Career Fairs Worth Your Time? From my experience on both sides of the equation—as a student seeking my first accounting position and as a recruiter screening new grads to work at Weinstein Spira—I can honestly say that career fairs are a great opportunity that you...
Accounting Internship Etiquette: How to Start on the Right Foot
Having worked with a lot of accounting interns over the years has given me insight into the do’s and don’ts that can determine a successful internship. In this article, I will share some tips to keep in mind as you embark on your internship journey. Before You Begin...
How Entrepreneurs Thrive in the Technology Space
Entrepreneurs are true leaders who actively help move new technologies to market, serving a valuable role in our economy and the overall progress of our society. But for any entrepreneur to thrive in the competitive technology space, it is imperative to have a healthy...
Plan Ahead for Your Next Commercial Real Estate Investment
Think Before You Invest There are many things to consider before investing in commercial real estate. Realizing that every deal is different and each investor has his/her own perspective, I will share what I have learned from working on 100+ investment deals to help...
How to Get Ready for Your Next Audit
Let’s face it, no one looks forward to the auditing process. It is much more fun to go play golf or take care of everyday business challenges, than get ready for your auditor’s visit. Often, people perceive the audit as beginning on Day 1 and, therefore, don’t focus...
Three Ways to Prevent Fraud in Your Accounting Department
It’s Business Now, But It Started Out Personal I learned about asset misappropriation at an early age—first, when learning how to count the shop’s nuts and bolts and agreeing to a count sheet for “Take Your Kid to Work Day;” and then sleuthing how the family car went...
Double Your Fun: Advantages of an Accounting Rotation Program
Fresh out of college with an accounting degree, armed with an internship and having landed an entry-level job just months ago (both with Weinstein Spira), I am hitting the ground running as a tax accountant—in large part due to my participation in a rotation program....
Best Practices on Managing Remote Employees
There are various forms of working remotely, a popular work style that is catching on more and more as companies try to help employees achieve work-life balance. For example, at Weinstein Spira one of the perks is to be able to work from home one day a week after one...
Weinstein Spira Announces Multiple 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 the promotion of four leaders within the firm. Tobias McFaul promoted to Senior Tax Manager. McFaul joined Weinstein...
Why a Quality Audit Matters
These days, financial statements are under more scrutiny and subject to stricter regulations to meet high quality standards in the U.S. and around the world. Whether you are a private company needing to comply with your bank’s credit agreement, or a publicly held...
What Does Workplace Culture Mean to You?
A Home Away from Home Accountants are notorious for spending long hours at work, so much so that it can become like a home away from home, where certain creature comforts are sought. A paradigm shift from previous generations, the concept of workplace culture is now...
Revenue Recognition: The Mini-Series, Episode 3
Introduction Hello, again, my fellow knowledge-hungry, number-crunchers! Welcome to Episode 3 of the three-part mini-series on Revenue Recognition (a.k.a. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Rev Rec). Like the late, great Stephen Hawking did with the universe,...
Mobile Workforce: Considerations When Choosing a Video Conferencing System
Following the Mobile Trend Today’s workforce is conducting business on the go more than ever before, thanks to mobile devices and growing emphasis on work/life balance. Collaboration from anywhere at any time is also key to building relationships with colleagues and...
Revenue Recognition: The Mini-Series, Episode 2
Welcome back, all you eager readers! I know you’ve been awaiting this like the world awaited the final season of Game of Thrones. So here it is, Episode 2 of the three-part mini-series on Revenue Recognition (a.k.a. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Rev...