Here at Rea, we believe it’s our responsibility to advocate for our state’s small- to mid-sized businesses. To that end, one of the most important relationships our team members have invested in is with the Ohio Society of CPAs. Working with this spectacular organization not only gives us access to a litany of valuable resources, which helps our team stay at the top of their game, we are given the chance to advocate in favor of our clients with regard to current and future legislation. On this e...
Mar 19, 2018•23 min•Ep. 125
Cybercrime isn’t just an “IT” issue; it’s a business issue – one with the potential to hurt even the largest businesses and organizations. Mike Moran, president of Affiliated Resource Group , joins this episode of unsuitable to provide a comprehensive overview of the security risks we are facing today. From basic hacks and data breaches to phishing and ransomware, you’ll learn what you need to do to protect your companies, your clients, and your people. Cybercrime is a business issue. Understand...
Mar 12, 2018•25 min•Ep. 124
Is your company at risk… and would you know if it was? If an issue did arise, would the procedures you have in place be enough to identify and fix the issue, or would you be left scratching your head, unsure of how to proceed? Have no fear, Zac Morris, a principal and head of Rea’s government team, is here! In this episode of unsuitable , Zac shares why something as simple as implementing internal controls can save business owners a lot of sleepless nights – and maybe even the business itself. D...
Mar 05, 2018•24 min•Ep. 123
Ohio is home to two of the top four largest settlements of Plain communities, the Amish and Mennonite populations. There’s a sense of calm and peace in these rolling hills – and a work ethic and craftsmanship that’s second-to-none. Visitors from all over come to visit these communities every year in search of high-quality products, and make no mistake: these business owners know what they’re doing, they do it well, and in many cases, they’ve been honing their crafts for generations. On this epis...
Feb 26, 2018•22 min•Ep. 122
While it may feel like we’ve covered all angles of tax reform in the last few episode of unsuitable, we’re not done yet! Sure, we’ve hit the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from a federal perspective – but what happens when we look at the implications of the legislation at the state level? Joe Popp, director of Rea’s SALT team and a frequent flyer on the podcast, joins us to discuss the various considerations states are grappling with as a result of tax reform. And, while we’re on the topic of state and l...
Feb 19, 2018•24 min•Ep. 121
Between tax reform, healthcare regulations, and who knows what else, business owners have a lot to focus on right now. So when it comes to keeping tabs on your company’s retirement plan statistics, you might feel like your attention would be better spent elsewhere – but be careful! Before you know it, the number of participants on your company’s retirement plan could cause you to trigger a plan audit, which can have a number of (potentially expensive) ramifications. Joining us on this episode of...
Feb 12, 2018•22 min•Ep. 120
On the last episode of unsuitable , we learned about some of the general implications business owners are going to face as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In this episode, Chris Axene, Rea principal and tax expert, returns to talk about changes that will affect the owners of C corps and flow-through entities, and whether or not business owners should reconsider their choice of entity. Consult Your Trusted Business Partner Throughout this tax reform mini-series, we’ve shared a lot about th...
Feb 05, 2018•25 min•Ep. 119
This episode is part one of unsuitable ’s two-part series on the most significant changes that business owners can expect to see as a result of the recent tax reform legislation. From new corporate tax rates to the bonus depreciation and net operating loss provisions to a variety of changes poised to hit companies that do business overseas (and everything in between), the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is full of savings opportunities for business owners. In this episode, Rea’s principal and tax guru Chr...
Jan 29, 2018•23 min•Ep. 118
President Donald Trump passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act late last year. Since then, many of us in public accounting have been scrambling to learn what many of the specific provisions outlined in the legislation mean for individuals and businesses, alike. Today’s episode is dedicated to the individual provisions of Trump’s tax reform initiative, but we’re not going to stop there – be sure to join us next week and the week after that, when we dive deeper into what this sweeping legislation means t...
Jan 22, 2018•25 min•Ep. 117
After pouring your blood, sweat, and tears into starting and growing a business, you are now at a point in your career where you can ponder the BIG question: What’s next? Those two little words pack a big punch, and we’re going to explore the implications associated with some of the next steps you might be considering. We are once again joined by business valuation and exit planning guru Tim McDaniel, who will break down two of the primary concerns business owners tend to have several years afte...
Jan 15, 2018•23 min•Ep. 116
To run an effective business, you have to be a good steward of your company’s resources. To that end, many companies have embraced the Lean Six Sigma method to improve their efficiency and overall effectiveness – but that doesn’t mean that only large companies with many employees and complex processes can benefit from these teachings. Infusing a few Lean concepts into your daily life and the lives of your employees can be just the shot in the arm you and your business need, so we sit down with L...
Jan 08, 2018•23 min•Ep. 115
The average American spends 90,000 hours at work over the course of their lifetime. Here at Rea, we think that’s way too many hours to spend doing something you’re not truly passionate about. If you are truly passionate about what you do, then your job becomes something more than a way to make ends meet; It becomes a cause worth promoting and advancing. Each year, Rea & Associates honors an employee for their dedication to the CPA profession – someone who goes above and beyond the call of du...
Jan 01, 2018•23 min•Ep. 114
As we approach the New Year, it’s not uncommon to set a few personal or professional goals. But instead of resolving to lose a few pounds or to become a regular member of that new country club (in the hopes of landing a few leads), our guest has a better, more realistic idea – simply focus on yourself. Maureen Metcalf, CEO of Metcalf & Associates, is a renowned advisor, speaker, coach, and consultant. We talk about the importance of resiliency, and what you can start doing today to become mo...
Dec 25, 2017•24 min•Ep. 113
In business, the topic of “communication” comes up a lot, especially when we talk about ways to effectively communicate information about products and services to our customers. But what are you doing to communicate better with your employees? And, if you are making internal communications a priority in your business, what are you doing to maximize your efforts? On this episode of unsuitable , we’re talking to Abigail Eisenbrei, an internal communications specialist at Rea. Abby has previous exp...
Dec 18, 2017•25 min•Ep. 112
The year is just about over, which means you’ll soon be reflecting on all the things you managed to accomplished over the last 12 months, or maybe all the things you weren’t able to accomplish… In any case, before you set out to tackle your goals for the year ahead, you’ll want to listen to this episode for some excellent insight that will help you achieve your leadership aspirations in the year ahead. We’re bringing leadership expert, motivator, and natural entertainer Jerry Esselstein back on ...
Dec 11, 2017•23 min•Ep. 111
Are you afraid of when the big bad auditor comes huffing and puffing at your door? Well, we’ve worked with quite a few auditors here at Rea, and we’re happy to report that (most of them) aren’t nearly as bad as they’re made out to be. Our guest is James Moore, a supervisor on Rea’s audit team here in Dublin, who will treat you to some behind-the-scenes tips that will help make your next audit a little more enjoyable. (And if that doesn’t change your mind about the role of an auditor, he’s gonna ...
Dec 04, 2017•21 min•Ep. 110
New entrepreneurs are faced with a lot of challenges, and oftentimes they are unequipped to deal with the obstacles that stand in their way. We want you to start your next business venture prepared. On this episode of unsuitable , we are joined by Melane Howell, a senior tax manager in Rea’s Dublin office who has helped more than a few startups get on their feet. We examine the journey of an up-and-coming entrepreneur and uncover some of the hiccups they will encounter. Then we offer some simple...
Nov 27, 2017•23 min•Ep. 109
On November 1, 2017, Rea & Associates and the Walthall CPA Group announced that the two firms have merged – so we’d like to give a warm welcome to the Walthall team, your family, your friends, your advisors, and your clients from all the folks here at unsuitable on Rea Radio . To celebrate our community getting a little bigger, we’re discussing one of the backbones of every community: locally-owned businesses. They drive our economies, support our infrastructure, and promote the entrepreneur...
Nov 20, 2017•22 min•Ep. 108
Every year, on National Philanthropy Day -- November 15 – people, organizations, and businesses come together to reflect on the great contributions being done to improve our communities. On this episode of unsuitable , we will lend our voices to the chorus. Not only that, but we will be talking to Maribeth Wright, a principal on Rea’s not-for-profit team, about what happens when giving back becomes a focal point of a company’s culture. Employees want to work for businesses that give back! 74 per...
Nov 13, 2017•24 min•Ep. 107
There are a lot of social media platforms out there: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and the list seems to get longer every day. People use these platforms to connect with each other and with their favorite brands and businesses, so if your business hasn’t developed a social media strategy, you are missing out – Big time. Rea’s social media expert and Practice Growth Strategist, Rebecca Weiand , joins us to share how you can actually use these platforms as to...
Nov 06, 2017•23 min•Ep. 106
Your business is growing and that’s a great thing … right? Well, it’s good if you’re prepared to confront things that go bump in the night, but there are many dangers to be wary of when growth guides you into unknown territory – What if you find yourself in the vampiristic company of a hungry state tax auditor with an aversion to garlic? The truth is, there are a lot of unknowns that come along with business growth, which is why it’s so important to have someone on your side who can help you exe...
Oct 31, 2017•25 min•Ep. 105
Are you paying more in federal taxes than your fair share? Well, if you own buildings, you could be; and a cost segregation study could provide you with the relief you’ve been looking for. On this episode of unsuitable , we’re joined by Dave McGuire , co-founder & director of McGuire Sponsel, a regional professional services firm that works with CPAs to enhance relationships through innovative tax strategies. He’s going to break down the topic of cost segregation for us by shining some light...
Oct 23, 2017•24 min•Ep. 104
Sooner or later, time catches up with all of us. As unpleasant as that thought may be, planning for death is, in fact, a necessary part of life, and we simply couldn’t think of a better time to share some critical estate planning tips with you than this week – which also happens to be National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Dave McCarthy , a principal in Rea’s Medina office, has a knack for estate planning and trusts. We discuss how to choose an executor, which assets to include in your estate ...
Oct 16, 2017•22 min•Ep. 103
Businesses can no longer afford to be anything but attentive, accommodating, and polite when it comes to customer service. One wrong word or tweet from someone on your front lines might be all it takes for your company to go viral… and that’s not necessarily a good thing. So, with all that’s at stake, what are you doing to improve the quality of your own customer service practices? As a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a Lean Gold Practitioner, and a Certified Project Management Professional, Chris Li...
Oct 09, 2017•22 min•Ep. 102
Business owners, do you ever feel like you’re expected to be two different people? On the one hand, you are expected to be a genius in your craft. Whether you manufacture widgets or brew craft beer, you’d better be fully capable of jumping in and getting your hands dirty. On the other hand, you must maintain a high-level view of your company; always poised to act on opportunities as they arise, while maintaining fluency in sales, marketing, and public relations. Believe it or not, striking that ...
Oct 02, 2017•21 min•Ep. 101
To celebrate the 100th episode of unsuitable on Rea Radio , we’re doing something special. We asked many of our previous guests to share some of their favorite business and/or professional growth resources with us, and the results have been incredible. In order, we sit down with Mike Moran , Mark Van Benschoten , Brad Circone , Tim McDaniel , Brad Martyn , Chris Pyrcraft , Mary Beth Koester , Michaela McGinn , Annie Yoder , Mike Taylor , Kyle Quillen , Joe Welker , Kim Veal , Mark McKinley , Gre...
Sep 25, 2017•24 min•Ep. 100
The idea of owning real estate can be enticing, particularly when the land becomes a source of income. However, the reward of revenue comes with a number of associated costs: taxes, estate planning, and other red tape. Brian Kempf , a principal in Rea’s Millersburg office, is particularly in tune with tax changes and the opportunities available to landowners. He joins us on unsuitable to identify the tactics that will help you maximize the value of your land, while minimizing your tax liability....
Sep 18, 2017•24 min•Ep. 99
Take a moment to think about this question: When was the last time that you showed appreciation toward your employees? If you’re struggling to answer that question, you may have identified a problem that could end up hurting your company in the long-run. Peggy Minnig , a principal in Rea’s Lima office, believes that an employee who feels appreciated will reward the company with increased productivity, greater employee satisfaction, renewed loyalty, and improved retention. Appreciation is a Funda...
Sep 11, 2017•21 min•Ep. 98
Payroll can be confusing. After all, it’s not always as simple as cutting a check for a week’s worth of work. There are a lot of things you have to consider, like how your employees are classified, taxes that need to be withheld, and whether the individuals doing your payroll have up-to-date training. Heather McNichols , Rea’s Director of Accounting Services, joins us on this episode of unsuitable to help businesses avoid common payroll pitfalls, while offering insight into solutions that will h...
Sep 04, 2017•22 min•Ep. 97
Relationships are critical in business, regardless of your industry or what you offer your customers. Matt Scherer, President of PMA Practice Transitions , a dental practice sales and transition company, spent nearly 17 years with Bank of America before embarking on his current role. While these two careers may appear to be completely separate, they actually have a lot in common. In this episode of unsuitable , Matt shares his best networking, business development, and referral relationship tips...
Aug 28, 2017•22 min•Ep. 96
