Bruce & Company, PSC

01/06/2026

Launching a new business means making key decisions, including how to set it up for tax purposes. Electing S corporation status can offer major advantages to start-ups. These include avoiding the double taxation faced by C corporations, reducing payroll taxes by dividing shareholder-employee income between salary and distributions, and protecting shareholders’ personal assets from claims against the business. But there are limits on eligibility, compliance requirements are strict, and administrative costs can be high. Let us help you evaluate whether operating as an S corporation would suit your start-up. If it does, we can assist you with filing the election and compliance going forward.

01/01/2026

Does your business offer performance-based bonuses? A well-designed plan can sharpen employee focus, align daily efforts with strategic objectives and fuel sustainable growth. To be effective, however, a bonus plan must establish clear, measurable goals tied to meaningful metrics, such as sales growth, customer retention or waste reduction. Keep the arrangement simple and transparent. Also, calculate payouts carefully to motivate employees without unduly straining cash flow. And review your plan regularly as business conditions change. Let us help you create a bonus plan that motivates employees, safeguards profitability, and complies with tax and accounting rules.

12/31/2025

12/30/2025

Businesses must regularly reevaluate their pricing strategies to protect margins, stay competitive and support long-term growth. Begin by crunching some numbers. Examine direct and indirect costs, calculate your breakeven point and compare your prices to those of competitors. Customer feedback and segmentation can also reveal when adjustments may be necessary. Whether you raise or lower prices, clearly communicate with your customers. Focus on value, highlighting strengths such as quality, expertise and service to maintain trust. Interested in some objective guidance? We can help you analyze costs, apply the right metrics and optimize prices based on current market dynamics.

12/26/2025

The term “data hygiene” refers to the ongoing process of ensuring that the information your business relies on is accurate, complete, consistent and up to date. Lack of reliable data can lower staff morale and erode trust with customers, vendors, lenders and investors. And if your company uses AI, it could be at risk of a “data poisoning” attack. Fortunately, you can protect your business by setting clear standards for data entry, training staff to routinely verify critical details and conducting regular database audits. Above all, assign the responsibility to promote and oversee data hygiene to someone within your company. Contact us for help budgeting for the related costs.

12/23/2025

An employer-sponsored 401(k) plan is a powerful fringe benefit, but it’s also a prime target for fraud. As a plan sponsor, you have a fiduciary duty to protect participants’ assets and data. Stay informed about your plan provider’s security measures. Meanwhile, train participants to use strong, regularly changed passwords and independently verify the identity of anyone asking for account information. Also, implement robust procedures for depositing contributions promptly under U.S. Department of Labor rules. Need help assessing your plan’s safeguards? We can assist you in evaluating your service provider’s protections, reviewing your internal controls and fixing vulnerabilities.

12/18/2025

Unused paid time off (PTO) can be tricky for both employers and employees. One creative solution that helps support workers’ financial wellness while potentially easing staffing shortages and increasing retirement plan participation is a PTO contribution arrangement. It allows employees with unused vacation hours to convert them to contributions to their retirement accounts. Many workers value growing their savings over amassing PTO. Just bear in mind that you’ll face challenges such as amending your plan document, overseeing compliance and clearly communicating with participants. Contact us for help determining whether a PTO contribution arrangement is right for your organization.

12/16/2025

Employers: Health care costs are expected to rise substantially next year. If your organization sponsors a health insurance plan, you can’t control every factor driving the increases. But you can take proactive steps to manage expenses while preserving quality of care. Rather than shifting cost increases to employees, consider broader actions to improve efficiency and reduce waste. For example, you might explore nontraditional plan designs, evaluate vendor performance, shop around for more competitive bids and audit medical claims. Contact us for help analyzing the cost efficiency of your health insurance plan and identifying strategies to optimize spending.

12/11/2025

In today’s job postings, employers must find the right balance of hard data and enticing language. Many organizations fall prey to common pitfalls, such as failing to promote generous PTO policies, pushing candidates to engage on social media or neglecting pay transparency. As you craft your job postings, focus on clarity. Use plain language and avoid jargon. Describe things that applicants value, such as compensation, benefits and flexibility. Be authentic; find a voice that represents your employer brand. Finally, link your job postings to an intuitive application process. Contact us for help aligning your hiring approach with your financial goals and strategic objectives.

12/09/2025

An employee value proposition (EVP) is the distinctive combination of compensation, benefits, rewards, opportunities and experiences an employer offers employees in exchange for their skills, capabilities and contributions. Every organization has one, but many haven’t defined or communicated it. Begin by gathering employee feedback about what they value, then compare your strengths with those of competitors. Craft an authentic, compelling EVP that articulates the true positives of working for your organization. Finally, leverage it via as many channels as possible, including in job postings, onboarding activities and team meetings. Contact us for help assessing and managing employment costs.