Compton & Company, CPAs

08/27/2026

Remote employees can open the door to better candidates and lower office costs. But the laptop is only the beginning — payroll taxes, equipment, software, security, workers' compensation, and out-of-state rules can all change the real cost of the hire. Before you tell someone “you can work from anywhere,” here's what to check first. (Scroll to the end of the blog to see real life examples of WFH)

https://www.comptoncpa.com/remote-employees-pros-cons-costs/

Thinking about hiring remote employees? Learn the pros, cons, hidden costs, payroll risks, and questions small business owners should ask first.

08/24/2026

Payroll fraud rarely starts with one giant, obvious theft. It is more likely to look like an extra hour, an unexplained pay change, a former employee who was not removed, or a direct-deposit request that was never verified. In our latest post, we cover the warning signs business owners should watch for and the simple controls that can help catch a problem early.

https://www.comptoncpa.com/payroll-fraud-warning-signs/

Learn the payroll fraud warning signs every business owner should watch for, plus practical steps to protect your business and employees.

08/18/2026

A healthy bank balance feels good, but how much of it is really available? Payroll, taxes, customer deposits, and next month's bills may already have a claim on that cash.

In our latest post, we explain a practical 3–6 month starting point and how to find the right cash target for your business.
https://www.comptoncpa.com/how-much-cash-should-business-keep-in-bank/

Learn how to set a practical cash reserve target, what counts as available cash, and when your business may need three, six, or more months.

08/13/2026

A salary rarely travels alone. It usually brings employer taxes, workers’ compensation, unemployment costs, software, equipment, training, and maybe benefits with it. Hiring can be a smart move, but the budget needs to cover the whole employee, not just the paycheck.

Before you post the job, learn how to estimate the true cost: https://www.comptoncpa.com/true-cost-of-an-employee/

A $50,000 employee costs more than $50,000. Learn which taxes, insurance, benefits, equipment, and hidden costs small businesses should budget.

08/10/2026

Your balance sheet and income statement should not feel like a foreign language. One shows where your business stands today (think Instagram post). The other shows what happened over time (all that happened before that one post on Instagram). In this post, we explain what each report is called, what the main sections mean, and how to use both to make better business decisions.

Read the full post here: https://www.comptoncpa.com/how-to-read-balance-sheet-income-statements/

Learn how to read a balance sheet and income statement, understand their common names, and use both reports to make better business decisions.

07/30/2026

Most business owners do not have an idea problem. We have a follow-through problem. A few honest takeaways from Finish What You Start by Peter Hollins, and why it is worth the read.

https://www.comptoncpa.com/finish-what-you-start-takeaways/

A few honest takeaways from Finish What You Start by Peter Hollins, and why business owners who start more than they finish should read it.

07/27/2026

You’re working hard… but are you paying yourself the right way?

One of the biggest mistakes business owners make isn’t how much they pay themselves—it’s how they do it.

Whether you’re a sole proprietor, LLC, or S corporation, the way you take money from your business can affect your taxes, cash flow, and even IRS compliance.

Our newest blog explains the different options so you can make the right choice for your business.

👉 Read it here: https://www.comptoncpa.com/best-ways-to-pay-yourself-as-a-business-owner/

Learn the best ways to pay yourself as a business owner.

07/20/2026

Employee or independent contractor? It is not simply a matter of choosing a W-2 or a 1099.

The right answer depends on how the work is actually done, who controls the process, and whether the worker is truly running a separate business. A classification mistake can lead to payroll taxes, penalties, and wage issues.

Our new blog post explains the difference and gives small business owners a practical list of questions to review before hiring.

Learn the difference between an employee and an independent contractor, the IRS factors to review, common mistakes, and the paperwork small businesses need.

07/16/2026

Payday shouldn’t be dramatic. Direct deposit usually makes payroll easier, safer, and more predictable, but paper checks still have their place in a few situations. In this post, we break down the pros and cons in plain English so business owners can choose the best payroll payment method for their team.

Should your small business use direct deposit or paper checks? Learn the pros, cons, payroll risks, and best choice for your team.

07/08/2026

Happy summer! We hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July and has been able to enjoy a few slower moments this season.

We shared a quick mid-summer note on the blog, along with a few pictures from our Williamsburg trip. It was HOT, but it was a sweet time to be together, see some history, and enjoy a little change of pace.

We are thankful for our clients and hope the rest of your summer is full of good memories, safe travels, and maybe even a little ice cream for supper along the way.



https://www.comptoncpa.com/mid-summer-hello-compton-company/