I’m Andrew Long with Blue Sky Payroll and I’m excited to start off 2022 with a new website and this blog! This tax season (filing for 2021) will be my 18th tax season. Almost two decades preparing business and personal income tax returns, W2s and 1099s, payroll quarterlies and sales tax returns.
What do you love about your work?
I wouldn’t be in this business if I didn’t enjoy accounting, but more than just numbers, I enjoy the people I work with. I’m working with an amazing client base of small- to medium-sized businesses, and each one of those businesses is represented by a business owner or payroll admin, a person for whom I get to make life easier.
What are the “aha” moments you love giving your clients?
I love when I can see the stress melt off a client’s face as they realize that even if they don’t get it, I’ve got them covered. I love being able to set up a smooth system for someone who has struggled for years to get their payroll and accounting streamlined. I love when I can help find that tax credit or deduction that turns worry over affording their tax bill into excitement for an expected refund.
What are some key things you think businesses should be paying attention to in 2022?
We’re almost 2 years into the pandemic and lots of things have changed. Several businesses in Colorado need to make sure they’ve implemented required Sick Pay programs. Some businesses still need help with forgiveness of their 2nd round Payroll Protection Program loan (PPP). The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was a major credit in 2020 and 2021 that many businesses qualified for and didn’t know it. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to amend your 941s and get back some tax money back. If you aren’t sure if you qualify, contact Blue Sky Payroll right away to discuss this. Several CPA’s and payroll company’s have decided not to look into this, but there is so much money involved business owners can’t afford to pass it by. Also, as unemployment hits an all time high, now is the time to start focusing on family-first workplace values, employee benefit packages and other incentives to keep people working.
What types of businesses do you work with? Do you focus on a specific industry or niche?
I work with all kinds of businesses. I’ve also loved restaurants, having worked in a restaurant myself when I was in college. I work with numerous individuals in the automotive and manufacturing industries. In recent years I’ve started working with a number of different hotels. I have real estate agents, consultants and engineers, construction companies, and all kinds of different businesses that utilize Blue Sky Payroll’s services.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Right now I’m looking forward to amending 941s for the Employee Retention Credit. Doing this will get some of my current client’s literally thousands of dollars back in their pockets. I’m also looking forward to helping some of my clients move to Human Interest 401k solutions which is the first time I’ve had a completely streamlined 401k solution that leaves clients completely hands off. Also, looking forward to what new people I will meet this year.
How can I help you streamline your accounting and payroll? Have you confirmed whether you should amend your 941s for the Employee Retention Credit? What other questions do you have about Payroll and Accounting that you can’t get answered?