customer cases

How We Helped a High-Income Law Firm Owner Reduce Tax Liability

solutions on June 17, 2025

Track Department Profitability, and Restructure the Business for Long-Term Growth

Running a high-volume law firm may generate substantial revenue—but with that comes

complexity, high tax exposure, and the risk of growing operational inefficiencies beneath the

surface. That was the case for one of our clients, the sole owner of a large, multi-department

law firm who was bringing in significant income but lacked clarity on the financial performance

of the firm’s internal divisions.

He came to Solutions Group Accounting Firm (SGAF) looking for help with payroll,

bookkeeping, and compliance—but what he got was a full-service finance partner who helped

him reduce taxes, optimize investments, and restructure operations based on real data.

The Challenge: High Income, High Tax Burden, and No Financial Visibility by Department

This law firm owner was generating substantial profit—but with seven-figure income came a

major tax liability and no integrated view of where the money was truly coming from. The

firm had multiple departments (e.g., personal injury, family law, litigation, and mass tort), but

each was being lumped together in the books.

Key challenges included:

Disorganized payroll and lack of reporting by department or partner
No way to track profitability of each service line
A very high personal tax burden with no proactive planning
No use of asset-based investing strategies to create depreciation or long-term wealth
A lack of financial integration between the firm and the owner’s personal wealth

strategy

Our Solution: Full-Service Financial Department + Advanced Tax Planning

SGAF stepped in to become the firm’s outsourced accounting, payroll, and tax advisory team.

Our approach focused on creating structure, clarity, and strategic insight—both inside the law

firm and at the personal level for the owner.

Department-Level Accounting and Profitability Analysis

We completely restructured the firm’s books to track revenue, labor, expenses, and profitability

by department. This included setting up class-based reporting in QuickBooks Online,

implementing time tracking by department, and aligning payroll to those structures.

The result? We uncovered that one entire department was losing money every quarter,

despite producing revenue. With that data, the owner made the bold decision to shut down the

unprofitable division, redeploy staff, and focus resources on more profitable practice areas.

Payroll Management and Compliance

We assumed responsibility for payroll processing, including attorney compensation, bonuses,

support staff tracking, and 1099 oversight. SGAF brought in controls, streamlined reporting, and

automated processes—freeing up the owner from day-to-day admin.

Strategic Tax Advisory to Reduce Owner’s Tax Burden

The law firm owner had no prior tax strategy. SGAF executed a multi-pronged advisory plan that included:

Income shifting strategies across S-Corps and multiple entities
Creating a retirement plan structure to generate pre-tax savings
Advising and structuring real estate investments to create depreciable assets
Vetting and analyzing oil and gas investments for passive loss opportunities
Timing distributions and deductions for optimal impact on AGI and AMT exposure

We also coordinated with the client’s estate attorney to align the investment strategy with long-

term wealth planning goals.

The Result: Lower Taxes, Smarter Operations, and Better Business Decisions
With SGAF’s help, the law firm and its owner achieved:

Clean, timely books with full visibility into department-level profitability
A strategic decision to exit an unprofitable line of business
Streamlined payroll and bonus tracking tied to productivity metrics
Significant reduction in taxable income through real estate and energy investments
Greater personal wealth creation through asset-backed investing
Quarterly financial and tax planning meetings to stay ahead of the curve

This was more than a cleanup—it was a transformation. Today, the firm operates leaner, the

owner pays less in taxes, and strategic financial decisions are made with confidence—not

guesswork.

Own a Law Firm? We Help High-Income Attorneys Protect and Grow Their Wealth

At Solutions Group Accounting Firm, we specialize in supporting successful law firm owners who

want more than just tax prep. Our clients receive:

Department-level accounting and profitability tracking
Payroll and compensation structuring
Proactive tax planning and investment advisory
Real estate and depreciation-based tax strategies
Quarterly strategy calls and personal financial alignment

Don’t let high income turn into high stress. Let us help you structure your firm—and your

wealth—the right way.

Schedule a Confidential Tax and Financial Review Today.

How We Helped a Multi-Hotel Owner Track Department-Level Profitability

solutions on June 17, 2025

Manage Investor Allocations, and Execute a Complex Gift & Estate Tax Strategy

Owning and operating multiple hotels is far more than just hospitality management—it’s a

financial balancing act involving multiple revenue streams, capital projects, outside investors,

and tax-sensitive ownership structures. When one of our clients, a successful hotel owner with

several properties across two states, approached Solutions Group Accounting Firm (SGAF), they

had operational success but lacked financial clarity.

Each property contained both hotel and restaurant operations, ongoing construction upgrades,

and a mix of investors with varying equity stakes. The complexity of tracking, allocating, and

planning around these elements had outgrown their existing financial systems—and they

needed a partner who could bring structure and strategy to the entire operation.

The Challenge: Disconnected Departmental Financials and Investor Complexity

While each hotel was operationally profitable, the owner had little visibility into which

departments were driving results, and the financial reporting process was slow and error-

prone. On top of that, investor agreements lacked clean reporting on equity allocations,

capital contributions, and profit distributions, creating tension among stakeholders.

Key challenges included:

No department-level tracking to evaluate restaurant vs. lodging margins
Inconsistent tracking of construction costs and capital improvements
Complex investor structures with unclear equity and distribution reporting
Delayed monthly close, often pushing past the 20th of the month
A major financial gift was being planned for one of the investors, triggering potential gift

and estate tax liabilities

Our Solution: Hospitality-Specific Accounting, Investor Clarity, and Strategic Tax Planning

SGAF stepped in as the client’s outsourced accounting and tax advisory team, implementing a

tailored solution to support the operational, financial, and ownership needs of a growing

hospitality portfolio.

Department-Level Profitability Tracking

We restructured the client’s QuickBooks Online files and class structure to separately track

revenue and expenses for each in-house department: rooms, restaurant/bar, event space, and

other revenue sources. This allowed the ownership team to identify true margins by

department and make informed staffing and pricing decisions.

Accurate Construction Cost Tracking

For each renovation and upgrade project, we created a capital project ledger to properly

categorize labor, materials, and FF&E costs, allowing for accurate capitalization and depreciation

schedules. These records now roll up into clean, auditable fixed asset records for each property.

Monthly Close by the 15th

SGAF implemented a streamlined monthly close process, ensuring financials for each property

were reconciled and finalized by the 15th of the following month. This allowed the owner and

investors to receive timely reports and confidently manage cash flow, vendor payments, and

investor distributions.

Investor Equity Allocation and Transfer Support

We built a custom equity tracking model that reflected each investor’s contributions,

ownership share, preferred returns, and profit allocations. This model supports regular

distribution schedules, investor reporting, and simplified communication with stakeholders.

Gift and Estate Tax Planning for a High-Value Ownership Transfer

The client was preparing to gift a substantial equity interest in one hotel to an early investor.

SGAF led a comprehensive tax planning engagement, evaluating gift tax exclusions, basis

allocation, and future estate implications. We coordinated with estate attorneys to align the

transfer with long-term wealth planning goals while mitigating immediate tax exposure.

The Result: Financial Clarity, Operational Insight, and Proactive Tax Strategy

As a result of our work, the hotel ownership group now benefits from:

Accurate department-level P&L statements for every revenue stream
Reliable construction tracking tied to balance sheet capitalization
Investor transparency through clear equity modeling and distributions
Timely financial reporting by the 15th of each month
A thoughtful, well-executed gift and estate tax plan tied to investor goals
Greater confidence in financial decisions, budgeting, and investor communication

What was once a set of disconnected hotel operations is now a financially integrated, investor-

ready enterprise with best-in-class accounting and advisory support.

Own or Operate Multiple Hotels or Real Estate Assets? Get the Financial Support You Deserve.

At Solutions Group Accounting Firm, we specialize in helping hospitality owners bring order to

complexity. Whether you’re running a boutique portfolio or scaling to dozens of properties, we

provide:

Departmental bookkeeping and monthly financial close
Real estate construction and asset tracking
Investor equity and tax reporting
Advanced tax strategy, including gift and estate planning
Full integration of your finance stack and internal processes

Professional hospitality requires professional finance.
Let us help you unlock clarity, profitability, and tax efficiency.

Schedule a Free Hospitality Finance Strategy Session Today

How We Helped an Electrical Contractor Gain Financial Clarity, Track Job Profitability

solutions on June 17, 2025

And Reduce Taxable Income Through Strategic Accounting and Real Estate Integration

Construction contractors working on large-scale, multiyear projects often face serious

challenges when it comes to understanding their financial health. Revenue might not arrive for

months—or even years—after the costs are incurred, making it nearly impossible to track job

profitability or manage cash flow using basic bookkeeping methods.

That was exactly the case for one of our clients, a growing electrical contracting business

handling multi-phase commercial and industrial projects. They had strong client demand and

solid work in the pipeline—but their financials told them very little about the true health of the business.

They partnered with Solutions Group Accounting Firm (SGAF) and our team of CPAs to bring structure, strategy, and long-term tax planning to their operations.

The Challenge: Delayed Revenue and No Visibility Into Job Profitability

The client had been operating on a cash basis, booking revenue only when payments arrived—

which, in some cases, was two or three years after a project began. Meanwhile, costs were being incurred in real time, from labor and materials to subcontractors and project management overhead.

This mismatch created several major problems:

Inaccurate financial statements that didn’t reflect reality
No visibility into which projects were profitable or bleeding cash
Delayed payments creating cash flow strain and budgeting challenges
A growing tax liability from sudden spikes in income years after costs were incurred
No method for measuring productivity of the internal team or sales reps

Despite having solid gross revenues, the owners had no true understanding of what jobs were

profitable, which team members were contributing to results, or how to plan around incoming

revenue.

Our Solution: Accrual Accounting, Job Profitability Tracking, and Strategic Tax Planning

SGAF initiated a complete financial overhaul to bring this contractor’s accounting and tax

processes in line with their operational complexity.

Implemented Accrual Accounting to Match Revenue and Costs

We converted the business from cash to accrual basis accounting, allowing revenue to be

matched to expenses when work was performed—not just when the check arrived. This gave

the owners accurate profit-and-loss reporting and real clarity into the financial performance of

each project, even if collections came later.

Set Up Job-Level Profitability Tracking

We worked with their internal operations team to implement job costing procedures within

QuickBooks Online, allocating labor, materials, subcontractor fees, and overhead to each active

project. Over time, we built dashboards showing project-level profitability and gross margins,

enabling leadership to course-correct early if costs got out of hand.

Trained Staff to Track Internal Productivity and Sales Output

We helped implement internal tracking systems for field staff productivity and sales team

conversion rates, creating better accountability and informing bonus and compensation models.

Productivity tracking became central to the firm’s operational decision-making.

Reduced Taxable Income Through Income Shifting and Entity Optimization

SGAF conducted a full review of the company’s structure, realigning certain revenue streams

across multiple entities. Through income shifting, compensation restructuring, and S-Corp

strategy, we reduced the owner’s annual tax liability significantly. Quarterly tax planning now

ensures alignment between profitability and estimated payments.

Integrated Real Estate into the Long-Term Wealth Strategy

The business owner expressed a long-term goal of building wealth through real estate. SGAF

advised on the purchase of commercial property, structured through a separate entity and

leased back to the operating business. We executed cost segregation studies to accelerate

depreciation, reduce taxable income, and create long-term passive income—while turning the

business into a real estate-backed investment platform.

The Result: Financial Control, Tax Savings, and Long-Term Investment Strategy
With SGAF’s support, the electrical contracting firm achieved:

Full visibility into job-level financial performance
Accurate monthly financial statements under accrual basis
Streamlined tax structure and proactive income deferral strategies
A structured productivity system for both field teams and sales personnel
Over $150,000 in first-year tax savings
A long-term real estate investment framework that supports both personal and business

wealth-building goals

Today, the owners no longer operate on financial guesswork. Instead, they make hiring, pricing,

and investment decisions based on reliable data—supported by a trusted accounting partner

who understands the construction industry inside and out.

If You’re an Electrical or Home Services Business Owner, It’s Time to Upgrade Your Financial

Systems

At Solutions Group Accounting Firm, we help electrical, plumbing, and construction contractors

move beyond reactive bookkeeping to strategic financial management. Whether you’re scaling

up, planning for succession, or building long-term wealth through real estate, our team is here

to help.

Build smarter. Pay less in taxes. Make confident decisions.

Schedule a Free Contractor Strategy Session Today

How We Helped a 15-Location Chiropractic Group Scale Financial Operations, Navigate Multi-

solutions on June 17, 2025

When a healthcare organization begins to scale across state lines, the financial demands quickly

evolve from simple bookkeeping to complex, multi-entity management, real estate

optimization, and tax strategy.

That was exactly the case for a 15-location chiropractic group operating across several U.S.

states when they partnered with Solutions Group Accounting Firm (SGAF).

With clinic acquisitions underway, nonprofit entities forming, and owned real estate holdings

growing, they needed a proactive, strategic finance partner—not just a tax preparer.

The Challenge: Disconnected Financial Systems and Untapped Tax Opportunities

The group had strong patient volume and expanding geographic reach—but their financial

infrastructure was holding them back.

Key challenges included:

No standardized accounting or reporting system across 15 locations
Multi-state operations with unclear compliance on state tax rules
Real estate entities with no depreciation strategy
New nonprofits with uncertain IRS compliance
Limited internal staff training on financial processes
No centralized tools for bill pay, expense management, or approval workflows

Without a scalable system or proactive financial oversight, their leadership team was flying blind

on performance—and leaving serious tax savings on the table.

Our Solution: Scalable Finance Infrastructure and Strategic Tax Advisory

SGAF engaged with the chiropractic group as their outsourced finance and advisory team,

leading a full transformation across their accounting, tax, and operational finance processes.

Multi-State Tax Compliance and Structuring

We reviewed and aligned their entity structures across states, ensuring compliance with nexus

laws, sales tax, state income tax filings, and reporting obligations. We implemented best

practices for allocating income and expenses across jurisdictions and advised on withholding for

nonresident owners.

Site-Level Class Coding for Location-Specific Visibility

To prepare for growth and improve financial reporting, we trained their in-house team on

QuickBooks Online class coding by site. This gave management clear, segmented financials for

each clinic—paving the way for smart decision-making at the location level.

In-House Staff Training for Bookkeeping Consistency

SGAF worked directly with their internal finance staff to standardize bookkeeping practices

across locations, reduce error rates, and implement monthly close procedures. Our coaching

improved internal capacity and laid the groundwork for sustainable scaling.

Systems Implementation: Bill.com and Divvy

We implemented Bill.com to streamline vendor payments and approval workflows and rolled

out Divvy to manage employee card spend with built-in class tracking by location. This allowed

for real-time expense coding, better spend controls, and seamless integration into the books.

Real Estate Tax Optimization via Cost Segregation

The group owned multiple buildings used in their practice. SGAF conducted cost segregation

studies on five properties, unlocking significant bonus depreciation and real estate tax savings.

Nonprofit Formation and IRS Compliance

We supported the creation and launch of two separately structured 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities,

handling state registrations, EINs, and successful IRS Form 1023 filings—ensuring compliance

with charitable contribution rules and unrelated business income tax (UBIT) risks.

M&A and Business Disposition Advisory

We advised the group on several clinic acquisitions and divestitures, supporting deal

structuring, tax allocation planning, and post-closing accounting setup.

The Result: Over $300,000 in Tax Savings and a Scalable Financial Foundation
With SGAF’s partnership, the chiropractic group achieved:

More than $300,000 in first-year tax savings from cost segregation, entity optimization, and proactive planning
Fully compliant multi-state tax filings and clarified entity structures
Unified, location-level financial reporting using class tracking
A trained internal finance team and standardized monthly close procedures
Automated workflows via Bill.com and Divvy, reducing manual inefficiencies
Successful formation of two nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission

The group’s leadership now meets with SGAF on a quarterly basis for tax planning, business

strategy, and financial performance reviews—transforming what was once a fragmented back

office into a unified, scalable finance operation.

Build a Financial System That Grows with Your Healthcare Business

At SGAF, we help healthcare and chiropractic groups grow with confidence. From entity

structuring and tax planning to real estate optimization and financial system design, we act as

your full-service financial department.

Avoid costly mistakes. Maximize your tax position. Build a scalable infrastructure for growth.

Schedule a Strategy Call with Our Healthcare Advisory Team Today

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