In this transcript from a video by Steven J Wick & Associates PC, Steve Wick, a Fort Collins–based CPA, walks through how growing businesses often lose control of their finances—and how a proactive accounting approach can help restore clarity and stability. This video is especially relevant for business owners seeking guidance from a small business accountant Fort Collins professionals trust, as it covers common pain points such as tax notices, payroll issues, disorganized records, and long-term planning.

Steve explains what typically prompts business owners to seek help, what the first 90 days of working with his firm look like, and how structured financial reviews and business development meetings can turn confusion into actionable goals.

Disclaimer: This video and transcript are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Every business situation is unique. We strongly recommend contacting a qualified CPA to discuss your specific circumstances.

Business Owner Scenario: When Growth Outpaces Financial Systems (00:00:17 – 00:01:20)

I’m Sally. I have a manufacturing business, and it has really taken off. I can’t keep up with everything financially while also trying to make sure orders get out. What would be the first questions you would ask?

Sally, oftentimes clients come in because they received a tax bill from their previous accountant that was much higher than they expected, and no one could clearly explain why they owed that amount. Sometimes the explanation just wasn’t given in a way they could understand.

Unfortunately, other times it’s the “shoebox” situation. They’ve gotten so busy that they can’t keep up with payroll for their workers, or they receive an IRS notice because something wasn’t filed. It might also be a city or county notice for sales tax that should have been filed but wasn’t.

At that point, they realize they’ve become so busy that they’re no longer keeping up financially, and they need help.

Why Growing Businesses Lose Financial Control (00:01:26 – 00:02:18)

Every business is like a three-legged stool. There’s the marketing and sales side, the product side, and the administrative or overhead side—where accounting fits in.

When a business is small, those legs are very short. But as the business grows, those legs get longer, and at some point the owner realizes they need help.

Often, it’s because they don’t understand their current accountant, they’re not getting calls returned, or they’re not receiving clear explanations. Sometimes the accountant just says, “The numbers say this, and that’s what you owe,” without explaining why.

Other times, everything is simply out of control. They get a notice and finally realize they can’t do this on their own anymore.

The First 90 Days: Financial Cleanup and Compliance (00:02:25 – 00:02:47)

Within the first 90 days, we gather all of your information, prepare financials, and complete an initial financial statement review.

This gives you a solid baseline—something reliable to work from. We also make sure you’re properly set up with any regulatory agencies you need to report to, so everything is handled correctly going forward.

Business Development Meetings Beyond Accounting (00:02:49 – 00:03:38)

After that first financial statement review, we schedule a business development meeting. During this meeting, we talk about many areas of your business—sometimes things that have nothing directly to do with accounting.

We discuss questions like: Do you have an employee manual? Do you have an employee review system? What policies do you have in place? Do you ever take a vacation? Do you have a will?

We also look at whether the business is totally dependent on you as the owner, what products or services you offer, and how everything fits together. The goal is to get on the same page, create a plan, and start working through these issues strategically.

Turning Goals Into Actionable Plans (00:03:40 – 00:05:32)

During the business development meeting, you’ll naturally ask whether we create the plan together during the meeting or if we just discuss goals and I follow up later with a strategy.

Usually, by the end of the meeting, you’ll have action plans in place. We establish short-, medium-, and long-term goals, often using SMART goal principles, so they’re realistic and actionable.

We don’t try to do everything at once. Instead of dumping the whole truck, we start with a few shovelfuls—complete those tasks, then move on to the next action item.

I review these goals with clients periodically, at least once a year and often more frequently. When we talk monthly or quarterly, I’ll ask how they’re doing on specific goals—almost like checking on homework assignments.

Ultimately, the client has to implement the plan. I’m an advisor. If a goal becomes less important, that’s fine, but there can be consequences. Often, unresolved goals resurface later, and we realize they could have prevented ongoing issues if addressed earlier.

Onboarding, Documentation, and Secure Communication (00:05:41 – 00:06:49)

When you come on board—whether in person or virtually—I send a homework assignment that includes gathering a lot of information.

If you’re working with checks, credit card statements, or similar records, we may sit down together and code those transactions until we understand your vendors and expenses.

We’ll also collect information from your previous accountant, including old tax returns and backup records from any accounting systems you’ve used.

To manage all of this securely, we use a client portal. You can upload documents with a scanner, mail them, or drop them off in person. We strongly discourage sending sensitive documents by email and encourage using secure methods whenever possible.

Conclusion: Working With a Small Business Accountant in Fort Collins

A growing business doesn’t fail because of success—it struggles when financial systems don’t grow alongside it. As this video from Steven J Wick & Associates PC shows, working with a small business accountant Fort Collins entrepreneurs rely on can help bring order, clarity, and long-term direction to your finances.

From resolving tax notices and organizing records to creating actionable business goals, the right CPA partnership can transform financial stress into informed decision-making. If your business is growing faster than your systems, consider reaching out to a qualified CPA to discuss your specific needs and next steps.