Is your business intuition lying to you? Here’s how to turn your ‘hunch’ into a financial signal.
I hope you had a restful Fourth of July. My family and I caught a Manchester Fisher Cats game with EYAA.org over the holiday weekend. There were hot dogs, fireworks, a packed stadium, and the kind of simple joy that reminds you to slow down and take stock.
Between innings, I found myself thinking about how often we confuse movement with momentum. Baseball’s great at showing you the difference. You can hustle, throw heat, swing hard….and still miss the pitch.
It’s not about effort alone. It’s about clarity, timing, and knowing what actually moves the score.
The same holds true in business.
I’ve sat at the tables where leadership is a one-way street. Rooms where clarity dies, alignment fractures, and progress stalls:
- The loudest voice calls the shots, and “strategy” is just a buzzword.
- Decisions get made before the meeting even starts, with the rest of the room invited only for show.
I’ve also been in the rooms where the real work happens:
- Where every leader contributes to a scorecard, not as a box to check, but as a tool for truth.
- Where the CFO’s numbers are discussed openly and honestly, and where “must-win battles” aren’t just PowerPoint slides, they’re shared commitments, lived out quarter after quarter.
- The organizations that succeed are those that choose discipline over distraction, substance over flash, and strategy over noise.
That’s exactly why MASCPA exists and our mission is simple…
To align life and business through strategic accounting, disciplined operations, and systems-powered advisory.
Our vision is to provide peace, clarity, and sustainable growth for founders who refuse to settle for chaos. Our values of integrity, clarity, stewardship, and genuine partnership are the foundation under every relationship, every engagement, and every decision we make.
You’re here (reading this) because you’re not interested in “hustle culture” or chasing the next shiny thing. You’re the kind of founder who’s willing to look at the numbers, challenge the story, and put in the (sometimes quiet, sometimes boring) work that leads to real, lasting results.
So this July, as you close out H1 and look ahead to H2, know this: We’re here to give you more than advice. We’re here to give you validation, rooted in real-world experience. We’re here to walk with you, as a partner who’s been in those rooms, who knows the pitfalls, and who cares about your business as much as you do.
This newsletter isn’t just another to-do on your list. It’s your playbook for clarity:
- Your financial “Wholly Trinity” as a real-world dashboard.
- A practical system to split your year in two and actually track your progress.
- Tools for sifting through the noise, building authentic strategy, and finding the calm at the center of your business.
Our promise? You will always find clarity, peace, and practical support here. No hype. No pressure. Just partnership, built on experience and trust.
Here’s to a clear, aligned, and purpose-driven second half. Let’s get to work… together!
Mark A STILES
Mid-Year “Pocket CFO” Checklist: Your Financial Trinity for Real Clarity
By now, if you’re a MASCPA client, your compliance foundation should be solid. Bookkeeping and tax filings should be up-to-date or at least, on schedule. That’s step one, real leadership starts after compliance. Now is when you use your finances to guide better decisions, not just file returns.
We built our Mid-Year “Pocket CFO” Checklist for exactly this reason. It’s free, it’s practical, and it’s designed so you can ground your next moves in truth, not guesswork.
Start with your “Whollly Trinity”, your key financials to anchor your truth:
- Balance Sheet: Are you solvent? Does your cash cover six months of expenses, or are you stretched thin? Has your equity grown year over year—or is the value leaking away? Treat your balance sheet as your “peace meter.” If cash is low or debt is up, don’t chase growth yet. Fix the foundation.
- Profit & Loss (P&L): Is your business model actually working? Are you hitting the revenue targets you set at the start of the year? Look at your margins and payroll—are costs creeping up faster than sales? The P&L cuts through busywork and tells you if all the hustle is creating real profit, or just activity.
- Statement of Cash Flows: Where is your cash actually going? This statement exposes the gap between “paper profit” and real money in the bank. Are you generating operating cash, or are you plugging gaps with new debt? Month-over-month trends matter—don’t let surprises build up.
Get the tools: Download the checklist + glossary here.
Download the Mid-Year “Pocket CFO” Checklist
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Have another set of eyes, or a sounding board, reach out anytime.
Break Your Year in Half:
From Gut Feeling to Strategic Tracking
With your Wholly Trinity in hand, July becomes your pivot point. Now is when you break your year into two distinct halves; H1 (January–June) and H2 (July–December). H1 shows you what happened. It’s your evidence. H2 is your opportunity. It’s where you respond, adjust, and re-align.
Goals, Objectives, & Must Win Battles may seem overwhelming but they are crucial to your growth. With these, ask yourself:
- Goals: What were your top goals coming into 2025? Are you on track, behind, or have your priorities shifted?
- Objectives & Must-Win Battles: These are the non-negotiables, the initiatives/commitments/accomplishments that move your business forward. If you haven’t named them, that’s okay. You’ve got time. Use the second half of the year to define, refine, or reset.
And if you don’t have clear goals yet, know this: Budget season is coming (September–November). Use July and August to get curious. Review your Wholly Trinity, observe your own patterns, and gather what you need so that when budget season arrives, you’re not starting from zero, rather from a place of self-awareness.
Sift Through the Noise: What Is Strategy? (And What Isn’t)
If you spend any time online or at local events, you know “strategy” is the most abused word in business. Everyone’s got a framework, a formula, or a hack. Here’s what I tell every founder: most of what passes for “strategy” is just noise.
Drawing from Richard Rumelt, one of the clearest thinkers in the space, real strategy is not a wish list, a parade of buzzwords, or a string of disconnected tasks.
Strategy is:
- Diagnosing what’s actually going on in your business (not what you wish was happening).
- Choosing a guiding policy: a way of thinking or working that makes sense for your reality.
- Committing to a set of coherent, connected actions that move you forward.
Strategy is not:
- Setting vague goals (“grow faster!”) and hoping the universe delivers.
- Doing everything at once because you’re scared to say no.
- Borrowing other people’s playbooks without tailoring them to your business and your life.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause. Go back to your Wholly Trinity, and let it sift out the noise. Use what’s real, not what’s trendy.
Anchor Your Must-Win Battles in the Business Box
Don’t let your biggest objectives float in the clouds, give each one a home in your business:
The Four Quadrants of the Business Box:
| Sales & Marketing: How are you showing up and winning business? | Operations: What systems or processes need tuning or automation? |
| Finance: What needs to be measured, managed, or protected? | People/Leadership: Who needs to grow, what culture needs to be built? |
Go through your must-win battles—does each one fit into a quadrant? Are you too heavy in one area? A balanced box supports a balanced business and a smoother seesaw.
MASCPA Tip: Each quarter, aim for 1–2 real, achievable objectives per quadrant. Use your “pit stops” to check progress, then course correct as you go.
July Business Brief: The News, the Levers, the Next Moves
Estimated Taxes:
June 15th’s estimated tax payment has come and gone. If you missed it, don’t stress-just fix it now. The sooner you catch up, the less penalty and interest you’ll owe. September 15th is your next checkpoint. If you’re unsure, let’s review it together; small adjustments now save big headaches later.
The “One Big, Beautiful Bill”: Tax Reform and the Quiet Levers
After months of headlines and debate, Congress has officially passed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” But here’s the truth: while the news cycle celebrates the big changes, the real opportunity for service-based founders is still in the details, elements that directly impact cash flow and tax savings.
What’s In It for You?
The new tax law is full of noise, but these are the levers every service-based founder should review (and act on):
- Expanded Section 179 Deduction: The ceiling for immediate expensing is now higher, meaning you can write off more qualifying equipment, software, and improvements in the year you buy them. That’s real cash back to reinvest—not just a paper benefit.
- Cost Segregation Gets Even Stronger: For owners of office space, clinics, or other real estate, the window for accelerated depreciation just widened. If you’ve bought or renovated a property, this is the time for a fresh cost segregation study.
- Business Interest Deduction Rules Updated: The interest you pay on business loans may now be even more deductible—but the new rules have tighter limits for larger businesses. If you’re planning to finance growth, let’s run the numbers before you borrow.
- Energy & Efficiency Credits Expanded:Clean energy credits are more generous, especially for those investing in solar, EVs, or building improvements. Even service businesses can qualify, so don’t overlook these if you’re making upgrades.
What Should You Do?
- Review Purchases: Map out any significant purchases for the year. Section 179 and bonus depreciation can free up cash fast.
- Evaluate Debt Strategy: With new interest deduction rules, it’s critical to structure loans in a tax-smart way.
- Check Property Holdings: If you own your business space, cost segregation and energy credits can drive new deductions this year.
- Don’t Wait for Tax Time: These moves require planning. Talk to us now to lock in savings.
No matter how the tax code evolves, our mission is the same: help you spot, understand, and use every lever the law allows—so you keep more of what you earn. As your fractional CFO and strategic advisor, MASCPA is tracking every change and translating the fine print into real-world opportunities for founders.
Let’s make this new law work for your business—not just for the headlines.
Schedule a Call
Want to model how a change might affect your tax plan or cash flow? Let’s walk through it together. No panic, just practical moves.
AI & Cybersecurity: Move Fast, Stay Safe
AI is reshaping business at every level—automation, client service, bookkeeping, hiring, even your inbox. QuickBooks, Microsoft, and Google are all rolling out powerful new AI features. But with every innovation comes new risks.
Here’s what founders need to know:
1. AI Can Save You Hours—If Used Intentionally
- Use trusted, mainstream tools (QuickBooks, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Notion, etc.).
- Don’t connect AI tools to your banking or payroll without understanding how your data is handled and stored.
- Train your team: most AI errors happen when humans misinterpret the results.
2. The Rise of Cyber Threats
- Generative AI is now in the hands of scammers—phishing emails, fake invoices, deepfake “vendor” calls, and even fraudulent job ads targeting your HR or accounting staff.
- Small businesses are now the #1 target for ransomware and data theft, simply because they’re often less prepared.
3. Cybersecurity Essentials for 2025:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Turn it on everywhere, especially for accounting and banking apps.
- Password managers: Use them, update them, and make them standard for your team.
- Phishing awareness: Teach your team to spot suspicious emails, links, or requests. Make it part of onboarding.
- Backups: Cloud-based AND local. Test your backup system quarterly.
- Cyber insurance: Review your policy—does it cover ransomware, social engineering, and funds transfer fraud?
4. AI + Cyber: A New Lever
- Many insurers now require proof of basic cybersecurity steps (MFA, password hygiene, regular backups) before they’ll pay a claim.
- AI can help you spot fraud and automate alerts—but only if your systems are up to date.
Founder’s Corner:
Don’t treat AI and cybersecurity as tech issues; they are business continuity levers. Protect your data, train your team, and reach out if you want a cyber risk checkup or advice on safe AI tools. The best time to lock your doors is before you see trouble on the horizon.
Next Moves – Look Local
Don’t overlook state and local grants, tax credits, or hiring incentives in your region. These aren’t always headline news, but they can quietly shift your cash flow or margin. Ask us what’s new; sometimes the best advantage is the one that isn’t being talked about.
You can download Example Grants by MASCPA Client States here:
Your Path to Peace: Our Commitment
Running a business is demanding, but it shouldn’t leave you anxious or guessing. The real reward is in finding clarity, simplifying where you can, and moving forward with purpose.
If you want a guide or a sounding board for any part of this process, from reviewing your financial trinity, to scenario-modeling tax changes, to mapping your next “must-win” MASCPA is here for you.
Here’s to clarity, alignment, and a strong second half… together.
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