The COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives across the country as officials struggle to curb its spread. As cities and states have put restrictions in place to slow infections, businesses of all kinds have felt the financial squeeze.
Certified public accountants have helped guide their clients through this troubling time as they try to navigate the sudden financial strain the pandemic has brought. The CARES Act provided some relief for businesses, dispersing more than $525 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program. As the time comes for businesses to apply for PPP loan forgiveness, CPAs can provide vital assistance to ensure success for their clients. Here are some things to keep in mind while helping clients with PPP loan forgiveness.
Do your clients qualify?
Your client was able to secure a PPP loan early on in the pandemic that helped them stay afloat. But, are they eligible for loan forgiveness now? This is an important question that business owners are counting on their accountant to make clear for them. CPAs need to keep their clients informed of the requirements throughout the loan process to ensure they qualify for full forgiveness. Keeping the right number of employees on the payroll and avoiding big payouts are important factors that will affect a business’s qualification for forgiveness. A CPA can help clients meet this and other requirements before submitting their application.
Completing forgiveness applications
It’s no surprise that PPP loans can be confusing, especially for business owners dealing with a mountain of stress just trying to keep food on the table for themselves and their employees. Having a good CPA on their side is an invaluable aid for business owners during these difficult times.
Pegine Grayson, JD, CAP, is a senior vice president and director of Whittier Trust's Philanthropic Services department, leading a team of 14 in providing philanthropic advice to the company's high net worth clients and management services for their foundations and donor-advised funds.
Grayson advises clients on issues such as formalizing their philanthropy, charitable giving strategies, impactful grant-making and involving the next generation in philanthropic activities. She and her team also provide turn-key, comprehensive foundation and DAF management services, shouldering all the administrative responsibilities, so clients can simply experience the joy of giving and the positive impact it has on their families.
Grayson received her law degree from the University of Southern California Law School, her chartered advisor in philanthropy designation from The American College, and her bachelor's degree from Middlebury College. She is also trained as a mediator through the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Peter Spiegel is the founder and CEO of Ideal Living, a company whose mission is to ensure everyone has access to affordable clean air and pure water, and a solid foundation for wellness. Peter is a pioneer in direct-to-consumer marketing and an avid wellness advocate. His innovative wellness products — that include AirDoctor, AquaTru and AromaTru — have over $3 billion in sales, and have become best sellers in major retailers, such as Walmart, Target and Costco.
Ted McRae is the director of marketing at MakersHub.ai.
Keeping track of expenses and documentation after the loan is received and getting the correct paperwork put together for the forgiveness application is essential. Make sure clients meet deadlines, turn in the correct forms, and stay in touch with their lender throughout the application process. Give clients the confidence that their application is thorough and accurate to give them the best chance of their loan being fully forgiven.
Staying on top of changes
Of course, the confusion that has occurred with the Paycheck Protection Program doesn’t belong just to borrowers. Some CPAs may find they have a few questions along the way as well. Lawmakers hurried to get financial assistance to cash-strapped businesses when COVID-19 shut down the country; there were bound to be a few snags and revisions to the program. The federal government has put out notices and questions and answers to clear up issues along the way, and changes have been made to the program as the pandemic raged on through the year. It’s up to CPAs to stay apprised of these changes and updates to FAQs so they can properly assist clients. There are still more questions to be answered, including tax issues, so this is a continual process.
CPAs can provide valuable assistance to their clients who are doing their best to stay in business in the midst of a pandemic. Stay informed about the PPP loan forgiveness process and give clients a reliable adviser in their corner to guide them through the process.
