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.
Arne Philipp Klug is MSCI's biodiversity research director, overseeing thematic research on biodiversity and natural capital. He engages with investors and key stakeholders to help clients set and prioritize their investment objectives for biodiversity. Arne previously led MSCI'S ESG research on the transportation sector. Prior to joining MSCI, he worked as an ESG analyst and account manager at Sustainalytics in Frankfurt and Toronto. Arne holds a master's degree in communications science, political economics and Hispanic studies from the University of Münster in Germany.
Alison Simons is the founder of Simons Marketing. She started in accounting marketing in 2004 as the head of marketing for a regional CPA firm. In 2013 she became an entrepreneur, and Simons Marketing was born. Simons Marketing develops and executes marketing strategies that help CPA firms reach their goals. She is a regular contributor and presenter with MassCPAs, ProVisors, AAM and is part of the BDO Alliance as a Business Resource Network member.
Peter Henderson, CPA, is a partner at Top 100 Firm Moss Adams who has worked in public accounting since 2008. He specializes in federal and state tax credits and incentives. He has degrees in both accounting and engineering, and extensive experience in mechanical and high-tech industries, including aerospace, defense, space-tech, green energy, automotive, manufacturing, and hardware and software development.
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.
