Month: December 2025

By Brian Crafton, CPA | Outsourced Business Solutions Practice Leader

Outsourcing isn’t about giving up control; it’s about gaining capacity. As businesses grow, continuing to manage everything in-house can strain time, talent, and resources or expose the organization to unnecessary risk. The key is identifying which functions would improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, and allow leadership to focus on revenue-generating work.

Accounting and financial reporting are often among the first areas to benefit. With the right support, businesses can maintain accurate books, timely financial statements, and reliable close processes without the cost and complexity of expanding internal staff. Managed IT services can provide similar relief by reducing distractions caused by constantly changing technology while keeping systems secure, current, and dependable.

Outsourcing does require thoughtful planning. Selecting the right provider, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining clear communication are essential to building a successful long-term relationship. When approached strategically, outsourcing can become a meaningful advantage rather than a short-term fix.

Every business must determine when to outsource, which services make sense, and how to measure return on investment over time. Accounting and IT support are two of the most common functions businesses choose to outsource. If you’d like help evaluating whether these services are right for your organization, our team can provide guidance tailored to your needs. Contact ATA to schedule a consultation.

By Gabrielle Lorbiecki, CPA, CPC, QKC, QPA, QKA | Employee Benefit Plan Practice Leader

Great news for employees participating in your company’s 401(k) plan: contribution opportunities are expanding in 2026, giving workers even more room to save for the future. The standard 401(k) contribution limit will increase to $24,500 in 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025.

For team members age 50 and older, the catch‑up contribution limit will rise to $8,000, bringing their total possible 2026 contribution to $32,500.

Additionally, SECURE 2.0 introduced an enhanced “super catch‑up” contribution for employees ages 60–63, allowing them to contribute an extra $11,250 — potentially increasing their total annual 401(k) savings to $35,750 depending on plan adoption. Please note, availability of this enhanced catch-up contribution is subject to plan adoption and may not be offered by all employer plans.

Beginning in 2026, higher‑earning employees (those with prior‑year wages above $150,000, indexed for inflation) will be required to make all catch‑up and super catch‑up contributions on a Roth (after‑tax) basis. These contributions still allow tax‑free growth and tax‑free qualified withdrawals, helping employees build long‑term, flexible retirement income.

As these changes roll out, many employers and employees will have questions about plan design, eligibility, and how to maximize the new opportunities. ATA is here to help you navigate what’s ahead and ensure your plan is prepared for 2026.

The start of a new year is more than a fresh calendar, it’s an opportunity to reset, refocus, and strengthen your business for the months ahead. As 2026 begins, business owners should take time to evaluate operations, identify risks, and put the right resources in place to support sustainable growth. A thoughtful New Year checklist can help ensure nothing important gets overlooked.

1. Review financial performance and clean up your books.
Begin by reviewing last year’s financial statements. Are your books accurate, current, and telling a clear story? Timely reconciliations and reliable reporting are essential for informed decision-making. If in-house accounting has become stretched thin, outsourced accounting services can help streamline monthly close processes, improve reporting accuracy, and free your team to focus on higher-value work.

2. Plan proactively for taxes.
Tax planning shouldn’t start in April. Early in the year is the ideal time to review tax strategies, entity structure, and upcoming compliance requirements. With tax laws continuing to evolve, proactive planning can uncover opportunities to reduce liability, improve cash flow, and avoid surprises. Aligning tax planning with overall business goals is a critical step for 2026 success.

3. Evaluate technology and cybersecurity readiness.
Technology is no longer just a support function; it’s a business driver. Review whether your systems are secure, updated, and aligned with how your team actually works. Managed IT services can help ensure your network is protected, your data is backed up, and your technology supports growth rather than creating risk or downtime.

4. Assess internal processes and capacity.
As businesses grow, processes that once worked can become inefficient or risky. Take stock of who is handling key functions like accounting, payroll, HR, and IT. If critical responsibilities rest with one person or distract leadership from strategic priorities, outsourcing may provide scalability, consistency, and peace of mind.

5. Revisit growth and advisory needs.
A new year is the right time to clarify goals; think about expansion, succession planning, acquisitions, or operational improvements. Advisory support can help translate those goals into actionable plans, backed by data and practical guidance.

At ATA, businesses have access to integrated resources across tax, outsourced accounting, managed IT, advisory, and more, which are all designed to support smarter decisions and long-term success. Starting 2026 with the right checklist and the right partners can help position your business for a productive, confident year ahead. Schedule a consultation with our team.