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Updated about 4 years ago on . Most recent reply presented by

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6
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Nicholas Anderson
  • Tampa, Fl
3
Votes |
6
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Spreadsheet Accounting and Going Through Audits?

Nicholas Anderson
  • Tampa, Fl
Posted
Hello BP,

So I'm a few flips into a business endeavor here and have come to the point where it is really time to get organized.  One of the issues I'm having trouble with is the accounting aspect.  All of the accounting software seems like pretty serious overkill for a single-member LLC that flips houses and is taxed on a Schedule C form.  I was able to whip up a 6 tab spreadsheet (In addition to separate detailed job accounting spreadsheets for each property) that captures my cashflow nicely but obviously has no fancy account reconciliation or accrual-based accounting with Accounts Receivable or that sort of stuff.  Just the basics.  Income statement, expenses, transaction summaries(the flips), Other income, Owners Equity, and a Cash ledger.

Now, anyone with a business that is worth a lick is currently either shaking their heads or aghast reading this.  I get it.  Its not 'pro' but I don't really want to blow subscription fees or a big upfront cost for complex software that I then have to learn for maybe 5 flips a year.  Not unless I really have to anyways.

So, onto the question, has anyone ever been through an audit with this kind of haphazard spreadsheet accounting before?  If so, was it the absolute bane of your existence or did they just kinda shrug like it was par for the course with small businesses?  I have no problems actually running the LLC with this; its small, project based, and again only needs to use a Schedule C for taxes.  My fear is that when I get the distinction of living through my first IRS shakedown I'll be creating more problems for myself than I'm solving by keeping my accounting simple and minimal.  Any thoughts on the matter?

Most Popular Reply

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386
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Greg O'Brien
  • Accountant
  • Boston, MA
335
Votes |
386
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Greg O'Brien
  • Accountant
  • Boston, MA
Replied

@Nicholas Anderson in this case, the person came to me (wasnt my client prior) so had to work with what he did and did not have records wise. The auditor was very in the weeds on two expense line items, but more about the jusitification vs tieing out. For example, she was questioning thevdeductibility of his travel vs the actual amounts. Second, we prepared a summary showing “total per line X vs total per bank statement”. They accepted this. We printed out hundreds of bank statements but they didnt even look. It turned into a negotiation as the client owed $50k plus and we probably settled under $20k.

IRS audits are highly individualized. We always suggest approaching him/her with grace, be open about any mistakes and it will go fine!

  • Greg O'Brien

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