Blog: Insights From the Fastlane
What lenders actually read, the ratios that matter, and how to pre-negotiate terms A bank package is not a document dump. It’s a curated, lender-ready narrative backed by numbers that survive scrutiny. Tight packages move through credit faster, earn cleaner covenants, and avoid the "please resend page 42" purgatory. At Sharp CFO™, we build packages
Most businesses run on hope and yesterday’s P&L… Cute!The companies that don’t panic on Thursdays run a 13-week cash flow. It’s simple, relentless, and unfairly effective at keeping you solvent while everyone else is guessing. What It Is A rolling, weekly forecast of cash in and cash out for the next 13 weeks. Not accrual fantasy land. Real rec
When an S-corp nets $150,000 to $250,000 before owner salary, the reflex is to crank up wages “to be safe.” That’s not always necessary. Our firm applies an effort vs. capitalization framework that pegs wages to the owner’s actual labor and credits a fair return to capital and systems. Used correctly, this approach can support a $50,000 W-2 wage fo
The Rule, In Plain English An S-corporation must pay shareholder-employees a reasonable salary for the services they perform before distributing remaining profits. This isn’t folklore; it comes from how the Internal Revenue Code treats compensation and payroll tax: IRC §162(a)(1) allows a deduction for “a reasonable allowance for salaries or other
Let’s be honest: we toss around “SWOT” a lot. CFOs love it, consultants swear by it, and half the time it’s a slide that gets skimmed between coffee refills. But do you actually know why it matters, or how to use it so it changes decisions and dollars, not just meeting minutes? Let’s review, simply and practically. A SWOT analysis is a simple frame
Not every business can afford a full-time CFO—but every business deserves CFO-level insight. Here are five simple tips that our clients use to get control of their numbers and strengthen their bottom line. 1. Cash Flow > Profit Don’t confuse “profitable on paper” with “money in the bank.” Track your inflows and outflows weekly. Many good compani
🚨 California Expands Retirement Plan Mandate 🚨 Action required by December 31, 2025. California has expanded its retirement mandate to the smallest employers. If you have even one W-2 employee (other than the owner or owner’s spouse) and do not sponsor a qualified plan, you must either (a) adopt a private plan (e.g., 401(k), SIMPLE IRA) or (b) regi
Most entrepreneurs start with passion and grit. What they usually don’t start with is a seasoned CFO in their corner. That’s where the cracks begin to show: cash flow headaches, tense bank conversations, stalled growth, or even a looming sale that could leave money on the table.A boutique CFO firm like ours exists to fix that gap. We bring executiv
As the year winds down, savvy agri-business owners have a critical opportunity to make strategic decisions that can have a significant impact on their taxes, future growth, and asset protection. Whether you’re looking to maximize deductions with Section 179, monitor your eligibility for USDA programs, plan your land sales to minimize capital gains,
In our earlier overview, we covered the major provisions of the OBBB Act that matter to agriculture. Now, let’s focus on practical applications — ways to align your purchases, sales, and income with the new law to optimize cash flow, preserve eligibility for programs, and reduce long-term tax exposure. 1. Combining Section 179 and Bonus Depreciatio
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB Act), signed into law on July 4, 2025, contains some of the most significant tax and agricultural provisions we’ve seen in years. Here’s a breakdown of the key points, with a focus on what they mean in practical terms for ranchers, farmers, and rodeo professionals. 1. Estate & Gift Tax Exemption — Protecting the