Business Owners

Business Owners

CFO For Your Small Business And Family Life

CFO + Planning

Atlas Fiduciary Financial assists in helping small business owners navigate the complex world of finances and make informed decisions to achieve their business goals.

In essence, Atlas Fiduciary acts as a CFO for your business and personal life where we provide expertise, guidance, and objectivity in managing a small business’s finances.

We bring valuable insights and experience to help business owners make informed decisions that can lead to long-term financial success.

Here are several ways in which we assist small business owners:

Financial Planning

Our comprehensive financial planning process is ideal for small business owners who want guidance in setting short-term and long-term financial goals, creating budgets, projecting cash flows, and identifying risk exposure and potential financial challenges.

Business Structure and Setup

We assist in determining the most suitable business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.) based on the business’s goals, liability considerations, and tax implications.

Budgeting and Expense Management

We help business owners create budgets that align with their business goals. They analyze expenses, identify areas for potential cost reduction, and provide guidance on efficient resource allocation.

Funding and Capital Management

We help businesses secure funding by assessing financing options such as loans, lines of credit, venture capital, or angel investment. We also provide advice on how to manage and optimize the use of available capital.

Tax Planning and Compliance

While we do not prepare tax returns, we help small business owners understand and navigate complex tax regulations. We provide guidance on deductible expenses, tax credits, and strategies to minimize tax liabilities.

Retirement and Succession Planning

We help business owners plan for their future beyond the business. They assist in developing retirement plans, succession plans, and strategies for transferring ownership to family members, employees, or outside buyers.

Investment Strategies

For businesses with excess cash, we provide guidance on how to invest those funds in ways that align with the business’s risk tolerance and financial objectives.

Risk Management

We help identify and manage various risks that a business may face, such as market fluctuations, legal liabilities, and business interruptions. We help business owners identify and quantify their risks and determine whether they should transfer the risk to an insurance company. While we don’t sell insurance policies we help shop for the right type and amount of insurance.

Employee Benefits

We assist in selecting and implementing employee benefits packages, including your COMPANY RETIREMENT PLANS, health insurance, and other perks to attract and retain valuable employees.

Financial Analysis and Reporting

While we don’t prepare financial statements, we do analyze prepared statements, ratios and key performance indicators to provide insights into the business’s financial performance to help business owners make informed decisions.

Business Expansion and Acquisition

If a business owner plans to expand or acquire another business, we will help determine the financial feasibility of such endeavors and help structure deals that align with the business’s financial capabilities.

Exit Strategies

We help business owners develop exit strategies for selling or closing the business, maximizing value, and ensuring a smooth transition.

Retirement Plan Experts

A retirement plan can be one of the best ways for small business owners to save on taxes while simultaneously preparing for their own retirement. It can also be a great vehicle to attract and retain employees. Several types of retirement plans are available to small business owners, each with its own tax advantages. Atlas Fiduciary Financial helps business owners select and implement the right plan.

Here are several ways in which we assist small business owners:

SEP-IRA

(Simplified Employee Pension)

We help business owners develop exit strategies for selling or closing the business, maximizing value, and ensuring a smooth transition.

• Contributions are made by the employer only.
• Contributions are tax-deductible for the business.
• Employees do not make contributions.
• Max contribution is the lesser of 25% of employee compensation or $66,000 (2023 limits).

SIMPLE IRA

(Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees)

We help business owners develop exit strategies for selling or closing the business, maximizing value, and ensuring a smooth transition.

• Both employers and employees contribute.
• Employers can deduct their contributions.
• Employees’ contributions are made on a pre-tax basis.
• Max employee contribution is $15,500, or $19,000 if they are 50 or older (2023 limit).

401(K)

Solo 401(k) (Individual 401(k) or Self-Employed 401(k)

• Designed for self-employed individuals and business owners with no employees (except a spouse).
• Contributions are tax-deductible for the business.
• Contributions can be made as both the employer and employee.
• Max contribution is $73,500 (2023 limit for those over 50).

Defined Benefit Plan

• Suitable for businesses with substantial income and looking for higher contribution limits.
• Provides a fixed retirement benefit based on a formula.
• Contributions are tax-deductible for the business and can be significantly larger than any
  other retirement option.
• An actuary determines contributions based on retirement benefit goals.

Roth IRA for Employees

• Not a retirement plan for the business, but it can be offered to employees.
• Employees make after-tax contributions, and withdrawals are tax-free during retirement.
• Employers do not get a deduction for contributions.
• Can be a valuable benefit to attract and retain employees.

Case Study:

The case study of David and Sue Block demonstrates the amounts we could put away in 2023 as contributions to the top retirement plan choices:

Retirement Plan Contributions
For A 54-Year-Old, Earning $330,000

Since their income is over $1M annually and is projected to continue over the next ten years when David retires, we agree they should start a Defined Benefit Plan combined with a 401(k) to maximize contributions. The benefits of this strategy were as follows:

• Total Income Tax Savings in 2023 @ 37% Marginal Rate = $116,661 (no state tax since they live in Florida)
• Projected Future Accumulation at Retirement at age 61 (plans to retire in 7 years) at a 7% rate of return = $2.7M.

Implementation of the Defined Benefit and 401k program:

Who is Involved and their role in implementation:

Steps to Implement a Plan:

Step 1:

Clarify Your Goals and Objectives, Refine Your Estimate

We will work with you to create a document that fully defines your goals and objectives and estimates your annual deductible contribution to the defined benefit plan. We will agree upon the assumptions about your age at retirement (which will come from your retirement plan and what is achievable) and the type of company you have. Our agreed assumptions will allow the TPA to develop a customized proposal for the mechanics of how your plan will work. Through the retirement plan we will make certain we agree that you can comfortably contribute each year with the level of contributions we decide upon since you will be required to commit to this contribution for a minimum of five years.

Step 2:

Complete the Set-up Questionnaire

Once we have agreed to proceed, based on the TPA proposal, we will complete a Plan Set-up Questionnaire.

Step 3:

Send Your Set-up Questionnaire with a Check with the TPA

We will review the Fee Schedule to determine the amount of your Plan Design and Document Preparation Fee. The TPA will charge to set up the plan (plan design and document preparation) between $1800 and $2500 as a one-time fee. Annual administration charges will be between $2500 and $3100. There may be other fees if we require additional services.

Step 4:

Determine the Appropriate Investment Strategy

We will develop an investment strategy that is appropriate for your retirement plan. This strategy may be similar to other funds you have asked us to manage or different, depending upon the situation. We will present the strategy to you and agree on any changes to the strategy before the plan is implemented.

Step 5:

Adopt Your Plan

As soon as your Questionnaire is completed, we will have a defined benefit specialist review it to confirm the estimate. We will then work with the TPA and you to provide any additional information and paperwork to establish your defined benefit retirement plan fully.

This will include your Plan Adoption Agreement and other legal documents. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required for all businesses, including sole proprietors.

Step 6:

Open an Investment Account and Start Contributing

Once we have received your signed Adoption Agreement and your plan has been established, we will open an investment account at Charles Schwab. We will begin implementing the investment strategy which we have agreed upon.

We recommend that you fund at most 50% of your estimated contribution amount until the TPA has calculated your final contribution amount based on end-of-year information. You have until eight and a half months after the end of your plan year or until you file your taxes, whichever is earlier, to make your full contribution.

Remember, the best retirement plan for your business depends on factors like your business structure, financial situation, and retirement goals. It is best to determine the right plan as part of our comprehensive financial planning process so we can help you decide upon the right plan and strategy for your specific circumstances.