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Tax season shouldn’t feel like a scramble. Yet for many people, it does. Often, the issue isn’t just about taxes themselves. It’s about whether your tax preparer is truly serving your evolving financial needs.

As your life changes, whether through career advancement, investment growth, major purchases, or retirement planning, your tax situation becomes more complex. The person who helped you file a simple 1040 five years ago may no longer be equipped to handle where you are today.

So how do you know when it’s time to make a change?

Top Signs You’ve Outgrown your Tax Preparer

This article will walk you through five clear signs that you’ve outgrown your current tax preparer and need someone who can grow with you.

1. You Only Hear from Them Once a Year

Does your tax preparer disappear after April 15th, only to resurface the following tax season? If so, you’re missing out on valuable year-round support.

Tax preparation shouldn’t be a once-a-year transaction. Your financial life doesn’t pause between filing deadlines, and neither should your tax strategy. Major life events, like getting married, buying a home, changing jobs, or receiving an inheritance, all have tax implications that need to be addressed when they happen, not months later.

A good tax preparer stays engaged throughout the year. They check in proactively, answer questions as they arise, and help you make informed decisions in real time.

“The best time to call your CPA is before you make the decision, not after,” says Edmond Zhou, a Partner in BPM’s Private Client Services Group. “By the time clients come to us after executing a transaction, their options are limited. Some mistakes can be corrected, but it’s almost always more expensive to fix than prevent—and certain tax consequences are permanent. When clients involve us proactively, we can help structure decisions to optimize their tax position and avoid pitfalls that could have lasting financial impact.”

2. There’s No Planning Happening

Here’s a critical distinction: tax preparation and tax planning are not the same thing.

Tax preparation is backward-looking. It’s about reporting what already happened. Tax planning is forward-looking. It’s about strategically positioning yourself to minimize your tax burden in the years ahead.

If your tax preparer only asks for your documents, runs the numbers, and files your return without discussing strategies to reduce your future tax liability, you’re not getting the full picture.

Are they talking to you about:

Roth conversions?
Tax-loss harvesting?
Estate planning?
Estimated tax payments?
Retirement contribution strategies?
How to structure income from side businesses or rental properties?

If these conversations aren’t happening, you’re leaving money on the table.

3. They Don’t Ask About Your Life Changes

Did you get a promotion with stock options? Start a side business? Move to a different state? Have a child? If your tax preparer isn’t asking about these changes, they’re not paying attention.

Life changes trigger tax implications. A good tax preparer doesn’t wait for you to volunteer this information, they actively ask questions and probe for updates that could affect your tax situation.

When someone takes a hands-off approach and simply processes whatever documents you send, they can’t provide the tailored guidance you need. Your taxes should reflect your unique situation, not a cookie-cutter approach.

4. You Don’t Understand Your Return

Do you know why you got a refund or owed money? Can you explain the deductions on your return? Do you understand how your withholding affects your take-home pay? If the answer is no, your tax preparer isn’t educating you.

You shouldn’t feel confused about your own finances. A good tax preparer takes time to explain your return in plain language, walks you through the key numbers, and helps you understand the “why” behind everything.

When you understand your taxes, you can make better financial decisions throughout the year. You’ll know whether to adjust your withholding, when to make estimated payments, and how different choices will impact your bottom line.

5. Your Situation Has Become More Complex

Maybe when you started working with your current tax preparer, you had a straightforward W-2 and a standard deduction. That was enough back then.

But now things look different. Perhaps you have:

Multiple income streams
Investment accounts with dividends and capital gains
Rental property
A small business or freelance work
Kids heading to college
Aging parents you support financially
Estate planning considerations

If your financial situation has evolved but your tax preparer’s services haven’t, you’ve outgrown them. Complexity requires someone who can navigate the nuances and find opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

Learn more about our Private Client Services

Making the Switch to BPM

Recognizing these signs is the first step. The next step is finding a tax preparer who views your financial success as a partnership that can grow along with your needs.

At BPM, we believe tax preparation should be just one piece of a comprehensive approach to your financial life. We provide year-round support, proactive tax planning, and personalized strategies that adapt as your life changes. Our team takes time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and ensure you feel confident about every decision.

To schedule a consultation and discover how strategic tax planning can make a real difference in your financial future, contact us.

Your business is growing. Revenue is climbing, and new opportunities appear daily. But somewhere between managing operations and chasing the next milestone, your financial picture has become murky. You’re not alone in this challenge.

Many growing companies reach a point where spreadsheets and basic bookkeeping no longer cut it. Strategic financial leadership becomes necessary, but hiring a fractional CFO isn’t financially viable or operationally justified. This gap creates real problems that can slow growth or lead to costly mistakes.

8 Key Signs It’s Time to Hire a Fractional CFO

A fractional CFO offers a solution. These seasoned finance professionals work with your company part-time, providing high-level financial guidance without the full-time salary and benefits package. They bring strategic thinking to your financial operations and help you make smarter decisions about your company’s future.

This article explores the eight clear indicators that signal it’s time to bring a fractional CFO onto your team.

1. Your Financial Reports Don’t Tell You What You Need to Know

You receive monthly financial statements, but they don’t answer your pressing questions. How much runway do you have? Which products or services actually generate profit? Where should you invest next quarter?

Basic accounting creates historical records. Strategic finance provides forward-looking insights. When your financial reports leave you guessing about critical business decisions, you need someone who can transform data into actionable intelligence.

2. Cash Flow Has Become Unpredictable

Money comes in and goes out, but you can’t predict when or how much. You’ve had months where the bank balance looked healthy, only to scramble for cash weeks later. This volatility makes planning nearly impossible.

A fractional CFO builds cash flow forecasting models that account for your business cycles, payment terms, and growth trajectory. They help you understand when cash crunches will occur and create strategies to smooth out the bumps.

3. You’re Preparing to Raise Capital

Investors ask tough questions. They want detailed financial projections, clear unit economics, and proof that you understand your numbers inside and out. Preparing for a funding round while running your business stretches you thin.

Fractional CFOs speak the language investors expect. They build the financial models, prepare the materials, and help you tell your financial story convincingly. Their involvement signals to investors that you take financial management seriously.

4. Pricing Feels Like Guesswork

You set prices based on competitors or gut instinct. You’re not confident about your margins, and you suspect some products or services might actually lose money. Without clear cost analysis, pricing becomes a shot in the dark.

Strategic pricing requires understanding your true costs, including overhead allocation, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value. A fractional CFO breaks down these numbers and helps you price for profitability, not just revenue.

5. You’re Considering a Major Business Decision

Acquisitions, new product launches, geographic expansion, or significant equipment purchases all carry financial implications that ripple through your business. These decisions demand rigorous financial analysis, not back-of-the-envelope calculations.

A fractional CFO models different scenarios, identifies risks, and quantifies potential returns. They help you understand the full financial impact before you commit resources to major initiatives.

6. Your Accounting Team Is Overwhelmed

Your bookkeeper or controller does excellent work keeping the books clean and taxes filed. But they’re drowning in daily transactions and month-end close activities. They don’t have time for strategic planning, and that’s not where their strengths lie anyway.

Fractional CFOs work alongside your accounting team, not instead of them. They provide strategic oversight while your existing team continues handling day-to-day operations. This combination gives you both tactical execution and strategic direction.

7. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements Are Growing

Your industry faces increasing regulation. New reporting requirements demand attention. An audit is coming, and you’re not prepared. These compliance challenges consume time and create risk if handled incorrectly.

Fractional CFOs bring experience navigating regulatory requirements across multiple companies and industries. They ensure you meet obligations while building processes that make future compliance less burdensome.

8. You Need to Professionalize for Growth

Early-stage informality worked when you were smaller. Now you need proper financial controls, documented processes, and systems that scale. Investors, lenders, or potential acquirers expect professional financial management.

A fractional CFO builds the infrastructure that supports your next growth phase. They implement controls, select appropriate software, and create processes that bring discipline without bureaucracy.

Learn more about our Fractional CFO Services

Working With BPM for CFO Services

Recognizing these signs is the first step. Taking action is what drives results. BPM’s fractional CFO services provide the strategic financial leadership your growing business needs without the commitment of a full-time hire.

Our professionals bring decades of combined experience across industries and business stages. We integrate with your team, understand your unique challenges, and deliver practical solutions that move your business forward. To discuss how our fractional CFO services can help you navigate your next growth phase with confidence, contact us.

The business world is changing fast, and agentic AI is leading the charge. This isn’t your standard automation tool that waits for commands and follows rigid scripts. Agentic AI thinks, plans, and acts independently to solve complex problems in real time. It’s reshaping how companies operate by taking on tasks that once required constant human oversight.

Organizations across industries are discovering that agentic AI offers more than efficiency gains. It’s becoming a strategic asset that drives smarter decisions, reduces costs, and adapts to changing market conditions without missing a beat.

5 Key Advantages of Leveraging Agentic AI in Business Operations

This article explores the key advantages of agentic AI in business operations and how it’s helping companies build more resilient, agile operations.

1. Greater Operational Efficiency Through Intelligent Automation

Agentic AI takes automation to a new level by handling multi-step processes without human intervention. Traditional automation tools follow predefined rules, but agentic AI analyzes situations, makes decisions, and adjusts its approach based on outcomes. This means your business operations can run smoothly even when conditions change unexpectedly.

Manufacturing operations benefit significantly from this capability. Agentic AI monitors production lines, identifies potential bottlenecks before they occur, and reallocates resources to maintain optimal output. The system doesn’t wait for someone to notice a problem—it acts proactively to prevent disruptions.

Service operations see similar improvements. Customer inquiries get routed to the right resources automatically, inventory systems update themselves based on demand patterns, and scheduling conflicts resolve without manager involvement. Your team spends less time on routine coordination and more time on strategic initiatives.

2. Significant Cost Reduction Across Multiple Functions

The financial impact of agentic AI becomes clear quickly. These systems reduce labor costs by handling tasks that previously required dedicated staff. They also minimize errors that lead to expensive corrections, refunds, or compliance issues.

Customer service represents one of the clearest examples. Agentic AI resolves common inquiries autonomously, reducing the volume of cases that require human agents. Industry projections suggest this technology will handle the vast majority of routine service interactions within the next few years, leading to substantial cost savings.

Supply chain operations benefit from reduced waste and better inventory management. Agentic AI predicts demand fluctuations, optimizes ordering schedules, and identifies the most cost-effective shipping routes. These improvements compound over time, creating ongoing financial benefits that directly impact your bottom line.

3. Real-Time Decision Making That Adapts to Change

Markets move fast, and business conditions can shift in moments. Agentic AI processes information as it arrives and adjusts strategies accordingly. This real-time responsiveness gives your organization a competitive advantage in dynamic environments.

Financial services firms use agentic AI to monitor transactions and detect fraud as it happens. The system recognizes unusual patterns instantly and takes protective action before damage occurs. This speed of response is impossible with manual review processes or even traditional automated systems.

Pricing strategies also benefit from this agility. Agentic AI analyzes competitor pricing, inventory levels, and demand signals to recommend optimal price points throughout the day. Your business stays competitive without requiring constant manual price adjustments.

4. Enhanced Scalability Without Proportional Resource Increases

Growing a business typically means hiring more people and expanding infrastructure. Agentic AI changes this equation by handling increased workload without requiring proportional resource additions. Your operations can scale up or down based on demand while maintaining consistent quality.

During peak seasons, agentic AI manages the surge in customer interactions, order processing, and logistics coordination. When demand normalizes, the system adjusts seamlessly without the challenges of managing temporary staff or idle resources.

This scalability extends across departments. Marketing campaigns can reach larger audiences with personalized messaging, sales teams can manage more leads effectively, and operations can handle higher transaction volumes—all without overwhelming your workforce.

5. Continuous Learning That Improves Performance Over Time

Perhaps the most valuable advantage is that agentic AI gets better with experience. Every interaction teaches the system something new. It identifies which approaches work best, learns from mistakes, and refines its strategies continuously.

This creates a virtuous cycle of improvement. The longer agentic AI operates within your business, the more effective it becomes at handling your specific challenges. It develops deep knowledge of your processes, customers, and market conditions that informs increasingly sophisticated decision-making.

Unlike human employees who may forget training or develop inconsistent habits, agentic AI maintains and builds upon its knowledge base. Best practices become embedded in the system, ensuring consistent execution across all operations.

Learn more about our Agentic AI Services

Partner With BPM for Your Agentic AI Journey

The advantages of agentic AI are clear, but successful adoption requires more than technical capability. BPM’s agentic AI services help organizations navigate every phase of implementation—from strategic planning sessions that identify where agentic AI can make the biggest impact on your business, to change management support that builds organizational buy-in and prepares your teams for new ways of working. We integrate agentic AI with your existing systems and provide the ongoing guidance needed to ensure the technology delivers lasting value.

Your business operations deserve technology that works as hard as you do. To explore how our agentic AI services can give your business the intelligent edge it needs to thrive, contact us.

Building a family office is one of the most significant decisions ultra-high-net-worth families will make. This structure can preserve wealth across generations, align family values with financial goals, and create a lasting legacy. Yet many families rush into formation without addressing fundamental questions that determine long-term success.

The process demands careful planning and thoughtful consideration of your family’s unique circumstances. You need to examine everything from governance structures to investment philosophies before committing resources to this endeavor.

6 Questions You Should Answer When Building a Family Office

This article explores the essential questions every family should answer when building a family office.

1. What Are Your Family’s Core Values and Definition of Success?

Your family office should reflect what matters most to your family. Start by gathering multiple generations to discuss shared values, priorities, and what success means to each member. These conversations often reveal different perspectives that need reconciliation before you move forward.

Success might mean preserving capital for future generations. It could involve supporting philanthropic causes that align with your beliefs. Some families prioritize education and preparing younger members to manage wealth responsibly. Others focus on maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that built the family fortune.

Document these values clearly. They will guide every decision your family office makes, from investment choices to hiring staff. Without this foundation, your office may drift without clear purpose or direction.

2. How Will You Structure Governance and Decision-Making?

Governance determines how your family office operates and who makes critical decisions. You need clear frameworks that prevent conflicts and ensure accountability while remaining flexible enough to adapt as your family grows and changes.

Start by deciding who will serve on your family office board. Consider forming committees for investments, audit functions, and philanthropic activities. Each committee should have defined responsibilities, meeting schedules, and decision-making authority.

Create a family constitution that outlines voting rights, distribution policies, and procedures for adding or removing family members from leadership roles. This document becomes your roadmap for navigating complex family dynamics while maintaining professional operations.

3. What Investment Philosophy Will Guide Your Portfolio?

Your investment approach should align with your family’s risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. Some families prefer conservative strategies focused on wealth preservation. Others pursue aggressive growth through private equity, venture capital, or direct investments in operating businesses.

Consider how much involvement family members want in investment decisions. Will you hire external managers or build an internal investment team? How will you balance liquidity needs with long-term return objectives? What role will ESG considerations play in your portfolio construction?

These questions require honest assessment of your family’s capabilities and resources. Building internal investment capacity demands significant capital and ongoing commitment to attract top talent.

4. Which Operating Model Best Fits Your Needs?

Families can choose between single family offices, multifamily offices, or virtual family office structures. Each model offers distinct advantages depending on your asset size, complexity, privacy requirements, and control preferences.

Single family offices provide maximum customization and privacy but require substantial assets to justify the overhead costs. Multifamily offices offer economies of scale and shared resources while potentially sacrificing some confidentiality. Virtual family offices combine outsourced services with selective internal capabilities to reduce fixed costs.

Evaluate your budget, desired level of control, and willingness to share information with other families. The right structure enables your family office to operate efficiently while meeting your specific needs.

5. How Will You Address Risk Management and Compliance?

Family offices face numerous risks that can threaten both wealth and family harmony. You need systems to identify, monitor, and mitigate these exposures across multiple dimensions.

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and target wealthy families. Investment risks require ongoing monitoring and stress testing. Operational risks emerge from staff turnover, vendor relationships, and business continuity planning. Legal and regulatory compliance demands attention as rules change across jurisdictions.

Develop written policies for each risk category. Implement controls that provide appropriate checks and balances. Review these measures regularly and update them as your family office grows.

6. What Technology Will Support Your Operations?

Modern family offices rely on sophisticated technology platforms to manage complex financial ecosystems. You need systems that consolidate data, generate accurate reports, and provide real-time visibility into your financial position.

Look for solutions that integrate accounting, tax compliance, investment reporting, and document management. Cloud-based platforms offer security, accessibility, and disaster recovery capabilities that exceed what most family offices can build internally.

Technology should reduce administrative burden and improve decision-making. Start with core functions and expand capabilities as your needs evolve.

Partner with BPM for Family Office Success

Building a family office requires specialized knowledge across multiple disciplines, from tax planning to investment management to technology implementation. BPM brings decades of experience helping families navigate these complexities and build structures that endure across generations.

Our team works alongside your family to answer these critical questions and develop customized solutions. We understand that every family’s situation is unique, and we tailor our approach to your specific circumstances, goals, and values. To discuss how we can help you build a family office positioned for long-term success, contact us.

You’re managing multiple properties, dealing with tenant issues, and trying to close your books on time. Your back-office team is stretched thin. Sound familiar?

Real estate CFOs face a unique challenge. You need accurate financials across diverse property portfolios while keeping overhead costs manageable. Many of your peers have found a solution: strategic outsourcing of key back-office functions.

The numbers tell the story. Real estate firms that outsource non-core functions report significant cost savings and improved accuracy. But which functions should you outsource first?

Top 5 Back-Office Functions Real Estate CFOs Are Outsourcing

This article explores the five back-office areas real estate CFOs prioritize when they decide to outsource.

1. Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

Your AP and AR teams handle hundreds of transactions monthly. Vendor payments, tenant invoices, rent collections, and maintenance bills all flow through these departments. This volume creates opportunities for errors and delays.

Outsourcing AP and AR gives you immediate benefits. You gain access to dedicated teams who process invoices faster and with fewer mistakes. They use sophisticated systems that flag discrepancies before they become problems. As a result, your internal team can focus on higher-value activities like cash flow forecasting and strategic planning.

The technology advantage matters too. Outsourced providers invest in automation tools that many mid-sized firms can’t justify purchasing on their own. These tools speed up invoice processing and improve payment accuracy.

2. Payroll Processing

Payroll seems straightforward until you factor in multiple jurisdictions, varying pay structures, and constantly changing tax regulations. Property management companies often employ people across different states or regions. Each location brings its own compliance requirements.

Outsourcing payroll removes this burden from your plate. Professional payroll providers stay current on tax law changes. They handle calculations, withholdings, and remittances automatically. You reduce the risk of penalties from late or incorrect filings.

Your internal HR team also benefits. They spend less time troubleshooting paycheck errors and more time on employee development and retention strategies.

3. Financial Reporting

You need accurate financial reports to make informed decisions. But compiling reports across multiple properties takes time. Your team pulls data from various systems, reconciles accounts, and formats presentations for stakeholders.

Outsourced financial reporting teams bring structure to this process. They establish standardized procedures that ensure consistency across all properties. They deliver reports on predictable schedules. You get clearer visibility into your portfolio’s performance.

Many CFOs appreciate the scalability outsourcing provides. When you acquire new properties, your reporting capacity expands without hiring additional staff. When you sell assets, you scale down without layoffs.

4. Tax Compliance

Real estate taxation is complex. You deal with property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, and potentially taxes in multiple jurisdictions. Regulations change frequently. Missing deadlines or making errors can result in substantial penalties.

Outsourcing tax compliance transfers this risk to professionals who specialize in real estate taxation. They monitor regulatory changes that affect your properties. They prepare and file returns accurately and on time. They respond to notices from tax authorities.

The strategic value extends beyond compliance. Tax professionals who understand real estate can identify planning opportunities you might miss. They help structure transactions to minimize tax liability.

5. Human Resources Administration

HR touches every employee in your organization. Benefits enrollment, leave management, compliance documentation, and employee relations all require attention. These functions are necessary but don’t directly contribute to your core mission of managing properties.

Outsourcing HR administration frees your team to focus on strategic talent initiatives. External providers handle the paperwork and processes. They maintain compliance with employment laws. They manage benefits administration and open enrollment.

Your employees still get excellent service. Many outsourced HR providers offer self-service portals where employees can access information and make changes without involving your internal team.

Partner with BPM for Your Outsourced Accounting, Tax and HR Needs

You don’t have to outsource all five functions at once. Many real estate CFOs start with one or two areas and expand from there. BPM understands the unique challenges you face in real estate financial management. We provide tailored back-office solutions that scale with your portfolio.

Our team works as an extension of yours. We deliver the accuracy and efficiency you need while you maintain control over your financial operations. To discuss which functions make the most sense for your organization to outsource first, contact us.

Law firm leaders know that losing talented attorneys and staff is expensive. The costs go far beyond recruitment and training. When valued team members leave, they take institutional knowledge, client relationships, and momentum with them.

Retention challenges plague law firms across the country. Associates burn out under significant billable hour requirements. Paralegals sometimes feel undervalued and seek opportunities elsewhere. Even partners consider lateral moves when firm culture fails to support their success.

Strategic human resources management offers a proven solution to these retention problems. This article will explore how law firms can use proven law firm retention strategies to keep their best people engaged, productive, and committed for the long term.

Understanding Why Legal Professionals Leave

Law firms lose talent for predictable reasons. Many firms fail to address these issues until it’s too late.

Work-life balance remains the top concern for legal professionals at every level. Associates facing 2,000-hour billing requirements quickly experience burnout. Support staff juggling heavy workloads without adequate resources feel the same pressure. When firms don’t acknowledge and address these realities or offer flexibility, talented people start looking elsewhere.

Career development opportunities also drive retention decisions. Legal professionals want to grow their skills and advance their careers. Firms that fail to provide clear progression paths or ongoing training signal to their teams that development isn’t a priority. This pushes ambitious staff members toward competitors who invest in their growth.

Compensation matters, but it’s rarely the only factor. Many legal professionals will accept slightly lower pay at firms that offer better culture, meaningful work, and genuine appreciation for their contributions.

Building a Retention-Focused HR Strategy

Your retention strategy should address the root causes that drive departures. This requires moving beyond reactive measures to proactive planning.

Start by conducting honest assessments of your current environment. Anonymous surveys and periodic “Stay Interviews” help you understand what your team values and where problems exist. Exit interviews with departing staff provide insight into issues you may not see from the leadership level. These tools give you data to guide your strategy rather than guessing solutions.

Create clear career pathways for everyone in your firm. Associates need to understand what it takes to make partner or advance to senior counsel roles. Paralegals and support staff deserve defined advancement opportunities too. Document these paths in your employee handbook and discuss them during regular check-ins.

“Transparency in advancement isn’t just policy—it’s a promise. When employees see a clear path forward, they believe in their potential and in the organization’s commitment to their growth. That belief turns ambition into loyalty.” Stacy Litteral, BPM Partner

Compensation reviews should happen regularly and fairly. Make sure your salary structures remain competitive within your market and your compensation philosophy reflects your desired culture. Consider total compensation packages that include benefits, professional development budgets, and work-life balance initiatives.

Learn more about our HR Consulting Services

Implementing Programs That Keep People Engaged

Engagement drives retention. Teams that feel connected to their work and valued by their firms stay longer and perform better.

Professional Development

Professional development programs show your team you’re invested in their future. Offer regular training on emerging legal areas, technology tools, and soft skills like client communication. Support continuing legal education requirements and encourage attorneys to pursue specialized certifications. Provide similar growth opportunities for paralegals and administrative staff through relevant professional programs.

Mentoring

Mentorship strengthens connections within your firm and accelerates development. Pair junior attorneys with seasoned practitioners who can guide their growth. Create similar relationships for support staff. These connections help newer team members feel supported while reinforcing the value of your senior people.

Recognition

Recognition matters more than most people realize. Acknowledge wins both big and small. Celebrate successful case outcomes, client compliments, and milestone anniversaries. Public recognition in firm meetings and private appreciation in one-on-one conversations both contribute to a culture where people feel valued.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexible work arrangements have become essential. The legal industry initially resisted remote work, but the landscape has changed. Offer hybrid schedules where possible. Trust your team to manage their time effectively. This flexibility often costs firms nothing while dramatically improving retention.

See what’s ahead in the Professional Services Industry Outlook 2026

Measuring What Works

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Track key metrics to understand whether your retention strategies deliver results.

Monitor turnover rates across different roles and experience levels. Breaking down the data helps you identify specific problem areas. High turnover among second-year associates signals different issues than high paralegal turnover.
Conduct regular engagement surveys to track how your team feels over time. Watch for trends in responses about workload, development opportunities, and firm culture. These surveys give you early warning signs before retention problems escalate.
Review your hiring process metrics. The time it takes to fill positions and the quality of candidates you attract both reflect your firm’s reputation in the market. Difficulty hiring often indicates retention problems that have damaged your employer brand.

How BPM Can Help Your Firm Solve Retention Challenges

Many law firms lack the internal resources to build comprehensive retention strategies. Your team focuses on practicing law and serving clients. Strategic HR planning often falls to the bottom of the priority list.

BPM brings specialized knowledge in law firm human resources management. We help firms diagnose retention problems, develop targeted strategies, and implement programs that keep your best people engaged. Our consultants understand the unique challenges of the legal industry and tailor solutions to your specific situation. Whether you need help building career development frameworks, improving compensation structures, or creating a more engaging firm culture, we provide the guidance and support that drives measurable results.

To discover how strategic HR can transform your firm’s ability to keep the talent you’ve worked hard to build, contact us.

Import costs are climbing, and consumer brands face a difficult choice: absorb the increases and watch margins shrink or pass them along to customers and risk losing market share. Neither option feels great, especially when competitors seem to be holding steady on pricing.

The good news? You don’t have to accept margin erosion as inevitable. Smart brands are finding ways to protect their bottom line without alienating customers.

5 Strategies to Help Maintain Profitability as Import Costs Rise

This article will explore practical strategies your business can use to maintain profitability even as import costs continue to rise.

1. Renegotiate Your Supply Chain Relationships

Your supplier relationships shouldn’t be set in stone. When costs shift dramatically, it’s time to have honest conversations about pricing, payment terms, and volume commitments. Many suppliers would rather adjust terms than lose a valuable customer entirely.

Start by reviewing your current contracts. Look for clauses that might give you flexibility or renegotiation rights. Then approach your suppliers with data about market conditions and your business constraints. You might be surprised at their willingness to work with you.

Consider diversifying your supplier base as well. Relying on a single source makes you vulnerable to their pricing decisions. Multiple suppliers give you leverage and options when costs spike.

2. Optimize Your Product Mix

Not all products in your portfolio deliver equal margins. Rising import costs make this the perfect time to analyze which items actually drive profitability. You might discover that some SKUs cost more to import and stock than they’re worth.

Look at your sales data and margin analysis side by side. Which products generate the highest margins? Which ones have the strongest customer demand? Focus your resources on these winners and consider phasing out underperformers. You can also redesign products to reduce import costs. Sometimes small changes in materials, packaging, or components can significantly lower duties and shipping expenses without compromising quality.

3. Implement Strategic Price Increases

Price increases feel risky, but customers understand that costs rise. The key is implementing them strategically rather than across the board. Your most loyal customers and highest-value products can often bear modest increases without significant pushback.

Start with your premium products. Customers who already pay top dollar are less price-sensitive than bargain hunters. They’re buying based on quality, brand loyalty, or specific features they can’t find elsewhere.

Bundle products to create more value while increasing average transaction size. Customers may accept higher prices when they feel they’re getting more for their money. Subscription models can also help lock in revenue while providing customers with convenience and predictability.

4. Improve Operational Efficiency

Hidden costs throughout your operations might be eating into margins more than import duties. Take a hard look at your internal processes. Where are you wasting time, money, or resources?

Warehouse operations often hold significant savings opportunities. Better inventory management reduces carrying costs and minimizes write-offs from obsolete stock. Automated systems can cut labor costs and reduce errors that lead to returns and refunds.

Your shipping and fulfillment processes deserve scrutiny too. Are you using the most cost-effective carriers? Can you consolidate shipments to reduce per-unit costs? Small improvements across multiple touchpoints add up quickly.

5. Leverage Financial Strategies

Sometimes the answer isn’t reducing costs but managing them more effectively. Financial strategies can help smooth out the impact of rising import expenses on your cash flow and margins.

Currency hedging protects you from exchange rate fluctuations that can make imports more expensive. If you’re importing goods paid for in foreign currency, these tools can provide predictability and stability.

Consider adjusting your payment terms with suppliers and customers. Extending payables while shortening receivables improves cash flow and gives you more financial flexibility to weather cost increases.

Learn more about our Data Analytics

Work With BPM

Rising import costs require more than quick fixes. You need a comprehensive strategy that addresses your entire business model. BPM works with consumer brands to develop customized approaches that protect margins while supporting growth.

Our team analyzes your supply chain, operations, and financial structure to identify opportunities others miss. With advanced data analytics, we transform that information into actionable insights—revealing where margins are eroding, which SKUs underperform, and where pricing adjustments will have the greatest impact. We help you implement changes that deliver measurable results, not just theoretical savings. To discuss how we can help your brand maintain profitability in challenging market conditions, contact us.

Salt Lake City has emerged as one of the nation’s most dynamic technology hubs, with tech job growth reaching 22.9% between 2021 and 2022, according to CBRE—more than double the national average. The “Silicon Slopes” region attracts both established giants like Microsoft and Adobe alongside innovative startups valued in the billions. However, rapid growth brings unique challenges that require strategic planning and professional guidance to navigate successfully.

5 Growth Strategies for SLC-based Yechnology Companies

This article explores five critical growth strategies that tech companies in Salt Lake City should implement to achieve sustainable, long-term success.

1. Strategic tax planning maximizes innovation investments

Utah’s business-friendly tax environment provides significant advantages for tech companies, but you need strategic planning to fully capitalize on these opportunities. The state offers substantial research and development tax credits that directly support your innovation initiatives—a crucial benefit in Salt Lake City’s competitive tech landscape.

You can claim federal

R&D tax credits for qualifying activities including software development, algorithm creation and system integration projects. Utah also provides additional state-level incentives through programs like the Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program (TCIP). These credits can reduce your tax liability by thousands or even millions of dollars annually, freeing up capital for reinvestment in growth initiatives.

Strategic tax planning extends beyond credits to encompass entity structure optimization, state tax minimization strategies and international tax considerations for companies expanding globally. You need professional guidance to navigate complex regulations while maximizing available benefits and maintaining compliance across all jurisdictions where you operate.

2. ERP system implementation scales operations efficiently

Your technology infrastructure must evolve alongside your business growth, and implementing robust ERP systems becomes critical as you scale beyond startup phase. Cloud-based solutions like NetSuite provide the flexibility and scalability that growing tech companies require to manage increasingly complex operations.

Modern ERP systems integrate financial management, project tracking, inventory control and customer relationship management into unified platforms. This integration eliminates data silos that plague many growing companies and provides real-time visibility into all aspects of your business operations.

You gain automated workflows that reduce manual processes, improve accuracy and free your team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than administrative tasks. Cloud-based systems also offer the scalability to accommodate rapid growth without requiring significant infrastructure investments or system overhauls as your company expands.

3. Cybersecurity risk management protects valuable assets

Tech companies in Salt Lake City face sophisticated cyber threats that can devastate operations, compromise intellectual property and destroy customer trust. You must implement comprehensive cybersecurity risk management strategies that go beyond basic IT security measures.

Your approach should encompass threat assessment, incident response planning, employee training and regular security audits. The cost of a data breach extends far beyond immediate remediation expenses to include regulatory fines, legal fees, customer notification costs and long-term reputation damage.

Risk management strategies should also address cyber insurance coverage, vendor security assessments and compliance requirements specific to your industry. You need policies and procedures that protect both your proprietary technology and customer data while maintaining the operational flexibility essential for innovation and growth.

4. Compensation structure design attracts top talent

Salt Lake City’s competitive hiring market requires sophisticated compensation strategies that attract and retain the technical talent your company needs to grow. You must balance competitive salaries with the region’s lower cost of living while offering packages that compete with opportunities in traditional tech hubs.

Effective compensation structures incorporate base salary, performance bonuses, equity participation and comprehensive benefits packages. Stock options and equity grants become particularly important for startups and growing companies that may not match the cash compensation offered by established corporations.

You should also consider non-traditional benefits that appeal to tech professionals, including flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities and wellness programs. The goal is creating total compensation packages that recognize the value of top performers while supporting your company’s growth trajectory and budget constraints.

5. Organizational structure optimization supports agile growth

Rapid growth can strain organizational structures that worked well at smaller scales, and you need intentional design to maintain efficiency and culture as your team expands. Effective organizational structures balance hierarchy with flexibility, enabling quick decision-making while maintaining appropriate oversight.

You should implement clear reporting relationships, defined roles and responsibilities and communication channels that scale with growth. Many successful tech companies adopt matrix structures that promote collaboration across functional areas while maintaining specialized knowledge centers.

Consider implementing agile management practices that support rapid iteration and adaptation. Your organizational structure should facilitate knowledge sharing, promote innovation and maintain the entrepreneurial culture that drives success in the competitive tech environment.

Get to know more about the Technology Industry

Working with BPM for Sustainable Growth

Implementing these growth strategies requires specialized knowledge and experience that most tech companies lack internally. BPM understands the unique challenges facing technology companies in Salt Lake City’s dynamic market and provides comprehensive professional services that support sustainable growth initiatives.

Our team works with tech companies at every growth stage, from startups navigating initial scaling challenges to established companies pursuing aggressive expansion strategies. We combine deep industry knowledge with local market understanding to deliver solutions that drive measurable results for your business.

To discuss how our comprehensive professional services can support your technology company’s success in Salt Lake City’s thriving market, contact us.

Your customers make decisions based on trust. In the technology and SaaS space, that trust hinges on one critical question: Can you protect their data?

According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach report, security breaches cost companies an average of $4.45 million globally. But the damage to customer relationships often proves even more costly. Research from McKinsey shows that 87% of consumers would end their business relationship with a company over security concerns. This reality makes security certifications and compliance frameworks more than checkboxes on an audit form. They become powerful tools for building and maintaining the trust that keeps your business growing.

This article will explore how security certifications strengthen customer relationships, which certifications matter most, and how to communicate your compliance posture effectively.

Why Certifications Matter to Your Customers

Your potential customers face mounting pressure to protect their own users’ data. They need vendors who won’t become their weakest link. Security certifications provide third-party validation that you take data protection seriously.

Certifications demonstrate that your organization has implemented specific security controls and undergone rigorous testing. They show customers that you’ve invested time and resources into building a secure infrastructure. More importantly, they prove you’re willing to be held accountable by independent auditors.

“A security certification turns trust into a competitive advantage. It can accelerate procurement decisions and reduce the time spent in the due diligence process, helping deals close faster.” – Lauren Bradner, Director of Compliance Operations

Today’s buyers conduct thorough vendor risk assessments before signing contracts. They want to see evidence of your security posture, not just promises. Certifications provide that evidence in a standardized format that procurement teams and security officers understand and trust.

Learn more about our Cybersecurity Compliance Consulting Services

Essential Certifications for Technology Companies

Different certifications address different aspects of security and compliance. Understanding which ones matter most to your target customers helps you prioritize your efforts.

SOC 2 Type II has become the gold standard for SaaS companies and service organizations. This certification validates that you’ve implemented appropriate controls around security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, or privacy. The “Type II” designation means an auditor has verified these controls work effectively over time, not just on paper.
ISO 27001 provides an internationally recognized framework for information security management. This certification appeals to global customers and demonstrates a comprehensive approach to managing sensitive information. Organizations that achieve ISO 27001 certification show they’ve built security into their business processes at every level.
For companies handling payment data, PCI DSS compliance isn’t optional. This standard outlines specific requirements for secure payment processing. Even if you don’t directly handle credit card numbers, your customers need assurance that any payment systems you touch meet these stringent requirements.
HIPAA compliance becomes critical if your platform handles healthcare information. This framework protects patient privacy and sets strict standards for data handling. Healthcare customers won’t consider vendors who can’t demonstrate HIPAA compliance.
GDPR compliance matters for any company serving European customers. This regulation gives individuals control over their personal data and requires transparent data handling practices. Many companies now use GDPR principles as a baseline for privacy protection regardless of where their customers are located.

“Don’t chase every label. Prioritize and choose the ones that create the most bang for your buck (and time!) by selecting those that directly impact your business model.” – Lauren Bradner

How Certifications Strengthen Your Competitive Position

Security certifications create clear competitive advantages. They shorten sales cycles by answering security questions before prospects even ask them. Your sales team can confidently point to third-party validation instead of explaining your security measures from scratch during every demo.

Certifications also open doors to enterprise customers. Large organizations often require specific certifications from all vendors. Without them, you can’t even get through procurement, regardless of how good your product is. Having the right certifications in place means you can pursue bigger deals and enter new markets.

Your existing customers benefit too. They face their own compliance requirements and audits. When you maintain strong certifications, you make their compliance efforts easier. They can point to your certifications when their auditors ask about vendor security.

Communicating Your Compliance Posture Effectively

Earning certifications is only half the battle. You need to communicate your security posture in ways that build trust with current and prospective customers.

Create a dedicated security page on your website. List your certifications prominently and explain what each one means in plain language. Include links to your compliance reports where appropriate. Many companies offer SOC 2 reports to qualified prospects under NDA.

Transparency builds trust more effectively than marketing claims. Be open about your security practices, from encryption methods to access controls. Explain how you handle data, where you store it, and what measures you’ve implemented to protect it.

Your customer-facing teams need to understand your security posture too. Train your sales and support staff to discuss certifications confidently. They should know which questions to answer directly and when to loop in security professionals for more technical discussions.

Consider publishing a trust center that serves as a single source of truth for security information. Include real-time system status updates, security advisories, and compliance documentation. Some companies also share their security roadmap to show customers they’re continuously improving their posture.

Partner with BPM for Your Compliance Journey

Navigating the complex world of security certifications and compliance frameworks can feel overwhelming. BPM helps technology and SaaS companies achieve and maintain the certifications that matter most to their customers. Our team guides you through the entire process, from gap assessments to audit preparation to ongoing compliance management.

We understand that certifications aren’t just about passing audits. They’re about building systems and processes that genuinely protect your customers’ data while supporting your business growth. To discuss how we can help you achieve your compliance goals and accelerate your growth, contact us.

Running a winery means juggling countless moving parts. You’re managing grape purchases, tracking inventory through fermentation and aging, fulfilling wine club allocations, shipping orders across state lines, and staying compliant with Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) reporting requirements. Your accounting software should simplify these complexities, not add to them.

The right system can transform how you manage your business. The wrong one will leave you spending more time fighting your software than making great wine. This article will walk you through the key features to look for, the questions you need to ask, and how to match software capabilities to your winery’s specific needs.

Start by Understanding Your Winery’s Specific Needs

Before you evaluate any software, take stock of your current operation. Are you selling primarily through a tasting room, or do you also manage wholesale distribution? Do you run a wine club? How many different sales channels are you managing?

Your complexity matters as much as your size. A small winery with direct-to-consumer sales, a wine club, and out-of-state shipping faces different challenges than a larger operation selling exclusively through distributors. Write down your pain points. Where are you spending the most time on manual processes? Where do errors creep into your records?

Look for Wine Industry-Specific Features

Generic accounting software wasn’t built with wineries in mind. You need a system that understands how wine businesses actually operate.

Your software should track wine lots from harvest through final sale. This capability gives you accurate cost of goods sold figures, which are essential for pricing decisions and profitability analysis. Systems that only track inventory by type rather than by specific lot will leave you guessing about your true costs.

TTB compliance reporting should be straightforward, not a monthly headache. Your software should generate the reports you need without requiring manual data entry or complex workarounds. For newer winemakers, automated compliance features can save hours of frustration and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Inventory management needs to work for your reality. Can the system track bulk wine separately from bottled goods? Does it handle different package sizes? Will it alert you when supplies are running low? Your software should deplete inventory automatically as you use it and give you real-time visibility into what you have on hand.

Learn more about our NetSuite for Wineries

Evaluate Integration Capabilities

Your accounting software doesn’t exist in isolation. It needs to work seamlessly with your other systems.

If you use point-of-sale software in your tasting room, e-commerce platforms for online sales, or wine club management software, your accounting system should integrate with these tools. Manual data entry between systems wastes time and introduces errors. Look for software that can automatically sync transactions from your sales channels.

NetSuite stands out in this area. It offers robust integrations with specialized winery software and can handle multiple sales channels within a single platform. This unified approach eliminates the blind spots that come from disconnected systems.

Consider Scalability and Access

Your winery won’t stay the same size forever. Choose software that can grow with you.

Cloud-based systems offer flexibility that on-premises solutions can’t match. Your team can access data from the vineyard, the production facility, or home. You can check inventory levels, review reports, or approve transactions from anywhere.

Pay attention to user licensing. Some providers charge per user, which can become expensive as your team grows. Look for solutions that include unlimited users in their pricing structure.

Don’t Overlook Support and Training

The best software in the world won’t help you if you can’t figure out how to use it effectively. Ask about training resources and consider the following:

Does the vendor offer onboarding support?
Are there tutorials and documentation?
Can you reach customer support easily when problems arise?

Implementation matters too. Moving to new accounting software is a significant undertaking. You need a partner who understands both the technical requirements and the wine industry’s unique needs.

Match Accounting Software to Your Operation’s Complexity

Small wineries with straightforward operations might do well with basic accounting software paired with specialized wine club or direct-to-consumer (DTC) tools. This approach can be cost-effective and easier to learn.

However, if you’re managing multiple distribution channels, tracking complex allocations, or operating in multiple states, you need more robust capabilities. An all-inclusive, industry-specific platform like NetSuite can actually simplify your operations by bringing everything under one roof.

The Right Partner Makes All the Difference

Choosing accounting software is just the beginning. You need a partner who understands both the technology and your business.

BPM brings specialized knowledge in both NetSuite implementation and the wine industry. We don’t just set up software—we redesign your processes to eliminate inefficiencies and position your winery for growth. Our team helps you optimize your financial structure, build strong controls, and ensure your system delivers real value from day one.

Whether you’re making your first vintage or managing a heritage brand, we provide ongoing support to ensure your accounting software evolves with your business. To discuss how NetSuite can streamline your vineyard-to-bottle operations, contact us.