Advisory & setup
New Business Setup: Start Right From Day One
Build the foundation
The decisions you make now pay off for years
Starting a business means a hundred decisions at once — and a handful of them have tax and legal consequences that are hard to undo. Choosing the wrong entity, mixing personal and business money or setting up your books incorrectly can cost you for years.
We walk new owners through every step: comparing entity types, registering with Georgia and the IRS, setting up accounting and payroll, and choosing a retirement plan. You’ll leave with a clean foundation, a clear calendar of deadlines and a team to call when questions come up.
Business foundation services
Four things we get right with you
Entity type analysis
LLC, S corporation or C corporation? We model the tax and legal trade-offs for your situation, then handle the state and federal filings — including a timely S corp election if it makes sense.
- LLC vs. S corp vs. C corp comparison
- Georgia formation & registrations
- IRS elections and EIN
Accounting system setup
Books that are right from the first transaction: QuickBooks Online configured for your industry, bank feeds connected and a simple routine you can keep.
- Chart of accounts built for your business
- Bank, card and payment connections
- Receipt capture and bill pay workflow
Retirement plan analysis
Find the plan that builds wealth for you and your employees without breaking the bank — and captures the tax deductions that come with it.
- SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo & traditional 401(k)
- Owner and employee contribution modeling
- Deadlines and setup coordination
Credit card rewards strategy
Your business already spends money — make it earn something back. We review your spending and suggest cards and habits that turn expenses into cash back or travel.
- Spending pattern review
- Card selection guidance
- Clean categorization in your books
Startup checklist
Your Georgia startup checklist
- 1
Get an EIN
Apply for your Employer Identification Number with the IRS — it’s free and takes minutes online.
- 2
Register in Georgia
Form your LLC or corporation with the Georgia Secretary of State and get your local business license.
- 3
Open a business bank account
Keep business and personal money separate from day one — it protects you and simplifies your books.
- 4
Set up your books
Start QuickBooks Online with a clean chart of accounts and connected bank feeds.
- 5
Set up payroll
Register for Georgia withholding and unemployment accounts before your first paycheck.
- 6
Register for sales tax
Selling taxable goods or services? Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to collect and file.
FAQ
New business questions
Should I form an LLC or an S corporation?
It depends on your profit, your goals and how you want to pay yourself. An LLC is a legal structure, while an S corporation is a tax election that an LLC or corporation can make. We model the numbers both ways — read LLC or S Corp? How to Choose for the basics.
When does an S corp election make sense?
Often when the business earns enough profit that the savings on self-employment tax outweigh the added cost of running payroll and filing a separate return. We run the numbers for your situation before you elect.
How do I register a business in Georgia?
Most businesses form with the Georgia Secretary of State, get an EIN from the IRS, register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for withholding or sales tax if needed and obtain a local business license. We walk you through each step.
Which accounting software should I start with?
For most new businesses, QuickBooks Online. We set it up with a clean chart of accounts, connect your bank and card accounts and show you the routine that keeps it accurate. See QuickBooks setup.
Which retirement plan should I choose?
Options range from SEP-IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs to Solo 401(k)s and traditional 401(k) plans. The best choice depends on your income, whether you have employees and how much you want to save — we compare them side by side.
How can a credit card rewards strategy help my business?
Running regular business expenses through the right rewards card — and paying it off every month — can return meaningful cash back or travel value. We look at your spending and suggest a strategy that fits.