Business Accounting & Advisory
Business Accounting and Advisory
Annette Hamilton, Forensic Accountant and Enrolled Agent
Founder and Principal, Compass Accounting & Business Solutions
Businesses require more than compliance. They require accurate financial reporting, defensible tax positions, and experienced financial judgment to support sound decisions and long term stability.
With decades of corporate finance, forensic accounting, and tax advisory experience, our firm provides structured financial oversight and strategic guidance for business owners who value clarity, integrity, and accountability.
Financial Statement Preparation and Accounting Oversight
Accurate financial statements are essential for informed decision making, tax compliance, and long-term business stability. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining an accurate and supportable Balance Sheet, as it reflects the true financial position of the business.
We prepare monthly or periodic Balance Sheets and Profit and Loss statements based on information and documentation provided by the client, including bank statements, credit card statements, payroll reports, and other financial records.
Services may include:
General ledger organization and reconciliation
Verification of asset and liability balances
Review of equity accounts and retained earnings
Monthly or quarterly financial statement preparation
Review of account classifications and consistency
Identification of reporting discrepancies
Financial data organization to support tax preparation and advisory planning
Financial statements are prepared based on information provided by the client. No audit, review, or assurance procedures are performed unless separately engaged in writing.
Accounting Cleanup and Financial Reconstruction
When accounting records have not been reconciled, tax filings have been missed, or financial reporting has fallen behind, the Balance Sheet is often inaccurate, with unsupported asset balances, unresolved liabilities, and misstated equity accounts. Structured correction is required before reliable financial statements or tax returns can be prepared.
As a Forensic Accountant and Enrolled Agent, Annette Hamilton approaches cleanup engagements with investigative discipline, focusing on accuracy, documentation integrity, and risk identification.
Engagements may include:
Multi year general ledger reconstruction
Bank and credit card reconciliation
Correction of misclassified transactions
Identification of duplicate or missing entries
Payroll and sales tax liability review
Financial statement rebuilding for prior periods
Preparation of accounting records required for delinquent tax filings
These projects are structured engagements designed to restore financial clarity, reduce compliance exposure, and establish defensible financial records. Scope is defined in writing and tailored to the complexity and number of open years.
Business Tax Preparation and Strategic Planning
Every business entity must file federal and state tax returns. Proper preparation and strategic planning are critical to minimizing exposure and maintaining compliance.
We provide preparation and planning for:
Form 1065, Partnerships
Form 1120S, S Corporations
Form 1120, C Corporations
Schedule C, Sole Proprietors and Single Member LLCs
Form 1041, Estates and Trusts
Multi-state tax compliance
Washington State Department of Revenue filings
Payroll and excise tax compliance
Our approach emphasizes accurate reporting, strategic tax minimization within the law, entity structure evaluation, audit awareness, and coordination between accounting and tax planning.
Advanced Financial Advisory and Strategic Oversight
For businesses requiring deeper financial insight, we provide expanded advisory services tailored to complexity, growth stage, and risk exposure.
These engagements move beyond compliance and focus on forward looking financial analysis and decision support.
Services may include:
Cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
Budget development and variance analysis
Profitability and margin review
KPI development and performance analysis
Tax projections and multi year planning
Internal control review and risk assessment
Financial analysis related to ownership transitions or partner changes
Engagement scope is defined in writing based on the needs of the business.
Business Valuation and Financial Analysis Support
Certain business events require structured financial analysis and assessment of value. These matters often arise in divorce proceedings, partner buyouts, shareholder disputes, or family owned business transitions.
We provide selected business valuation and financial analysis services tailored to the purpose of the engagement.
Services may include:
Historical financial review and normalization
Cash flow and earnings analysis
Ratio and trend analysis
Industry benchmarking
Financial performance reporting and documentation review in support of negotiation or legal proceedings
Engagement scope is defined in writing and structured according to the purpose of the analysis. Where a formal valuation opinion under specific professional standards is required, appropriate engagement parameters or referral options will be discussed.
Business Formation and Structural Planning
Choosing the appropriate entity structure affects taxation, reporting obligations, liability exposure, and long term flexibility.
We assist with:
Entity selection analysis
Federal tax elections
State registration considerations
Initial accounting structure design
Tax compliance setup
Establishing the correct structure at formation reduces risk and supports long term operational stability.