General Articles

We are pleased to introduce our newest members of Brickley DeLong:

Jacob Barton, staff accountant (Grand Rapids)
Jacob joined the Firm in January 2015 as a tax intern. He continued working with us after tax season part-time and began full-time in January 2016. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University. In his free time, Jacob enjoys watching and playing sports; and, he has a specific interest in college football and basketball. He currently resides in Wyoming, MI.

Kim DeJonge, receptionist (Muskegon)
Kim joined the Firm in January 2015. She lives in North Muskegon with her husband of 25 years. She has three kids and eight grandkids. Kim is a graduate of Baker College and has previously worked as a paraprofessional and an office manager. In her free time, she loves to hike, bike, and spend time with her grandkids.

Sara Evans, staff accountant (Muskegon)
Sara joined the Firm in February 2016 as a staff accountant. She is from Rothbury, MI and has lived in Muskegon for the past 12 years. Sara received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Kaplan University. Her prep courses for the CPA exam are completed, and she plans to finish the exam in the next year. She is married and has a seven-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her children’s sports.

Lannon Unick, staff accountant (Muskegon)
Lannon grew up in Farmington Hills. She started her career in retail banking, then bookkeeping, and then tax prep (when she went back to school full-time). She has lived in New York City for the past ten years. Her degree is from Brooklyn College in public accountancy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, knitting, Netflix, and languages. She speaks fluent Spanish, conversational French, rough Italian, and has begun learning German.

Margaret Westman, intern (Grand Rapids)
Margo began interning with us in January 2016. She is from Harbor Springs, a small town in Northern Michigan. She moved to Grand Rapids to attend Aquinas College where she is currently a sophomore in the process of obtaining a degree in professional accountancy. Upon completion of the five-year program, Margo plans to take time off to travel. Margo’s hobbies include hiking, kayaking, skating, and reading.

Beth Wilcox, staff accountant (Grand Rapids)
Beth joined the Firm in 2016 as a staff accountant. She is from Fremont, MI. She received her degree from Ferris University, which allowed her to stay relatively close to her family. Her hobbies include board games and scrapbooking. She recently got her scuba diving license. So far, she has only been diving in one lake and is excited to do more this summer. She has a fox terrier named Gambit, which she refers to as her baby.

Learn more about careers at Brickley DeLong.

John Wiegand, in a recent article published in MiBiz, discusses how manufacturers are increasingly looking to acquisitions as a way to add capacity and adhere to customer demand.

Prior to this, because of the recession, manufactures were forced to run their businesses as lean as possible. Now, as the economy improves, manufacturers are increasingly making acquisitions that may be international expansions or related to new automation/technology.

M&A advisors are stating that it is currently a seller’s market, but predict this to be changing.

To read the full referenced article, click here. For information on mergers and acquisitions or business valuations, please contact Patrick Mutchler at (231) 726-5870 or pmutchler@brickleydelong.com.

In impeccable time before Valentine’s Day, author Susan Steinbrecher, in an article published in Inc., lists 21 ways to win the hearts of your employees. As an employee in charge of recruiting and retention, I feel the ideas expressed by Steinbrecher are crucial for employers to retain talent and keep employees engaged. The 21 ideas she lists are:

1. Be a good listener. Employees will be motivated when you listen in the present moment with empathy and understanding.
2. Coach, mentor and develop your associates. Provide ample opportunities for growth and development.
3. Ask better questions and offer support.
4. Tell the truth.
5. Hold yourself accountable.
6. Be approachable. Have an open door policy.
7. Celebrate successes.
8. Make work interesting and challenging.
9. Trust people to make the right decisions. This boosts confidence and cultivates mutual respect.
10. Support and encourage health and wellness programs.
11. Be flexible with scheduling, whenever possible.
12. Avoid judgments and quick assumptions. Instead, pause and seek to understand.
13. Affirm or enhance self-esteem.
14. Say “thank you” for a job well done, and be specific with your feedback.
15. Observe the day-to-day operations and make time to personally connect with others.
16. Relinquish control. Doing so empowers employees and fosters confidence-building opportunities.
17. Practice mindfulness. Know the impact of your words and actions.
18. Commit to ongoing personal growth and build the habits that you want others to emulate.
19. Be humble; be teachable. Do not be afraid to admit your mistakes.
20. Encourage creativity. Endeavor to be open to new ideas.
21. Be courageous enough to lead with your heart.

At Brickley DeLong, we believe in the importance of all of our employees. We strive to commit to many of these practices as a Firm. For example, we uphold a family/team-oriented culture. A client is a Firm client, and we work together to deliver the best possible client service. With our open door policy, employees are encouraged to ask questions. Staff members regularly sit down with Partners and Managers to discuss client work. It is our goal through training and work-experience to empower our employees to grow their skills and continue to take on more challenging work and roles.

To read the full referenced article, click here. For more information on working at Brickley DeLong, please visit our career pages or contact Jennifer Kloosterhouse at (616) 608-8532 or jkloosterhouse@brickleydelong.com.

Joe Boomgaard and John Wiegand, in a recent article published in MiBiz, discuss the growing craft beer industry and its demand for material handling products. While the craft beer industry has reached almost 20 billion, the number of manufactures that cater to the industry remains small. Reasoning for this is the learning curve for the equipment and the long outstanding relationships that brewers have already established with their out-of-state suppliers. Many brewers, however, aim to use local suppliers whenever possible.

The article goes on to state the challenges for manufacturers in catering to the brewery market, such as order volume, quality perception, and strict standards of equipment.

Nick Manes, in a recent article published in MiBiz, discusses the revitalization that is happening on Grand Rapids’ west side. After Leonard Street was closed for sewer construction in the early 2000s, many businesses closed down. Now, a local cidery, The People’s Cider Co. LLC hopes to open a tasting room in May on Leonard Street. The business would join the popular Mitten Brewing Company as well as Long Road Distillers.

The owners of Long Road Distillers have additional plans for the area. They are hoping to convert an abandoned and contaminated gas station property to a two or three story apartment or office building.

The West Grand Neighborhood Association is in support of adding housing and new business to the area.

While these are just a few of the new and hopeful projects, other investors are working to recover vacant buildings in the area. It is hoped that investors continue to see the potential in the area and more unoccupied buildings continue to be recreated.

For more information on this revitalization on the west side, please read the full referenced article.

The IRS has published questions and answers in regards to health care information forms for individuals (Forms 1095-A, 1095-B, and 1095-C).

The questions they answer are:

1. Will I receive any new health care tax forms in 2016 to help me complete my tax return?
2. When will I receive these health care tax forms?
3. Must I wait to file until I receive these forms?
4. What are the health care tax forms that I might receive and how do I use them?
5. How will I receive these forms?
6. My employer or health coverage provider has suggested that I opt to receive these forms electronically rather than on paper.  Are they allowed to ask me that?
7. Will I get at least one form?
8. Will I get more than one form?
9. Will I get a Form 1095-C from each of my employers?
10. How are the forms similar?
11. How are the forms different?
12. What do I need to do with these forms?
13. What should I do if:
    1. I have a question about the form I received,
    2. I think I should have gotten a form but did not get it,
    3. I need a replacement form, or
    4. I believe the form I received has an error?
14. Can I file my tax return if I have not received any or all of these forms?
15. Am I required to file a tax return if I receive one of these forms?
16. Should I attach Form 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C to my tax return?

To view the answers to these questions, click here.  For assistance in using these forms, please contact Brian McFarren at (231) 726-5815 or bmcfarren@brickleydelong.com.

Learn about our individual taxation services.

The February issue of the Journal of Accountancy discusses the new standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) that is intended to improve how deferred taxes are classified on organizations’ balance sheets. The goal in the new standard is to make financial reporting less complicated while still providing the necessary information.

Currently, an entity must separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement. The new standard simplifies this process and requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement.

The amendment takes effect for financial periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2016 for public companies and beginning after December 15, 2017 for private companies, not-for-profits, and employee benefit plans.

To read the full referenced article, click here. For more information on financial reporting and the new standard issued by the FASB, please contact Patrick Mutchler, (231) 726-5870 or pmutchler@brickleydelong.com.

Learn more about our audits, review and compilation services.

Brickley DeLong is pleased to announce the following promotions:

Michael Atkinson, CPA has been promoted to Supervisor. Mike began with the Firm in July 2013. Prior to being employed with Brickley DeLong, he worked at a Firm in Jackson, MI. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University. He is employed at the Firm’s Muskegon office.

Donny Baird has been promoted to Senior Accountant. Donny began with the Firm in January 2014. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University. He is currently preparing to sit for the CPA exam. He works at the Firm’s Grand Rapids and Muskegon offices.

Kerry Halloran, CPA has been promoted to Manager. Kerry began with the Firm in July 2008 following graduating with her Master’s from Michigan State University. She is employed at the Firm’s Muskegon office.

Jennifer Kloosterhouse has been promoted to Director of Marketing, Recruiting, and Retention. Jennifer began with the Firm May 2012 following her graduation from Grand Valley State University. She holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She will headed at the Firm’s Grand Rapids office.

Elizabeth Kramb, CPA has been promoted to Supervisor. Liz began with the Firm in December 2011 after her previous Firm merged with Brickley DeLong. She is a graduate of Davenport University, and is employed at the Firm’s Grand Rapids office.

A recent article published in the Journal of Accountancy, discusses GASB 77 and its new disclosures. The article discusses how many state and local government will give businesses tax breaks to ensure that the businesses locate in their territory, which in turn helps stimulates economic growth.

GASB 77 requires new government disclosures about such agreements with entities and individuals such as:

• The purchase of the tax abatement program,
• The tax being abated,
• The dollar amount of taxes abated,
• Provisions for recapturing abated taxes,
• The types of commitments made by tax abatement recipients,  and
• Other commitments made by a government in tax abatement agreements, such as to build infrastructure assets.

The new standards will take affect for financial statements for periods beginning after December 15, 2015.

To read the full referenced article, click here.  For more information on GASB 77, please contact Eric VanDop at (231) 726-5855.

Learn about our audit, review and compilation services or learn about our municipalities services.