
Negotiating with suppliers can lead to better terms and lower costs for your business. Providing multiple payment options can make it easier for patients to pay, thereby improving your collection rates. Get accurate tax projections, strategic advice, and timely filing—so you never face surprises at tax time. This takes the pressure off you at year-end and provides peace dental bookkeeping of mind that your accounts are fully compliant. With our customized Practice Reports, you’ll know exactly how much your practice is making and where every dollar is being spent.
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#1 Set Up a Custom Chart of Accounts
Pay quarterly estimated taxes to the IRS to account for income not subject to withholding. Deduct the cost of dental equipment, technology upgrades, and software purchases. Consider taking advantage of Section 179 to expense the cost of qualifying equipment in the year of purchase. Implement automated systems for sending payment reminders to patients. Gentle reminders via email or text can significantly reduce the number of overdue payments.

B. Monitoring and Adjusting Expenses
- This ensures your records stay accurate and you get credit for allowable deductions when it’s time to file.
- This includes payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance support.
- Many business owners need help with the complexities of bookkeeping, which can leave them frustrated and behind.
- Ensure that staff responsible for bookkeeping tasks receive adequate training.
- Partnering with a small business accounting firm lets you focus on patient care while leaving the financial complexities to experts.
- It’s about gaining a team that understands the nuances of your income cycle, your seasonal patterns, and your compliance obligations.
- It’s about accurately recording transactions, managing financial documents, and keeping bank accounts in order.
Effective dental accounting does more than satisfy compliance requirements—it provides the foundation for practice growth, profitability, and long-term success. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can transform financial management from a necessary task into a competitive advantage. These providers understand the unique aspects of dental practice payroll, including production bonuses and complex compensation agreements. While profitability appears on paper, cash flow determines your ability to pay bills, meet payroll, and invest in growth. Many profitable dental practices still struggle with cash flow challenges due to the timing differences between service delivery and payment receipt. For dental practices, a well-designed chart of accounts should reflect the unique aspects of your operations while maintaining standard accounting principles.
A Small Business Tax Preparation Checklist for Therapists and Dentists in Private Practice

Along with that, we also work with many add-ons like Workflow Max, Receipt Bank, Slack, TradeGecko etc., to extend your software’s capacity and improved work experience. Through that, we complete all of your work and update it on the cloud, so you can have access to your data from anywhere and at any time. Help you with switching from your traditional software to Xero and Quickbooks. This call is your opportunity to share your challenges and explore how we can help. Take control of your concerns and discover the solutions you’ve been looking for. If you are an eCommerce seller, https://www.bookstime.com/ you can visit our sister company, EcomBalance, where we offer sales and COGS on an accrual basis, but everything else on cash.
- The IRS dental practice guide outlines common deductions and filing deadlines.
- We work with you to understand the sales tax obligations you have selling in different states and countries.
- Implement regular and secure backup procedures for digital records.
- This payment must be deposited quarterly to the EFTPS by the last day of the month after the end of each quarter.
- Knowing where your practice stands in comparison to industry benchmarks is crucial.
- Centralizing data ensures smoother workflows and accurate financial records.
- This, in turn, provides guidance on how to adapt financial strategies accordingly.
Why Dental Bookkeeping Requires a Specialized Approach
Our bookkeeping for dentists Accounting Errors can add structure to your financial processes and help you make better decisions. By employing professional bookkeeping services for dentists, you can devote more time to patient care. Bookkeeping tasks such as transaction recording, account reconciliation, and tax preparation are handled efficiently. This streamlines your practice, ensuring accurate and current financial records.
We’ve worked with multiple bookkeepers and accountants over the years and WCG has completely blown us away.
- Integrating accounting software with patient management tools makes everything more efficient.
- This comprehensive guide to dental accounting will walk you through everything you need to know about managing your finances effectively.
- Industry benchmarks suggest this should be around 15-20% of your total receivables.
- Look for a CPA who specializes in providing accounting services tailored to dental clinics, offering valuable insights into the financial health of your practice.
- Another critical aspect is separating personal and business finances.
Dental practices are businesses, so you must understand the monetary aspects to run them well. Many businesses recognize this issue after their first few months or year of operations, but the damage is done by then. To avoid unnecessary accounting work, open separate business accounts before transitioning to practice ownership. Providing care to your dental patients is a full-time job, and every additional hour you can dedicate to your core competency increases the efficiency and profitability of your business.
What is Dental Accounting?
Remember, sound bookkeeping is an investment in your practice’s future, and the rewards are well worth the effort. When selecting a CPA for your dental practice, it’s crucial to consider several factors to ensure you make the right choice. From their experience in serving dental professionals to their understanding of your unique financial challenges, finding the perfect fit can greatly benefit your practice.
Tracking Income and Expenses

Contact Virtue CPAs today to schedule a practice assessment and discover how our dental-specific expertise can help you achieve your financial goals. Remember that the right accounting relationship should feel like a partnership, not just a service. Your dental CPA should be genuinely invested in your practice’s success and proactive about identifying opportunities for improvement.
Business Tax Preparation and Filing
Dental accounting involves tracking, analyzing, and reporting all financial transactions specific to dental practices. As a specialized branch of accounting, it addresses the unique financial aspects of running a dental office, from insurance billing complexities to equipment depreciation. Your investments in equipment, staffing, and office space create a complex web of expenses and revenue sources. Bookkeeping for dental offices is a foundational discipline that supports financial health, compliance, and sustainable growth.
Setting the Foundation: Bookkeeping and Dental Accounting
Implement a detailed system of service codes for each dental procedure. This specificity not only aids in accurate billing but also facilitates precise revenue recognition for each type of service provided. If you are a dental professional with taxable income, it is highly recommended you hire a dental CPA to help your practice with complicated tax issues exclusive to dentists.