--- title: Make More Informed Financial Decisions | The Bean Counter | Accounting for Lawyers description: Accounting for Lawyers | Ideas to help small businesses and individuals take advantage of better financial accounting and tax planning. --- ![icon-phone](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-469552994-png/images/icon-phone.png)508-533-5700 **Call today to book your appointment!** [![Ann M. Irons](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-480654324-png/images/circle-logo4.png?width=630&height=168&name=circle-logo4.png "Ann M. Irons")](https://www.ironscpa.com/) Hopkinton MA, CPA [Contact](https://www.ironscpa.com/contact-us) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Ann+M.+Irons,+CPA,+17+Main+St+Suite+1,+Hopkinton,+MA+01748/@42.2283595,-71.5220826,17.25z/data=!3m1!5s0x89e470559903948b:0xba338aa31b2a0f29!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e46e7ca0d1d73b:0x531938b62807ebe1!2m2!1d-71.5200665!2d42.2284497!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) [![facebook](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-811720473-png/images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AnnIronsCPA?ref=br_tf)[![LinkdIn](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-817405565.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ann-m-irons-cpa-llc)[![twitter](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-817410620.png)](https://twitter.com/AnnMIronsCPALLC) # The Bean Counter with Ann M Irons, CPA --- [![Tax Year 2024 Business/Individual Tax Returns](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/332864/aef2b35b-07b9-4f4e-be11-0410ebf842de.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/332864/aef2b35b-07b9-4f4e-be11-0410ebf842de) --- ## [What Should You Do if Your Law Firm Accountant Goes Out of Business?](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-your-law-firm-accountant-goes-out-of-business) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Jul 29, 2015 5:04:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hubfs/iStock_000017831176XSmall.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-your-law-firm-accountant-goes-out-of-business) ## Be prepared for the worst case scenario, no matter how remote the possibility of it happening. Starting and running a law practice is a tough thing to do. There are many hats you need to wear as you are not only the person running your practice, you are likely the person delivering your legal services. As such, you need to surround yourself with the right team of outside professionals to ensure your long term success. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/what-should-you-do-if-your-law-firm-accountant-goes-out-of-business) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Things You Need to Know When You Start Your Law Firm](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/things-you-need-to-know-when-you-start-your-law-firm) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Mar 18, 2015 8:15:03 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2507794878.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/things-you-need-to-know-when-you-start-your-law-firm) Starting your own law firm can be exciting. It can also be a bit overwhelming. In this article I will review a few of the things you need to keep in mind, or actually do, when you start your law firm. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/things-you-need-to-know-when-you-start-your-law-firm) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Law Firm Accounting: Outsourcing Lightens the Load](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/outsourced-accounting-lightens-the-load) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Dec 18, 2014 10:12:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2245173908.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/outsourced-accounting-lightens-the-load) More small businesses and law firms are discovering that they can save a great deal of time and money by outsourcing key functions to outside firms, such as accounting firms. Does this mean that outsourcing is always the best option? Not necessarily, says CPA Ann Irons. Before you decide whether to outsource certain tasks, learn as much as possible about what is available and what to look for. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/outsourced-accounting-lightens-the-load) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Law Firm Accounting: Clients Still Haven't Paid You? ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/clients-still-havent-paid-you-read-this) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Dec 16, 2014 10:11:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2238963148.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/clients-still-havent-paid-you-read-this) The end of the year is fast approaching, and you’re most likely in one of two camps: Either you’ve been diligent in your collections, or you are just now realizing that you have hundreds, even thousands of dollars in fees billed but not collected. Ouch. Ann Irons, a **CPA in Holliston, MA** who offers accounts receivable services for businesses and law firms, explains that waiting until the last minute can have serious implications for your finances. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/clients-still-havent-paid-you-read-this) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Law Firm Accounting: 3 Ways Law Firms Can Avoid Unplea$ant Surprises ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/3-ways-law-firms-can-avoid-unpleaant-surprises) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Dec 11, 2014 10:11:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2238897453.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/3-ways-law-firms-can-avoid-unpleaant-surprises) As an **accounting professional servicing real estate law practices** based in Holliston, MA, CPA [Ann Irons](https://www.ironscpa.com/accounting-services-for-real-estate-attorneys) has learned a great deal about what works and what doesn’t in her clients’ day-to-day financial functions. She has also worked with clients who learned the hard way the challenges of managing changes in accounting requirements and performing reconciliations of trust accounts. Outsourcing payroll, accounts receivable, and accounting functions to a professional accountant is one of the most effective ways to make daily operations more manageable. Otherwise, consider these pointers. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/3-ways-law-firms-can-avoid-unpleaant-surprises) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Law Firm Accounting: Tips on Choosing an Accounting Method for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/tips-on-choosing-an-accounting-method-for-lawyers) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Nov 11, 2014 5:06:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2063850457.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/tips-on-choosing-an-accounting-method-for-lawyers) In an earlier post, I introduced the sole proprietorship as an option for establishing a law practice. If you’ve decided to structure your practice in such a way that you are the sole owner, your next decision is whether to use cash-basis or double-entry accounting to keep track of your revenue and expenses. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/tips-on-choosing-an-accounting-method-for-lawyers) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Accounting for Lawyers: Which Entity Is Best for Your New Law Practice?](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/which-entity-is-best-for-your-new-law-practice) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Nov 6, 2014 5:05:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2063275311.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/which-entity-is-best-for-your-new-law-practice) Now that you’ve earned your law degree, it’s time to make one of the most important decisions of your career: Should you go solo and build a new practice from the ground up, partner with a fellow attorney, or secure a position as one of several attorneys at a larger practice? [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/which-entity-is-best-for-your-new-law-practice) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Real Estate Law Firms Working with a CPA to Strengthen Your Case](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/strengthen-your-case-with-help-from-a-cpa) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Nov 4, 2014 5:04:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2059654348.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/strengthen-your-case-with-help-from-a-cpa) Financial matters are a major source of contention among clients of real estate lawyers, whether it’s a dispute over property values, damages, or purchase prices. To better serve your clients, you must be able to argue convincingly on their behalf. One way you can do this is by working with an accounting expert to strengthen your case. ## Look for the Right Qualifications **Good: **A generalist accountant with several years of professional experience can help explain key accounting and financial concepts in a way that is easily understood by non-accounting professionals, including clients, jurors, witnesses, and other experts involved in the case. **Better: **A [certified public accountant](https://www.ironscpa.com/cpa-in-bellingham) (CPA) with comparable experience. Why choose a CPA? For one thing, CPA candidates must pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam, a rigorous examination covering a broad range of accounting and financial topics. A CPA must complete extensive continuing education credits to remain in good standing and must also fulfill strict guidelines set in place by the state in which they practice. **Best: **Your best bet is to enlist the services of a CPA who has [specialized experience and expertise](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/a-more-productive-real-estate-law-practice-in-just-one-hour-a-day) in an applicable field—in this case, real estate law practices. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/strengthen-your-case-with-help-from-a-cpa) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Law Firm Accounting: What Every Attorney Should Know About GAAP](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/what-every-attorney-should-know-about-gaap) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Oct 30, 2014 11:32:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-2041670487.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/what-every-attorney-should-know-about-gaap) Attorneys, including those who specialize in real estate laws, should have a basic understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, to ensure that their clients meet all contractual provisions. However, it takes more in-depth knowledge and experience to protect lawyers and their practice from problems arising from irresponsible or inaccurate accounting practices in daily operations. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/what-every-attorney-should-know-about-gaap) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) ## [Law Firm Billing: Real Estate Lawyers Up the Ante With Last-Minute Collections](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/real-estate-lawyers-up-the-ante-with-last-minute-collections) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Oct 28, 2014 6:51:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-1959199454.jpg) ](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/real-estate-lawyers-up-the-ante-with-last-minute-collections) With only a few months remaining in the year, it’s time to take a closer look at how much you’ve earned thus far. Of that, how much have you actually received? At the office of [CPA Ann Irons](https://www.ironscpa.com/accounting-services-for-real-estate-attorneys), a **legal accountant in Holliston, MA**, we see attorneys scrambling to collect unpaid fees before the end of their yearly accounting period. Unfortunately, this approach can be time-consuming and devastating to the financial health of your firm. [Read More](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/real-estate-lawyers-up-the-ante-with-last-minute-collections) Topics: [Accounting for Lawyers](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) [All posts](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers/page/2) ## About **Ann M. Irons, CPA LLC** ![Ann](https://www.ironscpa.com/hubfs/images/Ann.jpg)Ann has spent over 25 years in the financial service industry, gaining knowledge and experience that allows her to provide an array of tax, and accounting and advisory services for her clients. Relying on a stringent code of ethics and a dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards, Ann works hard to ensure her clients receive the quality service they’ve come to expect. A member of AICPA and MSCPA, Ann has also had an article featured in the renowned publication, Banker and Tradesman.  ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search by Topic Search ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Small Business Accounting (24)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/small-business-accounting) - [Individual Income Taxes (18)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/individual-income-taxes) - [International Tax (17)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/international-tax) - [Accounting for Lawyers (11)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) - [Escrow Accounting (10)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/escrow-accounting) - [Foreign Investment Tax (8)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/foreign-investment-tax) - [Family Business (6)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/family-business) - [Bookkeeping (5)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/bookkeeping) - [Personal Finance (4)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Client Stories (3)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/client-stories) - [Payroll Processing (3)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/payroll-processing) - [Small Business Tax (3)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/small-business-tax) - [Starting Your Own Law Firm (1)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/starting-your-own-law-firm) - [Words of Wisdom (1)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/words-of-wisdom) [see all](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers#) ## Inviting You to Visit Our Office! Please call us at your earliest convenience to set up a consultation. We look forward to meeting you, and determining how we can best serve you. ![Map Irons CPA Hopkinton](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Map%20Irons%20CPA%20Hopkinton.png?width=305&height=167&name=Map%20Irons%20CPA%20Hopkinton.png)   ### OUR LOCATION: 17 Main Street, Suite 1 Hopkinton, MA 01748 Phone: 508-533-5700 Fax: 888-922-2242 ## About Ann M. 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