Business | Practice Finances

Jerry Vandever sat across the table from his accountant. Herbert Johnson, CPA, had been an accountant for many years and was looking over the tops of his reading glasses at the file for Patch-a-Pet Animal Hospital.

Examination is 50 percent of the work of our profession. Examination is the key to our success or failure in the pursuit of our profession. Examination is the most botched up service performed by fully 50 percent of our colleagues in both its qualitative and quantitative aspects.

For the second time in two years, our lawmakers have created federal tax cuts designed to spur business investment. However, despite record-low interest rates, affording the funds many veterinarians require in order to acquire the property and equipment to take advantage of those tax cuts has never been harder. Into the breach has stepped the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Finding the right job takes planning; know what you want personally, professionally for longevity, satisfaction

Five years ago Pet Care Hospital in Plano, Texas, opened a doggie daycare service and the practice, clients, and dogs continue to reap the rewards. "Clients take home tired dogs, worn out from a day full of play and exercise. And over the long-term, the daycare builds the dogs' self-confidence so they aren't fearful," says Jill Vincent, a certified trainer who runs the daycare as well as the practice's dog-training classes.

State and local governments are focusing on stricter enforcement and higher fees to meet budget shortfalls. At the same time, the principals in many veterinary practices are discovering just how much government services cost their practices - and how many of those increasingly more expensive licenses and permits they do not have.

There's one person Dr. Dave Richards must confront every time he prepares to raise fees in practice - himself.

Congress passed and the President signed into law a $330 billion, 10-year tax cut plan that will have a significant impact on the tax bills of every veterinarian - and their practices.

Experts estimate labor costs and benefits rank as top income eaters among the nation's veterinary practices.

Uncle Sam, in the form of our tax laws, is willing to pick up a portion of the expenses of every veterinarian attending a trade show, meeting or similar event.

Answer to practice woes could be as simple as 'who's answering the phone'

Pay close attention to deadlines, dates and expirations

Take five minutes to quiz your budget acumen

Port Richey, Fla.-Dr. Bob Hase trusted he was current with his taxes, certain he paid on time, every time for purchases in his clinic.

Qualified plans simple to administer; offer benefits to employees, owners

Gift lists are the hallmark of the holiday season and the well-organized mind. Shopping duties, generally anticipated as a fun activity, tend to quickly be completed as compared to other lists that occur at year-end. Issues of business management are procrastinated to a much greater extent.

The expense of using a portion of your home "exclusively" for business purposes is, as everyone knows, tax deductible. Changes to the tax laws that became effective in 1999, significantly increased the number of veterinarians who were eligible to deduct home office expenses.

Bob, an 8-year-old West Highland Terrier is waiting. Bob used to be 'Bobby' but the years have aged him. Bob's owners, John and Sarah, have been somewhat neglectful of Bob.

Tax return extension is almost always the most advisable course of action for those with more complex tax issues.

President George W. Bush signed a long-sought-after economic stimulus package March 9.

Providing estimates on veterinary procedures can often tip the scales on acceptance or anger about fees.

President George W. Bush signed a long-sought-after economic stimulus package March 9. The "Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002" (H.R. 3090) is a combination of business economic stimulus provisions, relief provisions for lower Manhattan businesses affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits, extensions for expired or soon-to-expire tax breaks and technical corrections.

Las Vegas-A syndicated pet columnist says more and more pet owners are complaining about veterinary fees, whereas veterinarians and management experts dismiss the argument but say it signals the importance of improved communications in practice.

As the world's largest economy faces recession and veterinarians brace for lags in client spending, cutting back on employee training might seem like a sure way to save a buck.

Ah, it is yet another New Year that brings joy to those who are preparing for the end of the current economic slowdown. (Yes, we can believe that the economy will rebound.)

I left the exam room for just a few minutes to get a shot of penicillin for her dog. By the time I got back, Mrs. Quibble was hopping mad.

IRS takes special interest in corporate loans to shareholders

The expense of using a portion of your home "exclusively" for business purposes is, as everyone knows, tax deductible.

Most veterinarians are used to client jokes about deducting the family pet on the personal tax return.

It is time to go to work. You have been in school for nearly eight years and within a few months you will receive your veterinary degree and become a licensed veterinarian. Naturally you are eager to find a job. After all, you have devoted most of your time and effort toward reaching this goal.