Rob Pasquesi, CPA

Advising start-ups and SMB owners on tax planning strategies & accounting | Founder: Pasquesi Partners | ex @Deloitte | Investor

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Financial planning for 2025, here is our calendar, by month, on important dates and items to consider to avoid any finance or tax surprises.

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[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@TheRobertBshow So true…great post…was thinking about this as our daughter starts 1st grade tomorrow

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Reviewing a prospect's business tax return.

No one is perfect, but some of the items on the balance sheet is shocking - prior period adjustment, accrual accounts when the business is cash basis.

Business owners - your tax returns may seem like compliance, but if not done correctly, they could have an impact later.

It's important that you understand the numbers reflected on the tax return BEFORE it's filed.

Meet with your tax preparer and have them walk through the tax return with you.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Congrats to @bluejlegal Rd D of fundraising - $122M.

We're huge fans of the product - as a tax research tool, its one of the best on the market.

Looking forward to future features.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

I follow only a few on Substack, one of which I really like is Stoic Wisdoms.

A post from them today about achievements vs. legacy is a good one.

As you build your company or continue on your career path, think about if you were to leave - no LinkedIn profile, no awards, no recognitions - what would you leave behind? What impact would you have on the world?

https://t.co/0cW0KBixOH

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Is your business travel actually tax-deductible?

How about those family trips?

There is more to it, but keep to these four IRC 162 requirements that a lot of business owners get wrong:

1) Must be ordinary and necessary for your specific business;

2) Away from your tax home - that's your business location, not your residence;

3) Primary purpose must be business, not personal convenience.

4) Missing proper documentation?

You lose the entire deduction.

The IRS scrutinizes travel expenses heavily.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

This is becoming increasingly common among do-it-yourselfers when it comes to retirement plans.

I see this at least twice a year.

Making direct Roth IRA contributions and not considering their AGI.

There are other ways to contribute to a Roth IRA if your AGI exceeds the limits.

Plan ahead and talk to your advisors before making any contributions.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

I see this too often, but it usually comes in after the fact.

New businesses often start without using a proper law firm for operating agreements, structure, etc.

Tax compliance is due, but the owner lacks clarity on their entity type, tax classification, and other relevant details.

It’s not just a formality—it impacts a lot.

Take the time. Get organized. Own the outcome.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Some days, it’s great to take a break from work and enjoy a round of golf or another activity you love. That’s one of the perks of being a business owner! Had fun playing Conway today.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@CPATaxTeam Agreed…I started it last night and definitely exceeded my expectations…it’s great as well as the cameos

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Most people think personal finance is complicated.

The truth is, it’s the basics that matter most—and they’re often the ones we overlook.

If you don't understand how money flows in and out of your life—how you earn it, how you save it, how you spend it, and how you grow it—you’ll always feel like you’re playing catch-up.

You don’t need a PhD in economics.

You just need a clear foundation: live below your means, save first (not last), invest early, protect what you build, and make decisions based on long-term thinking, not short-term emotion.

Master the basics, and everything else gets easier.

Ignore them, and no amount of income or luck will save you.

Personal finance isn't about being perfect. It's about being intentional.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Getting a lot of questions lately about budgeting tools (not a shock given the economy).

Just came across Controol App (https://t.co/F6h6QiYSvP) — and it’s surprisingly solid.

No bank connections (privacy win)

Percentage-based budgeting — plan what you can spend

Built-in AI to answer your money questions
Super simple to use. Free to try, with extras for $1.99/month.

Could be worth checking out.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Markets took a hit today... but that doesn’t mean your portfolio is broken.

I just started reading A Random Walk Down Wall Street, and it couldn’t be more timely.

One of the central ideas is the Firm Foundation Theory — the belief that each investment has an intrinsic value based on fundamentals like earnings, dividends, interest rates, and expected growth.

According to this theory:

The market might misprice a stock in the short term…

…but over time, price gravitates toward its intrinsic value.

So if you’re building on solid ground — companies with real earnings and durable value — you don’t need to flinch when prices dip.

Volatility doesn’t destroy value. It just reveals who’s anchored.

A crash tests conviction.

A foundation holds steady.

Stay calm.

Revisit your fundamentals.

Trust the process.

This is how long-term wealth is built.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

Another tax season behind, at least another April 15 completed.

Overall, happy with what we accomplished by the due date.

System and process improvements established earlier had helped.

But today's debrief, which happens post-April 15, will uncover further improvements for next year.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@tryjasononline Where is Asana? Always been a huge fan and constantly adding relevant features.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@CPATaxTeam interested in virtual meet up re: financial services

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@patrickdichter Huge fans of Holistiplan…year 3 using them

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@PeterRiefstahl Really like it…expensive though. Support has been lacking this year…but overall happy.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@cordes_tax Congrats Matt

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@Codie_Sanchez So true. Focus is key. Ignore the noise.

[Rob Pasquesi, CPA @RobPasquesi]

@JohnBuschVI @CrainsChicago Great write up John