Business Advisory

At Canon Capital, we know what it’s like to lose sleep over tough business challenges, especially in today’s environment.  Our team of Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) have years of experience in working with business owners to create strategies that work.  Whether you are looking to grow your business or looking to start, acquire, or sell a business, we will help you work through the issues and make the right decisions.

Services Provided by our CMAs and Business Advisors:

  • Acquisition & Disposal Strategies
  • Capital Structure & Entity Advice
  • Controller Services
  • Organizational Management

Three Things to Know for Q3 2025

As we move into the second half of the year, it’s a great time to revisit important deadlines, stay alert to evolving threats, and take a second look at the technologies we’re increasingly relying on. Here are three key things to keep on your radar.

Pennsylvania’s Annual Report Filing Deadline Is June 30.

If your business is registered in Pennsylvania, don’t miss the new state-mandated filing requirement. All LLCs, corporations, and other entities must submit their annual report to the Pennsylvania Department of State, a change that took effect this year.

Annual filing reports must be filed online, and there is a $7 fee (except for non-profits).

Filing deadlines are as follows:

  • Corporations and non-profits: June 30, 2025
  • Limited Liability Companies, domestic and foreign: September 30, 2025
  • All other associations (limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, business trusts, professional associations) domestic and foreign: December 31, 2025

Filing is required annually moving forward, and failing to do so could eventually lead to administrative dissolution. Need a refresher? Our blog breaks down everything you need to know, including what to file and where.

Payroll Fraud Is on the Rise. Here’s How to Protect Your Business.

Payroll fraud is evolving and getting more convincing. One common scam involves fraudulent requests to change direct deposit information, often made to look like they’re coming from one of your employees.

Here are a few key tips to help safeguard your payroll:

  • Verify changes verbally: Call employees directly to confirm any payroll or banking updates.
  • Check email addresses closely: Look for small typos or unfamiliar domains.
  • Use official forms only: Require secure, approved documents for direct deposit changes.
  • Avoid Green Dot cards: These are frequently used in fraudulent schemes.
  • Encrypt sensitive data: Never send private info via unprotected email.
  • Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA): Preferably to a mobile phone, not an email address.

 For everyday scam protection, follow these suggestions:

  • Don’t open attachments or links from unknown senders.
  • Never process payroll changes based on email alone.
  • Be wary of urgent or unusual requests for personal or financial data.

 One last tip? If you don’t already have cybersecurity insurance, now’s the time to consider it.

 Don’t Believe Everything the Robot Tells You

 AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, but they’re not foolproof. One of the biggest risks with artificial intelligence is a phenomenon known as AI hallucination, which is when a chatbot confidently presents incorrect or entirely made-up information.

A 2023 study found that AI systems hallucinate facts up to 27% of the time, and nearly half of all AI-generated content contained some kind of factual error.

Some examples are funny. like being told to use glue to adhere cheese to pizza crust. Others are far more serious, especially when users don’t realize the information is wrong, like a fabricated legal citation, invented statistics, or a phony business recommendation.

Bottom line: Just because something sounds right doesn’t mean it is right. Always double-check facts with a reliable, human-vetted source.

We’re Here to Help

Have questions about any of these topics? Whether you need help filing your annual report, want to tighten up your payroll security, or are unsure what tech tools make sense for your business, we’re here to help. Call 215-723-4881 with any questions.

Hayden Phillips

Staff Accountant

Hayden Phillips joined Canon Capital in September 2024 as a Staff Accountant. Prior to joining Canon Capital, Hayden built a solid foundation in auditing, reviewing financial data for accuracy and compliance, and conducting internal control testing. Known for his strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills, his background includes hands-on work with reconciliations, analytical reviews, and financial reporting for a variety of clients. Hayden earned both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Accounting and Business Administration from Cairn University. He resides in Telford with his wife, Alyssa, and their daughter, Skylar. Outside of work, he enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and hiking.

Five Reasons to Outsource Your Payroll

Running a business is no small task. You’re juggling customers, employees, and operations while somewhere in the middle of all that is payroll. It might seem manageable at first, but it doesn’t take long before calculating hours, tracking deductions, and keeping up with tax rules starts to feel like a full-time job.

That’s why more and more small and mid-sized business owners are choosing to outsource their payroll. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about gaining peace of mind and making smarter use of your time and resources.

Here are five ways outsourcing payroll can make a big difference:

1. You Don’t Have to Worry About Tax Rules Anymore

Tax laws are always changing, and keeping up with them is practically a job in itself. Federal, state, and local requirements all have their own timelines, paperwork, and penalties for getting it wrong.

When you work with a professional payroll provider like our team here at Canon Capital, we handle all of that for you. You get the confidence of knowing everything is filed correctly and on time without the stress of trying to keep track of every regulation yourself.

2. We Handle the Local Taxes You Might Not Even Know About

If you operate in Pennsylvania, you know local earned income tax (EIT) and local services tax (LST) can be confusing, especially if you’re dealing with multiple municipalities or your employees live in different places.

We take care of all the local tax filings for you. That means no digging through forms or Googling which office needs what. We’ve got it covered, so you can focus on running your business.

3. You’ll Free Up Hours Every Month

Payroll isn’t just “cutting checks.” It’s entering data, double-checking math, managing deductions, generating reports, and filing returns over and over again. If you’re handling that in-house, you’re spending valuable time on something that doesn’t generate revenue.

Outsourcing payroll gives you those hours back. More time for customers, more time for strategy, more time to actually grow your business.

4. It Reduces Risk and Helps You Avoid Costly Mistakes

Payroll errors aren’t just annoying, they can get expensive. A small misstep in withholding or a missed deadline can lead to fines, frustrated employees, and time you can’t afford to waste fixing it.

Our reliable systems and careful review processes keep things accurate from the start. We catch the little things so they don’t turn into big problems.

5. You Get a Team Who Knows Payroll Inside and Out

As your business grows, your payroll gets more complex. New hires, changes in tax laws, and expanded benefits, it all adds up fast.

That’s why working with a payroll partner—not just a processor—matters. Our team is here when you need us, ready to help with questions, offer guidance, and adapt to your business as it evolves. You’re not just a number in a system. We know your name and we’re here to help.

Wondering If It’s Time to Make the Switch?

If payroll is taking up more time than it should, it might be time to talk. Let’s take payroll off your plate.

Contact us online or call 215-723-4881 to learn more about how we can help your business run smoother.

Georgia Myers

Shareholder & Director

Georgia joined Canon Capital in 1993. Her experience as an auditor at three CPA firms over 30 years afforded her exposure to many different not-for-profit, government, and for-profit entities, such as private schools, senior centers, mission and church organizations, civic organizations, social services agencies, retirement communities, pension plans, local government units, local government pension plans, real estate developers, real estate agencies, and manufacturing companies. Georgia received her BS in Accounting from Messiah College, holds a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation and is a member of the PICPA and the AICPA. She serves in a volunteer capacity with Bridge of Hope National, Souderton Brethren in Christ Church and the Big Red Band Boosters. Georgia resides in Souderton with her husband and two sons. She enjoys reading, playing the flute, and traveling.

Moriah Randolph

Staff Accountant

Moriah started working with our accounting team on a seasonal basis in February 2021, joining us full-time in May 2021. Moriah holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting, which she earned from Montgomery County Community College. Most recently, she has become a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online (QBO).  Moriah lives in Telford where she spends her free time baking, crafting, and playing volleyball.

Is It Time to Rethink Your Cybersecurity? Here’s Why Zero Trust Matters

When it comes to cybersecurity, the old way of doing things—including trusting anything inside your network—just doesn’t cut it anymore. Threats are smarter, faster, and always changing. That’s why more businesses are moving to a Zero Trust approach: trust nothing until it’s verified.

If you’re thinking about tightening up your security, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

Always verify identity.
Every time someone logs in, you need to know for sure it’s really them. Strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) isn’t a nice-to-have anymore—it’s a must.

Check the devices too.
It’s not just about the user. Every device trying to connect should meet your security standards. If a device isn’t up to date or secure, it’s a risk.

Limit access.
Only give people access to what they need to do their jobs. Nothing more. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep a breach from spreading.

Keep an eye on everything.
Zero Trust isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it model. You have to keep monitoring users, devices, and activity to catch anything unusual early.

Protect your data—everywhere.
Whether it’s sitting in storage, moving across your network, or being accessed remotely, your data should always be encrypted and secure.

Zero Trust sounds complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Let’s chat about what makes sense for your business—without the overwhelm.

Contact us today to learn how we can help. Call 267.381.2025 or reach us online.

Three Things to Know for Q1 2025

The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, but it also brings important financial and security considerations for you and your business. As we move through the first quarter of 2025, here are three updates you need to know.

BOI Reporting and PA Annual Report Filing

The enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements is currently on hold due to a federal court ruling. This means businesses that have not yet filed do not need to act at this time. However, the situation remains fluid, and reporting requirements may be reinstated later in the year. Stay informed to ensure compliance. Read more.

Starting in 2025, Pennsylvania businesses must file an Annual Report to remain in good standing. This is a new requirement replacing the previous decennial filing system. Reports are due based on your business structure, so be sure to review your deadline and prepare accordingly. Learn more.

Paycheck Calculator—Share with Your Employees

Each tax season, we hear from business owners whose employees are caught off guard by unexpected tax bills. The most common culprit? Insufficient federal tax withholding. To prevent this issue, employees should be encouraged to use the IRS Paycheck Calculator to check their withholding and make any necessary W-4 adjustments. Doing this now can help employees avoid surprises at tax time. Please pass this information along to your team today.

Beware of Tax Season Scams

Tax season is a prime time for scammers looking to steal sensitive financial information. Fraudulent emails, phishing attempts, and fake IRS messages increase significantly this time of year.

Remember:

  • Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.
  • Verify any tax-related emails by contacting the sender directly.
  • Be wary of urgent messages requesting sensitive information.

If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and consult your IT team before taking any action.

Need assistance? We’re here to help. Call 215-723-4881 with any questions.

FinCEN Halts Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement: What It Means for Your BOI Reporting

In keeping with the Department of Treasury’s communicated commitment to reduce regulatory burden on businesses, FinCEN announced on Thursday, February 27, 2025, that it will pause enforcement actions and not issue fines or penalties against companies for failing to file or update beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports. This is pursuant to the previously promulgated Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) reporting deadlines. Refer to the FinCEN announcement at FinCEN Not Issuing Fines or Penalties in Connection with Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlines | FinCEN.gov.

Given the recent legal and legislative developments and related confusion and uncertainty surrounding CTA/BOI reporting, FinCEN’s announcement pausing reporting deadline enforcement is welcome relief for reporting companies and professionals providing CTA/BOI-related services to reporting companies.

FinCEN noted its intent to issue an interim final rule by March 21, 2025, with updated guidance on extending BOI reporting deadlines. In addition, FinCEN stated it plans to seek public comment on potential revisions to existing BOI reporting requirements and will consider those comments as part of a notice of proposed rulemaking to be issued later this year to determine whether modifications to the reporting deadlines are warranted.

PA Annual Filing Update

It is very important to note that the Federal BOI announcement above is different than the new PA Annual Report Filing reports that are currently due. As a reminder, we cannot file these reports, so we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. For more information, see the following:

Here is a summary of the Annual Report filing requirement, providing extremely helpful information to answer questions and start the filing process.

Further help, with step-by-step instructions and screenshots, can be found at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).

As always, we will keep you informed on these and other topics affecting you and your business.

Everything You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s New Annual Report Filing Requirement for 2025

Beginning in 2025, most businesses will have to file a new annual report with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Exceptions include general partnerships, authorities, fictitious names, financial institutions, and other very narrowly defined business types. There are no exceptions according to the size of the business entity.

Annual filing reports must be filed online, and there is a $7 fee (except for non-profits).

Filing deadlines are as follows:

  • Corporations and non-profits: June 30, 2025
  • Limited Liability Companies: September 30, 2025
  • Limited Partnerships: December 31, 2025

The Pennsylvania Department of State is supposed to mail notices of reminders to file but will not be doing so until two months prior to each deadline. Knowing that mail is not always reliable, we would encourage you to file your annual report now.

Here is a summary of the Annual Report filing requirement, providing extremely helpful information to to answer questions and start the filing process.

Further help, with step-by-step instructions and screenshots, can be found at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).

The filing of this annual report is different from the filing requirement for the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) from the federal government. Many other states already have an annual report filing requirement, so we do not expect the court challenges or implementation issues that we have seen regarding BOI filing. We would encourage you to file this annual report with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania now.