It's the season of gift giving, evaluating team performance, and bonuses, and for many business owners, that can bring up hard questions. Can I afford to give out bonuses this year? What if it's not as much as last year? How much is fair? And how do I reward my team without draining my cash or putting my business at risk? In this episode, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc.'s Danielle Hayden walks you through a simple, repeatable framework to help you decide if, when, and how much to give your team in bonuses that's fair, financially sound, and aligned with your business's core values. Key Takeaways: Profitability Comes First: Only give bonuses when your business is profitable. A healthy, sustainable company is the best gift you can give your team. Protect Your Cash Flow: Separate accounts for operations, taxes, and savings (including bonuses) will help you plan ahead and avoid surprise shortfalls. Use Data, Not Emotion: Base your decisions on your financial reports and goals, not guilt, pressure, or last year's habits. Reward Performance with Purpose: Tie bonuses to performance and your company's core values, using consistent criteria your team understands. Timing Matters for Taxes: Be consistent year over year, and confirm with your accountant when it makes the most sense to issue bonuses based on your filing method. Topics Discussed: (00:00) Intro: What You'll Learn in the Episode (01:46) Step 1: Pool Your Business's Profitability – Is Your Business Profitable Enough for Bonuses (03:38) Step 2: Check Cash Reserves – Why Cash Savings and Planning Ahead Are Essential Before Paying Bonuses (06:39) Step 3: Set Your Bonus Pool – How to Calculate a Realistic Bonus Pool (08:18) Step 4 & 5: Define Eligibility + Allocate Bonuses – How to Fairly Decide Who Qualifies and How Much to Award (11:03) Step 6: Decide on Timing – When to Pay Bonuses for the Best Tax Results and Long-Term Consistency (13:20) Outro: Kickstart's Team Bonus Worksheet and Resources + Like, Share and Subscribe! Resources: KSA Tax Partners | https://ksataxpartners.com/ Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/book-a-call/ Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc

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