About Us
Our Mission
The mission of the ADCPA is to enhance its members’ expertise through the sharing of knowledge and resources to provide progressive consulting, accounting and tax services to dental professionals.
History
We are the first Dental CPA Organization, founded October 17, 2001, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Why A Dental CPA?
A specialized CPA / Accountant is your first and best line of defense in the often bewildering and sometimes challenging business world. A good Dental CPA should also be one of your principal advisors on anything financial related within your Dental Practice.
Some of you may ask, “Why not just buy a program like QuickBooks or Peachtree and do it myself?” Fair question. But there is a huge distinction between bookkeeping, accounting, analysis, and planning. Bookkeeping consists of those basic functions necessary to pay bills, record bank deposits, and gather transactional data. Computer software programs are tools that facilitate these basic essential functions.
Accounting, on the other hand, involves organizing and presenting that data in a useful, correct format. Software can generate “financial statements,” but unless you or your team has some accounting background, you may be subject to the “GI-GO” problem — “garbage in- garbage out”! Ron Szarzynski, an ADCPA member in Minnesota, says “Computers may just allow you to mess up at the speed of light!” A trained Dental CPA takes it to the next level!
Useful management reports and financial statements should be the beginning of the process, not the end. A skilled Dental CPA / Accountant will use ADCPA approved reports like you use patient’s radiographs for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning. The Dental CPA analyzes such questions as: How is the financial health of my practice? What can I do now to minimize taxes next April? Is the office using “best practices” based on the Dental CPAs knowledge of other successful offices? Is the dentist working smart — or just working hard — to generate revenue? Is production appropriate for the number of Personnel? Is it time to add another dentist? Should I consider expanding my practice? Should I purchase new technology?
You want something more than a regular CPA / Accountant — you want a business/practice advisor, one who has specialized knowledge of the business of dentistry. One who is proactive and forward thinking. Not one that is reactive.
What Should I Expect From a Dental CPA?
The level of service you receive from a Dental CPA will depend on your needs. Please be sure to communicate your needs to your Dental CPA.
If you are considering handling practice finances on your own, though tempting, can be a recipe for disaster. Most practices have not had the kind of specialized attention, such as quarterly tax planning, that a Dental CPA can provide. Even those practices that do have internal accounting capability should still utilize an outside Dental CPA for added security, tax planning, and business advice. Whatever level of service you prefer, expect your Dental CPA / Accountant to perform services expeditiously.
An Dental CPA / Accountant should also communicate well and explain financial details clearly to you and your team. A Dental CPA / Accountant also strives to educate you and help you reach a level where you can make informed decisions about your practice finances. You should not have to educate your CPA about the latest article you’ve read or conference you’ve attended (remember, that’s why you ask them about what magazines they read). Above all, you should be comfortable with your Dental CPA / Accountant and have confidence that he or she will stay on top of dental business and tax issues, as well as your particular situation.
An Dental CPA / Accountant’s professional advice and wisdom should extend beyond just the numbers. As Einstein once said, “Not everything you can count, counts; and not everything that counts can be counted!”
How Do I Get Started?
Contact the ADCPA member firm or firms in your geographical area. The ADCPA has member firms that cover every state. View Member Directory
