Beyond Bitewings Edwards & Associates, PC

Are you paying more than 2.2% for your payment processing fees? If the answer is yes, you may be losing a lot of money.
In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Jeremy Lessari, founder of Payment Brokers. Jeremy shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he negotiated his payment processing fees down after discovering companies kept raising rates.
After selling his last company, he decided to utilize AI technology and created Payment Brokers, a service that monitors payment processors' fees for small businesses. The company will notify businesses of increases, and also help to negotiate the lowest rates.
Jeremy and Ash also talk about why he became an entrepreneur and how so much changed once he found ways to make a difference vs. making money.
To connect with Jeremy, visit: PaymentBrokers.com
If you have specific questions about embezzlement or if you'd like to have another question answered on a future podcast, please reach out to the Edwards & Associates team.

Do you believe embezzlement would never happen within your business? 
Well, unfortunately, the chances of it happening to you are actually a lot greater than you think. In fact, 75% of dental practice owners will experience embezzlement in their office before their career is over.
So what can you do to prevent embezzlement, and what are the signs that you should look for to see if this might be happening to you? The team at Edwards and Associates is joined by David Harris. David is a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Licensed Private Investigator, certified in Financial Forensics. He’s also the author of Dental Embezzlement: The Art of Theft and Science of Control. 
David discusses what every dental practice owner should understand about embezzlement and the two types of people who decide to take money from their employer.
He also discusses the signs you can look for, including behaviors, or things going on in someone’s life that may make them a prime candidate to embezzle. Plus he talks about what you should be looking at in your practice on a frequent basis to make it harder for someone to take money from you.
This is definitely something you shouldn’t be sitting on, thinking it’s not going to happen to you, and as your practice starts to grow, the greater chance you have of becoming a statistic. 
If you’re interested in learning more about David, visit: www.prosperiden.com or call: (888) 398-2327.
If you have specific questions about embezzlement or if you'd like to have another question answered on a future podcast, please reach out to the Edwards & Associates team.

*In this episode of Beyond Bitewings, Robert and Ash talk numbers, but it’s the good numbers that are crucial to know in order to determine the health of your practice. They talk about the importance of basic financial knowledge and how it can help clients make better decisions. 
They touch on the differences in collection percentages based on location, and where you should fall with collections versus take home pay. They also cover marketing budgeting and how it should be based on target collections rather than current collections. 
Ash and Robert also discuss why consultants can offer a big return on  your investment by helping you see the blindspots in your practice. Plus they discuss rent percentages, and why you may not be able to stay within the national average based on where you live. Additionally, they discuss continuing education expenses, and what you can write off when it comes to travel. Finally, they explore the financial differences between pediatric practices, orthodontists, and general one-dentist practices.
If you have specific questions about any of these topics for your practice, or if you'd like to have another question answered on a future podcast, please reach out to the Edwards & Associates team. Please also contact us to find out more about Ash’s financial course.
*Replay from 2023
Topics Discussed:
* Impact of consultants on dental practice efficiency
* Real-world example of improved collections
* Financial benchmarks for dentists
* Importance of managing team member expenses
* Marketing strategies for specific dentistry fields
* Educational resources for understanding the business side of dentistry

The pandemic was four years ago, so why are we still talking about the ERC (Employee Retention Credit)?
It's a topic that doesn't seem to go away, and so Lynne is joining Ash for another episode to jump into the complexities of this ever-evolving topic. Many are still unclear about the intricacies of ERC eligibility and the recent legal developments affecting those who have claimed it. Lynne breaks down the essential criteria for eligibility, updates on IRS actions, and necessary precautions and responsibilities for dental practice owners.
In other episodes, they have warned of the potential pitfalls of engaging with ERC mills—companies promising easy money through the ERC without proper adherence to the rules. Now, as the situation unfolds, Lynne updates us on the IRS crackdown on invalid claims, criminal prosecutions, and what this might mean for dental practices caught in the middle. She also sheds light on the IRS's recent offer allowing practices to return erroneous claim amounts for a limited-time reduced penalty.
If you're unsure on what steps you should take with your ERC claim or if you have specific questions about any of these topics for your practice, please feel free to reach out to the Edwards & Associates team. Please also contact us to find out more about Ash's financial course. Visit us at: https://EandAssociates.com
Episode Breakdown:
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) DiscussionMisinterpretation and Abuse of ERC ClaimsCriminal ProsecutionsValidity of ERC ClaimsRed Flags Identified by the IRSVoluntary Correction Program Offered by the IRS

There's been a lot of buzz about the new Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirement, but have you filed yours yet? Are you still trying to figure out what it even is?
In this episode, Ash and Lynne discuss a crucial topic that has been making waves in the business world throughout the United States. They discuss FinCEN's new reporting requirement and shed light on who needs to comply, the potential penalties for noncompliance, and the complexities of reporting for different entities.
They also talk about the risks associated with entrusting sensitive information to third-party companies and provide insights for business owners and professionals handling multiple entities. This is definitely something that, as a business owner, you don't want to sleep on, and make sure you take care of as soon as possible.
If you have specific questions about any of these topics for your practice, or if you'd like to have another question answered on a future podcast, please reach out to the Edwards & Associates team. Please also contact us to find out more about Ash's financial course.
Visit us at: https://EandAssociates.com
Key Topics:
Introduction to BOICategories of Entities Subject to BOIPenalties and Filing DeadlinesResponsibility for Compliance and Potential RisksAdditional Considerations for Complex Business StructuresForms and Filing Process

Have you ever noticed when you search for something near you on Google, there are always 3 places that pop up on a map? That's called the Google 3-Pack, and it's the key to having Google become a lead-generating machine for your business.
In today's episode of Beyond Bitewings, Ash welcomes Darren Tessitore, CEO of Thrive Reviews, to unravel the mysteries of local SEO and how to maximize your Google Business Profile to drive traffic. 
Darren sheds light on the importance of frequent updates, active social media engagement, and strategic use of customer reviews to climb up the rankings of the Google Map 3-pack and soar above your competitors without paid ads.
Darren also provides crucial tips on the importance of commenting on reviews while remaining HIPAA compliant. He also talks about how you can incentivize your staff to encourage and ask for reviews, and why it's an important factor when staying on top of Google's local search.
To get in contact with Darren, you can visit https://thrivereviews.net/ or call him at 727.300.1084
If you have specific questions about any of these topics for your practice, or if you'd like to have another question answered on a future podcast, please reach out to the Edwards & Associates team. Please also contact us to find out more about Ash's financial course.
Visit us at: https://EandAssociates.com
Episode Breakdown:
The Importance of Google Business Profiles The science of optimizing Google Business for top-rankingGoogle marketing strategy to boost local rankingsThe importance of social media to your Google ProfileAutomated updating, posting, and review managementThe importance of understanding HIPAA to ensure compliance and avoid lawsuits.Lowering the cost for customers