Q&A Over Coffee

In Episode 47 of the Olson Thielen Q&A Over Coffee podcast, host Tom Pesch sits down with Tax Principal Matt Klein and Tax Director Zach Deo to break down the most important provisions in Minnesota's 2026 Tax Bill, signed into law on May 27th. The conversation covers the last-minute extension of the Minnesota Pass-Through Entity (PTE) Tax through 2027, including Q1 estimated payment relief for businesses caught in the uncertainty, and unpacks the significant changes to Section 174 R&D expensing and the Minnesota R&D, including expanded refundability and updated conformity rules for pass-through entities. The episode also touches on bonus depreciation conformity changes. Whether you're a business owner, partner, or S corp shareholder, this episode gives you the clarity you need to plan smart for the rest of 2026.

Our new series, Flights, will present complex topics in a concise, easy-to-digest format through a series of short episodes, providing clear and actionable insights. Our first topic is Fraud, which will be covered by our Certified Fraud Examiners Andrea Addo and Adam Hennen. In part four of our Flights: Fraud series, Adam and Andrea cover inventory and asset fraud. They cover several signs of inventory fraud beyond just discovering a missing item.

In part two of our Flights: Fraud series, Adam and Andrea cover cash theft. They share several stories that showcase many angles of cash theft and how it can be caught and broken down. "Skimming" is cash theft on a transaction before it reaches the company. "Larsony" is when a sale is recorded but the cash get stolen afterward. If you haven't yet, check out part one on our Q&A Over Coffee page: Fraud 101.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The topics covered in this episode include discussions about economic and legislative policies that are continuously being updated. The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be professional legal, financial, or accounting advice. As always, we recommend seeking professional guidance for additional questions.

In our latest episode, our Tax Director, Charlie Sparks, shares his top tax planning strategies for the upcoming year. With just two months remaining in the current year, Charlie recommends that it's the perfect moment to kickstart your tax planning, especially if you're a business owner. From important tax law adjustments to potential tax credits, deductions, and various opportunities for individuals and businesses to maximize their returns, there's a lot to consider this season. Our team of experts is here to ensure that no valuable details are missed as we assist you in preparing for next year's tax planning.

In this episode of Q&A Over Coffee, we are joined by our highly experienced HR Director, Vanessa Foy. With a diverse background spanning multiple professional service industries—from CPA firms to marketing agencies—Vanessa offers valuable insights into the retention challenges many firms face today. She shares actionable strategies for addressing these issues, particularly in a hybrid work environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding workplace culture, fostering transparency, and maintaining clear communication. We highly recommend tuning in, as retention is a critical and cost-effective practice that every business should prioritize.

In the latest episode of Q&A Over Coffee, our host, Adam Hennen, is joined by Magen Koepp, Principal of Audit and ERISA. They discuss a pressing issue: 70% of current CPAs are expected to retire in the next decade. What should we do to prepare? Magen and Adam guide us through the process, from managing transition periods to transferring administrative responsibilities. Organizations with in-house accountants need to be aware of this shift. One popular solution is hiring a “Fractional CFO,” which is ideal for small businesses that require CFO services only part of the year. Additionally, Magen and Adam offer insights on finding the right accountant by matching your needs to their expertise. They delve into proactive planning strategies to address the inevitable retirement of your CPA.

Join us for an insightful episode featuring our CIO, Lisa Dunnigan, as we welcome software consulting expert Dick Krocak, who brings over 30 years of experience in computer science, mathematics, and information technology. Dick will discuss the critical role of software integration across various industries, including financial services, accounting, manufacturing, and logistics. He will highlight the complexities involved in integrating these tools, which often require extensive industry and company-specific knowledge. Tune in for valuable insights, and feel free to reach out to Dick with any questions you may have!