Libsyn Directory

How to Pay Yourself as an S Corp Owner: Reasonable Compensation & Payroll Setup – Ep. 212

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Release Date: 03/04/2025

Midyear Business Review: Refocus, Rework & Still Hit Your Goals – Ep. 229

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

We’re officially at the halfway point of 2025, and no, it’s not too late to make this year your most productive year yet! In this episode, Danielle is joined by one of our numbers experts from our amazing Kickstart Accounting team, Account Manager Becky Teves, to talk through the biggest obstacles she sees small business owners experiencing right now, and how you can finish this year strong and strategic. Key Takeaways: It’s Not Too Late to Pivot Your 2025 Goals: You still have time to course-correct and make strategic decisions based on what’s working, even if it means setting...

The Power of the Quarterly Financial Review: How 90 Mins Every 90 Days Changes Everything – Ep. 228

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

You’re reviewing your numbers monthly (go you!), but what about taking a step back to see the big picture? In this episode, Danielle walks you through the power of a quarterly financial review, one of the most practical ways to make smarter decisions, spot real trends, and align your business goals with your personal ones. She breaks down the difference between monthly and quarterly reviews (the micro vs. macro view each provides), what numbers to look at quarterly, and how to analyze those numbers. All you need is 90 minutes every 90 days to use your financials as a tool for success and...

The Money Mistakes We All Make (and How to Fix Them) – Ep. 227

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Just because there’s money in the bank doesn’t mean your business is truly profitable. In this episode, Danielle lays out the most common (and sneaky) financial mistakes she sees entrepreneurs and small business owners making without even realizing they’re doing it. From undercharging to over-relying on your gut, Danielle is not here to shame you—she’s here to show you how to avoid them so you have the tools you need to build your business with confidence, clarity, and a financial plan that supports your vision. Key Takeaways: Your Bank Balance is Not the Full Picture:...

Building a Business That Can Carry You Through Life’s Hardest Moments with Jess Walker of Five Dot Post – Ep. 226

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

In this episode, Danielle sits down with , founder of the unique and heartfelt illustrated greeting cards , to talk about what it really looks like to build a business that supports you today—not down the road, not after you hit this or that goal, but right now. From packing every order by hand to big-box retailers, Jess’s story is one of hard-won wisdom, practical mindset shifts, and the surprising ways having a business carried her through the hard times. It’s an inspiring and powerful reminder that entrepreneurship can be a beautiful, freeing, and life-giving journey when we use...

12 Money Rules Every Successful CEO Follows to Build Profit and Wealth – Ep. 225

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Let’s set the record straight: Revenue is not the goal. Profit is. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything—chasing more sales, more clients, more offers—but still coming up short on cash and clarity, this episode is your permission slip to pause, stop worrying about sales numbers alone and start focusing on what generates profit. In today’s episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into the 12 money truths that successful CEOs live by to grow smarter, more sustainable businesses not just bigger ones. Key...

5 CFO Secrets to Grow Your Business (Without Losing Your Mind) – Ep. 224

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Are you chasing growth in your business but worried it might cost you your profits, sanity, or both? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., pulls back the curtain on the real strategies CFOs use to grow companies intentionally and profitably. These are the 5 CFO secrets you can and should start using today! Key Takeaways: Secret #1: Use Your Financial Reports as Decision-Making Tools - Your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement aren't just paperwork, they're your roadmap to smart business decisions. ...

How Your Future Break-Even Number Turns Big Business Decisions into Simple Math – Ep. 223

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Before you hire, launch, or invest, there’s one number you need to know: your future break-even point. It’s more than a “boring” accounting term; it’s one of the most powerful tools you have in your toolkit as a business owner and CEO. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., flips the script on how entrepreneurs look at their break-even point by turning it from a financial checkmark into a forward-thinking strategy tool. She walks through how to use it as a launchpad for smarter decisions and puts you in control of your...

From Burnout to Balance: Redefining Entrepreneurial Success Through Break-Even Analysis with Delanie Fischer of Self-Helpless Podcast – Ep. 222

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

In this spirited and honest episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden sits down with multi-talented entrepreneur, comedian, host of the popular podcast , and author of , , for a candid conversation about what sustainable creative entrepreneurship really looks like, and why knowing your break-even point may be the most powerful financial move you can make for your mindset. Whether you're scaling back, starting over, or simply craving more core value alignment in your business, this conversation offers you permission to slow down, get clear on your enough number, and redefine success on...

Your Business Dashboard: 5 Must-Know Financial Numbers to Lead Like a CEO – Ep. 221

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

Psst…Your numbers are talking to you—are you listening? Here’s a reminder that business is emotional, and it's easy to fall into decision-making based on gut feelings. But when you know your numbers, you take back control. In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., dives into the 5 essential financial numbers every business owner needs to know. This isn't just about spreadsheets; it's about stepping into your power as a CEO, removing emotional guesswork, and building a healthy, sustainable business. 5 Key...

Healthy Spending Habits: Business Budget Percentages That Fuel Sustainable Growth – Ep. 220

Business By The Books with Danielle Hayden

What if the secret to building your dream business isn’t about saving more, but about spending smarter? In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CEO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., invites you to stop feeling guilty every time you make an investment in your business. Instead, learn how to spend with clarity, purpose, and profit in mind. She walks you through the healthy spending percentages successful businesses use across categories like marketing, payroll, operations, and more to thrive. You’ll also get practical tools and reflection questions to help you make CEO-level money...

More Episodes

So you’ve made the leap and elected to become an S Corp—congratulations! Now what? One of the most crucial (and often confusing) steps is figuring out how much to pay yourself through payroll. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, CEO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., is joined by Kickstart’s Lead Account Manager, Kelsey Chester, to break it all down for you, from finding a payroll provider to understanding "reasonable compensation" and how to stay compliant with the IRS.

They also dive into the common missteps business owners make as S Corps, seasonality in your income, and why treating yourself like the CEO of your business is instrumental to its success. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance paying yourself and taxes as an owner, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

What is “Reasonable Compensation”: What factors the IRS considers to calculate a "reasonable" salary, and how to determine how much to pay yourself to stay tax compliant.
Payroll Setup: How to set up payroll, even if you’re a solo business owner, and choose the right provider.
Payroll vs. Owner’s Draws: The differences between payroll wages and owner’s draws, and how each impacts your taxes.
Financial Stability: Navigate and plan for seasonal fluctuations in revenue so you can maintain consistent paychecks and avoid cash flow issues.
Year-End Tax Planning: Avoid the mistake of waiting until the end of the year to pay yourself, and how to proactively plan to reduce tax stress.

Topics Discussed:

Payroll Setup and Payroll Providers (00:0:48 – 00:04:49)

How to Determine “Reasonable Compensation” (00:05:13 – 00:07:39)

Paying Yourself a Stable Salary and Planning for Taxes (00:09:26 – 00:12:37)

CEO Mindset and Paying Yourself What You Deserve (00:12:37 – 00:14:57)

Resources:

Episode 189 | LLC vs. S Corp: Which Is Right for Your Business?

KSA Tax Partners | Reasonable Compensation Analysis

Free Gift | ‘How Much to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner’ Calculator

KSA Tax Partners | https://ksataxpartners.com/

Preferred Payroll Provider | Gusto

*This content is not sponsored by Gusto