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Learn with Desireé
Real business questions. Financial explanations you can use.
Hi, I'm Desireé Tyree, CPA, CMA, and the owner of Account For Data. I help business owners understand their financial information and use it to make better decisions.
I create content around the questions that come up when you're running a business—from understanding profit and cash flow to preparing for taxes and figuring out what you can afford next.
Here, you'll find some of my favorite explanations, practical tips, and Owner's Office Hours videos. Take a look around and start with whatever's on your mind.
Start Here—My Favorites
A few pieces I'd point you to first.
These are some of my favorite topics to explain—and useful starting points for getting more comfortable with your business finances.
4-Part Cycle to Understand Your Business
4-Part Cycle to Understand Your Business
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Forecasting
Your financial statements tell you what already happened—but a cash-flow forecast helps you prepare for what’s coming next. Payroll. Taxes. Project costs. Client payments. And, most importantly, the timing of it all. The goal isn’t to predict every dollar perfectly. It’s to spot a potential cash shortage while you still have time to do something about it. Are you looking ahead—or waiting for your bank balance to tell you there’s a problem?
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A Cruel Accounting
What is Accrual Accounting?
Watch video →Owner's Office Hours
The questions you're asking about your business finances.
Each episode starts with a question and walks through the answer in plain language. We'll talk about taxes, cash flow, profitability, and the financial decisions that come with being a business owner.
Latest episode · October 27, 2026
S-Corp Changes | Part 2: Paying Yourself
An S-corp can save you money—but your salary needs more thought than “I heard 50% was fine.” In Part 2 of this week’s Owner’s Office Hours, we’re talking about reasonable compensation: what it means, the consequences of paying yourself too little, and how paying more than necessary can reduce potential savings. I also cover compensation studies, payroll processing fees, a separate business tax return, and the cash you need available when payroll runs. Paying taxes throughout the year can mean less left to pay at filing. But you still need to plan for income tax on the remaining business profit. If you haven’t watched Part 1, check it out for home office reimbursements, accountable plans, and owner health insurance. This is general educational information, not individualized tax advice. Reasonable compensation and overall tax results depend on your circumstances. A compensation study supports your salary decision but doesn’t guarantee IRS acceptance.
Episode page & transcript →S-Corp Changes | Part 1: Deductions
Making an S-corp election doesn’t mean your home office expenses stop qualifying. But it does change how you handle them. I see owners miss deductions because they don’t realize that expenses they once handed to their tax preparer now need extra steps. In Part 1 of this week’s Owner’s Office Hours, I explain how an accountable plan helps your business reimburse you for expenses you paid personally—and why owner health insurance needs a different process, including payroll reporting. Watch Part 2 for how to determine reasonable owner pay and budget for the costs that come with an S-corp. This is general educational information, not individualized tax advice. Deductions depend on your eligibility, documentation, and proper reporting. Reach out for guidance specific to your business.
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How Does an S-corp Actually Save You Money On Taxes?
You’ve probably heard that an S-corp can save business owners money on taxes. But where do those savings actually come from? We’ll cover: • What an S-corp election actually changes • Why paying yourself a reasonable salary matters • How the remaining profit can create potential tax savings • Why additional costs need to be part of the decision Hearing that someone else saved money doesn’t necessarily mean you will. Your business deserves its own analysis. General educational information, not individualized tax advice. Reach out for guidance specific to your business.
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What is self-employment tax? Am I paying that AND income tax?
Your income tax bracket might not tell the whole story. 👀 If you’re self-employed, you may owe self-employment tax AND income tax. That’s why setting money aside based only on your income tax bracket can leave you short. In this week’s Owner’s Office Hours, I explain what self-employment tax covers, who typically pays it, and why you could still owe it even when deductions and credits bring your income tax down to zero. There’s some good news, too: deductible business expenses generally reduce your profit, which can lower both taxes. Have a business money question? Drop it in the comments—it could be a future Owner’s Office Hours topic! This is general educational information. For guidance specific to your business and tax situation, reach out to me.
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Why Do I Owe Taxes When I Feel Like I Didn't Make Any Money
Have you ever gotten your tax return back and thought, “How do I owe this much? I didn’t even make that much money”? You remember the slow months, what you paid yourself, and how tight cash felt. But if you haven’t been reviewing your profit throughout the year, the number on your tax return can catch you off guard. In this first Owner’s Office Hours video, I’m explaining why taking money out to pay yourself doesn’t necessarily reduce your business profit—and why knowing that profit throughout the year matters.
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