Fenner, Melstrom & Dooling PLC

10/22/2026

Meet the Team: Lindsey Brewer, Staff Associate

Lindsey's journey with FMD began as a summer intern in May 2024. After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a degree in accounting, she returned to join the team full-time in May 2025!

Lindsey enjoys gaining hands-on experience across FMD's accounting, tax, and advisory services as she continues to build her career. She is also an alumni member of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance, and information systems.

Outside the office, Lindsey loves spending time with family and friends, hanging out with her rabbits, relaxing at the beach, and trying new hobbies!

We're glad Lindsey chose to continue her career with Team FMD!

10/20/2026

A new employee benefit may be on the horizon, but employers need to understand the rules before offering it.

Section 530A accounts, also known as Trump Accounts, were created to help eligible children build long-term savings. Recent IRS guidance provides additional details on how these accounts work and how businesses may contribute on behalf of employees.

Under the proposed regulations, employers could contribute up to $2,500 annually per employee, subject to specific eligibility, documentation, and nondiscrimination requirements.

New temporary regulations also address automatic account enrollment and the steps families must take before accepting certain contributions.

What does this mean for employers and families?

Our latest blog breaks down the new guidance, potential tax benefits, and important considerations for businesses evaluating this benefit.

Read the full article to learn more.
https://www.fmdcpas.com/blog-2/2026/10/9/irs-guidance-clarifies-employer-contributions-to-530a-accounts-and-more

Getting children on the road to a financially secure future can be a challenge. To help, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) created Section 530A accounts (also known as “Trump Accounts”), a new type of tax-advantaged savings vehicle for eligible children. Not only can parents and grandparent...

10/14/2026

Heading to Nashville for the AICPA Dealership Conference!

FMD’s Dan Patterson will be attending the AICPA Dealership Conference, October 19–20, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, both as an attendee and an exhibitor with The Driving Force Auto Dealer Consulting Group LLC.

The conference brings together CFOs, controllers, CPAs, and other financial professionals who work closely with the automotive dealership industry to discuss the accounting and business challenges facing dealers today.

Dan and The Driving Force team will also be connecting with CPA firms that specialize in serving auto dealers and are interested in learning more about joining the group.

If you’ll be at the conference, be sure to stop by the exhibit and connect with Dan.

10/12/2026

Organizational Involvement: Turnaround Management Association

At FMD, staying connected to the broader professional community helps our team bring valuable perspective to the businesses and individuals we serve.

We’re proud to recognize Liz Zezula, who serves as a Board Member of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA).

TMA brings together professionals across corporate restructuring, renewal, and corporate health, including accountants, attorneys, advisors, lenders, consultants, and turnaround practitioners. Its members work to help distressed businesses recover, guide companies through unexpected challenges, and help healthy organizations avoid potential pitfalls.

Liz’s involvement reflects FMD’s commitment to professional leadership, continued learning, and helping businesses navigate complex situations with greater confidence.

10/08/2026

October Tax Deadlines Are Approaching

October brings several important filing and payment deadlines for individuals, businesses, estates, and employers.

October 13: Individuals who received $20 or more in tip income during September should report those tips to their employer.

October 15: Key deadlines include:

• Individuals who filed an extension for their 2025 income tax return
• Calendar-year C corporations that filed an extension
• Certain retirement plan and SEP contributions for 2025
• Gift tax returns filed under extension
• Calendar-year bankruptcy estate returns filed under extension
• September payroll and nonpayroll tax deposits for applicable employers

If one of these deadlines applies to you or your business, make sure the necessary filings, contributions, and payments are addressed on time.

10/07/2026

Why FMD? Because good advice starts with knowing your business.

We don’t believe accounting should be a once-a-year conversation or that every business needs the same answer.

FMD works closely with privately held businesses and their owners to understand how the business operates, where it’s headed, and what matters most along the way.

That means experienced professionals stay involved. Questions get answered. Advice considers the bigger picture. And accounting, tax planning, and strategic guidance work together instead of in separate conversations.

Traditional accounting. Strategic advice. Sophisticated planning.

That’s FMD.

10/02/2026

CPA Joke of the Day

Why don’t accountants like the phrase “close enough”?

Because somehow it always turns into a reconciliation problem.

09/30/2026

Construction businesses don’t operate from behind a desk. Their advisors shouldn’t either.

Cash flow, WIP and job costing, insurance coverage, multi-state compliance, contractual audits, and cost segregation can all have a meaningful impact on a contractor’s financial performance.

At FMD, we work with commercial and residential contractors, subcontractors, trades, material providers, and other construction businesses to help owners understand the numbers behind their projects and make more informed decisions.

Our approach is hands-on. We spend time at jobsites and client facilities, learn how projects are structured and managed, and keep senior professionals closely involved throughout the relationship.

Because better advice starts with understanding how the business actually operates.

Learn more about FMD’s accounting, tax, and advisory services for the construction industry.

09/25/2026

September 30 Tax Deadline

A quick reminder for calendar-year trusts and estates that filed an extension: 2025 Form 1041 returns are due September 30, 2026.

Any remaining tax, interest, or penalties should also be paid by the deadline.

Questions about what still needs to be filed or paid? Contact the FMD team.