Scott and Company LLC

Scott and Company has been nominated for Best of Columbia 2027 in the Certified Public Accounting Firms category! 🎉

🔗 If you'd like to cast a vote, the ballot is here: https://columbiametro.com/best-of-columbia-ballot/

(Scroll to SERVICES → Best Certified Public Accounting Firm.)
Voting closes October 13. Thank you, Columbia!

🎉 Scott and Company has been named a South Carolina 2026 Best Places to Work — our 12th year on this list! 🎉

We're proud to finish 4th in the Small Employer category. Thank you to our team for building an accounting firm culture centered on excellence, collaboration, and growth — the same values we bring to serving our clients every day!

Audits go more smoothly when prep starts early. That's why Dave Bodiford of our Assurance and Advisory team put together a year-end close checklist to take the guesswork out of getting ready. It lays out the accounts, schedules, and documents that come into play at year-end — a handy roadmap for the weeks ahead.

Consider it a preview of how we work — and a head start on a smoother close.

➡️ Access the full checklist here: https://scottandco.com/blog/financial-year-end-close-check-list

𝗜𝗥𝗦 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲

Effective July 1, 2026, the IRS has updated the optional standard mileage rates for business, medical, and moving purposes. These revised rates remain in effect through the end of 2026.

📊 New rates (July 1 – Dec 31, 2026):

• Business: $0.76 per mile
• Medical and Moving: $0.235 per mile
• Charitable: $0.14 per mile

For the first half of 2026 (Jan 1 to June 30), the rates were $0.725 for business, $0.205 for medical/moving, and $0.14 for charitable.

🔹 Full details and guidelines are available via the Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-29_irb -2026-11

📈 Your 40s aren't just another decade — they're a critical pivot point for building real wealth. This breaks down how to make sure your savings, investments, and debt strategy are all working toward your long-term goals, plus why shifting from "set it and forget it" to intentional planning makes all the difference now.

🔗 https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/how-to-save-money/an-essential-money-checklist-for-your-40s

An Essential Money Checklist For Your 40s Your 40s can set the stage for the rest of your financial life. Discover wealth-building strategies that your future self will thank you for.

Death and taxes are certain. But settling an estate? That can turn into a scavenger hunt.

When someone passes away, the hardest part often isn't the big legal questions — it's the small, hidden things no one knew about:

→ A storage unit nobody knew existed, days from being auctioned
→ Auto-drafted insurance lapsing because the card was canceled at death, then a scramble to reinstate coverage on an empty house
→ A safe deposit box drilled open because the keys were lost
→ Subscriptions billing month after month with no way to shut them off

As our records have gone digital, they can disappear right along with a person's online footprint.

The fix is simpler than you'd think. Alongside a will, power of attorney, and healthcare POA, create a Next of Kin list — a single place that captures your accounts, logins, insurance policies, property, and the location of important documents. Keep it under lock and key, since it'll store passwords and login credentials.

It's one of the kindest things you can do for the people you leave behind.

➡️ Read the full article: https://scottandco.com/blog/avoiding-the-scavenger-hunt-for-your-estate

Avoiding the Scavenger Hunt for Your Estate By: Bill West, CPA - Tax Member of Scott and Company CPAs There are three certainties in life: death, taxes (which explains my career choice), and no rule

Congratulations to Cassie Jones on the arrival of her newest little — baby girl Olivia! 🎀 We couldn't be happier for your growing family.

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼. ✨

We love seeing our team make the most of their time away from the office!

Amanda Hawkins, CPA, recently traded spreadsheets for Mickey ears and enjoyed a magical Disney trip with her family. We hope it was every bit as fun as it looks, Amanda! 🐭

For more On the Move with Scott and Co. moments, follow us on Instagram

Professional credibility is earned, not given — and Mike Aponte, CPA, has put in the work. From intern in 2018 to Audit Manager today, Mike's journey reflects the persistence, integrity, and genuine care for others that define the best in this profession. We're grateful to have him on our team and couldn't be prouder to see Columbia Metropolitan Magazine tell his story. Read the full feature at the link below. 👇

https://bit.ly/4uRunux

Scott and Company CPAs - Columbia Metropolitan Magazine Built to Last: Mike Aponte, CPA, on Persistence, Purpose, and Leading with Integrity Professional credibility is earned, not given. Ambition,…