The Watermark Group

We are constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to work with such exceptional clients and partners, and this holiday of gratitude is no different. Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. From our Watermark family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and great food.

Recently, our Watermark team had the privilege of spending the day with Outside The Box (OTB), a day-service and employment program supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our group rolled up their sleeves to give OTB’s beautiful property a little makeover — taking down a pergola, pulling weeds, spreading mulch, and more. It was a rewarding day of teamwork, fresh air, and giving back to an organization that makes such a meaningful impact in our community. 🌱

We’re grateful for the opportunity to support OTB and encourage you to learn more about their mission here:
👉 https://otbonline.org/

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Kurt Oetzel to the Watermark team!

Kurt, a proud Ball State University alum with both a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting, joined us October 1st as an Associate, so we're celebrating his first week with us.

We’re excited to have Kurt on board and look forward to the expertise, dedication, and fresh perspective he brings to our firm. Welcome, Kurt! 👏

We’re Hiring! Join our Team 📣

Looking to grow your career at a firm where your voice is heard, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact?

At Watermark, we're a small but mighty public accounting firm with a big vision, and we're expanding our team. We're currently hiring for:
- CAS (Client Accounting Services) Manager
- Student Intern - Assurance & Tax

🔍 Who are we looking for?
- Professionals who value collaboration, quality, and integrity
- CPA or CPA-track candidates preferred
- People eager to grow, mentor, and be mentored

✅ Why join us?
- Exposure to a wide variety of industries and clients
- Direct access to leadership and decision-making
- A team that supports work-life balance
- Real opportunities for advancement

If you value integrity, growth, and meaningful work, we’d love to connect.

📩 Apply by sending your resume to [email protected] or DMing us

➡️ See full job descriptions on our employment page:
www.thewatermarkgrp.com/employment

Taxes can be tricky, but a few smart moves throughout the year can make tax season way less stressful. Here are three tax-smart tips we wish every small business owner knew:

1. Track deductible expenses in real time. 🧾
Use cloud accounting tools to categorize expenses monthly, not just at tax time. You'll reduce missed deductions and save your CPA (and yourself) a lot of headaches.

2. Don’t forget about estimated taxes. 🗓️
If you owe $1,000+ in taxes, you’re probably required to pay quarterly estimates. Missed payments could mean penalties (and surprise bills).

3. Growing? Consider an S-Corp election. 📁
Eligible LLCs that elect S-Corp status can reduce self-employment taxes. It’s not for everyone, but it could save you thousands.

We help small business owners with tax strategy and planning year-round — not just at filing time.

📞 Need help navigating tax strategy or planning for next year?Let’s talk if you want less stress and more clarity.

Understanding and leveraging individual strengths are essential for building high-performing teams. The Kolbe A™ Index is a powerful tool that helps uncover each employee's instinctive method of problem-solving and action-taking.

With the insights gained from the Kolbe A™ Index, we help you align individuals with tasks and responsibilities that suit their natural abilities. This leads to improved teamwork, increased efficiency, and a reduction in workplace stress. By harnessing the diverse strengths within your organization, you can create a harmonious and productive work environment that drives collective success.

We'd be happy to tell you how Kolbe has helped our other clients - and see if it might be a fit for you.

Watermark is proud to support Horizon House and their vital work.

Horizon House plays a crucial role in our community, offering comprehensive services to neighbors experiencing homelessness, helping them secure and maintain housing, and working tirelessly towards the ultimate goal of ending homelessness one person at a time​​. Their dedicated case managers, essential onsite services, and street outreach team are instrumental in providing support and care to those in need, especially during these challenging times​​.

Being recognized as a 4-star charity through Charity Navigator, Horizon House's commitment to accountability and transparency reflects the values we cherish at Watermark​​. It's an honor to support their mission and contribute to the positive impact they make in Central Indiana.

Together, we can all help build a stronger, more caring community. As you look at your year-end giving, consider Horizon House!

The Watermark Group proudly supports the Central Indiana Police Foundation (CIPF), a key ally in fostering community and law enforcement relations. CIPF's mission to assist injured officers, provide essential resources, and build positive community partnerships aligns with our commitment to community safety and well-being.

Our involvement with CIPF's vital initiatives like "Code One" and "Invest in Blue" underscores our dedication to the safety and effectiveness of our police force. Join us in supporting these heroes in blue, as their service is integral to our community's prosperity.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, The Watermark Group extends our heartfelt gratitude to our valued clients. Your trust and partnership are the cornerstones of our success. We hope this holiday season finds you surrounded by family and friends, sharing in the joy and warmth that embody the spirit of Thanksgiving!

What do you need to know about "Inherited IRAs"?
When leaving an IRA to beneficiaries as part of estate planning, there are important factors to consider to avoid unnecessary taxes and penalties:

- Spousal beneficiaries can roll over Inherited IRAs into their own names. Non-spouses cannot.

- Non-spouse beneficiaries must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year based on their life expectancy. Failing to take RMDs triggers 50% penalty on undistributed amount.

- Inherited IRA funds must be drained within 10 years for non-spouse beneficiaries, with some exceptions like minor children.

- Withdrawals from Inherited IRAs are taxed as ordinary income for non-spouse beneficiaries.

Watermark is here to guide you through the nuances of bequeathing IRAs. Proper planning allows you to leave a lasting legacy while optimizing your beneficiaries' options. Let us know if you have any Inherited IRA questions!

Supporting Transformative Education at Marian University

At The Watermark Group, we are proud to support Marian University and their mission to provide a distinguished Catholic education focused on developing transformative leaders.

Located in Indianapolis, Marian University has a long history dating back to 1851 when it was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis. Today, Marian continues the tradition of Franciscan values and liberal arts education, while embracing growth under visionary leadership.

Marian offers students invaluable opportunities for leadership, service, career development, and personal growth. The close-knit campus culture allows students to get highly involved and find community.

Beyond career preparation, Marian aims to cultivate their students' full potential and equip them for lifelong success. We are honored to support an institution developing socially-conscious leaders who will create positive change in our world.

Marian University's commitment to transformative values-based education closely aligns with The Watermark Group's priorities. We are proud to invest in their work shaping thoughtful, compassionate graduates ready to make their mark.

Weighing Your Pension Payment Options
When retiring, you likely have a big choice to make - take your pension as a lifetime annuity stream or opt for a one-time lump sum payment.

There are pros and cons to each approach. Here are some key considerations:

Monthly payments - Annuities provide guaranteed income for life, protecting you from the risk of outliving your money. Lump sums give you immediate control and flexibility.

Taxes - Lump sums are taxed all at once. Annuities spread taxes out over time, often into lower tax brackets.

Investment returns - Good returns on investing a lump sum could provide more income overall versus an annuity. But it depends on your investing acumen.

Benefits for survivors - Annuitants can select options that reduce monthly payments to cover a surviving spouse. Lump sums typically don't provide for income past death.

Fees and penalties - Some plans charge fees to select a lump sum. And most levy surrender penalties if you change your mind later.

There are many variables to weigh. As your advisors, we're here to walk through the implications in detail. Our goal is to help you select the most financially sound option aligned with your retirement goals and risk tolerance. Reach out to start the conversation!