2023 Spring Newsletter
April 18, 2023
Katie Thomas, CPA, CFP®, CGMA
President & CEO
A changing of the guard
I am honored to have recently moved into the role of Honkamp CEO, in addition to still serving as president, following in the footsteps of my longtime mentor Greg Burbach.
I look forward to continuing to grow the firm and work alongside a spirited team of leaders.
And Greg hasn’t exactly been put out to pasture. After serving as CEO since 2010, he now serves as chairman of the Honkamp board and leads our local market business development group.
The fantastic four
There are more Honkamp leaders to celebrate. The start of the new year also marked the ascension of four leaders within the company.
We announced four new principals effective Jan. 1 –
Revamped Honkamp.com launched
Have you checked out our new website? If not, take it for a spin.
The fresh, modern look reflects Honkamp’s new brand identity. The user-friendly interface, enhanced functionality and improved navigation aim to provide a better online experience for our users. The responsive layout adapts to your device whether you’re browsing on your desktop, tablet or smartphone.
We also added new search functions throughout the site to better serve our clients and help you find what you’re looking for.
Fraudsters at it again
We recently reached out to clients to warn them of the latest scam, this one focused on QuickBooks. The warning came as we saw an influx of fraud attempts tied to the software.
Please be on the alert for suspicious emails that say your support plan is expiring and do not provide private information if you receive one. If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out to us via our contact us form.
Saving green by going green
Who doesn’t like a good tax break or credit? Major federal legislation signed into law late last year presents opportunities for individuals and business owners alike.
The federal Inflation Reduction Act introduced many tax incentives related to environmental sustainability. They include credits for energy-efficiency improvements for homeowners and developers, as well as multiple credits aimed at encouraging the use of clean-energy vehicles.
“The (Inflation Reduction Act) is the most aggressive action aimed at tackling the climate crisis in American history,” writes Honkamp Senior Tax Manager Jenn Smith. Read her full column here: Tax incentives to help you go green in 2023
New legislation aims to boost retirement options
On a beautiful spring day, it might feel like retirement can’t get here fast enough. But have you done enough to prepare for it when the time comes?
Another recently passed piece of federal legislation aims to put people in a better position when they do call it a career.
Honkamp Principal Mike Hurd recently explored some key retirement provisions included in the SECURE 2.0 ACT. It expands retirement plan coverage, increases retirement savings opportunities and simplifies retirement plan rules. Read his brief overview of some significant provisions of the act here: A brief look at key retirement provisions to take advantage of
Financial advice for new grads
Speaking of looking to the future, Honkamp Principal Kevin Schmitt recently highlighted steps that new college graduates can take to get on the road to financial independence.
With a new diploma in hand, these young people might not be thinking about how much emergency cash to have on hand or their retirement savings – but they should be.
Do you have a new grad (or any young person) in your life? Share with them the six areas that Schmitt outlined to get them on the right track. Read it here: Financial Planning Basics and Quick Tips
Info in the face of economic uncertainty
It can be tough to keep up with the latest economic conditions and what they mean for the coming months. Let us help.
We provide quarterly comprehensive looks at the state of the economy and what lies ahead. Sign up for the free emails here.
10+ years in the Top 10
The streak continues: Honkamp again has been recognized as one of the Midwest’s top accounting firms by Accounting Today.
We recently were named a 2023 Top 10 Midwest CPA firm, and the publication listed Honkamp as among its “firms to watch.” We also remain the fastest-growing Iowa-based firm highlighted.
Honkamp now has been named a Top 10 Midwest CPA firm by Accounting Today each year for at least a decade. It’s great to be recognized again by a leading national accounting publication.
Still an awesome place to work
A new program identifies the best places to work in the Dubuque area, and Honkamp made the cut.
The honors were given to businesses based on employee feedback surveys and an employer assessment. The program is presented by Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and TH Media.
We are honored to once again be recognized for our workplace culture. As you might recall, Honkamp also has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Iowa by the Des Moines Register for nine consecutive years.
Honkamp holiday video lands hardware
Honkamp’s annual holiday video, based on the hit sitcom “The Office,” garnered plenty of laughs – and groans – when we unveiled it in December.
Now, we can call it an award winner after the video garnered a silver ADDY from the Dubuque chapter of the American Advertising Federation.
Will that award capture the attention of Hollywood and lead to lucrative film deals from our on-screen stars? Probably not. Is the award a good excuse to watch the video again? Definitely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRQjm5g05-o