New business owners
Start your business on the right foot
Entity selection, EIN, books and first-year deadlines, set up properly from day one so you can focus on the work.
Your first-year checklist
- Choose a structure: sole proprietor, LLC, partnership or corporation. Read LLC or S-Corporation?
- Register: we guide you through forming your LLC or corporation in Virginia, if you choose one.
- Get an EIN: we apply for your federal employer identification number for you as part of setup.
- Open a business bank account and keep business and personal money separate.
- Set up your books from the first transaction. See bookkeeping and accounting.
- Local requirements: we’ll tell you which licenses and registrations apply to your business.
- Plan for taxes: estimated payments, payroll if you hire, and your first return deadlines.
How we help
We talk through your plans, help you choose a structure that fits, set up clean books, and map out your first-year federal and Virginia deadlines so nothing is missed.
Already up and running? See how we help small and mid-sized businesses.
Questions from new business owners
Do I need an LLC to start a business?
No. You can start as a sole proprietor. An LLC adds liability protection and some formality; it doesn’t by itself change how you’re taxed. We can help you weigh the options.
Can you set up my EIN and registrations?
Yes. We handle your EIN and first-year setup so everything is done correctly from day one.
When should I talk to a CPA?
Ideally before you register, so your structure, books and tax payments are set up correctly from the start.