Dollars & Sense

What do the Duties of Care and Loyalty look like? HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp frequently mentions that homeschool leaders have a duty of care and loyalty to their groups. What does a duty of care look like? How do I know if I am being loyal? This is the first part of a 4-part series on […] The post What do the Duties of Care and Loyalty Look Like? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Mindset for Homeschool Leaders HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp spoke to a group of homeschool group leaders in Texas about a good mindset and attitudes that are necessary for leading a homeschool group. In this episode Carol reminds leaders of three things they may have forgotten: You cannot be all things to all people-so stop trying! Your […] The post Mindset for Homeschool Leaders appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

During the COVID-19 pandemic many homeschool programs used Zoom to stay connected with members. Three group leaders share how they used Zoom in their programs in this podcast episode. In June 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to […] The post Using Zoom and Giving Refunds appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at […] The post Communicating Plans and Organizing Classrooms appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Do you have a concern about lawsuits related to COVID-19? As a homeschool group leader you may have concerns that a lawsuit could be brought against your group is someone contracts COVID-19. On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of […] The post Do you have a concern about lawsuits related to COVID-19? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Social Distancing in a Homeschool Group Three homeschool leaders discuss the challenges of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 […] The post Social Distancing in a Homeschool Group appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Tools for Planning an Uncertain Future Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders in June 2020. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. This podcast will air […] The post Tools for Planning an Uncertain Future appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Planning an Uncertain Future for Homeschool Groups On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain if they could operate. The webinar […] The post Planning an Uncertain Future for Homeschool Groups appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This episode is an excerpt from the Indiana Homeschool Leaders Retreat. Carol Topp discusses tax exempt status and answers questions about self-declaring tax exempt status for your homeschool support group.   Visit Carol’s website here               FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:     The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization Does your homeschool […] The post Special Replay: Tax Exempt Q&A with Homeschool Leaders appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Have you heard of pod schools? They are groups of parents who gather together to educate their children outside of their public school system. They became very popular as in-person schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020. In the previous episode (#195) host Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA, discussed with […] The post What’s the Difference Between Pod Schools and Homeschools? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Have you heard of “pandemic pods”? They are groups of parents who gather together to teach or hire a teacher to educate 3-6 students outside of their public school system. They became very popular as in-person schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020. Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA discusses with […] The post Pandemic Podschooling: Is It Homeschooling? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 Some homeschool groups find it difficult to find a church host. Why is that? This episode is an excerpt from a homeschool leaders retreat held in Indiana. Carol Topp discusses the relationship homeschool groups have with churches who host their programs.   Visit Carol’s website here!                     […] The post Special Replay: Churches and Homeschool Groups appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Losing Tax Exempt Status Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders know what to do if their organization has lost its tax exempt status. Visit Carol’s website here       […] The post Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Losing Tax Exempt Status appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About IRS Annual Reports Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about IRS Annual Report. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand a report that the IRS requires from all tax exempt organizations–including your group! It’s called the Form […] The post Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About IRS Annual Reports appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Tax Exempt Status Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA, will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand tax exempt status. It’s easier than ever to get tax-exempt status. Should your group apply? Visit Carol’s website here […] The post Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Tax Exempt Status appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About NonProfit Status Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA will share tips on important issues that homeschool leaders may not know about. This episode will focus on helping homeschool leaders understand nonprofit status for their groups. What does it take to be a nonprofit? Only two things! Did you know that […] The post Special Replay: What Homeschool Leaders Don’t Know About Non-Profit Status appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In the new Board Member Manual, Carol Topp, CPA offers has important topics your board should discuss every year. Make a plan to cover one topic a month and do board training all year long. She shares those topics on today’s podcast.   Visit Carol’s website here!                 […] The post Best Of HomeschoolCPA: Board Binder: Board Training All Year Long appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Can My Homeschool Group Collect Money Now That’s For Next Year? Many homeschool groups collect deposits in the spring for next fall’s programs. This helps with determining how many families will be returning. But how should these early deposits be recorded in a homeschool group’s bookkeeping. Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA offers some ideas. In […] The post Best Of HomeschoolCPA: Can We Collect Money Now That’s For Next Year? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many homeschool leaders have no group to lead. Some may enjoy the break from responsibilities, but other feel lost and lonely without their groups. Carol Topp, the HomechoolCPA is joined by Doreen Browning, co-moderator of the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group and Jamie Buckland, Classical Program […] The post If I’m Not a Homeschool Leader, What am I? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Stay Connected with Your Homeschool Group During COV-19 The COVID-19 pandemic and the requirements to practice social distancing has meant that many homeschool groups can no longer meet face-to-face. How can homeschool groups stay connected during this time? Carol Topp, the HomechoolCPA is joined on today’s podcast by Doreen Browning, co-moderator of the I am […] The post Stay Connected with Your Homeschool Group During COVID-19 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Has COVID-19, the novel corona virus pandemic, caused your homeschool group to close, suddenly? How did you make the decision to cancel your program? The post Closing Your Homeschool Group During COVID-19 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA, is frequently asked by small homeschool groups if they are setup up correctly. Do they owe taxes? Do they need to be a nonprofit corporation? Henry  writes, “Can a small homeschool education club focused on speech and debate be categorized as an “unincorporated association” and therefore not apply for recognition […] The post Speech and Debate Club – Unsure of Its Setup? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Conflict of Interest: Paid teachers as board members in a homeschool group A homeschool leader is concerned about a conflict of interest if she wants to be a board member and paid teacher. Jessica, who wants to start a homeschool co-op emailed HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp this situation: “I have a question about the conflict of […] The post Conflict of Interest: Paid Teachers as Board Members in a Homeschool Group appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA is sometimes asked if a homeschool family can be a charity.  Sometimes a homeschool spouse wants to set up a business and hire their spouse to homeschool their children. Can this be done? Are there tax breaks for doing this? R.A. writes, “I would like some preliminary information on setting […] The post Set Up Homeschool Family as a Charity appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A homeschool leader asks if the way her group pays volunteer teacher is legal. Holly, a homeschool group leader emailed HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp this situation: “I need guidance on the method with which our organization’s volunteers are paid teacher fees. We are collecting cash from all the members for their children’s class fees, and redistributing […] The post Paying Volunteer Teachers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Carol Topp starts a new feature: Q&A with HomeschoolCPA in her podcast for homeschool leaders.  In this first Q&A session, she is asked by a Classical Conversations® Director if she needs to give Classical Conversations® Corporation a 1099-MISC for the licensing fees she pays them. It’s an excellent question and Carol Topp, CPA explains the […] The post Q&A: Do I Give Classical Conversations a 1099-MISC? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you a tutor, teacher or CC director of a homeschool business? You might be very confused about your taxes. Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA, has a book for you! And she’s giving it away for free, but only in January 2020! The ebook is 60 pages long and contains information on: Business Start Up LLC […] The post Free Ebook: Taxes for Homeschool Business Owners appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Do It Yourself Application for 501c3 Status – Carol Topp, the HomeschoolCPA enjoys sharing her knowledge via webinars including these three she mentions on the podcast: Create a Nonprofit Organization for Your Homeschool Community: This first webinar explains the differences between running a business and a nonprofit. Carol explains boards, budgets and Bylaws and Nonprofit […] The post Do It Yourself Application for 501c3 Status appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Homeschool leaders sometimes wonder when they need an insurance policy. And what type of policy do they need?   In this episode Carol Topp, CPA discusses the various types of insurance a typical homeschool group might need. Additionally, homeschool leaders get a few tips on record keeping and reimbursements for expenses.   This is the […] The post Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Insurance & Record Keeping appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Lots of homeschool groups hire and pay teachers to conduct classes. Sometimes these teachers are homeschool parents, but sometimes they are professional instructors. Homeschool leaders have a lot of questions about paying teachers and other workers. Topics in this episode include: • Independent Contractor or employee • The factors the IRS considers in classifying workers […] The post Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Paying Workers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Preventing Fraud   Let’s hope fraud or embezzlement never happens in your homeschool group! Do you have safeguards to spot it and prevent it?   This is the third part of a 5-part series on Top 10 Tips for Running a Homeschool Group, Carol Topp, CPA shares some tips […] The post Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Preventing Fraud appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Bylaws   “Are bylaws and a board really necessary or is that only for homeschool groups that are 501c3 nonprofits?” was a great question asked by a homeschool leader at a workshop given to homeschool leaders in Wichita, Kansas.   In this second part of a 5-part series on […] The post Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Bylaws appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Board duties What does it take to be a board member of a homeschool group? Is it just attending meetings? Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA explains the 4 duties of nonprofit board members: Duty of Care, Loyalty, Compliance and Management.   This is the first part of a 5-part […] The post Top 10 Tips for Homeschool Leaders: Board Duties appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Tiny homeschool groups have different challenges than large programs. They are limited on resources, volunteers, and activities. But they still have questions about legal status, money and taxes that the large homeschool organizations have. In this 4-part podcast series, Carol Topp, CPA answers the common questions that tiny homeschool groups face. Find all the episodes […] The post Tiny Homeschool Groups: Do We Need a Bank Account? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Tiny homeschool groups have different challenges than large programs. They are limited on resources, volunteers, and activities. But they still have questions about legal status, money and taxes that the large homeschool organizations have. In this 4-part podcast series, Carol Topp, CPA answers the common questions that tiny homeschool groups face. Find all the episodes […] The post Tiny Homeschool Groups: Do We Need to Pay Taxes? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Tiny homeschool groups have different challenges than large programs. They are limited on resources, volunteers, and activities. But they still have questions about legal status, money and taxes that the large homeschool organizations have. In this 4-part podcast series, Carl Topp, CPA answers the common questions that tiny homeschool groups face. Find all the episodes […] The post Tiny Homeschool Groups: Do We Need to File Anything? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Tiny homeschool groups have different challenges than large programs. They are limited on resources, volunteers, and activities. But they still have questions about legal status, money and taxes that the large homeschool organizations have. In this 4-part podcast series, Carol Topp, CPA answers the common questions that tiny homeschool groups face. Find all the episodes […] The post Tiny Homeschool Groups: Are We a Nonprofit? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A military family can be an asset to your homeschool group. Find out how from homeschool leader Melissa Robb and School Liaison Officer at Newport, RI Naval Base, Pamela Martin. These two ladies have a heart for helping homeschool military families and you’ll learn the benefits of inviting them into your group. In this episode […] The post Military Homeschool Families: An Asset to Your Group appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Homeschool leader Melissa Robb was never in the military, but she developed a heart for homeschool military families moving to her area. Listen as she tells Carol Topp about how she helped military families with information, connections and friendship. In this episode of the HomeschoolCPA podcast, Carol Topp will share: How to welcome a military […] The post Military Families: How Homeschool Leaders Can Help appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

As a homeschool leader you may need form resources to help you understand a special needs child in your homeschool co-op. Faith Berens, the Special Needs Consultant at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), shares several resources with host Carol Topp in today’s episode. • HSLDA’s list of resources https://hslda.org/content/strugglinglearner/default.asp • KeyMinistry.org Download their […] The post Special Needs Resources for Homeschool Co-ops appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Special needs children can be a challenge for a homeschool group leader. In this episode, Faith Berens, Special Needs Consultant at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) explains to host Carol Topp how a homeschool co-op can welcome a child with special needs. In this episode of the Homeschool CPA podcast, Faith shared: • […] The post Special Needs Children in a Homeschool Co-op appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Some homeschool groups that started as a for-profit business want to convert to a nonprofit organization. Most of these nonprofit organization also want 501c3 tax exempt status from the IRS as well. In this 3-part podcast series Carol Topp, CPA has explained the basics of a nonprofit organization and how to form a nonprofit corporation. […] The post Converting a Business to a Nonprofit: Tax Exempt Status appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Sometimes a homeschool group started as a for-profit business desires to convert to a nonprofit organization for its many benefits. Can that be done? How hard is it? How costly is it? In the next 3 podcast episodes Carol Topp, CPA will explain how to convert a for-profit business into a nonprofit organization. In this […] The post Converting a Homeschool Business to a Nonprofit: Nonprofit Incorporation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  Sometimes a homeschool group that started as a for-profit business now desires to convert to a nonprofit organization for its many benefits. Can that be done? How hard is it? How costly is it? In the next 3 podcast episodes Carol Topp, CPA will explain how to convert a for-profit business into a nonprofit […] The post Converting a Homeschool Business to a Nonprofit: The Basics appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Do you have too many plates spinning? Do you wear too many hats in running your homeschool program? Jamie Buckland, a homeschool leader from West Virginia started Appalachia Classical Academy and knows where you are coming from!   Jamie explains to host Carol Topp how she is working herself out of a job. Some of […] The post Working Yourself Out of a Job appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Ugh! As a homeschool leader, don’t you hate having those hard conversations with families, students of your staff? Jamie Buckland, a homeschool leader from West Virginia started Appalachia Classical Academy and understands having to deal with conflicts. Jamie explains to host Carol Topp how she manages to deal with conflict in her group. Some of […] The post Having Those Hard Conversations When You Lead a Homeschool Group appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Should your homeschool program pay teachers? Jamie Buckland, a homeschool leader from West Virginia started Appalachia Classical Academy and pays her teachers as employees. How and why would she do that? This podcast will give you something to think about and consider for your homeschool program.   Jamie explains to host Carol Topp how she […] The post Should You Pay Homeschool Teachers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Sometimes homeschool leaders must deal with angry members. It seems as if the ugliness from social media creeps into our homeschool groups. It’s happened to Alicia Strunkel, a homeschool leader form Georgia. Alicia explains to host Carol Topp how she has learned to deal with upset people both online and in person. Alicia shares some […] The post Dealing with Angry People appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you a people pleaser? Alicia Strunkel, a homeschool leader form Georgia, is, but after 11 years of leading homeschool groups, she has learned how to deal with opposition. Alicia explains to host Carol Topp how she has learned to deal with her feeling when people are upset with her decisions. Alicia shares some tips […] The post Dealing with Opposition When You’re a People Pleaser appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Does your homeschool group have a hard time getting volunteers? Maybe you need to keep meetings to a minimum since homeschoolers are busy people. Homeschool leader Michele Gross shares some great tips on keeping meetings to a minimum but still staying in communication. Michele has been a homeschool leader for 15 years and currently is […] The post Keep Meetings to a Minimum appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Does your homeschool group have a hard time finding volunteers? Many groups struggle with getting people to help out. Homeschool leader Michele Gross shares some great tips for recruiting volunteers with host Carol Topp. Michele has been a homeschool leader for 15 years and currently is the founder and director of The Learning Connection in […] The post Recruiting Volunteers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.