As we approach the end of another year, let’s check some “to dos” off the list that we may have been putting off. These aren’t difficult or overly time consuming. Just one more thing to add to the busy calendar of the holiday season.

But first. . . Can we address the actual calendar? No, not the blotter on your desk with coffee stains that hasn’t been changed since 2015. Your ELECTRONIC calendar! I live and breathe by mine and include EVERYTHING from EVERY part of life. Conference calls and Zoom meetings, webinars, vet and doctor appointments, set times to write articles like this, pay bills, send invoices, etc. I also include hour long blocks to complete daunting tasks like completing the BOI (FinCEN) report, putting out trash bins every week, and changing the furnace air filter monthly (exciting stuff, just ask my husband who receives invites from me so they end up in his calendar as well).

So often I have doctors who miss calls or meetings with me or seem to never know when meetings, webinars or appointments are (even though they responded “Yes” to my calendar invite. From what I’ve seen this usually translates into their personal lives. These same doctors are infamous for rescheduling patient appointments because of unrecorded personal conflicts (FYI, patients DO NOT LIKE THAT) and consistently moving meetings with their consultants, accountants, marketing and billing teams because of something that came up “last minute” (well, last minute to them because it wasn’t in their calendar).

For this reason, I urge you to make some time over the holidays to set up your electronic calendars and make sure that when you receive an invite to something and respond “yes” or click the direct link to “add to calendar” you know where to find it (just like with my Zoom meetings and webinar reminders). Please also ask the calendar fanatics in your life to help (have your spouse, partner, office manager, most neurotically organized staff member) to keep your calendar up to date (no more surprise children’s concerts, hair appointments, soccer games). Please also click “add to contacts” when I or someone who sends valuable information to you on a regular basis, so it doesn’t end up in your spam folder (those who haven’t probably are not reading this anyway).

Now your quick “To Do” list for this week:

1. Make sure you have completed your FinCEN (Beneficial Ownership Information) Report by 12/31/24 (otherwise you are subject to fines)
2. Make sure you have completed your annual report/corporation renewal through your Secretary of State website (and paid your annual fee of course)
   1. Your accountant may do this for you but if not, make sure it is done, paid and recorded
3. Make sure all of your malpractice, liability, cyber security, disability, and life insurance policies are up to date and paid for the year.
4. Take advantage of the PPA preferred vendor end of year specials on cash pay products (stock up and save to use as additional end of year expenses)