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Blog: Insights From the Fastlane

Michael DiSabatino of Sharp CFO™ shares expert insights to help you unlock your business's full potential by delivering proven strategies for maximizing tax savings, streamlining operations, and driving sustainable growth.

The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. For advice tailored to your specific situation, we recommend consulting with a qualified professional.

Mike DiSabatino is the founder of Sharp CFO and WeDo CFO, where he helps business owners and professional firms improve cash flow, strengthen financial controls, and reduce risk before it turns into a problem.

With decades of experience as a CFO and advisor, Mike focuses on practical financial strategy, tax planning, and internal controls that actually work in the real world. He is known for his ability to communicate complex financial concepts to small business owners in plain English, without sounding like a PhD in physics or math.

Mike believes good financial controls should protect a business, not slow it down. He regularly writes and speaks on CFO-level risk management and financial discipline for growing companies.

Reasonable Salary for S-corp Owners: What It Is, Why It’s Required, and How We Defend It (Effort-Based)

The Rule, In Plain English

An S-corporation must pay shareholder-employees a reasonable salary for the services they perform before distributing remaining profits. This isn’t folklore; it comes from how the Internal Revenue Code treats compensation and payroll tax:

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What Is a SWOT? Why You Should Actually Do One?

Let’s be honest: we toss around “SWOT” a lot. CFOs love it, consultants swear by it, and half the time it’s a slide that gets skimmed between coffee refills. But do you actually know why it matters, or how to use it so it changes decisions and dollars, not just meeting minutes? Let’s review, simply and practically.

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5 CFO Tips Every Business Owner Should Know

Not every business can afford a full-time CFO—but every business deserves CFO-level insight. Here are five simple tips that our clients use to get control of their numbers and strengthen their bottom line.

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If you have a business at least one person on Payroll in California - PAY ATTENTION!

🚨 California Expands Retirement Plan Mandate 🚨

California has expanded its retirement mandate to the smallest employers. If you have even one W-2 employee (other than the owner or owner’s spouse) and do not sponsor a qualified plan, you must either (a) adopt a private plan (e.g., 401(k), SIMPLE IRA) or (b) register for CalSavers by December 31, 2025.

Action required by December 31, 2025.

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Why Smaller Businesses Deserve Big-League CFO Insight

Most entrepreneurs start with passion and grit. What they usually don’t start with is a seasoned CFO in their corner. That’s where the cracks begin to show: cash flow headaches, tense bank conversations, stalled growth, or even a looming sale that could leave money on the table.

A boutique CFO firm like ours exists to fix that gap. We bring executive-level financial leadership to smaller businesses that otherwise couldn’t justify—or afford—a full-time CFO. The result? Owners get the same forward-looking financial discipline that large corporations rely on, without the cost of hiring in-house.

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New “One Big Beautiful Bill”: What Ranchers, Farmers & Rodeo Professionals Need to Know — From a CFO’s Perspective

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB Act), signed into law on July 4, 2025, contains some of the most significant tax and agricultural provisions we’ve seen in years. Here’s a breakdown of the key points, with a focus on what they mean in practical terms for ranchers, farmers, and rodeo professionals.

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