Harrington Group Blog

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We are so excited to announce that Harrington Group has successfully switched to Xcentric - the leading software, designed exclusively for CPAs. We know software upgrades do not always sound exciting, but we assure you, this one is and here is why!



Xcentric is leading the way in CPA technology. This means Harrington Group is now operating on the most state of the art programming in the CPA world.

Xcentric is a cloud based program, which, as stated by Xcentric, “enables firms to extend the walls and efficiencies of their office environment by having a platform that the firm can use as a central point for all firm applications, communication, and other assets.”

Being cloud based has it’s own group of benefits. Our clients and staff can easily access all necessary information by logging in through a secure portal. This ease of access streamlines the process on both ends and allows us all to work together seamlessly.

In addition, being cloud based also means that all confidential information is protected. We all know how important security is, and with all information and documents stored in a secure server, we can guarantee further protection to our clients.

As well as the direct benefits to our clients, we are constantly striving to be responsible citizens of the world. Using Xcentric has helped us to move towards our goal of becoming a completely paperless office, therefore minimizing our environmental impact. When clients provide their information to us through the secure portal and our employees access it through their secure login, we are cutting out the unnecessary use of paper to transfer information. We recognize the many benefits of being a green office and are constantly working towards further reduction of our impact on the environment.

As Xcentric states on their website, they “help alleviate the IT burden commonly felt by CPA firms.” This allows us to do our best work and focus on our clients, allowing them to do their best work as well.
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We are so honored to share with you all the news that Harrington Group has been named one of the top 11 accounting firms in San Francisco, by AdvisoryHQ! We are fortunate to be working in "one of the most dynamic, cutting-edge, and innovative business environments in the world right now" and we are ecstatic to see philanthropy making the list of what San Francisco is known for.

We are sending a huge thank you to AdvisoryHQ for including us in this list and a big congratulations to all the other firms that made the list as well.





Please click the link below to see the full list and more details about how the top firms were chosen.
2016 Ranking of Top Accounting Firms in San Francisco, California
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Mother's Day is just around the corner and if you're like so many others, you haven't found the perfect gift just yet. There is no one more deserving of the ultimate token of your love than your patient, hardworking, always there for you, magnificent mother. Everyone wants to give their mother just the right gift, but it's a lot of pressure. Well don't worry, it is simpler than you think. 



What does your mother really want? She wants to spend time with you! Here are five ways to spend time with your Mom, this Mother's Day weekend and give her what she really wants.

1. Have a Picnic
Grab a big blanket, some delicious food from the local deli, and a nice chilled bottle of wine and you are on the road to a great Mother's Day. Set up in the shade at a park and enjoy some quality time together.

2. Make Art
Break out the paints, the markers and the clay. It doesn't matter what level of artistic skill you have, all that matters is creating something. In addition to working together, at the end of the day, your mom will have something she can keep.

3. Garden
Moms and Grandmas just love their gardens. Whether they are more hands on and love getting dirt under their nails, or they prefer picking out the perfect plants to complete their landscape, get involved with their garden for Mother's Day. Offer your digging and watering talents, or take your mom shopping for some new flowers.

4. Go to the Beach
The beach is always the perfect place to relax. Take a nice walk in the morning haze or cuddle up with blankets and hot chocolate at sunset. Your mom is sure to forget all the chores that need to be done while sinking her toes into the sand.

5. Cook a Meal
Think about how many meals your mother has prepared and served to you. Now think about how many meals you have made for her. Does there seem to be a slight deficit there? What better way to show your love than giving your mom the night off and cooking a delicious meal for her. If your mother is anything like mine, she won't leave you alone in the kitchen, so you will get to spend time together while prepping and cooking, as well as sitting down to enjoy the final product.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that time spent with those you love is always time well spent.

Happy Mother's Day!
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The Harrington Group team had the pleasure of visiting the Escape Room LA and enjoying their games as a team building activity. Please enjoy a few photos below.









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We are weeks away from the biggest day in tax season...April 15th!!!!
April 15th_Tax Day
What is the one of the biggest pains about getting ready for taxes????
THE MOUNTAINS OF RECEIPTS!!!
Below are a few of our favorite articles that teach you new ways to document those receipts.

Entrepreneur.com
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225900

U.S News
http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2015/02/03/want-to-make-taxes-easier-theres-an-app-for-that

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2015/02/17/filing-your-tax-return-in-2015-you-might-want-to-leave-those-medical-receipts-at-home/#7b5f46eb1316
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Today we celebrate President's Day!

The national holiday, still recognized by the federal government as, "Washington's Birthday" is seen as an opportunity to recognize & celebrate all our United States Presidents.

Rather than President Washington, today I want to draw your attention to the other birthday boy - President Abraham Lincoln.  Both men have a very strong standing in American history.  Easily recognized by all, from young children to adults, these men shaped the fate of our nation at critical points in history. We are all eager to share the facts we learned about them in school, spouting off their accomplishments. But what speaks to President Lincoln's  strength of character, alongside his noteworthy accomplishments, are his failures.



Abraham Lincoln
1832 - Lost job
1832 - Defeated for legislature
1833 - Failed in business
1834 - Elected to legislature
1835 - Sweetheart (Ann Rutledge) died
1836 - Had nervous breakdown
1838 - Defeated for Speaker
1843 - Defeated for nomination for Congress
1846 - Elected to Congress
1848 - Lost renomination
1849 - Rejected for Land Officer
1854 - Defeated for Senate
1856 - Defeated for nomination for Vice-President
1858 - Defeated for Senate (again)
1860 - Elected President

Reading that list of struggles and hardships is enough to make anyone see that Abraham Lincoln had anything but an easy road to the Presidency. Take the struggles listed here and use them as a tool to see the power of persistence. In anything you do, there is no guarantee that you will not fail. You are the determining factor of whether you will get up and carry on, or be defeated. Hard work and determination pay off, if you keep your goals at the center of your actions.

Let President Abraham Lincoln's struggles, and ultimate success, remind you of the untapped strength and skills you hold and what can be accomplished when they are shared with the world.

Happy President's Day!
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Today marks the celebration of the Chinese New Year. This year, is the year of the Monkey.

Below, please find some fun craft ideas to complete with your children in celebration of this special holiday!

Fireworks painting, as seen on DanyaBanya.

Materials
       Dark construction paper
       Pre-cut toilet paper roll
       Paints (white, yellow, red, gold and silver glitter)
       Spare toilet paper roll
       Scissors

Cut toilet paper role, dip and paint.

Paper Plate Monkey, as seen on Crafty Morning.

Materials
        Paper plate
        Brown paint
        Tan/white paper
        Sharpie
        Glue/tape
        Roller and bubble wrap (optional)


We used our bubble wrap attached to a lint roller to make some great monkey fur texture on the plain paper plate!
Cut out the monkey’s face, ears, and eyes with paper. Glue them on and add the facial features with black sharpie.

Happy Chinese New Year!
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WORLD CANCER DAY 2016

Cancer is one of those powerful words that can cause a change of mood in an instant. As often as it is spoken, it has not lost an ounce of its power.

Today, February 4th, is World Cancer Day. "It aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action.”

Today is the day to take the power of the word - cancer- and use it as motivation. Stand up, speak out and advocate for those who you love. Share you knowledge and your story in an effort to lend power and strength to others.

Walking Hands Activity_World Cancer Day 2016
“World Cancer Day is a day to collectively raise our voices and push for greater awareness, actively implement what we know in the areas of prevention, early detection, treatment and care and to push governments to invest in cancer control. It is a day of action and reflection, and I urge you all to get involved."
Jamal Khader - Director International Extramural Affairs Office, Director of Radiation Oncology Residency Program, King Hussein Cancer Foundation

For more information on how to get involved visit: World Cancer Day 2016.
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This month we celebrate the birthday of Harrington Group's founding partner, Joseph Harrington.



Harrington Group partners, Sean Cain, Tonetta Conner and Carlos Davis joined Joseph in Northern California, to celebrate his birthday. (Job Quesada was unable to attend, as he is recovering from knee surgery.) No birthday celebration is complete without cake, but this one was specially decorated with the Harrington Group logo.



As our website states, "The quality of the people within Harrington Group is one of our greatest strengths." We are so grateful to be part of the Harrington Group team and act as an extension of Joseph Harrington's founding vision. He is a man we respect and appreciate so much and we are honored to celebrate him!

Happy birthday Joseph!
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Harrington Group's annual holiday celebration was held at The Blind Donkey Whiskey Bar in Pasadena. We all got together to celebrate the holidays and get in the spirit. There was plenty of fun, games and whiskey, enjoyed by all.

Everyone received a FitBit, as well as additional prizes, after a spin of the wheel, as a token of our appreciation for all their hard work throughout the year. We love to get together and celebrate our team, who makes all the wonderful work we do possible.

Enjoy a few photos from our get together!





















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