The storm has passed (literally and financially), tax season deadlines have shifted, and I’m finally coming up for air—just in time to hit you with another WTF finance moment. Today, I’m diving into the real reason businesses fail: a lack of financial statements. Yes, it’s that simple. Banks, investors, and business owners are making massive financial decisions without reviewing solid financials, and it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

In this episode, I break down:

• ​ Why your business needs CPA-prepared financial statements (and no, your tax return doesn’t count).
• ​ The importance of financial statement notes—because the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
• ​ My upcoming PhD journey (Dr. What The Finance is coming soon!) and how I’m using it to push for real change in business compliance.
• ​ Why bad bookkeeping and back-alley tax preparers are ruining businesses—and what we can do about it.

Also, I may or may not have bruised myself playing tennis. Priorities, people.

Now the AI version:

In this episode of "What the Finance," host Katrina Keller, CPA discusses the aftermath of tax season, particularly the extensions granted in Florida due to Hurricane Milton. She shares her experiences working with a client to clean up their financial records and the importance of having reviewed financial statements prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. Katrina reflects on her unique journey, her desire to pursue a PhD, and the value of continuous learning. She emphasizes the need for individuals to understand financial statements, particularly the significance of the notes accompanying balance sheets, which provide deeper insights into a company's financial health. Throughout the episode, Katrina's engaging storytelling and personal anecdotes aim to make finance more relatable and accessible to her audience, encouraging them to seek knowledge and improve their financial literacy.