CPA on your Team - Signature Management

Management

CPA on your Team

February 13, 2025

Get an Independent CPA on Your Team. Your HOA will Thank You.

Warren Buffet famously said, “Accounting is the language of business.” Does your Association’s Board of Directors speak the language well? Bookkeeping, accounting, and changing tax codes require whole accounting departments at big corporations. You can be sure those departments have Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to help them keep everything straight. What does your HOA have?

Business is Business.

Your HOA is a business and is accountable like any other business for financial reporting and taxes. The responsibility for the accounting of your financials is critical and is a key responsibility of your HOA Board of Directors, not just your Treasurer. In fact, your Association will most likely find itself in a mess without an independent CPA on your team.

The advantages of working with an independent CPA are many. That’s why Signature Management Solutions has CPAs on staff to help Association Boards manage financial matters better. But how else does a CPA help?

Reduce Bookkeeping Errors and Keep Up with Tax law.

With a CPA’s financial training, education, experience and expertise, you’ll reduce the risk of errors and potential fiscal mismanagement that are common with Associations that don’t have a CPA. Don’t underestimate the impact that a simple transcription error can have. Bookkeeping errors can mount and often require a ridiculous number of manhours to track down and amend.

Then there’s compliance with current federal and local tax law. How does your HOA keep up, let alone get ahead? With an independent CPA at your service, you’ll have a person that is well-versed in all the legalities and regulations that affect your Association and will help ensure your board complies with all legal requirements. There is no better way to avoid penalties and other legal issues down the road.

The Peace of Mind is Palpable.

A CPA adds a whole other level of professionalism and credibility to the HOA’s financial management as a whole. Just having an independent CPA as a part of your team can increase trust among homeowners and potential buyers alike. That feels good to everybody.

The Financial Planning and Reporting Provides Big Picture Thinking.

When it comes to money matters, CPAs can provide valuable insights into financial planning, helping your Board create realistic budgets, manage reserves, and prepare for future expenses. CPAs can also generate comprehensive financial reports, then walk you through them and answer all your questions. Having such an expert to lean into for information is invaluable.

Conflicts of Interest Won’t be a Thing.

Impartiality is critical when it comes to counsel or guidance regarding investments. By having an independent CPA manage your books, your Association prevents potential conflicts of interest by board members or other members of the association and ensures impartial financial oversight. Really, who doesn’t want that?

Everything has a Risk. A CPA Helps Defang the Financial Ones.

Managing financial risk is a CPA’s bread and butter. Armed with the knowledge of your numbers, your CPA can identify financial risks and recommend strategies to mitigate them, contributing to the overall financial health of your Association.

Overall, involving a CPA can enhance the financial stability and integrity of your HOA, benefiting all of your condo owners, townhouse owners or homeowners in your community. Can your HOA really afford not to have an independent CPA on your team? We think not.

All of these reasons just scratch the surface of how a CPA can help. There’s so much more.
Let’s talk. At Signature Management Solutions, we offer CPA services with every Association we help manage. You’ll get experienced help from our CPA team in setting up and maintaining reserve funds and accurate budget forecasting. It’s kind of our thing.

Help! Help! Help!

Already have a financial quagmire on your hands? Don’t worry. Your Association does not have to go it alone. Our CPAs have a great track record of turning around financially challenged Associations in the Orlando, Florida area. We’re here to help and we care.

Want to learn more about how a CPA might help your HOA? Schedule an appointment with us today.

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Hi Mary Jo, thank you again for all of your hard work. Both you and Chris have been truthfully outstanding and very much appreciated.

Chris, as always, you have been an amazing HOA partner and property manager this week as we have Element making concrete improvements in our complex. I appreciate your professionalism, patience, and timely, eloquent emails as we sift through all the communications from our community owners. You certainly have earned a fabulous weekend and I hope you have one! With great appreciation,

A note [for] the terrific effort Chris has and continues to put forth to support my ARC for a new AC installation. The new AC installation is not normal (space and wiring), and he has provided excellent guidance to me and taken leadership in communications to the board. He has represented Signature Management in an exemplary manner.

Signature is the best property management company that I have worked with on HOAs! I thought the budget meeting this week was an amazing discussion with your leadership, Mary Jo. With your expertise and guidance, we were able to draft an excellent budget plan for 2025. And, Chris, you are always amazing, but especially so this week as we did a mountain of work to tidy up the outstanding work estimates on the building repairs. Your quick response to inquiries, and your patience and explanations are so appreciated. It feels like I stepped into a big job and knowing you two are such amazing partners sure helps me sleep at night.

— WHCC, Jill Franz

I recommend MaryJo and Signature Management to join your team as a dedicated and knowledgeable community manager, I know that she will be a beneficial addition to your community. MaryJo has been the Community Association Manager for nearly two years. I rely on Maryjo, and have come to know her as a truly valuable asset to our Community. She is honest, dependable, and hardworking. Beyond that, she is an impressive PCAM who is always transparent and professional. Her knowledge of construction defects and expertise in litigation was a huge advantage to our community. She put this skill set to work in order to secure our community the largest settlement by Toll Brothers to date, for that particular product. She is a true team player, and always manages to foster positive discussions and bring the best in her community.

Having troubles with your old management company? The solution is easy. Change to Signature Management Company and your life will be so much happier, easier and better. Signature is THE BEST Management company - far superior to the one we had for over 30 years in our association. Once we changed over to Signature, projects got DONE! Not only that, but when we call Signature, a person promptly answers the phone! Mary Jo and Chris have been great to work with and I, as a unit owner, feel more confident that our association's finances are being looked after in a proper way. Again, if you're unhappy with your management company, change to Signature and know that your association will be so much better looked after by the competence and experience of Signature Management Company's excellent team.

— Vista Del Largo, Susan Matthiesen

From the day Signature Management acquired the community where I am an owner, Wekiva Village on the Green, I’ve been extremely impressed by the professional, courteous, and responsive demeanor of our new Property Manager, Chris Marin. Clearly he prides himself on communication with owners in a timely manner. I have not made a single inquiry that hasn’t been responded to quickly by phone, email, or text…and with detailed answers about my questions. What Chris told me would happen DID happen!! He has taken control of a long overdue repair on my garage and chose a contractor that worked diligently to get it done. Our community is fortunate to have Chris Marin as our PM as I tell anyone who cares to listen !!! Thanks for the great job you’re doing, Chris!!!

— Wekiva Village on the Green, Anonymous

I would like to tell you both that we really appreciate your endless, relentless efforts you have done for all the residents of Chesterbrook. Having the town hall meeting and sharing your advice I'm sure was welcomed by more than just the board. The board believes in you and we want our residents to see as well why. Thank you for all you do!

— Chesterbrook, Anonymous

As I continue to immerse myself in the Archives, the value of a strong Board - Manager relationship becomes increasingly clear. You were very brave to have taken on so dysfunctional a community at the time you did. I have a greater respect for your efforts on our behalf as my understanding of Portfolio Management grows. You and your staff have gone so far above and beyond the contractual borders in both time and expense without additional cost. I thank you, the Board, and the Community at large for your patience as we all climb the learning curve in an ever changing environment. I am very thankful for what has been accomplished in the last two years or so by your staff, the Board, and the folks in the Community who have stepped up to help.

Just wanted to let you know how much I respect you and admire you for the work you've done so far for our community. I've never felt more comfortable handing something over knowing it will be handled properly.

— Sun Bay Club Condominiums, Karen L., Board President

The words of thank you are not enough to express the gratitude of the owners and especially the Board of Directors at Vista Del Largo. Meer words are inadequate compared to the assistance and guidance that has been provided through this very difficult transition. At time I have stretched our professional relationship to think of you [MaryJo] and your associates as mentors, and all have stepped up providing much needed advice. For this, I personally thank everyone at Signature Management Solutions.

— Vista Del Largo, Allen Wellman, Board of Directors

I truly appreciate all your personal help and efforts and am truly very impressed by our new condo management company. You guys are really on top of things and it is greatly appreciated! What a difference between your company and the previous.

— Sun Bay Club Condominiums, Aaron R.

You are a big improvement over the last company and we love you!

— Sun Bay Club Condominiums, Dave Z., Resident

As a Realtor I have had many unpleasant experiences dealing with property managers when attempting to assist my customers with the sale of their home. What a breath of fresh air your customer service department is. They respond quickly to all inquiries and seem to take pride in providing the highest level of service to benefit their clients. Please keep up the good work!

— Lake Villas Condominium, Glenda M., Realtor

Let me begin by complementing the staff at your HOA management office, specifically Christopher and Ingrid. Each of them has been delightful to work with. Kudos to your team there.

— Ramblewood Condominium, Owner

Want to let you know I appreciate everything you have done for Deer Song, me, and Ginny. Deer Song has come a long way with your help (and Chris’s help) with the letters and Chris walking the property and everything else. Just wanted to let you know on this Thanksgiving holiday that I (we) are thankful.

— Deer Song, Sheri (VP)

I wanted to commend your positive attitude as MOST management companies personnel that I have dealt with are nowhere near as responsive to any requests as you were, in fact I generally get either no response or no assistance whatsoever if information is required on my borrower. I am a very big believer of customer service, as in today’s world everything is automated and communication is lacking. So thank you again for being so helpful with such a quick response time, it has been greatly appreciated!!

— FBC Home Loans, Cathy LaPoint

On January 1, 2022 our association partnered with Signature Management Solutions. All of those at Signature have been knowledgeable and professional, but more especially, MaryJo LoCascio and Chris Marin have gone out of their way to assist us in a professional manner tempered with the human element of understanding. Our association is now being managed with the cooperative partnership of the Board of Directors and Signature Management Solutions resulting in proactively solving problems and planning for the future. The professional partnership with Signature Management Solutions has been positive and productive and we look forward to a brighter future for our association. I can't thank those at SMS enough for their assistance.

— Vista Del Largo, Allen Wellman, President, Board of Directors

I've been living in Alahambra Court for awhile and I just wanted say it's a great place to live and your management maintains it very well.

— Alahambra Court, Robert M., Resident

I appreciate your follow-up and your many great contributions to our community life. You guys and your steady efforts are appreciated. With the roof work, great painting, renewed landscaping, trees trimmed, the community is really looking great. Thank you for your part in helping us to be all that we can. Great teamwork!

— Moss Park Commons, Homeowner

“Congratulations to you and your financial team for an excellent budget proposal report! 1st time that I am reviewing a comparison budget proposal versus actuals of prior years / projections, since I am on this board; It’s easy to follow and understand.”

— Riviera Townhome Owners Association, President-Board of Directors

Thank you for all that you have done for Vista Del Largo and especially for me. Your taking the time to review and make suggestions on the proposed policies and rules and regulations was over and above the provisions of both our contract with you and any other obligation to VDL.
Again, thank you.

— Vista Del Largo, Al Wellman

Progress, thank you so much for all the hard work you and your team put into my neighborhood.

— Oaks at Winter Springs, Tammy Sumner, President

MaryJo, I can't tell you how much I personally appreciate the urgency you have placed on all of this from the very first email I sent you. The speed and intensity with which you have tackled this is outstanding and I want to make sure it doesn't go unnoticed. To repeat, your decisive and straightforward response to everyone's concerns here may well be the glue that makes this transaction happen. Your approach here is also an excellent example of what the Buyer can expect from VDL management in the future should she indeed become the new owner. Many thanks once again, MaryJo.

— Vista Del Largo, John

Just want to say thank you very, very, very much. Really appreciate what you are doing for us and really just could not be more thankful and please pass it on. I appreciate it so much. Thank you!

— Chester Brook, Jan Vitally

MaryJo and Chris, Please rest assured that in the midst of our day to day challenges, you are both greatly appreciated. Your commitment does not go unnoticed. On behalf of the Chesterbrook Community, thank you.

— Chesterbrook Community, Anonymous

I appreciate you – you are always so responsive, and believe me, not everyone is like that.

— Client Executive, Leslie C. Hanson, AIS, AINS