Client Portal

 Entity Setup, Startup Accounting
& Tax Planning for New Businesses

Starting a business is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. At Fortitude Tax & Accounting, we help new business owners build a strong financial foundation from day one. Our team guides you through choosing the right business entity (LLC, S Corp, or sole proprietorship), setting up your books correctly, and creating a proactive tax plan tailored to your goals. With the right structure and systems in place, you’ll avoid costly mistakes, stay compliant, and accelerate your growth.

Whether you’re launching your first side hustle, opening a professional practice, or growing a service business, Fortitude provides startup accounting, tax guidance, and bookkeeping support designed to keep more money in your pocket as you scale.

Confidence Breeds Growth

Your company’s financials are more than numbers—they’re the scorecard for your business. When your books are organized, accurate, and up to date, you can see exactly where your business stands and where it’s headed.

Clear financials build trust with banks, investors, and key stakeholders, giving them confidence in your business’s health and future. More importantly, they give you the confidence to make smart investments, manage cash flow, and plan your next stage of growth without second-guessing.

At Fortitude Tax & Accounting, we help startups and new business owners create the kind of financial clarity that drives funding, opportunity, and long-term success.

Based in Stansbury Park, Utah, Fortitude Tax & Accounting helps new business owners, entrepreneurs, and service professionals nationwide with bookkeeping, proactive tax planning, and business entity setup.

Meet Your Accounting Team!

Whatever stage your business is at, Fortitude operates as your back-office accounting team—at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house staff. And when you’re ready to grow and build your own team, we’ll help make that transition smooth.

Our startup accounting services include:

  • Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting – Track the health of your business with accurate, timely reports.
  • Target Monitoring – Measure progress toward financial goals and growth milestones.
  • Optimized Reporting for Funding – Financials designed to strengthen your case with banks and investors.
  • Cash Flow & Forecasting – Plan ahead for the funding and revenue needed to keep growing.
  • Technology Implementation – Set up accounting systems and tools that scale with your business.
  • Business Entity Selection & Setup – Choose the right entity (LLC, S Corp, etc.) and ensure it’s filed properly with your state for compliance and tax advantage.

 

What is the best business entity for a new business?

The right entity depends on your income, liability needs, and long-term goals. Many small business owners start with an LLC for liability protection, while others benefit from electing S Corporation status to save on self-employment taxes. At Fortitude Tax & Accounting, we evaluate your unique situation and recommend the structure that provides the best tax advantage.

Should I form an LLC or an S Corp for my small business?

An LLC is simple to set up and provides liability protection, making it a popular choice for new business owners. An S Corp may reduce self-employment taxes if your business is profitable enough to pay yourself a reasonable salary. We’ll guide you through the pros and cons of each so you don’t leave money on the table.

Can Fortitude help me file the paperwork to set up my business entity?

Yes! We not only help you choose the right entity, but also file the necessary documents with your state, handle your S Corp election if applicable, and make sure everything is compliant from the start. Our process saves you time and prevents costly mistakes.

What happens if I pick the wrong entity type?

Choosing the wrong entity can lead to higher taxes, missed deductions, and even compliance issues. For example, staying a sole proprietor when you could benefit from an S Corp could cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes. That’s why we help you make the right choice upfront and adjust if your business grows into a different structure later.

Do I need an accountant to set up an LLC or S Corp?

While you can file basic paperwork on your own, having an accountant ensures your entity choice is aligned with your tax strategy. At Fortitude, we go beyond filing forms—we build a tax plan around your entity type so you start strong and stay compliant.

Can Fortitude help businesses outside of Utah with entity setup?

Yes! Fortitude Tax & Accounting is based in Stansbury Park, Utah, but we serve new business owners nationwide. We help entrepreneurs across the U.S. evaluate their entity options, handle filings, and integrate bookkeeping and tax planning for long-term success.

Start your business on the right foundation today.  BOOK A CALL WITH US!

Testimonials

  I’m confident I’ll lower my tax liability, significantly reduce tax stress, and actually look forward to tax planning. The organization and efficiency are outstanding.

Brad Smith ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  This is the first year I actually received a refund. Melissa helped me understand a clear strategy and finally feel like I’m getting ahead.

Ariel G. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  They guided me through the tax process seamlessly. Clear communication, easy-to-use portal, and real answers from real people. Highly recommend.

Lisa G. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  Our accountant retired and referred us to Melissa and her team. They’ve been wonderful — we’ll definitely refer them.

Steve’s Stump Grinding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amazing customer service, fair pricing, and above all exceptional professionalism. I highly recommend Melissa and her team to be thorough, trustworthy, and extremely competent. A+++

Susan H ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Build a Solid Financial Infrastructure Now (You’ll Thank Us Later!)

New businesses that start with a strong financial foundation have the bandwidth to scale more rapidly. At Fortitude Tax & Accounting, we’ve helped startups grow from spreadsheets and small teams to venture-backed companies with hundreds of employees and over $100M in funding.

Your accounting systems, entity setup, and proactive tax plan are what make sustainable growth possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get it right.

BOOK A CALL WITH US!

to start building your business on the right foundation today.

Want to see how proactive planning saves money as you grow?
Check out our Proactive Tax Planning Services for new business owners.

Ready to Work Together?

Fortitude Tax & Accounting is led by Melissa Calwell, CPA, EA, with over 30 years of experience helping service professionals including: therapists in private practice, Realtors, and rental property owners make smarter tax decisions.

If you’d like to talk through your situation and see what level of support makes sense, schedule a discovery call with Melissa.