Dental Practice Accounting & CPA Services

Quick answer: Soriaga & Associates provides accounting for dental practices: monthly dental bookkeeping, payroll, tax planning and returns, and CFO-level reporting on the numbers that drive a practice. We've been a CPA firm since 1985, we're based in Lisle, IL, and we work with dentists nationwide.

Most dentists don't need more reports. They need a CPA who can explain why collections were up but cash was down, what an associate really costs, and how much tax they can legally keep. That's the work we do.

Dental accounting services built around how a practice runs

Dental bookkeeping, done monthly and on time

• Monthly bookkeeping for dentists, with accounts set up for a dental practice: lab fees, dental supplies, hygiene and associate compensation.

• Bank, credit card and merchant-processor reconciliations.

• Your practice-management deposits (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve) reconciled to the bank so production, collections and deposits tie out.

• Financial statements by the middle of the following month.

Payroll for dentists, hygienists and staff

• Payroll processing, tax filings and year-end W-2s.

• Setting up associate and hygienist pay on production or collection percentages.

• Help deciding whether a role should be W-2 or 1099, before it becomes a payroll tax problem.

Tax planning and preparation for dentists

• Practice and personal returns (S corporation, partnership or sole proprietor).

• Reasonable-compensation planning for S corporation owners.

• Equipment purchases timed for depreciation, including Section 179 and bonus depreciation.

• Retirement plan strategy (401(k), profit sharing, cash balance plans) to lower taxable income.

• Quarterly estimates, so April has no surprises.

Practice KPIs and Fractional CFO

• A monthly dashboard covering production, collections, collection rate, overhead percentage and cost per visit.

• Overhead broken out by staff, supplies, lab and facility, so you can see which cost moved.

• Cash flow forecasting and financing for build-outs and equipment.

• Fractional CFO support from $200/month for practices that want a CPA at the table every month.

Buying, selling or adding a location

• Review of the practice's financials before you buy (quality of earnings).

• Purchase-price allocation. Practice goodwill is generally amortized over 15 years for tax purposes, so the allocation affects your taxes for years.

• Setting up the entity and accounting for a new practice, partnership or second office.

Not sure where your practice stands? Book a free 20-minute call and we'll walk through your last P&L together.

Why dentists choose a dental CPA over a general accountant

A general accountant records what happened. A dental CPA explains why it happened and what to change. The difference shows up in three places:

1. Overhead. We break out staff, supplies, lab and occupancy costs as a share of collections and track them every month. That's how you spot a supply or lab problem early instead of at year-end.

2. Compensation. Associate and hygienist pay structures, owner pay and S corporation reasonable compensation all change your tax bill. We model them before you sign, not after.

3. Growth decisions. A new chair, a CBCT, a second location or buying out a partner each has a payback period. We run the numbers so the decision rests on cash flow, not guesswork.

Accounting for dental practices across the country

Our office is in Lisle, Illinois, and most of our work is remote. We serve dental practices in Illinois and nationwide, with secure file sharing and video meetings. Chicagoland dentists can also meet us in person.

• Established 1985: more than 40 years in practice, and CPAs with 25+ years in healthcare accounting.

• Healthcare focus: dental, home health, hospice, home care and wound care. We work with practices whose revenue depends on reimbursement and payer mix.

• Members: American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Illinois CPA Society and Lisle Area Chamber of Commerce.

Frequently asked questions

What does a dental CPA do?

A dental CPA handles a practice's bookkeeping, payroll and taxes, then uses those numbers to help the dentist make decisions. That covers overhead and collections tracking, tax planning for the owner and the practice, associate compensation, and financial review when buying, selling or expanding. A general accountant usually stops at recording transactions and filing returns.

Do dentists need a specialized dental accountant?

You don't have to use one, but most practices benefit. Dental practices have their own cost structure (lab fees, supplies, hygiene and associate pay) and their own tax questions, such as equipment depreciation, S corporation compensation and practice goodwill. An accountant who works with dentists knows which numbers to watch and what's normal for a practice your size.

How much does dental bookkeeping cost?

It depends on transaction volume, the number of locations, payroll size and whether you want CFO-level reporting. We quote a flat monthly fee after a short call, so you know the cost before you start. Our Fractional CFO support starts at $200 per month.

Can you work with dental practices outside Illinois?

Yes. We're based in Lisle, IL and work with dental practices nationwide. Bookkeeping, payroll and tax work is done remotely through secure portals and video meetings. We prepare federal returns and state returns wherever the practice files.

Can you help me buy or start a dental practice?

Yes. Before you buy, we review the seller's financials, normalize the earnings and flag risks. After closing, we set up the entity, the chart of accounts, payroll and the purchase-price allocation, which drives how goodwill and equipment are deducted.

Talk to a dental CPA this week

Tell us about your practice in a free 20-minute call. We'll look at where your overhead stands, where you may be overpaying in tax, and what a monthly accounting package would cost.

Use the button below to book, or call 630-491-1268.