Finance

A wake-up call might be in order when we study the profit-and-loss ledger for the year. What might look like a 25 percent labor cost is really 33 percent. A huge difference.

In this age of disposables, many veterinary practices still pay substantial sums for repairs and maintenance. However, instead of allowing immediate tax deductions, the Internal Revenue Service increasingly is labeling repair and maintenance expenses as "capital improvements," making them recoverable only through depreciation spread over a number of years.

A hard-working solo veterinarian reaches 67 years of age and wants to sell his practice and retire after 25 years of building it up. It's a no-brainer - or is it?

As you build, consider making these six profit-earning purchases.

Help cat owners provide a pain-free existence for their feline friends.

Wouldn't it be nice to put more away for retirement? Don't you wish you had more to show for your prime working years?

Whether you're planning to purchase an equine practice, or sell one, you're embarking on a journey that will lead to one of the biggest milestones in your veterinary career. So where do you start? Right here, by keeping these essential tips in mind as you travel toward practice ownership or sale.

Technicians zero in on missed charges to increase revenue.

How do I sell my practice's goodwill to a practice that could benefit from the potential business?

So why do we have such poor self-esteem? Is it getting worse?

Track your progress and stay on top of key project deadlines with this list.

North Grafton, Mass. - For every 100 veterinary medical jobs in New England, an additional 59 jobs are created in related industries.

Discounts are a popular marketing tool to encourage clients and customers to pay faster. Many suppliers offer them to improve their cash flow. Like many professionals, some veterinarians offer a trade discount of sorts for immediate payment upon completion of services, but they may give little thought either to the cost of offering discounts or how much they might save by using discounts offered to them.

Dr. Melisa Hicks and her team at Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., improve compliance by encouraging clients to prepay for fecal tests.

What you can do to get clients on board with your dental recommendations.

One tip: Offer giveaways printed with your Web site's address

"Oh, Doctor, how can we charge $18 for this service?"

I'm no longer feeling mellow about the Yellow Pages after its colossal mistake.

You are perfectly positioned to benefit from change. Here's how to make the most of three key management decisions.

Here are ways to improve your gas mileage, whether you commute to work or drive all day as a mobile doctor.

Download this PDF worksheet to get an ROI formula and a list of essential questions.

If you provide high-level care and compassion, most clients won't get worked up about fees.

Biannual deworming protects patients and encourages regular wellness visits.

Everyone can start to break the impasse between private practitioners and shelters by listening.

Before this doctor bought a single machine, he did his homework. The first thing he considered: cost-effectiveness.

Limit on write-offs for equipment outlays raised, bonus depreciation for '08 purchases added

Weigh your options before constructing a new clinic.

Los Angeles - A television station investigative reporter used a hidden-camera approach to raise questions about the legitimacy of diagnoses and fees at several veterinary practices in the Los Angeles area.

Personal financial planning is the process of organizing your financial goals into a workable plan so that you can live with financial security in the style you desire.

Many veterinarians pay their bills too quickly.