Discover how the FREEDOM Map from Peden Accounting Services helps you align your financial goals with your life priorities, breaking down big dreams into manageable steps for a sustainable and fulfilling future.

At Peden Accounting Services, we understand that achieving financial success is about more than just numbers—it’s about aligning your goals with your life and building a sustainable future. That’s why we created the FREEDOM Map, a holistic approach to financial planning that sets us apart from traditional methods.

“My wife and I always said that we’re building the business around our life,” says Chris Peden. “You can’t just focus on making money. You need to think about the lifestyle you want and the impact you want to have on your community.”

The FREEDOM Map takes into account your personal values, family priorities, and the bigger picture. It’s about creating a life where your business and personal goals work in harmony. As Peden puts it, “We don’t just want to help you become a millionaire—we want to help you build a life you’re proud of.”

Turning Goals into Achievable Milestones

One of the key elements of the FREEDOM Map is helping clients break down their big annual goals into manageable steps. “We start with yearly objectives and break them into quarterly and monthly milestones,” Peden explains. “Then we ask, ‘Does this feel achievable?’ It’s important to focus on one key lever at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed.”

This approach allows business owners to make consistent progress without getting bogged down in the details. By tackling the most impactful priorities first, clients can see tangible results and maintain their momentum.

Overcoming Challenges with Support

Setting financial goals often feels overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling profit and loss statements, cash flow concerns, and competing demands. That’s where Peden Accounting Services comes in. “We help clients focus on just one or two critical areas at a time to keep things manageable,” Peden says. “It’s about creating clarity and building confidence.”

Clients also value Peden’s approachable style. “I make sure they feel heard and at ease,” he explains. “Whether they bring me a strange question or a complex issue, I’m here to help without judgment.”

Why Peden Accounting Services?

The FREEDOM Map is more than a financial tool—it’s a roadmap for creating a life that reflects your values and aspirations. “We always start by asking what you need to live the lifestyle you want and what impact you want to have,” Peden says. “It’s not just about making money. It’s about creating a sustainable, fulfilling future.”

At Peden Accounting Services, we’re committed to helping you build the business—and the life—you’ve always dreamed of. Ready to chart your course? Let’s create your FREEDOM Map today.

Are you eyeing 2025 as the year you finally trade your daily commute for days spent traveling, relaxing, or chasing long-postponed dreams? You’re not alone. Many soon-to-be retirees are mapping out a fresh chapter—but hold up. Before you sail into the sunset, there are a few key financial moves you should have on lock.

Below, we’ll look at the top five “must-dos” that can help you retire with confidence—covering everything from making sure you don’t outlive your savings to nailing your Social Security timing. Because let’s face it: Retirement is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a financial pivot, and you want it to be a smooth one.

Discover how Chris Peden’s FACT Maps help entrepreneurs uncover hidden financial challenges, tackle misconceptions, and make smarter decisions to drive sustainable business growth.

Building a successful business takes more than passion and hard work—it requires a clear understanding of one’s financial health. Chris Peden, a financial consultant with years of experience helping businesses thrive, shares insights into how his FACT Maps empower entrepreneurs to uncover hidden financial challenges and chart a path to success.

Facing Financial Realities with FACT Maps

“Sometimes, you need to slow down and see where you are,” says Chris. His FACT Maps address the fears that keep business owners awake at night. “We sit down and go through business and personal fears to make sure everything is out in the open,” Chris explains. From assessing cash flow and net worth to addressing debts, the process lays a foundation for growth by providing a clear picture of the current financial state.

Peden emphasizes the importance of starting with the present before moving into future planning. “You have to start with where you are first,” he advises, “then you can move into building the business you truly want.”

Addressing Common Misconceptions About Cash Flow and Profitability

One of Chris’s biggest challenges is helping business owners understand that profit and loss statements don’t tell the full story. “A lot of things don’t show up on a profit and loss statement,” Chris explains, citing taxes and loan principal payments as examples. His approach factors in these additional obligations to prevent surprises like a client’s unexpected $50,000 tax bill.

By looking beyond basic financial metrics, Chris ensures his clients are prepared for all aspects of their financial responsibilities. “We make sure these factors are accounted for so that you’re not blindsided,” he says.

Empowering Better Decisions Through Financial Awareness

Understanding the full financial picture isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about making better decisions. Chris recalls a client who wasn’t tracking the return on investment from their advertising. “I told them to ask, ‘For every dollar I spend with you, how much money do I get back?’ If the answer isn’t clear, it’s time to reconsider,” he advises.

This simple yet powerful approach enabled the client to make informed decisions and prioritize spending that directly benefited their bottom line. Chris’s advice is clear: “Ask the tough questions and focus on what really drives your business forward.”

With his FACT Maps, Chris Peden helps business owners face their financial realities, correct misconceptions, and build confidence in their decision-making processes. His practical insights ensure entrepreneurs are equipped to achieve sustainable growth while avoiding costly pitfalls.

Ready to take control of your business finances? Contact Chris Peden at Peden Accounting Services by calling 703-967-1948 today to get started with a FACT Map tailored to your unique needs.

Thieves use taxpayers’ natural fear of the IRS and other government entities to ply their scams, including e-mail and phone scams, to steal your money.

Gambling is a recreational activity for many taxpayers, and as one might expect, the government takes a cut if you win and won’t allow you to claim a loss in excess of your winnings.

A federal tax credit for the purchase and installation costs of a residential solar system is fading away. After being 30% of the cost for several years through 2019, the credit amount drops to 26% in 2020 and then 22% in 2021, the final year of the credit.

If you have lost your job, there are a number of tax issues you may encounter. How you deal with these issues can profoundly impact your taxes and finances.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, the IRS postponed the original due date for filing 2019 returns to July 15, 2020. If you could not complete your 2019 tax return by July 15 and filed a request for additional time to file, that extension expires on October 15, 2020. Failing to file before the extension period runs out may cost you late-filing penalties.

Interest rates are currently at an all-time low, and it may be time for you to consider refinancing your existing home mortgage to take advantage of these lower rates. Doing so may substantially reduce your monthly mortgage payments.