A debit card takes money directly from your checking account so you're less likely to overspend, and the cards with the VISA and MasterCard logos are much more widely accepted than checks.

But, these convenient, budget-watching cards shouldn't be used all the time. They're the wrong plastic for some situations.

Thank you to our clients who gave Sterck Kulik O'Neill high ratings and qualified us for the Diamond Certified quality rating for the sixth straight year. We appreciate your vote of confidence and comments.

American Ratings Corporation, the independent survey company, celebrated our achievement by taking a video of partners Charles and Geoff talking about our approach to helping clients.

We would also like those of you who weren't contacted by American Ratings Corporation to have an opportunity to give us your opinions and comments on our service.

Help Us Celebrate and Serve You Better:

• See our Diamond Certified ratings details
• See Charles' and Geoff's Video
• Tell us what you think — take a short survey

The annual announcement of the Internal Revenue Service's Dirty Dozen Tax Scams is a cautionary tale told in tasteful bureaucratic language by the government: it's gallows humor for accountants.

Unfortunately, people who fall for these scams can loose a lot of money. If they swallow the nonsense fed to them, they might even wind up going to jail.

Cold calling is the favorite activity of few people. It remains a top sales tool only because it works!

Make cold calling work better for your business by clicking on Inc.Com's online boot camp. You can read the basics or drill down for details on tips and techniques, setting up a schedule, learning how to communicate value, heading off objections, and more!