Hyland Ruddy & Garbett is an organization that traces its origin back to 1925. The founder of William F. Muckenfuss & Associates was the late Mr. William F. Muckenfuss, Sr. He founded the firm in the mid 1920's after completing his law degree and CPA Certificate.

Mr. William F. Muckenfuss, Jr., took over the duties of the firm in the mid 1950's after graduation from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and the University of South Carolina Law School.

In 1976, John F. Hyland joined the firm after graduation from the College of Charleston. Frank W. Ruddy, III, joined the firm in 1978, and in August 1980, a partnership was formed with William F. Muckenfuss, John F. Hyland, and Frank W. Ruddy. Thomas E. Garbett joined the firm in 1980 and was admitted as a partner in 1984. Mr. William F. Muckenfuss, Jr. passed away in August 1992.

In August of 1994 the firm name was changed to Hyland Ruddy & Garbett. The firm's office is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. In addition to the partners, the Mount Pleasant office maintains a present staff of thirteen other accounting professionals.

All the Partners and Certified Public Accountants are members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Our firm's basic philosophy is that service to each client is based on a substantive knowledge of and specialization of services to be provided. We feel that our experience and knowledge in the area of small businesses are of vital importance in providing the best and most efficient service to our clients.

Services

Personal Tax Planning

• Personal income tax planning
• Tax return preparation
• Family financial planning
• Analysis of tax advantaged systems
• Estate planning
• Preparation of personal financial statements

Corporate Tax Planning

• Audited, reviewed, and compiled financial statements
• Business tax planning
• Tax return preparation
• Management services designed to help increase efficiency and profit
• Computer consulting services
• Assistance in obtaining financing and bonding
• Mergers, acquisitions and sales
• Forecasts and projections
• Survey and evaluation of internal controls
• Advice on pension and profit sharing plans

Auditing Services
We view each audit engagement as an opportunity to evaluate the overall efficiency of an organization's internal accounting controls. All audits performed by our firm include discussions with management and written recommendations on how to improve significant weaknesses that may come to our attention during the course of our work. Members of our audit staff are trained to recognize problem areas and to assist in resolving them.

• Buy/sell agreements
• Employee stock ownership plans
• Estate planning issues
• Estate tax liability issues
• Gifting to charitable organizations
• Mergers
• Divorce proceedings
• Retirement planning

Payroll Tax Services
Saves you time. Our staff can do more than record your checks...we can actually do your entire payroll and prepare your payroll tax returns. You save time and worry when you entrust us to handle this time-consuming job. Our Payroll Check Writing is flexible to fit your needs. Depending on your pay period schedule, we'll issue your checks weekly, biweekly or monthly as you desire. We handle this sensitive and important task with the highest professionalism. You can rest assured that you payroll will be accurate and on time. And we always treat this information with the strict confidentiality it deserves.

Management Advisory Services
Our team at HRG is dedicated to assisting clients in surety, banking and business problem-solving, as well as through litigation support and business valuations. Our goal is to structure each engagement to be cost-effective, yet productive, for clients. We are active in the design, development and implementation of computer software. We help clients analyze existing software and tailor software to meet their needs. Our technical support staff assist clients in investigating new and used hardware, seeking the best possible purchase price, monitoring new hardware releases and keeping abreast of the latest available technology.

Other management support functions provided for our clients include:

• Banking and investment relationships
• Bank financing proposal assistance
• Lease/purchase, sale/leaseback arrangements
• Debt restructuring
• Financial planning
• Development of long or short range business plans
• Personal and business financial planning
• Break-even analysis
• Budgeting projections and forecasts
• Budgeting of variable vs. fixed overhead costs
• Interim financial statement preparation
• Cash management systems
• Estate planning
• Calculation of lost earnings
• Expert witness testimony

Management advisory services are an important part of the service that we provide to our clients. Working with clients to solve problems, improve operations and help secure financial independence is a challenging and rewarding service offered by our firm.

Financial Planning
Our financial staff has the credentials and expertise to offer comprehensive financial planning services including the following:

• Tax planning
• Cash management and budgeting
• Education funding
• Family-owned business structure
• Succession planning
• Retirement
• Estate and investment planning

Estate Planning
Throughout the estate planning process, our experienced accountants can help you:

• Identify your financial goals up to and after retirement
• Determine what your financial needs will be in retirement
• Select which tax-deferred retirement plan option is appropriate
• Plan for taking distributions
• Select appropriate beneficiaries in coordination with your estate plan
• Decide whether a regular or ROTH IRA is best for you
• Determine a plan for funding your retirement when a qualified plan is not available for you
• Answer many other questions you may have concerning your individual retirement issues

Our goal is to reduce estate and gift taxes to a minimum while achieving our clients' objectives regarding testamentary distribution of assets.

BookKeeping Services
To ease the administrative burden for business owners/managers, we will perform daily bookkeeping activities (including payroll) for clients. HRG will also produce monthly income statements, balance sheets and other required documentation which will allow owners/managers more time to concentrate on running their businesses.