New York, NY, August 4, 2020 — Steven B. Zelin, CPA, The Singing CPA, Managing Member of Zelin & Associates CPA in New York City, has been helping clients with the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) since it was introduced in March.  He even created a hip-hop-song, Get Down With PPP, a fun explanation of the program. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGL4QxCCLLw.

PPP loans are designed to provide funds to small businesses to maintain their employees at wage rates similar to pre-crisis levels.  As created, businesses seeking PPP loans apply through a participating lender that performs most of the verification prior to submitting the loan to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for final approval. Once approved by the SBA, the lender is required to disburse the loaned funds to the business within 10 days. “Initially, the banks were overwhelmed, and many small businesses that needed immediate help were extremely frustrated at the waiting time and paperwork for the loan,” Zelin said.

Zelin pointed to a report issued recently from MIT. “The report showed an estimate that through the end of May the PPP increased the level of employment at eligible firms by between 2 percent and 4.5 percent.  According to the MIT report, these estimates imply that the PPP boosted the level of private employment in the U.S. by between 1.4 and 3.2 million, with a mid-point of 2.3 million. Firms that received a PPP loan exhibit significant relative employment growth following implementation of PPP relative to firms that were ineligible to receive a loan.”

“In working with hundreds of clients to find government funding over the past months, I have found the PPP to be a lifeline for many in helping to survive this health crisis,” Zelin said. “The long-run economic effect of PPP will depend, in substantial part, on the evolution of employment at treated versus untreated employers over the longer run.”

Zelin worked with clients, including non-profits, with other small business funding programs including the EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) as well as the $100 million loan program launched by Governor Cuomo in May. “As soon as we became aware of a small business funding program, we notified our clients,” he added.

“It has been gratifying to help clients find capital to bolster their businesses and keep staff employed,” Zelin said.  “COVID has taken its toll on many New York area businesses.  It has been a challenge to work with businesses and help them find new ways for keeping afloat.”

For further information about keeping your small business afloat, contact Mr. Zelin at steven.zelin@zelincpa.com or 646-678-4496, x101.

Steven B. Zelin, CPA became a licensed CPA in 2000 and has demonstrated his expertise as a top financial professional.  He is Managing Member at Zelin & Associates CPA, a full service accounting and auditing firm based in New York City. 

Mr. Zelin is an active member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and serves as Chair of its Career Committee. In this role, he speaks regularly before high school students to promote the CPA profession.  He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its Peer Review Committee.

He has educated the public about the accounting professional through his role as The Singing CPA, now a registered trademark.  His sense of humor added to his songs, Tax Deductible, Dear IRS, If You Don’t Like Paying Taxes, Audit Client Blues and others featured on his CD, The Singing CPA introduced in 2008.  He regularly sings on the steps of the post office on the income tax filing deadline and before many non-profit and small business groups.