February / March
Showing 465–480 of 486 results
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Board appeal – Your directors can help steer you through an M&A
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 854
Abstract: Whether a company is on the buying or selling side of an M&A, its board of directors can help guide and advise it through the process. A legally formed board of directors has a fiduciary obligation to try to negotiate the best deal for its shareholders and, as this article discusses, may be involved at many stages of the transaction. This includes, on the buying side, ensuring that the acquisition’s rewards outstrip risks such as increased debt. On the selling side, a board can help make the case for the sale to shareholders and vet potential buyers.
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Buying damaged goods? How to evaluate a distressed company’s potential
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 685
Abstract: Thorough due diligence and a professional valuation can help reveal whether a distressed company is a diamond in the rough or fatally flawed. This article provides tips on spotting imminent trouble, including debt reduction programs and cost-cutting tactics. It also helps buyers evaluate an acquisition’s hidden opportunities, by weighing its market position, demographic trends, revenue growth, cash reserves and industry conditions. (Updated 3/31/12)
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Don’t let fraud derail your deal
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 842
Abstract: A thorough investigation performed by forensic accounting and other financial experts during the due diligence stage of an M&A deal can help uncover financial statement and other forms of fraud. Before they waste valuable time and resources negotiating a deal, buyers should perform background checks on the selling company’s owners and executives, search for financial manipulation and ensure the business has adequate fraud policies and internal controls in place.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You didn’t name a guardian for your minor children
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 340
Abstract: No estate planning decision is more important than choosing a guardian to care for minor children in the event that something happens to their parents. A court will name the guardian if the parents don’t. This short article discusses five tips to consider when selecting the right person to be the guardian of minor children.
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A charitable gift annuity can benefit you and a charity
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 568
Abstract: There are several estate planning strategies to use to satisfy philanthropic goals while preserving some tax and financial benefits for the individual. One such strategy involves using a charitable gift annuity (CGA). This article examines how a CGA can benefit individuals and charities. (Updated: 4/27/12)
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Don’t let S corporation stock throw you a curve
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 899
Abstract: The S corporation remains one of the most popular entity choices for closely held businesses. From an estate planning perspective, however, S corporation stock can complicate matters. This article details the pros and cons of four types of trusts that can hold S corporation stock.
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Joint home purchase – A simple strategy offers big estate tax savings
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 998
Abstract: A home is likely a person’s most valuable asset. And one of the most effective strategies for passing the home to his or her children or other loved ones while minimizing gift or estate taxes also is one of the simplest: the joint purchase. This article explains how a joint purchase strategy works.
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Selling a home in today’s market
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 550
Abstract: Slumping sales in the single-family home real estate market is a reason for concern for anyone needing to sell their home. This article offers some practical advice for getting your home in marketable condition. Plus, it offers options to consider if it doesn’t sell quickly, such as selling to a real estate investor, auctioning it off or leasing it out.
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Pssst! Have you heard? Word-of-mouth marketing can help you build your business
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 313
Abstract: This short article discusses why word-of-mouth marketing (a.k.a. referrals) is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to grow your business. Although you may be relying on successful product and service delivery to grow your company, you can maximize these opportunities by developing a program to handle referrals. This article explains how to do it. (Updated 1/4/12)
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The 4-1-1 on FIN 48 – New accounting rules can be taxing
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 651
Abstract: Under the new FIN 48 accounting rules, some organizations must disclose uncertain tax positions on their financial statements. If you’re like many business owners, you may be concerned that these new requirements will not only increase your costs and affect your company’s earnings, but also provide the IRS and state taxing authorities with ammunition they can use during an audit. This article delves into the topic and attempts to answer these questions: Do the new rules apply to you? What does FIN 48 require? What about state taxes?
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Figuring out dependent tax breaks isn’t child’s play
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 864
Abstract: Caring for children or other dependents may entitle you to a variety of tax breaks. But just because you support another person financially doesn’t mean that you’ll qualify. This article explores the intricacies of the tax code, and attempts to decode the IRS’s definition of “qualifying child.” Unlike previous definitions, which generally required that you provide more than half of a dependent’s support, the new definition relies on residency. This article also outlines four tests that a qualifying child must meet. A helpful sidebar discusses how to determine who’s entitled to tax benefits if more than one person claims a benefit with respect to the same child.
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Healthy computers = better performance
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 627
Abstract: If you’re like most people, you know the feeling of your stomach dropping to the floor when a computer malfunctions or crashes. That feeling can turn to sheer panic when the computer malfunction is companywide. This article explains why maintaining your computers is critical to enabling and sustaining your business operations, and it offers practical advice on how to keep your company’s computers humming.
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issue for you and your family – Comparing Coverdell ESAS with 529 plans
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 626
Abstract: In this month’s Practical Perspectives, we meet Floyd, an investment analyst, and Marietta, an educational researcher — a married couple with a five-year-old son and a newborn daughter. Like many parents, they’d heard and read plenty about 529 plans, but they wanted to know whether there were any other college funding alternatives worth considering. They visited their financial advisor, who explained one potential option: the Coverdell Education Savings Account.
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Moneylines: News Briefs for Businesses and Individuals
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This section offers four news briefs about: 1) A recent survey indicating that many companies are still ill-prepared for a technological disaster, 2) How the IRS has recently adjusted the allowable living expense standards that help determine how much delinquent taxpayers must pay, 3) The results of a recent survey revealing that many workers intend to delay their retirements, and 4) Why the beginning of the year is a great time to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
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5 easy steps to creating a financial disaster recovery plan
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 575
Abstract: Whether a massive flood that affects thousands or a sudden illness that affects only one person, should disaster strike, an individual’s financial solvency could very well depend on whether he or she has a clear strategy in place for paying the bills. This article offers five easy steps to creating a financial disaster recovery plan. (Updated: 2/9/12)
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Qualified plan loans – What you don’t know can hurt you
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 980
Abstract: Among the risks of offering workers a “qualified” retirement plan (one that follows certain rules to qualify for beneficial tax treatment), such as a 401(k), is that the arrangement may allow participants to take loans from their accounts. Although employees often appreciate this feature, taking out a qualified plan loan can get workers into trouble — and hurt their companies as a whole. This article gives an overview of how qualified plan loans work for employers who may not be fully aware of all the risks involved. (Updated: 8/28/12)