June / July
Showing 385–400 of 477 results
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Key person life insurance can help prevent mayhem
June / July 2011
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 659
Abstract: An unexpected event, such as a heart attack, a fatal car accident, or a resignation involving a key executive, could cause costly damage to borrowers’ businesses. One way business customers can guard against this risk is by purchasing key person life insurance for their most important leaders. This article explains how it works, what it costs, and how much coverage is appropriate.
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Compilations, reviews, audits – Be confident about the differences
June / July 2011
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 612
Abstract: CPAs prepare three types of financial statements — compilations, reviews and audits — in order of increasing assurance level and cost. Unfortunately, many lenders are unfamiliar with the term “assurance” and how these offerings differ. This article explains what each type involves and the circumstances in which a particular approach might be best.
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Interpreting financials – Think like an auditor
June / July 2011
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 994
Abstract: Historic financial statements may reveal signs of financial distress and provide the foundation for future projections. But a financial analysis approach based on audit techniques allows lenders to identify and target high-risk areas. As this article explains, the process involves using a risk assessment to create a scorecard for each borrower, and it describes a few generic ratios that belong on every scorecard. But a sidebar illustrates the need to customize one’s financial analysis approach for different types of borrowers.
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Building a better audit – New standard requires additional quality review
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 677
Abstract: Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 7, Engagement Quality Review (AS7), requires more robust concurring or second partner reviews of audit engagements and interim reviews. This article lists specific items that engagement quality reviews are expected to evaluate, and explains documentation requirements. Although the PCAOB has made an effort to avoid turning concurring reviews into second audits, public companies need to prepare for some slight changes in the audit process.
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Statistical analysis: Your fraud early warning system
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 397
Abstract: Auditors use a variety of techniques to detect occupational fraud, including statistical analysis. One such technique is “Benford’s Law,” which rests on the assumption that smaller digits occur more frequently than larger ones in sets of random data. When fraud perpetrators attempt to manipulate numbers in certain financial documents, this pattern becomes skewed. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to manipulate data so that it conforms to Benford’s Law. This doesn’t prove fraud, but can indicate that further investigation is necessary.
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Does your company meet credit data security requirements?
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 504
Abstract: Contrary to popular belief, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) isn’t only for companies that process a lot of credit card payments. PCI DSS establishes minimum requirements for securing sensitive cardholder data, and even one transaction is enough to compel compliance. The penalties for noncompliance can be severe. Companies are strongly encouraged to review the PCI DSS framework and ensure their organizations meet its 12 basic requirements and validate compliance with the standard. This will help them avoid penalties, as well as liability for data security breaches and potentially irreparable damage to their reputation.
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Rounding up recently released accounting standards
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 904
Abstract: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has released a flurry of new standards — and guidance on old ones — in recent years. Some of the changes clarify existing standards, and others strive to converge U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This article discusses updates that expand fair value disclosures, relax subsequent events disclosures and consolidate variable interest entities. A sidebar looks at other issues that FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board are currently reviewing.
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News for Nonprofits – Should you accept text message donations?
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 388
Abstract: This issue’s “News for Nonprofits” looks at the pros and cons of accepting text message donations, and the importance of meeting the compliance audit requirements for receiving funds under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).
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Event financing: 3 ways to land a sponsor
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 317
Abstract: With the economy gaining steam, some not-for-profits are considering bringing back the annual events that they eliminated a few years ago. But others, experiencing delayed effects from the recession, are canceling these events until more funding materializes. One way a nonprofit can ensure it will be able to hold its special occasion is to get a financial sponsor. This short article describes how, to attract one, it will be necessary to provide good data about past attendees; offer a variety of incentives according to sponsor involvement; and deliver on promises.
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Breaking down the numbers – Tune up your board’s financial literacy
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1080
Abstract: A not-for-profit organization’s board of directors has a mix of talents. So how can a nonprofit best share its financial results with the board members who are not financial experts as well as with those who are? One method is to use graphs and pie charts instead of long lists of numbers. Another is to provide a cash flow analysis, along with ratios that allow the board to see if the organization’s costs and revenues are in line with its expectations. And it may be helpful to provide the financial training appropriate for serving the needs of a nonprofit. A sidebar to this article provides a description of some common financial terms.
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Be sure to lobby by the rules
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 642
Abstract: Most nonprofits are involved in lobbying at one time or another. But what are the rules not-for-profits must follow when participating in these activities? The answer depends on the type of organization, what kind of activity it’s conducting and how much lobbying is involved. Lobbying is different from political activity (which is prohibited to charities), and there’s a distinction between direct and grassroots lobbying. But certain actions are permitted without restrictions and aren’t considered to be lobbying.
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Ask the Advisor – Q. What is a reverse merger and when is it appropriate?
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 468
Abstract: Reverse mergers allow privately owned companies to merge with an existing (but typically dormant) public company and issue publicly traded stock on behalf of the merged entity. Since the U.S. economy nosedived in late 2008, reverse mergers have declined in popularity, but they began climbing again in the fourth quarter of 2009. Companies that want to go public but are put off by the cost of an IPO, or have been shut out of the tight credit market but require new capital, might consider a reverse merger. There are three basic steps to pursuing one.
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Seller’s endgame – It’s not over ’til it’s over
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 584
Abstract: Once a business seller has found a buyer, negotiated a fair price, and is in the process of completing any regulatory or legal requirements, it may seem that the deal’s essentially done. Not quite. Sellers have several final goals they must accomplish before they hand off the company for good. Most deals require them to perform last-minute paperwork, initiate long-term planning and prepare employees for the transition. There’s also the issue of whether and under what conditions seller management will stay on.
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The other part of the due diligence story
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 667
Abstract: In the due diligence process, financial and legal documents are central to understanding any company’s story. But buyers also must investigate their target’s operations to uncover potential deal-breaking issues. Operational due diligence generally can be divided among three key areas — marketing and sales, production, and administration — and this article lists some of the more important documents to request from the seller.
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Middle-market M&A has wind in its sails
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 751
Abstract: Buyers are beginning to look for acquisition targets again, and strategically positioned middle-market companies are likely to be the big winners in a resurgent M&A market. But middle-market sellers should expect buyers to perform more thorough due diligence. Sellers, therefore, need to devote extra care to this stage. A sidebar to this article explores whether strategic or financial buyers are expected to play a greater role in the year ahead.
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Federal Circuit clarifies penalty for false patent marking
June / July 2010
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 466
Abstract: Claiming a product is patented to help boost sales may seem like a relatively foolproof idea. But when one company sued another for selling an infringing product, the defendant successfully counterclaimed, alleging false marking because the plaintiff’s product lacked a patented element. Patent holders would be wise to avoid such “marking trolls” by reviewing their markings to ensure the patents remain valid and apply to the marked articles.