Summer
Showing 641–656 of 760 results
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How valuable is an outside expert in court? Recent decision offers an answer
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 622
Abstract: Many people believe that an outside damages expert can lend credibility and objectivity to a legal argument. But, every so often, this belief is put to the test. This article examines one court battle in which the plaintiff alleged misappropriation of trade secrets. In disputing liability for compensatory damages, the defendant argued that the damages expert provided insufficient evidence to support its lost profits calculation. But the court found that the expert’s assumptions were well supported by the evidence and testimony of several independent witnesses, and awarded the plaintiff the full amount of compensatory damages.
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Get real! – Using normalized earnings to clarify financial statements
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 656
Abstract: In a time of great economic uncertainty, the estimated value of a given company can seemingly turn on a dime. To bring clarity to the situation, appraisers can calculate a company’s “normalized earnings.” This process allows them to determine, among other things, whether a struggling business is being mismanaged or whether a prosperous company is doing as well as it seems. This article looks at the different accounting methods that may lead to a need for adjustments, and examines the kinds of adjustments that valuators make.
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Computer fraud 101
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 435
Abstract: As digital data has become indispensable in almost every industry, the incidence of computer fraud has climbed accordingly. Although the schemes can prove difficult to detect, it’s possible to help clients minimize their losses by understanding the typical methods of computer fraud and calling in qualified experts at the first sign of trouble. This article discusses three types of computer manipulation schemes.
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Impairment puts balance sheets to the test
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 894
Abstract: One challenge that companies face today is identifying assets acquired before the global financial crisis that have since declined in value. Once identified, management must quantify and report the amount of impairment. But estimating and reporting impairment is a complex process, and many in-house accounting personnel lack the requisite training to test for asset impairment — or to provide testing that can withstand outside scrutiny. This article provides an overview of impairment and shows why it’s imperative to hire a credentialed appraiser to get impairment testing done right. A sidebar looks at common impairment testing pitfalls.
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Practice notes – Incentive payments for “meaningful use” of EHR
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 509
Abstract: CMS is eager for physician practices to deploy electronic health record (EHR) technology as soon as possible. It has proposed two incentive-driven programs — one through Medicare and the other through Medicaid — to encourage “meaningful use” of EHR systems. Physicians are required to participate in one of the programs, and most are expected to choose the Medicare program. This article looks at the “meaningful use” provisions, and the stages in which they’re to be carried out.
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What’s their secret? – Why some practices thrive and others don’t
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: Top-performing physician practices don’t achieve their success by accident. Outstanding results are the product of regularly measuring financial and other practice performance and taking action to continually improve. Important areas to focus on include charges and collections; patient flow; referral sources; fee schedules; salaries and benefits; and gross collection percentages per payor.
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7 steps to smarter, timelier collections
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 678
Abstract: In times when cash flow may not keep pace with patient flow, it’s important to ensure that one’s practice collects for every procedure and every patient. This article offers seven suggestions, including assigning billing employees to certain insurers; keeping an eye on accounts receivable aging; creating an office manual; and providing performance incentives.
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Medicare fraud and abuse allegations: Minimizing the damage
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 802
Abstract: The complexity and constantly changing nature of the Medicare regulations on prohibited practice behavior makes violations almost inevitable. But the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) offers some safeguards. They include an audit of operating policies and procedures; implementing a training program to familiarize staff with regulations; providing staff with easy methods for reporting potential problems or violations; and uncovering violations before an outsider does. A sidebar to this article discusses how to voluntarily disclose such self-discovered violations.
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Contractor’s Toolbox – Go paperless. Save money. Save time.
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 431
Abstract: Paperless construction management offers a variety of significant benefits — and using less paper is just the beginning. Paperless systems can not only reduce costs and help save trees, but also help increase productivity, reduce errors, and improve cash flow and profitability. This article looks at some of the specific benefits.
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Think twice before walking away from stalled projects
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 528
Abstract: Stalled and abandoned projects are an unfortunate reality in the construction business today. Financing may dry up, or owners faced with dwindling prospective tenants may conclude that they’re better off walking away. But that doesn’t mean contractors should do the same. Depending on their potential liability exposure, it may make sense for contractors to do some extra work to secure or stabilize the job site, or to protect their work against the elements — even if they won’t be compensated for it. This article describes the steps to take.
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How would you handle a crisis? – Don’t wait until one happens to find out
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 651
Abstract: Catastrophic events can happen at any time — but their consequences can be reduced if a construction company has a formal disaster management plan already in place. It starts with identifying every crisis that could challenge the business and then creating a suitable response to each. This article shows how to assemble a crisis management team, and how to be ready to address the emotional needs of employees affected by the crisis.
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Health care reform – Understanding what it means for your construction company
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 927
Abstract: With its complex provisions and multiple effective dates, the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has created a lot of confusion among employers — including construction company owners. This article answers some common questions about the new law, such as whether health insurance must be provided to employees, how companies can determine the number of full-time-equivalent employees they have and how this affects their legal obligations, and action steps to take. A sidebar discusses a tax credit that’s available for small businesses.
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BANKWire – Bankers on overdraft fees
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 404
Abstract: This new feature offers news briefs concerning matters that are important to community bankers. In this issue, we take a look at overdraft fees; an extension of the FDIC’s Transaction Account Guarantee program; new federal guidance regarding management of funding and liquidity risks; overtime pay for mortgage loan officers; and modernization of the Uniform Bank Performance Report.
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Going paperless? Take time to plan
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 730
Abstract: The term “paperless” encompasses many different technologies, from remote deposit capture and online loan applications to back-office document management systems. More and more community banks are considering implementing the latter as imaging costs decrease. This article lists seven potential benefits of a document management system, and offers four tips for implementation. A sidebar discusses how to protect customer information if outsourcing this work.
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Telltale trouble – How to assess if a customer will fail
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 708
Abstract: The economy is on the mend, but businesses of all kinds continue to shut their doors. To protect themselves, banks need to identify borrowers that can’t turn themselves around. Identifying strengths will help them predict which of their business-loan customers likely will emerge from the down economy in good shape. And spotting warning signs will help them make the correct lending decisions — even when it means pulling the plug. This article describes both the strengths and weaknesses to look for.
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Combating mortgage fraud
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 653
Abstract: Mortgage fraud is among the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the United States. But while there’s no foolproof method for fending off fraudsters, it’s critical for all banks to have an antifraud program. A report by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council provides a comprehensive look at mortgage fraud and outlines best practices for preventing fraud and red flags for detecting it. The report details older fraud schemes as well as newer ones and describes the most common mechanisms used to perpetrate these schemes.