439
Showing 1–16 of 22 results
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7 red flags of an impending jobsite accident
May / June 2020
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: An unfortunate fact of life is that accidents can happen — especially in construction. As the summer construction season heats up, it’s critical to keep workers safe. This article raises seven red flags that can warn you an accident is becoming more likely, including new faces on the jobsite and harmful noise levels.
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News for Nonprofits – Congress mandates electronic filing
October / November 2019
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This issue’s “News for Nonprofits” reports on a new law that requires nonprofits to file their annual tax returns and unrelated business income tax returns electronically. It also highlights how rural areas are often overlooked as potential Opportunity Zones, how the nation’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program doesn’t seem to be living up to its name, and how a new smartphone app is “Uber-izing” food donations.
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Screening for signs of fraud – Beneish model helps detect earnings manipulation
January / February 2019
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: Financial statement fraud can be costly. So, early detection is important to mitigate losses. This article describes a screening tool known as the Beneish model that can help clients quickly assess the likelihood of earnings manipulation. It uses eight financial metrics to determine the probability that revenue has been overstated and expenses have been understated.
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4 hidden costs entrepreneurs omit from their forecasts
August / September 2018
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: When entrepreneurs prepare financial forecasts for their business plans, they sometimes overlook costs that might have the potential to derail their business. That’s particularly problematic if a bank relies on a forecast during the initial underwriting process or on an ongoing basis to justify increases in a start-up borrower’s debt. This article suggests four costs entrepreneurs tend to leave out or miscalculate.
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How to prepare for a sales slowdown
November / December 2017
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: Vehicle sales are expected to decelerate from the breakneck speed of the past two years, according to some industry analysts. But dealer-owners can strategize now about how to maintain (or exceed) revenue and profit levels in 2018 and beyond even if vehicle sales slow. A key is to focus more sharply on fixed operations (parts, service, paint and body repair) and F&I to drive revenue and profit. This article offers ways to develop loyal service customers and sell profitable F&I products.
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Fraud watch – The skinny on skimming
January / February 2017
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: Cash is an obvious target for dishonest employees bent on fraud. In addition to stealing cash on hand directly, dishonest employees may resort to thefts of cash receipts, such as skimming. This article explains how skimming works and what clients can do to prevent and detect it.
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Construction Success Story – Growing business upgrades its accounting software
September / October 2016
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” features a residential builder who had invested heavily in jobsite assets while his accounting system languished. After his bookkeeper elicited a cry for help, the contractor sat down with his CPA to discuss how to go about picking the right accounting software while sticking to a sensible budget.
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C vs. S corporations – Tread carefully when changing entity status
Spring 2016
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: The decision to change the structure of a business corporation shouldn’t be made hastily. This article sums up the pros and cons of becoming a C vs. S corporate entity. It also explains how the Affordable Care Act might influence one’s decision.
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Valuation date: Timing is everything
March / April 2016
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: In an uncertain market, value can fluctuate significantly over time. So, it’s important to choose the valuation date carefully. Often, the date is prescribed by law or a judge. But sometimes attorneys are allowed to decide between different dates. This article takes a closer look at this fundamental decision for estates, divorces and minority shareholder litigation — and explains how this cutoff date can affect a valuator’s conclusion.
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Is it time to pull the plug on deepening insolvency?
July / August 2015
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: Deepening insolvency refers to the wrongful prolongation of a company’s life, increasing its insolvency and reducing the potential recovery of its creditors and shareholders. Deepening insolvency gained recognition in some courts as an independent cause of action, but several courts have repudiated the doctrine recently. This brief article notes several cases that show that deepening insolvency appears to be on its last legs. Trenwick America Litigation Trust v. Ernst &Young, 906 A.2d 168 (Del. Ch. 2006). Feribach v. Ernst & Young, 493 F.3d 905 (7th Cir. 2007). In re Lemington Home for the Aged, No. 13-2707 (3d Cir. 2/23/15).
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Construction Success Story – Stunned contractor battles business identity theft
September / October 2014
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: Identity theft doesn’t affect only individuals; it can also strike businesses — including those in the construction industry. This issue’s “Construction Success Story” offers an example in which a construction company receives bills for debts it hadn’t incurred. Their accountant traces the evidence back to a former manager who had stolen company information to file a fake tax return and obtain credit cards in the business’s name. She recommends that they review the Small Business Administration’s five best practices for preventing small-business identity theft.
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Tax Tips – Don’t get trapped in the alimony gap
September / October 2014
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: In this issue, “Tax Tips” reminds readers that, generally, alimony is deductible by the payer and taxable to the recipient. It also points out that bonus plans need to be crafted carefully; for example, the popular year end tax-planning strategy of deducting bonuses in the year they’re earned, but deferring payment to the following year, isn’t automatically available to all employers. And reducing withholdings or estimated tax payments for the remainder of 2014 may allow taxpayers to enjoy their 2014 “refund” now.
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Making your hobby a business
February 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: Taxpayers often invest a great deal of time and money in their hobby, and some eventually make it a full- or part-time business activity. It’s not a problem as long as the new business turns a profit. And it may be fine as well if the business produces a loss and the taxpayer enjoys the activity — even better if the loss can offset other income. However, if the business consistently generates losses, the IRS could determine that these losses are actually nondeductible hobby losses. This article discusses two ways to avoid the hobby loss rules.
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Construction Success Story – Cracking the WIP with new software, best practices
November / December 2013
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” examines the case of an owner who used an off-the-shelf spreadsheet program to generate his work-in-progress (WIP) reports. It got the job done, though the outdated software provided only a crude snapshot of his financials. After some of his competitors merged and profitability margins suddenly shrank, these reports made it difficult to know whether there was enough cash on hand to make payroll and pay the bills each month. His advisor recommended updating the company’s accounting software. The article shows the benefits the contractor obtained by automating some best practices.
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Artificial intelligence gives fraud detection a boost
July / August 2013
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This article examines one of the hottest new fraud-detection tools: the use of artificial intelligence to complement investigators’ efforts. It discusses the technology’s flexibility and adaptability, highlighting three types of artificial intelligence that have been used to detect fraud: neural networks, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic.
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Construction Success Story – Plumber learns tough lesson on payment terms
May / June 2013
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” examines the case of a plumbing contractor who had always relied on a simple boilerplate contract, rather than on a ream of densely worded legal documents. This worked fine until he began working with a large national developer specializing in complex commercial projects. Following the owner’s bankruptcy, the contractor found that the term “paid if paid” was an invitation to a legal battle.