2010

Showing 593–608 of 657 results

  • On the defensive – Use available weapons to fortify your manufacturing company against fraud

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Manufacturer

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 711

    Abstract: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reports that U.S. companies lost approximately $994 billion in revenue to fraud in a two-year period ending in 2008. Even more sobering is the fact that 7.2% of fraud cases occurred in manufacturing companies, accounting for a median loss of $441,000. Unfortunately, employees are a natural culprit because they have the most immediate access to funds and materials, and there are several key functions that are particularly vulnerable. This article looks at steps a manufacturer can take to reduce the chances of fraud, while a sidebar explains the importance of having a fraud prevention policy.

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  • Comparing this to that – Benchmarking financial performance with ratios

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Manufacturer

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 805

    Abstract: Benchmarking with financial ratios allows manufacturers to break their operations into individual segments to measure effectiveness against past performance, company goals and industry standards. It can provide insight into which areas of a business are strong and which need improvement. This article discusses such commonly used ratios as debt-to-assets, return-on-assets and return-on-equity, along with a number of others, and discusses the pros and cons of benchmarking. A sidebar discusses the best ratios to study before applying for a loan.

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  • Social networking – Opting out may no longer be an option

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Law Firm Management

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 683

    Abstract: According to one recent report, only one in eight law firms use social networks. Many firms are understandably concerned about privacy, worker productivity and misuse of social networking sites. But such fears are probably misplaced. In fact, without social media policies, attorneys and staff are just as likely to make firm-damaging statements online from their home computers as they are from their office computers. An intelligent policy regarding use of blogs and networking sites can help attorneys interact with clients and peers to share ideas and build business.

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  • The pros and cons of having nonequity partners

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Law Firm Management

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 708

    Abstract: For many years, law firms were governed by the old “up or out” rule in regard to admission to the partnership. But such inflexibility caused firms to get rid of some highly productive and profitable associates who probably didn’t make partner simply because they weren’t successful rainmakers. In an era in which partners have become more willing to pull up stakes and move their practices to another firm — or aren’t even interested in becoming equity partners at all — many firms have adopted the “two-tier” structure of equity and nonequity partners. However, while the criteria may not be quite as high as for equity partners, it’s still important to select nonequity partners carefully.

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  • Make sure your employee reimbursement plan satisfies the IRS

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Law Firm Management

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 525

    Abstract: Law firms that compensate their employees for expenses incurred in the course of employment generally deduct those reimbursements as business expenses, rather than reporting them as wages on the employees’ Forms W-2. But the IRS permits such deductions only for reimbursement or allowance arrangements that qualify as “accountable” plans. There are three criteria for a plan to be considered accountable. Without such a plan, expense reimbursement can be costly.

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  • Fixed-fee billing: The wave of the future?

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Law Firm Management

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 712

    Abstract: In these difficult economic times, clients are seeking to economize on their legal bills. But, rather than cutting back on services, many are demanding that their law firms convert from hourly to fixed-fee billing. The good news for attorneys is that the switch can pay off for both their clients and their firm — if the fees are properly calculated. This article explains the two-step process involved in fee-setting, and looks at the benefits both parties receive for particular types of legal work. A sidebar briefly discusses sliding scale fixed-fee arrangements.

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  • For What It’s Worth: Valuation in the Courts – Court upholds FLP despite postdeath funding

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 516

    Abstract: In a recent case, a federal court upheld a family limited partnership (FLP) in an estate tax refund case — even though the FLP wasn’t funded before the decedent died. How did the family involved pull this off? It was important that state law provided that an owner’s intent to make an asset partnership property caused that asset to become the partnership’s property — regardless of whether legal title was transferred.

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  • Oh, what might have been – How appraisers calculate lost profits

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 685

    Abstract: When a business suffers what it believes to be wrongful conduct leading to lost profits, an appraiser is often asked to estimate “what might have been.” That is, for the resulting litigation, he or she must typically calculate, not just lost sales, but also the difference between lost sales and avoided costs. The appraiser starts by distinguishing between direct and indirect costs. He or she is then free to use multiple methodologies and compare the results to historical data, independent estimates or industry statistics. A lost profits calculation is a complex endeavor — but it’s often absolutely necessary in certain forms of litigation.

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  • 5 common vendor fraud schemes to watch out for

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 436

    Abstract: These are busy times for fraud investigators, with businesses more concerned than ever about protecting their bottom lines. One way a company’s profits could suffer is if it’s struck by vendor fraud. But by recognizing the signs of this crime and initiating a timely investigation, businesses can minimize the resulting losses. If vendor fraud or another fraudulent scheme is suspected, a fraud expert’s involvement is critical. There are five common schemes to watch out for.

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  • Pointing fingers lead to fairness opinions – An increasingly popular transactional safeguard

    Winter 2010
    Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 891

    Abstract: In a difficult economy, many parties want to point fingers when projected results fall short, acquisition synergies fail to materialize or insolvency ensues. For this reason, among others, fairness opinions are becoming increasingly popular. Simply put, a fairness opinion addresses whether a transaction appears “fair” from a financial point of view. Fairness opinions aren’t legally mandated, but they can help facilitate major transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&As), spin-offs, stock repurchases, and divestitures. This article looks at what goes into fairness opinions and their different applications, while a sidebar discusses potential conflicts of interest among fairness opinion providers.

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  • Nonpublic information considered in valuing securities

    January / February 2010
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 607

    Abstract: In one recent case, a district court held that it was reasonable for a jury to conclude that material nonpublic information possessed by the defendants affected the fair market value of certain securities. The case is significant because it seems to offer a novel interpretation of the phrase “reasonable knowledge of relevant facts” in the definition of fair market value. The decision suggests that even nonpublic information can be a “relevant fact.”

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  • Start early, end strong – Tax planning in litigation

    January / February 2010
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 580

    Abstract: Tax planning at the beginning of a case can have a significant impact on the eventual financial outcome. There’s a substantial difference between an award or settlement that’s subject to income tax and one that’s not. Most cases involve a combination of taxable and nontaxable claims; the ultimate tax treatment of an award or settlement depends on how it’s allocated among those claims. For example, some damages are excluded from income — and, even for those that aren’t, the distinction between wage and nonwage damages is important. It pays to give some thought to tax issues early so as to secure the most tax-advantageous result for a client.

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  • Gazing into the crystal ball – How contingencies affect a business’s value

    January / February 2010
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 762

    Abstract: As part of the definition of “fair market value,” both parties in a transaction must have “reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.” But a host of contingencies are often among the relevant facts, which means that valuators need to look into the future to arrive at fair market value. Both contingent losses and contingent gains must be considered, and they differ in their accounting treatment. For the valuator, the challenge is to quantify any contingencies and adjust the company’s value accordingly.

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  • The expert’s role in accountant liability cases

    January / February 2010
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1144

    Abstract: In lawsuits involving business failures, it’s increasingly common for shareholders and other plaintiffs to name the business’s accountants or auditors as defendants. An accountant’s liability depends on several factors, but it’s first important to know the applicable professional standard he or she uses. This article discusses those standards, along with the accountant’s level of responsibility for the financial statements. A sidebar discusses the extent of an auditor’s responsibility to uncover fraud.

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  • Estate Planning Red Flag – You haven’t reviewed your estate plan recently

    January / February 2010
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 235

    Abstract: The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 created a one-year estate tax repeal for 2010. It’s not likely to remain in effect, though. Although Congress had not yet passed legislation by the end of 2009 repealing the repeal, it might still pass such legislation and make it retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. Besides this, there are a number of other reasons to update one’s plan.

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  • Being elastic can be fantastic – Stretch your retirement savings for yourself and your heirs

    January / February 2010
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 804

    Abstract: Those with savings in a traditional IRA, a 401(k) plan or another “qualified” retirement account must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) when they reach age 70½. But it’s usually best to let them continue compounding on a tax-deferred basis (or tax-free in the case of Roth accounts) as long as possible. Fortunately, there are several strategies one can use to stretch tax savings over many years. Beginning in 2010, converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA will be an option for people of all income levels. One can also roll over a Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) to a Roth IRA. And a “stretch” IRA allows one to provide heirs with the opportunity to stretch distributions over many years. But these all have pros and cons that must be considered.

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