2013

Showing 705–720 of 735 results

  • Strategies for keeping the lid on unemployment taxes

    January / February 2013
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 757

    Abstract: State-imposed unemployment taxes have skyrocketed since the onset of the recession. While there may be little that dealers can do to reverse this nationwide trend, they can be more thoughtful in the hiring decisions they make, so as to avoid future unemployment claims against them. This article shows how a dealership might be able to influence its unemployment tax payments if certain situations apply and if they take certain actions. A sidebar discusses the value of conducting prehiring assessments.

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  • Who will succeed you? — 9 tips for selecting the right person and making it work

    January / February 2013
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 864

    Abstract: Not everyone looks forward to retirement. But most owners will hand over the keys one day, and it’s important that they have a plan in place long before it’s time to walk out the door. Developing a succession plan encompasses a host of strategic and financial decisions, such as determining the dealership’s value, establishing a buy-sell agreement with a business partner or gifting to a family member. But the cornerstone of the plan will be choosing the right successor. This article offers nine tips for doing so and preparing him or her for the road ahead.

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  • Construction Success Story — Job order contracting fits one builder’s needs

    January / February 2013
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 502

    Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” looks at the case of a contractor whose projects had been taking a little longer to get off the ground because of haggling with the developer over costs. The contractor’s financial advisor suggested exploring job order contracting — a fast-track delivery method that enables owners to secure performance on a variety of projects quickly and cost-effectively through a multiyear contract.

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  • Got bonding? — The Surety Bond Guarantee program can help

    January / February 2013
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 630

    Abstract: For small construction companies, obtaining bonding can be a huge challenge. But the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may have a solution. The SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program helps provide surety bonds of up to $2 million per project for qualified contractors. This article examines these qualifications and the application process, noting that the program may be a good option for construction businesses with limited working capital but a healthy amount of ambition to take on new projects.

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  • EVM puts project costs in perspective

    January / February 2013
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 727

    Abstract: When it comes to job costs, the one thing every contractor needs is perspective. With project data coming at them from all directions, obtaining the perspective needed to properly assess these situations isn’t easy. One way to process this information more efficiently and draw critical strategic conclusions is earned value management (EVM). This article explores EVM — a project management technique that measures job progress in dollars, giving contractors an objective assessment of both cost and schedule performance.

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  • IRS ruling may make it easier to deduct bonus accruals

    January / February 2013
    Newsletter: Contractor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 999

    Abstract: Many contractors may distribute safety and performance bonuses for the previous year’s work after year end. Until recently, they could deduct these “bonus accruals” on their tax return for the “performance year” (rather than the “payment year”) only if by the end of the performance year they specified exactly how much each eligible employee would receive. Now, under IRS Revenue Ruling 2011-29, bonus accruals may be more easily deductible in the year accrued. This may be beneficial because it allows contractors to accelerate the deduction, deferring tax. This article discusses details of the ruling, including rules that must be met to claim the deduction. A sidebar looks at some exceptions to the Revenue Ruling.

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  • Contractor’s Toolbox – How CRM can help you become more profitable

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 409

    Abstract: In today’s highly competitive construction industry, customer relationship management (CRM) systems can provide contractors with a competitive edge. A CRM system is much more than a sophisticated electronic address book. This article shows how it can help contractors improve customer service, direct limited resources where they’ll be most effective and win new business.

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  • Profit fade got you down?

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 628

    Abstract: Profit fade is a financial malady that often occurs as a contract nears completion. Any contractor who has experienced profit fade on a past project knows how frustrating it can be to see their expected profits going down the drain. This article explains how to nip the problem in the bud, including looking at historical data and getting a handle on contract language.

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  • Boost your bonding capacity with shareholder loans

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 535

    Abstract: One strategy that a construction business can use to enhance its financial position and boost its bonding capacity is to have the owners make loans to the company. So long as these “shareholder loans” (which can also be made by entities other than corporations — such as LLCs and partnerships) are subordinated to bond claims, most sureties will treat the proceeds as a capital equivalent in evaluating a company’s bonding capacity. This article discusses the advantages of these loans and the criteria they must meet.

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  • Health care act: The time to start planning is now

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1010

    Abstract: Some of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s key requirements for businesses take effect in 2014, so it’s a good idea to start planning now. This article explains what is required of employers, depending on whether they qualify as large or small firms, what their mix of full-time, part-time and seasonal employees might be, and the wages they earn. It also discusses tax credits and penalties, while a sidebar shows how to calculate a “full-time equivalent employee” for purposes of the act.

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  • BANK Wire – Get ready for new capital requirements

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 411

    Abstract: This issue’s “BANK Wire” discusses new regulatory capital requirements designed to increase the quality and minimum quantity of capital for most banks. This might require action by some community banks; a federal calculator is available to help banks get a sense of the requirements’ potential impact. In addition, the feature discusses an OCC handbook on managing unique and hard-to-value assets held in fiduciary or custody accounts, and describes a regulatory calendar developed by the FDIC to help community banks keep abreast of changes in federal banking laws, regulations and supervisory guidance.

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  • When a leadership change is in order, be a resource

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 681

    Abstract: Lenders often form long-term, and even close, relationships with their business loan customers. So when a customer needs to turn over the management reins to a replacement, it may be hard for them to say good-bye to the old and hello to the new. But the well-being of the customer’s business may depend on it. This article shows how lenders can use their expertise to help customers choose the best leadership to guide their company into the future.

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  • Risky business – OCC report analyzes threats faced by banks

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 869

    Abstract: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency recently unveiled its Semiannual Risk Perspective report. The report outlines the primary risks community banks face, presenting data in four areas: the operating environment; the condition and performance of the banking system; funding, liquidity, and interest rate risk; and regulatory actions. A sidebar discusses interest rate risk and how to manage it.

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  • Inadequate IT procedures expose banks to liability for online fraud

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 566

    Abstract: In today’s cyberworld, where would-be thieves are finding ever more clever ways to commit fraud and theft, it’s critical that banks offering online banking implement effective, risk-based security procedures. Not only is it good business in terms of customer satisfaction, but it can also help protect a bank against liability for online fraud. This article discusses a court case in which one bank learned this lesson the hard way when the court found that the bank’s security procedures weren’t commercially reasonable.

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  • Readiness is the best defense against used vehicle fraud

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Auto Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 560

    Abstract: Many dealers mistakenly think used vehicle scams happen only to other dealerships — until it happens to them. Readiness is the first and best line of defense against fraud. And it starts with knowing what scams are currently in vogue. This article describes some of today’s hottest used vehicle swindles: misrepresented vehicle history and condition, falsified loan requirements and documentation, and excessive administrative fees.

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  • Family-owned dealerships – Make the pros outweigh the cons

    Winter 2013
    Newsletter: Auto Focus

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 693

    Abstract: In a time of industry consolidation, is operating a family dealership all it’s cracked up to be? Such businesses offer certain advantages — but face distinct challenges that require ongoing attention. This article looks at some of the advantages that family dealerships enjoy, but also notes the challenges — and remedies — regarding compensation, organizational processes, resentful nonfamily employees, and succession planning.

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