2014

Showing 1–16 of 740 results

  • Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t planned for incapacity

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 326

    Abstract: Most estate plans focus on what happens after death — but a plan is incomplete if arrangements haven’t been made in the event of mental incapacity. If the plan doesn’t specify how these decisions will be made, and by whom, a court-appointed guardian will have to intervene. But this article describes several tools that are available to ensure that a person designated by the plan owner will handle affairs if the owner becomes incapacitated.

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  • Charitable deductions – Substantiate them or lose them

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 682

    Abstract: Qualifying for a charitable deduction is, in some respects, a matter of form over substance. The IRS could disallow a deduction, even if it’s otherwise legitimate, if the donor fails to follow the substantiation requirements to the letter. This article offers a quick summary of the rules for both cash and noncash gifts, and describes a real-world example of what can happen when proper substantiation is lacking.

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  • Will your estate plan benefit from a trust protector?

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 634

    Abstract: Even though one may appoint a trustee to oversee distribution of a trust’s assets, it’s possible to go a step further by appointing a trust protector. This person will serve as an overseer of the trustee’s actions. Taking this step can also provide peace of mind because the trust protector has the power to alter the trust in light of changing family situations or tax laws. This article discusses the powers that can be assigned to a trust protector and how to choose the best candidate.

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  • Saving for college is also good for your estate plan

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 874

    Abstract: A 529 plan is one of the most powerful and flexible tools available for college savings, but it also provides some unique estate planning benefits. This article explains how 529 plans work for savings purposes, but also notes that all contributions, together with all future earnings, are removed from one’s taxable estate even though the donor retains control over the funds. But there are some disadvantages, so a sidebar discusses another savings option: the Coverdell ESA.

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  • Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Deducting travel expenses when giving to charity

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Trendlines

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 445

    Abstract: This issue’s “Practical Perspectives” discusses the case of “Jorge,” a carpenter who likes to travel to help charitable organizations rebuild low-income and disaster-stricken areas. He’s always shrugged off the opportunity to deduct travel costs, but, now that he’s married with a child on the way, his wife has made it clear that every dollar counts. So he visits his tax advisor and learns which costs are deductible and which aren’t.

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  • Moneylines: News briefs for businesses

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Trendlines

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 288

    Abstract: In this issue, “Moneylines” looks at the IRS’s final regulations regarding the proper tax treatment of dispositions of tangible depreciable property under MACRS. It notes an ACFE report revealing that tips delivered via a telephone hotline or other such medium were the most common fraud detection method cited by survey participants. And a survey by a custom apps developer illuminates the evolving role of IT departments.

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  • Financial crisis management: A spouse’s death

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Trendlines

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 681

    Abstract: For individuals, financial crisis management is often related to a disaster affecting one’s home or perhaps a sudden spate of medical bills. But the death of a spouse is also a major crisis that warrants preparation. While enduring the grieving process, it’s necessary to follow a number of steps to keep one’s finances in order. This article lists important documents to gather and discusses collection of insurance and benefits, along with updating account registrations for assets held at banks and other financial institutions.

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  • Make your own luck – Good business loans should be no accident

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Trendlines

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1053

    Abstract: The success or failure of a business loan should be no accident. Rather, every financing arrangement needs to be a carefully planned strategic move with reasonably predictable results. This article explains how to approach business financing as a partnership rather than a provider-customer relationship. While a lender must be picky about its borrowers, the same holds true for borrowers choosing a lender. The key is to find the right fit so that external financing can serve a strategic purpose. A sidebar discusses revenue-based financing — and its pros and cons — as one approach.

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  • New auditing standard hones in on related parties

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Public Company Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 596

    Abstract: As part of its continuing effort to combat financial reporting fraud, the PCAOB recently issued Release No. 2014-002, which adopted Auditing Standard No. 18, Related Parties, and amended certain existing standards. The new standard and amendments are designed to strengthen auditor performance in three critical areas that present a heightened risk of material misstatements in a company’s financial statements: related party transactions, significant unusual transactions, and financial relationships or transactions with executives. This article looks at the details.

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  • How the SEC is tackling financial fraud

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Public Company Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 429

    Abstract: As the number of investigations into financial crisis cases continues to wane, the SEC is refocusing its efforts and resources into public company financial fraud. The SEC formed a Financial Reporting and Audit Task Force in 2013, and enforcement activity in this area has picked up recently. This article describes several actions the SEC has taken.

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  • Accounting for share-based compensation – Guidance on awards that vest after an employee leaves

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Public Company Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 698

    Abstract: In ASU No. 2014-12, FASB answered an important question regarding the treatment of share-based awards: What happens if an award contains a performance target that affects vesting and may be achieved after an employee retires or otherwise completes the requisite service period? The new rules require companies to treat this type of performance target as a performance condition. This article explains what this means and why it matters.

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  • The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: A cautionary tale

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Public Company Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 905

    Abstract: Public companies planning to expand internationally — particularly into “high-risk” markets — should be wary of the FCPA. This was enacted to make it unlawful for certain classes of persons and entities to make payments to foreign government officials to assist in obtaining or retaining business. This article discusses the Act and reveals the fate of one company that violated it. A sidebar explains how a solid FCPA compliance program and strong system of internal controls can help reduce or avoid penalties in the event of a violation.

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  • News for Nonprofits – Consider the success of the ALS’s “Ice Bucket Challenge”

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 414

    Abstract: In this issue, “News for Nonprofits” looks at the success of the ALS Association’s recent “Ice Bucket Challenge”; a lawsuit against one charity for its allegedly having failed to meet an agreed-upon timelime to secure matching funds for the plaintiff’s donation; and a couple of inexpensive perks that a nonprofit might consider offering its employees.

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  • Affordable Care Act “play or pay” rules kick in

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 335

    Abstract: New ACA requirements are scheduled to take effect in 2015, and large employers — generally those employers (nonprofit and private) with an equivalent of 50 or more full-time employees — must comply with the employer shared responsibility provision, commonly referred to as the “play or pay” rules. This brief article describes basic requirements, along with penalties for noncompliance.

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  • Financial statements: Your nonprofit’s “family album”

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 965

    Abstract: Financial statements are jam-packed with important information about an organization, so it’s important to use them to help better manage the organization now and in the months and years ahead. But, to glean meaningful insights from these documents, one needs to understand what each statement represents. This article provides descriptions of several key financial statements and how analysis of their results can help in planning.

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  • Don’t cry “Wolf!” but take action – What to do if an employee is suspected of fraud

    Year End 2014
    Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 851

    Abstract: Fraud and other financial misdeeds happen regularly at businesses — and nonprofits — across the nation. The question is, what should a not-for-profit do if an employee is suspected of fraud? This article describes a number of steps to take that will typically involve the board, legal counsel and police. A sidebar lists a few of a worldwide survey’s observations regarding fraud.

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