by Marijane Kantzabedian, CPA | Check out the Startup Solutions series For tech startups, securing funding through venture capitalists is a go-to strategy. Being prepared for what comes next may be less obvious, though. Venture capitalist (VC) firms investigate startups from the ground up. As a firm seeks opportunities for potential investment, each facet of the […]
Technology has made seemingly everything fast, convenient and easily accessible. This is certainly true of quick response (QR) codes, those ubiquitous symbols you can find on everything from restaurant menus to product packages to advertisements. When you scan QR codes with a smartphone, you can access prices, instructions, product information and even payment apps. But […]
If you’ve received, or will soon receive, a significant inheritance, it may be tempting to view it as “found money” that can be spent freely. But unless your current financial plan ensures that you’ll comfortably reach all your goals, it’s a good idea to have a plan of action for managing your newfound wealth. Take […]
Valuing a business requires more effort than just plugging numbers from the financial statements into a spreadsheet or artificial intelligence software program. A valuation professional needs a comprehensive understanding of business operations. Financial statements, tax returns and marketing materials tell only part of the story. Site visits can help bridge the gap, especially in adversarial […]
If you itemize deductions on your tax return, you may wonder: What medical expenses can I include? The IRS recently issued some frequently asked questions addressing when certain costs are qualified medical expenses for federal income tax purposes. Basic rules and IRS clarifications You can claim an itemized deduction for qualified medical expenses that exceed […]
Your employees may be worried. A January 2023 report by Greenwald Research found that 70% of participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans are concerned about running out of money in their golden years. In today’s competitive hiring and employee-retention environment, many employers are on the lookout for ways to juice up their benefits packages. One intriguing […]
When it comes to estate planning, there’s no shortage of techniques and strategies available to reduce your taxable estate and ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. Indeed, the two specific strategies discussed below should be used in many estate plans. Take advantage of the annual gift tax exclusion Don’t underestimate the tax-saving […]
With concerns about inflation in the news for months now, most business owners are keeping a close eye on costs. Although it can be difficult to control costs related to mission-critical functions such as overhead and materials, you might find some budge room in employee benefits. Many companies have lowered their benefits costs by offering […]
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is generally considered the gold standard in financial reporting in the United States. But private and public entities may sometimes use non-GAAP metrics in their disclosures and press releases or when applying for financing. GAAP vs. Non-GAAP GAAP is a set of rules and procedures that accountants typically follow to […]
The starting point for a business valuation is generally the subject company’s financial statements. Here’s an overview of how historical financial statements can serve as the basis for a valuation professional’s conclusion under the cost, income and market approaches. Cost (or asset-based) approach Because the balance sheet identifies a company’s assets and liabilities, it can […]
A common question for people planning their estates or inheriting property is: For tax purposes, what’s the “cost” (or “basis”) an individual gets in property that he or she inherits from another? This is an important area and is too often overlooked when families start to put their affairs in order. Under the fair market […]
Have your company’s accounting records become cluttered with duplicate items and unused accounts? When you need to revise your QuickBooks® lists — such as the chart of accounts, customers and vendors — the software provides methods for deleting, inactivating and merging list entries. Here’s what you can do to help spruce things up. Deleting QuickBooks […]