Business succession and estate planning: It can be complicated
June 25, 2020 Knowledge Center
Business succession and estate planning: It can be complicated

Transferring a family business to the next generation requires a delicate balancing act. Estate and succession planning strategies aren’t always compatible, and family members often have conflicting interests. By starting early and planning carefully, however, it’s possible to resolve these conflicts and transfer the business in a tax-efficient manner. Ownership vs. management succession One reason […]

Is there a fraud perpetrator behind those behavioral issues?
June 23, 2020 Knowledge Center
Is there a fraud perpetrator behind those behavioral issues?

The recently released 2020 Association of Certified Fraud Examiner’s (ACFE’s) occupational fraud study, Report to the Nations, reveals that the most common behavioral red flag exhibited by fraud perpetrators is living beyond their means. Also high on the list are financial difficulties and unusually close relationships with vendors and customers. Some of these signs may be […]

Is it time to outsource finance and accounting?
June 23, 2020 Knowledge Center
Is it time to outsource finance and accounting?

Outsourcing may appeal to organizations that are currently struggling with mounting overhead costs. By outsourcing, you convert certain fixed overhead costs associated with compensating and supporting employees into variable costs that can be scaled back in an economic downturn — or dialed up in times of growth and transition. One department that’s ripe with outsourcing […]

A Brave New Accounting Industry | LABJ
June 22, 2020 In the News
A Brave New Accounting Industry | LABJ

“It’s not often that an entire industry has so much opportunity for innovation at one time, and it can be difficult to capitalize on it all as quickly as needed, but I think this year has shown us all that we’re a lot more adaptable than perhaps we even realized.” Read the full article here.

COVID-19-related deadline relief affects HSAs and retirement plans
June 19, 2020 COVID-19
COVID-19-related deadline relief affects HSAs and retirement plans

The IRS recently issued another notice extending tax deadlines because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notice 2020-35 supplements IRS Notice 2020-23 and earlier guidance by extending the deadlines for certain additional time-sensitive actions relating to employment taxes; exempt organizations; employee benefit plans, including 401(k)s; Health Savings Accounts (HSAs); IRAs; and other specified accounts. With some exceptions, the extensions […]

Concealing a trust could run afoul of state law
June 19, 2020 Knowledge Center
Concealing a trust could run afoul of state law

You may have good intentions in keeping a trust a secret from its beneficiaries. Perhaps you have concerns that, if your children or other beneficiaries know about the trust, they might set aside educational or career pursuits. Be aware, however, that the law in many states forbids this practice by requiring a trust’s trustee to […]

The latest news on nonprofit fraud is here
June 18, 2020 Knowledge Center
The latest news on nonprofit fraud is here

Every two years, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) publishes what has become the definitive guide for preventing and detecting workplace fraud. The recently released Report to the Nations: 2020 Global Study on Occupational Fraud and Abuse draws conclusions from more than 2,500 fraud incidents — including 191 in not-for-profit organizations. In fact, this year’s report […]

Rebuilding your nonprofit’s board
June 18, 2020 Knowledge Center
Rebuilding your nonprofit’s board

In times of turmoil, your board of directors should be your not-for-profit’s rock-solid foundation. But what if your board is understaffed or simply doesn’t provide the leadership your nonprofit requires? Think about rebuilding it — and the sooner the better. Financial, public health and other challenges are likely to remain a reality for the foreseeable […]

Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
June 16, 2020 COVID-19
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act

By Nicholas Sanchez, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; and Kaveh Imandoust, J.D., M.B.T., CPA Earlier this month the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010, PPPFA) was signed into law. If you’re not already familiar, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a provision included in the CARES Act that provides forgivable loans to small businesses to […]

Seniors: Can you deduct Medicare premiums?
June 12, 2020 Knowledge Center
Seniors: Can you deduct Medicare premiums?

If you’re age 65 and older, and you have basic Medicare insurance, you may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage you want. The premiums can be costly, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But there may be a silver lining: You may qualify […]

5 steps to streamline the month-end close
June 12, 2020 Knowledge Center
5 steps to streamline the month-end close

Many companies struggle to close the books at the end of the month. The month-end close requires accounting personnel to round up data from across the organization. Under normal conditions, this process can strain internal resources. However, in recent years the accounting and tax rules have undergone major changes — many of which your personnel and software […]

A nonworking spouse can still have an IRA
June 12, 2020 Knowledge Center
A nonworking spouse can still have an IRA

It’s often difficult for married couples to save as much as they need for retirement when one spouse doesn’t work outside the home — perhaps so that spouse can take care of children or elderly parents. In general, an IRA contribution is allowed only if a taxpayer has compensation. However, an exception involves a “spousal” […]