Affinity fraud — where perpetrators exploit connections of race, religion, age, politics, and profession — is one of the cruelest forms of criminal deception. Fraudsters often belong to the groups they target and, in addition to stealing money, weaken the bonds within communities. Affects individuals &...
Audited financial statements come with a special bonus: a ‘management letter’ that recommends ways to improve your business. That is free advice from financial pros who have seen hundreds of businesses at their best (and worst) and who know which strategies work (and which do...
There is little doubt that nearly every type of employer will continue to rely on technology to beat — or even just keep up with — their competition. This means not only acquiring the right hardware and software but also hiring and retaining the brightest...
Extending credit to business customers can be an effective way to build goodwill and nurture long-term buyers. But if you extend customer credit, it also brings sizable financial risk to your business, as cash flow could grind to a halt if these customers do not...
We all know the cost of college is expensive. The latest figures from the College Board show that the average annual cost of tuition and fees was $10,230 for in-state students at public four-year universities and $35,830 for students at private non-profit, four-year institutions. These...
Hidden assets can be an issue in a variety of contexts — from divorce to bankruptcy to fraud. An acrimonious divorce, ownership dispute, or occupational theft incident could all lead an individual or business to wrongfully hide items of value. In such cases, fraud experts...
Like many small business owners, you may be unable to sponsor a major medical plan at this time. Perhaps you have thought about sponsoring a health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) instead. Unfortunately, under federal regulations, you may not be able to do that either. There...
More than half of recent college graduates plan to start a business someday, according to the results of a survey published in August by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Unfortunately, the AICPA estimates that only half of new businesses survive the five-year mark, and...
Borrowing is not just for businesses. Many non-profits borrow money for major capital purchases, new program funding, and even to manage current cash flow. But if you are hoping to borrow, it is important to understand that there are likely to be obstacles ahead, including...
Time flies when you are having fun — and running a business. Although it is probably too early to start chilling a bottle of bubbly for New Year’s Eve, it is certainly not too early for business owners to start doing some strategic planning for...