Auditors often say that the tone at the top of an organization trickles down to every level of the business. Is your company’s work environment ethical and open? If not, corporate culture assessments can help prevent and detect unethical and criminal behaviors. But, to cover...
Like their for-profit counterparts, non-profits are increasingly allowing employees to telecommute. Done right, work-at-home arrangements, either full time or on an occasional basis, can pay off for both employers and employees. But you will need to be proactive to avoid some pitfalls. Bevy of benefits Primary among...
When a business decides to hold a retreat for its employees, the first question to be answered usually is not, “What is our agenda?” or “Whom should we invite as a guest speaker?” Rather, the first item on the table is, “Where should we have...
Home ownership is a key element of the American dream for many, and the U.S. tax code includes many tax breaks that help support this dream. If you own a home, you may be eligible for several valuable breaks when you file your 2017 return....
If someone steals your credit or debit card (or just your account number) and uses it to make purchases, will your card company hold you liable? The answer may depend on the type of card, whether the physical card is still in your possession, and...
The pros and cons of Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), which were introduced 20 years ago, are well understood. All money flowing into Roth IRAs is after-tax, so there is no upfront tax benefit. As a tradeoff, all qualified Roth IRA distributions can be tax-free, including...
In 2018, the maximum Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age is $2,788 a month; that is $33,456 a year. For people born from 1943 to 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born later, full retirement age gradually increases...
When accountants conduct an audit or review, they cannot test every transaction. Instead, they set a ‘materiality’ threshold. This benchmark is used to obtain reasonable assurance in an audit — or limited assurance in a review — of detecting misstatements that could be large enough,...
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for good employees to battle personal problems, such as substance dependence, financial or legal woes, or mental health issues. These struggles can negatively affect their productivity and the working environment around them. Employers can help by offering an employee assistance program...
An old business adage says, “Sales is a numbers game.” In other words, the more potential buyers you face, the better your chances of making sales. This is not completely true, of course; success also depends on execution. Nonetheless, when a company builds a pipeline to...