How smart software can help you find fraud
July 2, 2020 Knowledge Center
How smart software can help you find fraud

Machine learning increasingly is being used to discover fraud schemes. With this type of artificial intelligence (AI), the technology learns or improves in accuracy through experience, rather than through additional programming. If you already use AI in your business, you’re probably somewhat familiar with how machine learning works. But here’s a quick overview of its […]

How HIPAA applies to COVID-19-related temp checks and info gathering
June 26, 2020 Knowledge Center
How HIPAA applies to COVID-19-related temp checks and info gathering

To cope with the COVID-19 crisis, many employers are taking employees’ temperatures and asking them general health-related questions as they report to work. A cogent question that often arises in light of this activity is: How do the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) apply to the information gathered? Covered entities […]

What qualifies as a “coronavirus-related distribution” from a retirement plan?
June 26, 2020 Knowledge Center
What qualifies as a “coronavirus-related distribution” from a retirement plan?

As you may have heard, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows “qualified” people to take certain “coronavirus-related distributions” from their retirement plans without paying tax. So how do you qualify? In other words, what’s a coronavirus-related distribution? Early distribution basics In general, if you withdraw money from an IRA or eligible […]

Asset impairment is expected to hit 2020 financial statements
June 25, 2020 COVID-19
Asset impairment is expected to hit 2020 financial statements

Some companies are expected to report impairment losses in fiscal year 2020 because of the COVID-19 crisis. Depending on the nature of your operations and assets, the pandemic could be considered a “triggering event” that warrants interim impairment testing. Examples of assets that may become impaired include long-lived assets (such as equipment and real estate), […]

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 […]

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 […]