How to conduct a year-end risk assessment
Auditors assess their clients’ risk factors when planning for next year’s financial statement audit. Likewise, proactive managers assess risks at year end. A so-called “SWOT” analysis can help frame that assessment. Typically presented as a matrix, this analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats provides a logical framework for understanding how a business runs. It […]
Should you buy a business vehicle before year end?
One way to reduce your 2017 tax bill is to buy a business vehicle before year end. But don’t make a purchase without first looking at what your 2017 deduction would be and whether tax reform legislation could affect the tax benefit of a 2017 vs. 2018 purchase. Your 2017 deduction Business-related purchases of […]
What you need to know about year-end charitable giving in 2017
Charitable giving can be a powerful tax-saving strategy: Donations to qualified charities are generally fully deductible, and you have complete control over when and how much you give. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind this year to ensure you receive the tax benefits you desire. Delivery date To be deductible on […]
Address your pet in your estate plan using a pet trust
If you’re an animal lover, a pet is a member of the family — sometimes even more so than flesh-and-blood. So you want to ensure that your beloved pet is cared for after you’re gone. One way to do so is to make provisions for your pet through a trust. This legally sanctioned arrangement […]
5 common sources of substantive audit evidence
Do you understand how auditors verify account balances and transactions? This knowledge can minimize disruptions when the audit team visits your facilities and maximize the effectiveness of your audit. Here’s a list of five common sources of “substantive evidence” that auditors gather to help them form an opinion regarding your financial statements. 1. Confirmation […]
Tax reform and estate planning: What’s on the table
As Congress and President Trump pursue their stated goal of passing sweeping new tax legislation before the end of the year, many taxpayers are wondering how such legislation will affect them. One area of particular interest is estate planning; specifically, the future of gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes. Potential estate tax law […]
Cutting costs when you’ve gone over budget
Year end can’t get here soon enough for some business owners — especially those whose companies have exceeded their annual budgets. If you find yourself in this unenviable position, you can still cut costs to either improve this year’s financial picture or put yourself in a better position for next year. Tackle staffing issues […]
Practice the fine art of inclusion at your holiday gatherings
It’s that time of year, business owners — a time when you’re not only trying to wind down the calendar in profitable fashion, but also preparing year-end financials and contemplating next year’s budget. And amidst all this, you likely have a holiday employee gathering to plan. This seemingly innocuous task can be just as […]
Consider how tax reform would affect your financial statements
Tax reform legislation might be enacted before year end. If it is, companies following U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) will have to recognize the effects of the changes in 2017 — not when the changes go into effect in 2018 and beyond. Here’s what calendar-year businesses need to know as they report their […]
Do your financial statements contain hidden messages?
Over time, many business owners develop a sixth sense: They learn how to “read” a financial statement by computing financial ratios and comparing them to the company’s results over time and against those of competitors. Here are some key performance indicators (KPIs) that can help you benchmark your company’s performance in three critical areas. […]
