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Isaac M. O'Bannon

Managing Editor

isaac.obannon@cpapracticeadvisor.com

Isaac M. O'Bannon is the managing editor and digital content manager for CPA Practice Advisor (www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com), drawing on two decades of experience covering the areas of professional accounting, taxation, business productivity and consumer technologies. Prior to CPA Practice Advisor, O'Bannon was a consultant at firms in San Francisco, Denver and Tulsa, serving clients that included Logitech, Polycom, Hilti, Microsoft, the Stanford Research Institute, the University of Oklahoma's College of Engineering and other technology leaders. He is a U.S. Navy veteran. Email: isaac.obannon - @ - cpapracticeadvisor.com

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Payroll

Paychex Introduces New Payroll Debit Card Service

For small and mid-sized employers who have workers who are "unbanked" or just prefer to receive their paycheck in a non-check format, payroll, human resources and benefits company Paychex has launched its new Skylight PayOptions Program.

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Small Business

Ranking the Friendliest States for Small Businesses

Which states have the most "business friendly" environments? According to the third annual Small Business Friendliness Survey, here are the top five:

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Accounting

Debit Card Overdrafts Come with Hefty Fees - Over 1,000% APR for Some

A new report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has found the majority of debit card overdraft fees are incurred on transactions of $24 or less and that the majority of overdrafts are repaid within three days. Put in lending terms, if a consumer borrowed $24 for three days and paid the median overdraft fee of $34, such a loan would carry a 17,000 percent annual percentage rate (APR).

Firm Management

How Workplace Etiquette Affects Career Prospects

When employees were asked to name the biggest breach of workplace etiquette in this type of office environment, using a speakerphone or talking loudly on the phone topped the list (36 percent); loitering or talking around a colleague's desk ranked second (23 percent).

Accounting

Survey: Confidence in U.S. Economy Spurring Capital Investment

Nearly three in five private companies are confident about the U.S. economy, continuing their 18-month optimism streak. More than one-third of them plan major new capital investments, the highest percentage in over two years. The majority of private companies also plan to increase headcount, but minimally, via targeted hiring.

Accounting

Survey Explores Successful Traits of Small Business Owners

While there are millions of small business owners across the United States, most of them can generally fit into one of "four distinct types," according to a new survey by sales and marketing software maker Infusionsoft. The company's 2014 Small Business Market Survey also sheds light on how each type manages business challenges while attracting customers and growing sales.

Accounting

Charitable Giving Increases by 1.6%

The latest Blackbaud Index shows that overall charitable giving to nonprofits increased 1.6% and online giving increased 8.0% for the first half of 2014 as compared to the first half of 2013. In addition, overall charitable giving grew 1.5% and online giving grew 8.7% for the three months ending June 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013.

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Benefits

Millennials are Super Savers, New Study Shows

Whatever you may think of Millennials, they are natural born savers. A new report from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that since many of these workers entered the workforce at about the same time as the Great Recession, they've been more proactive in saving for perilous employment times.

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Income Tax

IRS to Hold Next Tax Forum in Maryland

The next 2014 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum will be held at National Harbor in Maryland near Washington, D.C., and the IRS invites enrolled agents, certified public accountants, certified financial planners and other tax professionals to attend. Those who sign up by the pre-registration date of Aug. 5 will save $130 off the on-site price.

Automation

Avalara Launches New Marketing Center

Sales tax automation provider Avalara, Inc., has introduced the Avalara Marketing Center (AMC), a fully automated, co-marketing platform providing Avalara partners with free access to extensive sales and use tax compliance content, educational resources, and tools designed to quickly expand their marketing efforts.

Advisory

WeiserMazars Acquires Health Care Consulting Firm

The accounting and tax advisory firm WeiserMazars LLP, has acquired pmpm Consulting Group Inc., a national health care consulting firm specializing in providing managed care services including network development, contracting, credentialing, regulatory monitoring, oversight and compliance audits to payers and providers.

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Sales Tax

Economist Art Laffer Says Online Sales Tax Exemption Causes Higher Taxes

Inaction by Congress on closing the internet sales tax loophole could result in states having to raise taxes and in some cases implement more harmful taxes that stifle economic growth. That's according a new video testimonial, released by The Alliance for Main Street Fairness.