In this issue
Accounting February 15, 2020
What’s In Your Briefcase?
This column will go through some of the gear I carry with me when working out of the office. As someone who spends over 100 days a year traveling, I don’t have the option of waiting until I get back to the office to deal with most things.
May 24, 2018
Dry-Docking: A Ship-Owner’s Accounting Dilemma
The accounting treatment for the dry-docking process has been debated for a long time may be because of the complications associated with the nature of the process. The debate mainly revolved around whether to capitalize the dry-docking costs or to ...
May 22, 2018
Why and How: Artificial Intelligence: Part I
One of the hot areas of emerging technology is Artificial Intelligence or AI. You know a topic is hot when products use the terminology in their name or in their marketing materials. We’ve see this done with “ease of use”, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain.
May 22, 2018
Apps We Love May 2018: Parenting and Childcare Apps
As we head into the summer months, many working parents will be searching for options to help with child care. You may have your tried and true favorites, you work from home, a responsible family member moves in for the summer, your kids are in a ...
May 22, 2018
May 2018 Payroll Channel
4 Ways Employers Can Show Employees They Care By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Managing Editor When an employer shows empathy – treating employees as human beings with feelings and not just workers who help produce profit – it can make a significant difference in the workplace, studies show. How much of a difference? A 2018 State...…
May 22, 2018
May 2018 Tax Channel
IRS Clarifies Tax Requirements for Tip Jars By Ken Berry, J.D., Tax Correspondent Do you ever leave spare change in tip jars or boxes on counters of business establishments? The tax rules for these payments are tricky. In a new Chief Counsel Advice (CCA), the IRS has clarified that cash amounts constituted tips that are...…
May 22, 2018
May 2018 Small Business Channel
5 Ways Small Business Owners Can Prepare for Retirement By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Managing Editor Preparing financially for retirement can be complicated for anyone, but for small business owners the process often poses even more challenges. Teachers, police officers, firefighters and other government employees generally receive a pension. The corporate world can offer benefit plans...…
May 22, 2018
May 2018 Accounting & Audit Channel
5 Blockchain Tips for Accounting Firms By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Managing Editor There has been a lot of talk about how blockchain technology will disrupt the role of accounting as we know it today. In truth, disruption has already been happening through automated accounting software and other applications that help accounting firms process data faster,...…
May 22, 2018
May 2018 Firm Management Channel
7 Tips to Get the Most from CPE Credits By Mohamed Markar As a working CPA, your time is valuable. Faced with the duties of your profession, it’s challenging to find the time to earn continuing education credits. It’s especially difficult if you happen to be the CEO of a successful accounting firm as well...…
May 21, 2018
Retirement Planning for a Small Business Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated or Expensive
Employers serve an important role in preparing themselves and employees for retirement and the accompanying tax deferrals. After all, offering retirement benefits is a great way to attract and retain good talent. Here is some information you can pass ...
May 21, 2018
2018 Review of Sales Tax Systems
In this issue, we review several sales and use tax software products that are designed to make managing sales tax functions easier. Many of the products offer tracking and filing in all the necessary states, though a few offer filing capabilities in ...
May 21, 2018
Workers’ Comp Claims: A Common Employer’s Nightmare
Given that many workers’ compensation claims involve injuries that could be considered a “disability” under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, (ADAAA), there is a likelihood that it may apply at least in some ...
May 21, 2018
Discipline is the Game Changer
Transformation happens one step at a time. One decision at a time. Repeated steps in the right direction lead to new destinations instead of down the same old paths. But we must keep in mind that the road to change or transformation is uphill.
May 21, 2018
Convenience vs. Security in the Internet of Things
Any device that communicates and can be accessed via the internet based upon its IP addresses plays a role in your firm’s security. This obviously includes mobile devices, but it may also include copiers, printers, thermostats, televisions, motion ...
May 18, 2018
2018 Reviews of Fixed Asset Accounting Systems
Whether you’re a startup, a multi-national corporation, or somewhere in between, you have fixed assets. Purchased for long-term use in a business, fixed assets can include office furniture, computers, printers, vehicles, machinery, buildings, and land.
May 17, 2018 Sponsored
Intuit Announces ‘Connect to PayPal’ Integration
Transactions retrieved by Connect to PayPal are shown in the banking section of QuickBooks, so the import process is entirely visible, instead of "behind the scenes" as with the old Sync to PayPal app. Further, attempts to record transfers more than ...
May 16, 2018
9 Ways to Manage Capital Gains
Investors want to rebalance or reduce their exposure to stocks without creating a large tax bill. We specialize in tax-efficient portfolio management and can help you minimize the taxes you will pay. Here are 9 ways to manage your investment taxes more...
May 16, 2018
How to Really Thank Your Team After Tax Season
Many firms have a bonus structure in place to financially reward employees, but that’s not enough. More than a nice gesture, going above and beyond — much as your workers have done since at least January — when showing appreciation is a must to keep ...
May 16, 2018
4 Ways to Help Your Clients Increase On-Time Invoice Payments
Accounts Receivable (AR) are a critical component of a business’ tax compliance. When it comes to accounts receivable, are your clients getting paid on time? When you review your clients’ books, is their Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) more ...
May 14, 2018
How to Expand Your Abilities in Microsoft Excel
If you're presently using an older version of Excel, bear in mind that Excel 2019 will be released in the latter half of this year. Expect more artificial intelligence features to help you work faster and more effectively. Further, each new version of ...
May 10, 2018
9 Ways to Create a More Diverse Workplace
Make sure each manager, senior manager, and executive is responsible for inclusion and hold them accountable during performance evaluations. Discuss the issue during leadership meetings and share feedback from employees.
May 9, 2018
What Every Accountant Needs to Know about Sales Tax Nexus
At its most basic level, nexus is answering the question, “Do you have sufficient contact to require you to register with a state taxing authority or other regulatory body?” Don’t make the mistake of getting frightened by the term.
May 3, 2018
A.I., Machine Learning, Cognitive Computing As Profession’s Top Technology Hard Trends For 2018 – Part 1
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cognitive computing in audit and tax are the top trends that will impact the accounting and finance world over the next three years, according to research conducted by the Maryland Association of CPAs, the...
May 1, 2018
What Amazon Can Teach Tax Professionals about Adding Financial Planning Services
The convenience and all-in-one experience that your clients get from Amazon has come to be their new expectation in other facets of their lives, including their finances. More and more clients are looking for a single solution for all of ...
April 18, 2018
Analytics and Data Evaluation for Everyone
One of the more interesting areas for new offerings in accounting technology has been the emergence of toolsets to automate the analysis of data sets. Whether we’re learning about end user tools for accounting firms like InformationActive’s Active ...
April 18, 2018
4 Ways Payroll Certifications Can Help Your Team
Modern payroll is complicated. From cloud-based systems to tax and regulatory issues, there’s a lot that a payroll coordinator or specialist needs to know. To make sure your workers have the proficiency necessary to process payroll efficiently and ...
