In this issue

 Defining Personal Success

November 12, 2018 

Defining Personal Success

More often than not, our goals are something tangible. At one point in my life, making partner in my firm was the ultimate goal — the epitome of success I’d been working toward my entire life. However; I found throughout my career, I have pivoted ...

Amy Vetter

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November 23, 2017 

The Top FLSA Mistakes made by Employers

A single dissatisfied employee who files a allegation of violation with the DOL can quickly turn this assumption into a costly error. In fact, even a competitor can file a complaint with the DOL if they believe an employer is violating employment law.

 2018 Minimum Wage Changes – State-by-State

November 23, 2017 

2018 Minimum Wage Changes – State-by-State

Twenty-seven states — plus Washington, D.C. — index their minimum wages to rise automatically with the cost of living. More states will index minimum wage increases annually, starting in the following years, like: Minnesota (2018), Michigan (2019) and ...

James Paille

 November 2017 Accounting Channel

November 21, 2017 

November 2017 Accounting Channel

73% of CFOs Trust the Cloud for Financial Data By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Managing Editor Just three years ago, according to CFO respondents in the Adaptive Insights  CFO Indicator report, only 33% trusted the cloud for financial data. Today, 73% of CFOs trust the cloud for financial data, reflecting a significant technology shift for Finance,...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 Apps We Love: Mobile Payments

November 21, 2017 

Apps We Love: Mobile Payments

From tracking KPIs or managing client communications, or even digging them out of a financial hole while cruising at 35,000 feet, these business apps keep busy professionals tuned into their firm and client needs, which definitely helps productivity.

Gail Perry

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November 21, 2017 

A Step Into the Future of Cloud Accounting

As a cloud-based accounting firm, we are major proponents of using modern technology to better serve our clients and build a stronger business. Peering into the future of the accounting industry and anticipating its potential impacts is an important ...

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November 21, 2017 

2017 Review of Time Management Systems

Much more than simply a tracking time, these time management systems help firms manage staff productivity, assess client profitability, while also offering an easy to use mechanism for tracking time and billing information, including any related expenses.

Mary Girsch-Bock

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November 20, 2017 

Workplace Boredom Kills Productivity

If you've ever had a case of the blahs at work, you're not alone. According to a new survey from staffing firm OfficeTeam, professionals admit they're bored in the office an average of 10.5 hours per week. That's more than a full day a week, or the ...

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 November 2017 Small Business Channel

November 20, 2017 

November 2017 Small Business Channel

Veteran Business Owners Thriving, Extremely Upbeat on Economy By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Managing Editor Optimism among veteran small business owners is outpacing the nation’s small businesses as a whole, according to this year’s Allstate/USA Today Small Business Barometer. The annual index study released new data ahead of Veterans Day showing that veteran entrepreneurs’ optimism is...…

 November 2017 Firm Management Channel

November 20, 2017 

November 2017 Firm Management Channel

Accounting Firm Cybersecurity: Training Your Staff and Protecting Your Business By Christina Wiseman, Thomson Reuters From the Thomson Reuters blog. It probably won’t surprise you to hear that tax identity theft is on the rise. In response to this increase in tax-related ID theft, last year the IRS rolled out new security requirements that recommended...…

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November 20, 2017 

November 2017 Payroll Channel

The IRS has announced the 2018 cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) with respect to retirement plan limits. Many limits, which are adjusted by reference to Code Sec. 415(d), are changed for 2018 since the increase in the cost-of-living index met the ...

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November 20, 2017 

5 Must-Have Workplace Policies

By implementing or updating as needed, and consistently enforcing five (5) practical and well-known workplace policies, most employers can dramatically decrease the potential that a workplace decision involving an employee will result in ...

Richard D. Alaniz, JD

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November 20, 2017 

5 Hiring and Salary Trends for 2018

Demand for accounting professionals remains high, while unemployment for accountants and auditors remains low, below the national average. This is putting pressure on and intensifying hiring competition for accounting firms.

Paul McDonald

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November 20, 2017 

Is the Password Dying?

It’s not hard to see why people don’t like passwords. We share a lot of sensitive personal information with companies, including Social Security numbers, health records, and bank account and credit card numbers. Even password managers don’t eliminate ...

Jim Boomer

 November 2017 Tax Channel

November 17, 2017 

November 2017 Tax Channel

All in an effort to minimize filing fraudsters, the IRS has accelerated major information form filing. And to drive home their emphasis, the IRS has drastically increased preparer penalties.

Renee Poirier

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November 16, 2017 

Technology Tools for Productivity

New technology tools are frequently showcased first at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas every January. While many innovative products have been initially introduced during CES, there have been a number of useful hardware and software ...

Randy Johnston

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November 7, 2017 

5 Topics Every Accountant Should Address with Clients

The start of a new year is the perfect time to touch base with your clients or reach out to new ones. Don’t limit your discussion to traditional tax issues. Take the time to ask existing and prospective clients about their business plans overall.