General Business Archives - Wiss & Company, LLP

COBRA Model Notices Issued by Department of Labor

Written on April 9, 2021. Posted in General Business, Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory The Department of Labor has now released model notices as well as additional guidance regarding the COBRA premium subsidies provided under the American Rescue Plan Act. You can review our recent blog for background on the original Act. The model notices and election forms can be found on the Department of Labor website, and are summarized below. These notices can be used to help employers satisfy the new notice requirements under...

What You Should Know About ERISA Plan Audit Changes

Written on April 7, 2021. Posted in Assurance, Employee Benefit Plan Audits, General Business.

By Craig Erickson, Partner-in-Charge, Employee Benefit Plan Group In July 2019, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued a new Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS 136) designed to regulate and improve the audit quality for plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The new standards were originally intended to apply to audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after December 15, 2020, but the...

Get Ready to Apply for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Written on March 30, 2021. Posted in American Rescue Plan, Financial Planning, General Business, Small Business, Stimulus Package.

By Ilya Brodetskiy, Ilya Brodetskiy, CPA, MST, Senior Tax Manager In January, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, landmark legislation designed to help U.S. residents and businesses stay afloat in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. One under-reported element of the plan is the establishment of the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), to be administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This program will offer tax-free...

FFCRA Update – Tax Credits Extended to September 30

Written on March 23, 2021. Posted in American Rescue Plan, General Business, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory American Rescue Plan New Extensions One of the provisions of the recently passed American Rescue Plan covers paid sick and family leave, as originally provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). While the requirement to provide leave under FFCRA expired December 31, 2020, the rescue package extends the tax credits until September 30, 2021 for employers who voluntarily continue to provide paid leave under the same...

New York State Paid Leave for COVID Vaccine

Written on March 16, 2021. Posted in General Business, Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory New York State employers will now be required to provide paid leave to employees who receive the COVID vaccine. The recently passed legislation, already signed into law by Governor Cuomo, takes effect immediately and ends December 31, 2022. The new law requires all employers in New York State to provide their workers with a “sufficient period of time, not to exceed four hours”, for each injection. Employees must be paid their regular...

Biden Administration Targeting PPP Aid to Smallest Businesses – 2 Week Delay Starting Wednesday Morning

Written on February 23, 2021. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business, PPP, Small Business.

By Travis Miskowitz, Manager, CFO Advisory Early Monday morning, the Biden Administration announced it is instituting a 2-week period targeting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses only. The temporary freeze goes into effect Wednesday morning beginning at 9:00 am, and only small businesses with 20 or fewer employees will be eligible to apply for a PPP loan for the next 2 weeks. The move by the current Administration is an effort to provide much-needed funding...

SBA to Speed Up PPP Approval Process

Written on February 11, 2021. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business, PPP, Small Business.

By Travis Miskowitz, Manager, CFO Advisory In response to concerns from the small business community regarding delays and processing issues with the latest round of PPP funding, the SBA released a procedural notice on 2/10 implementing changes to speed up the loan approval process. As many as 30% of all PPP loan applications have been delayed due to Hold or Error codes as a result of stepped-up front-end compliance and verification checks. Late last week, we covered the issues causing...

PPP Processing Delays – More Communication Required from SBA

Written on February 5, 2021. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business, PPP, State & Local Tax Services, Tax, Tax Alerts.

By Travis Miskowitz, Manager CFO Advisory When the Small Business Administration rolled out the Paycheck Protection Program in 2020, there was an immediate need to stem the losses and financial difficulties that small business owners were facing due to the pandemic and government-mandated shutdown orders. The early days of PPP were fraught with processing issues, incomplete or inconsistent guidance, and a lack of reliable resources for small business owners to reference when applying...

Capital Formation Advisory

Written on February 2, 2021. Posted in Advisory Services, Financial Planning, General Business.

Whatever stage your company is in, Wiss Capital Advisors can help you make the right financing decisions. We can advise on securing equity capital for growth-oriented companies, including expansion capital and pre-IPO financing. We can help you secure financing for a management buyout, management buy-in, or corporate divestiture. And we have the experience and expertise needed to help you in special situations, including acquisition financing, public-to-private transactions, and...

What type of entity should my startup be (a C-Corp or LLC)?

Written on February 1, 2021. Posted in Early Stage, Financial Planning, General Business, Small Business, Startups.

CPA and Partner at WISS & Co., Matt Barbieri discusses the reason he’s doing this podcast (basically to answer all those questions he gets over-and-over) and then answers a question he gets ALL THE TIME from startup founders, which is, What type of entity should our company be? Listen to the episode here… Still need more guidance? No problem! Reach out to a Wiss expert for answers. Contact Us

Gain More Certainty About Surety Bonds

Written on January 29, 2021. Posted in Construction, Financial Planning, General Business.

Looking to better understand the Surety Bond process? Join Tim Kennedy and Brian Reingold of our Construction Services Group for a 30-minute webinar to gain more certainty about your financial picture so that if you need a Surety Bond, you are better equipped. They’ll answer the top 10 most common questions and provide insights into your 3 keys to success: Building a well thought out Business Plan Ensuring quality Financial Management Selecting a Surety Agent Access the Webinar...

The Business Interest Expense Limitation under IRC Section 163(j): What You Need to Know for the 2020 Tax Year

Written on January 28, 2021. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business, State & Local Tax Services, Tax, Tax Alerts.

By Jennifer Beceiro, Tax Manager & Eliezer Gross, Real Estate Tax Director The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) amended IRC Section 163(j) that limited the deductibility of business interest expense for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Business interest expense is limited to the sum of the Taxpayer’s business interest income, floor plan financing interest, and 30% of Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI). There are two situations that Taxpayers may not be subject to the 163(j)...

Straight Outta Congress: How to Maximize the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) & Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Written on January 19, 2021. Posted in General Business, PPP, State & Local Tax Services, Tax, Tax Alerts.

By Travis Miskowitz, Manager, CFO Advisory This is a developing story; updates will be published as additional information becomes available. Update: March 3, 2021 As we enter March, we would like to remind our clients and friends that they may be eligible for 2 very beneficial programs: Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and a 1st Draw or 2nd Draw PPP loan. The ERC is a refundable credit which can now be claimed retroactively by PPP borrowers to 2020 if the company meets 2 main eligibility...

Payroll/HR End of Year – What You Need To Know

Written on December 23, 2020. Posted in General Business, Human Resources.

by Lisa Calick, Director of HR Advisory Services It has been quite a year, and most of us are glad to see 2020 come to an end. Businesses have had to pivot pretty quickly in a number of areas due to the pandemic this year. Before we ring in the new year, it is important to note the following changes, many of which result from the stimulus relief bill passed by Congress. While this bill is not yet law, employers should be aware of the provisions that may be applicable to them if...

Show me the money…again! Congress agrees to $900B Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020

Written on December 21, 2020. Posted in General Business, State & Local Tax Services, Tax Alerts.

By Nicole DeRosa, CPA, MAcc, Senior Tax Manager, and Travis Miskowitz, Manager, CFO Advisory Congressional leaders are close to finalizing the next round of stimulus, referred to as the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 providing for $900 billion in government funds aimed at supporting small businesses and the ailing economy. The coronavirus relief bill is expected to pass with bi-partisan support, and the President is expected to sign the bill into law quickly. The relief...

Questions About Remote Work and Payroll: A Q&A with Wiss’s Outsourced Payroll Manager Laura Melville

Written on November 23, 2020. Posted in General Business.

By Lisa Calick Series introduction: In this four-part Q&A series, Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Lisa Calick speaks with experts from Wiss to learn about the challenges that clients face due to the changes in work arrangements and culture as a result of the pandemic. As a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), I spend my days giving human resources advice to Wiss clients, helping them with everything from benefits inquiries to staying in compliance with...

Preparing Your Company for Sale (Even If You Aren’t Ready)

Written on November 17, 2020. Posted in General Business.

By William Haemmerle, Director of Transaction Advisory Services “Luck favors the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur Most business owners never really worry about selling their company until something happens – they decide to retire, there is a succession issue, or they receive an unsolicited offer. Unless preparations have been made, none of these situations provide significant time to get the financial, operational, or legal house in order. If you fall in this category, it is...

NJ Corporate Tax Update

Written on November 10, 2020. Posted in General Business, Tax.

by Azra Khan New Jersey enacted technical and substantive changes to 2018 Corporation Business Tax Reform On November 4, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law SB 3007 /AB 4809, which makes some significant changes to the Corporation Business Tax Act (“CBTA”) that may have both favorable and unfavorable results for corporate taxpayers based on specific circumstances. Many provisions of the bill are effective for the 2019 tax year so it will be important to analyze the impact as soon...

SBA Releases Long-Awaited Loan Forgiveness FAQs

Written on August 5, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz At long last, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of the Treasury have released guidance addressing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. This guidance can be relied upon as the SBA’s interpretation of Section 1106 of the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), as amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (Flexibility Act). Consistent with previous updates, the SBA has decided to provide...

The 5 Proofs to Ensure Investment Readiness

Written on June 16, 2020. Posted in Early Stage, General Business.

By Mark Brenner, CEO and Co-Founder, WEST Growth 1. Progressive milestones Most early-stage companies don’t have much money unless the founders are independently wealthy. So when most companies come to us, they have maybe ten different things they’re working on, but they don’t have the resources to do those ten things. It’s a priority to identify how much the next raise should be and what needs to happen to get that raise. Those raising capital will need to tell that group of investors...

How Companies Can Plan To Reopen the Office

Written on June 12, 2020. Posted in General Business, Healthcare.

By Lisa Calick States have begun to ease restrictions put on businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including laying out timelines for when many businesses may open. Companies now face significant challenges regarding how to reopen their offices safely. A carefully planned approach to returning to work will be necessary to make sure workers are safe and confident and that the business can thrive. Planning the Approach The approach to opening is fairly straightforward — plan, open...

Main Street Lending Program Expanded to More Businesses

Written on June 10, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz Update 6/10/20 On Monday, June 8th, the Federal Reserve Board again revised the Main Street Lending Program, providing increased access to more small and medium-sized businesses. The $600 billion loan program has yet to fund a single loan, and criticism of the Fed’s latest stimulus effort in recent weeks has put pressure on the Fed to relax certain requirements, providing more flexibility to eligible borrowers. The Fed has received a growing chorus of complaints...

PPP Flexibility Act Passes Senate, significantly decreases barrier to loan forgiveness

Written on June 4, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz The Senate unanimously approved H.R. 7010 – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. By passing the House bill, the Senate avoids a long and drawn out reconciliation process. The President is expected to sign the bill into law quickly. While the bill provides much needed flexibility to small businesses, there is one change that can significantly impact a borrower’s ability to achieve loan forgiveness. The tersely worded bill provides for only 7 bullet...

Confusion as Stimulus Payments Arrive On Prepaid Debit Cards

Written on June 3, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Craig R. Erickson, CPA, Partner, Wiss With cybersecurity breaches, identity theft and other cyber-crimes on the rise during this pandemic, the amount of skepticism shown in the exchange above is warranted and refreshing. But have no fear: That prepaid debit card you have received is in fact an Economic Impact Payment Card (EIPCard), which contains your federal relief payment provided for by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Over the past few days,...

Latest PPP Loan Forgiveness Guidance Released: Fails to Address Two Key Requirements

Written on May 26, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

On Friday May 22nd, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Treasury Department issued two new Interim Final Rules (IFR): one covering Loan Forgiveness and the other covering Loan Review Procedures. The loan forgiveness guidance, which builds upon the loan forgiveness application and instructions that were released May 15th, still does not make changes to provisions for the 75/25 requirement to spend PPP funds on payroll and non-payroll costs, or the 8-week (56-day) covered...

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application – Overview of Required Documentation

Written on May 20, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Tricia Meola On May 15th, the Small Business Administration released the highly anticipated Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application. The application is lengthy, the calculations are complex, and the instructions aren’t the most straight-forward. At first (and second) glance, the application process is quite overwhelming! In order to assist you, we are going to break down the components beginning here with the four main areas of required documentation. Please...

SBA Releases Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application

Written on May 19, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz On Friday May 15th, the Small Business Administration released the long-awaited Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan forgiveness application. The forgiveness application includes detailed instructions for borrowers to calculate their eligible costs and determine the amount of PPP loan forgiveness. The form provides more guidance than previously available, but still not as clear as we’d hoped. There are still unanswered questions and we anticipate additional...

SBA Clarifies Safe Harbor Status for Loans Under $2 Million

Written on May 14, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz On 5/13/2020, the SBA issued FAQ 46 which grants Safe Harbor status to all loans under $2MM. Small businesses received a welcome update today via SBA FAQ 46 which states that businesses, including their affiliates, that accepted Paycheck Protection Program loans of $2 million or less, will be assumed to have performed the required certification in good faith. The PPP application requires small business owners to certify in good faith that “current economic uncertainty...

Are You Applying For the PPP in Good Faith? How to Document Your PPP Loan Application Decision

Written on May 4, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz One important aspect of applying for a PPP loan is certifying in good faith that your loan request is necessary. The PPP application asks you whether “current economic uncertainty makes your loan request necessary to support your ongoing operations.” We have put together this list of considerations to help you assess in good faith and officially justify your need for this emergency funding. Read this today to ensure your business has made an informed decision...

Frequently Asked Questions About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Written on May 4, 2020. Posted in General Business, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick I’ve been forced to furlough my employees due to a slowdown in business operations. Are they still eligible for the leave entitlements as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act? Unfortunately no. If you have furloughed your employees because there is not enough work for them, they are not entitled to take paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Act. They may, however, be eligible for unemployment benefits through your State. Many...

Do You Need to Return Your PPP Loan? SBA Clarifies Eligibility Guidance Through FAQ Update

Written on May 1, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz Update: As of Wednesday, May 6, the safe-harbor deadline for returning PPP funds has been extended to May 14. Complete the application, provide supporting documentation, and you should be well on your way to a forgivable loan. All the better since you must spend the money on payroll costs in order to receive forgiveness. It is called Paycheck Protection after all, right? Not so fast according to recent updates published by the SBA. The SBA has recently issued...

The Path to PPP Loan Forgiveness: Start Preparing Right Away

Written on April 24, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

Update: On Friday, May 15th, the SBA released the application for Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness. Please see this article, which highlights key elements and guidance to the application process. By Travis Miskowitz Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are designed to be forgiven, but it doesn’t happen automatically. It’s best to get a plan in place to work toward maximum forgiveness as soon as you receive your PPP loan. The SBA is expected to issue additional guidance...

Congress Agrees to Additional Funding for Small Businesses

Written on April 21, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz This is a developing story and information contained in this article is subject to change. We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. Congress has agreed upon a Bi-Partisan deal to provide an additional $484 billion in funding for small businesses, hospitals, and coronavirus testing. The Senate and House are expected to quickly approve the bill with the backing of the White House. The bill is expected to be signed into law as early...

SBA Curtails Acceptance of EIDL Applications

Written on April 16, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz The SBA just announced they are unable to accept new applications at this time for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to incredibly high demand, the SBA had recently amended some key benefits of the EIDL Loan program. With millions...

Updated PPP Guidance: Self-Employed Business Owners and Partnerships

Written on April 16, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz Paycheck Protection Program Updates – April 14, 2020 NOTE: As of April 16, 2020 the SBA is advising applicants that funds for the PPP loan program have been exhausted. Congress is currently negotiating and working to infuse an additional $250 billion into the program. This guidance is applicable when the SBA begins accepting applications again. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. On April 14, 2020 the U.S. Small business...

Documenting Expenses to Support PPP Loan Forgiveness

Written on April 7, 2020. Posted in Advisory Services, Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz The Paycheck Protection Program allows loans of up to $10 million at 1% interest to employers with fewer than 500 workers. The purpose of the program is for employers to retain their employees; the loan amount is intended to cover two months of payroll and overhead. The government will forgive most or all of the loan if the company keeps its workers and does not cut wages. The maximum amount of the PPP loan that is eligible for forgiveness is equal to the amount...

NYC Relief Available for Small Businesses

Written on April 1, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Tricia Meola In an effort to help small businesses deal with the overwhelming impacts of COVID-19, New York City has launched the following two initiatives: NYC Employee Retention Grant Program Created to help companies retain employees as businesses face decreased revenue as a result of COVID-19 Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months; maximum funding of $27,000 Eligibility requirements include: Must be located within the...

New Jersey Economic Initiatives for Small Businesses

Written on April 1, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Tricia Meola Many small businesses are already aware of the options made available to them under federal programs enacted by the CARES Act. The State of New Jersey is also backing these businesses in an effort to stimulate growth through various economic initiatives. Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program Created to provide total of $10 million to NJ small businesses and non-profits to cover operating expenses and ensure continuity of business during COVID-19 outbreak;...

SBA Preps Banks for Mobilizing Around PPP Applications, Provides Further Clarity Regarding Parameters

Written on April 1, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz Following President Trump’s signing of the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin yesterday announced that the SBA and Treasury Department have initiated a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need. The CARES Act establishes a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program. The Program...

COVID-19 Spawns New Phishing Scams

Written on March 31, 2020. Posted in General Business, Technology.

by David Singletary As the country and world are trying to deal with recent COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals are taking advantage of people’s quest for information. You’ve probably noticed a plethora of emails from every retailer, software company, or business you’ve dealt with in recent years. Cybercriminals see an excellent opportunity to slide in phishing scams amid all the information being sent your way. The following are two examples: What’s...

Anticipating COVID-19 Impact on Commercial Real Estate

Written on March 30, 2020. Posted in General Business, Real Estate.

By Russell L. Faye With the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19, the commercial office market has felt an immediate impact. For commercial real estate professionals, please consider the following as you navigate through these challenging times: Be prepared for enhanced cleaning for an extended period. Government officials have suggested enhanced cleaning procedures and measures and building operators across the county have quickly implemented these enhanced measures. Consider...

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan vs. The Paycheck Protection Program

Written on March 30, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz On March 27th, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a stimulus bill that includes a loan program to keep small businesses afloat during mandated COVID-19-related closures. The CARES Act includes a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which authorizes up to $349 billion of federally guaranteed loans to qualifying small businesses. This new loan program is based on the architecture of the SBA’s existing...

Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants: What You Need to Know

Written on March 29, 2020. Posted in Advisory Services, Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan THE BASICS What is the criteria for a loan approval? Credit History – applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA Repayment – SBA must determine that the applicant business has the ability to repay the SBA loan Eligibility – the applicant business must be physically located in a declared county and suffered working capital losses due to the declared disaster, not due to a downturn in the economy or other reasons How...

Paycheck Protection Enacted For Small Businesses

Written on March 27, 2020. Posted in Financial Planning, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz [Updated 4/3/2020] Congress passed “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act), which included the “Paycheck Protection Program” (PPP) for small businesses. PPP applications can be obtained from participating SBA lenders beginning today. Many banks have reported that they may be requiring submissions to come from current banking clients while others have been struggling to get all the necessary steps in place. While each bank is creating...

Key Tax Provisions of the $2 Trillion CARES Act

Written on March 26, 2020. Posted in General Business, Tax, Tax Alerts.

By Mike Bodrato The Senate voted last night, 96-0, to approve the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act, which has more than $2 trillion in spending and tax breaks to assist economically and fund a nationwide effort to stop the coronavirus. At this writing, the CARES Act is still awaiting House approval and the President’s signature, which is not expected until tomorrow. The bipartisan legislation includes about $500 billion that can be used to back...

Managing Cash Flow During Crisis

Written on March 23, 2020. Posted in Advisory Services, General Business.

By Travis Miskowitz, Manager, Wiss CFO Advisory Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. During this (or any) time of crisis, it is imperative to keep an eye on your cash flow and regularly monitor your cash position. Instituting effective cash flow management may be the most important action you can take to navigate through challenging times. The Wiss team has put together this list of recommendations to help monitor your progress: Monitor your cash flow regularly With the...

Coronavirus Relief Update for Employers in New York and New Jersey

Written on March 18, 2020. Posted in General Business, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick Like many of you, we have been working to keep up with current news regarding information for businesses and their employees. The speed at which there are changes and announcements at the federal and state levels is rapid, and our goal is always to relay that information. Federal, state and local governments are working to develop financial aid packages to help businesses that are struggling as a result of the pandemic. As companies struggle with how to continue their...

Continual Planning to Keep your Business Running Effectively During This Crisis

Written on March 16, 2020. Posted in General Business, Technology.

By David Singletary As we all continue to face the abrupt changes in the way in which we work and the pressures on all of us to keep our businesses going during this crisis, I want to share with you some key insights and things to continue to think about as we move through this “remote” time. Please know that I along with our team are here to help you in any way that we can. There are some key elements that each of us needs to ensure are in place to create the most effective way...

5 Questions to Prepare Your COVID-19 Readiness

Written on March 13, 2020. Posted in Advisory Services, General Business.

By Paul Ursich Beyond the immense impacts the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is having on public health, the pandemic directly impacts economic activity and poses unique challenges to businesses across industries because of its potentially compounding and unpredictable consequences. With massive quarantines, travel restrictions and factory shutdowns, companies are struggling to quantify potential exposure. Attempting to mitigate potential losses from an unknown number of variables...

A message to CEOs: When a CFO joins or leaves your company, it’s an ideal time to conduct a Business Process Review

Written on November 7, 2019. Posted in Advisory Services, General Business.

by Paul Ursich A CFO entry or exit event, especially when it comes to mid-sized companies, is often an opportune time to conduct a Business Process Review. When a mid-sized company decides to bring on a CFO, it’s an indication of an important company life cycle shift. Making the investment into this critical CFO role is a major one. It’s the perfect time to conduct a Business Process Review to provide valuable insight into this new hire. An immediate and independent review can drastically...

Common Accounting Terms Explained

Written on March 20, 2019. Posted in General Business.

By Louann Cassano Feel like your accountant is speaking another language? We won’t make you feel that way. Here are some common accounting terms to help you sound like an accounting pro: The Balance Sheet is the financial statement that includes your assets, liabilities and equity. Assets always equal Liabilities plus Equity. Income Statement (also known as the P&L) is the financial statement that includes your sales and expenses. The expenses are subtracted from sales to arrive...

Toss Your Paper Receipts for a Better Digital Solution

Written on July 10, 2018. Posted in General Business.

Is your wallet stuffed with business receipts that you just don’t have time to organize? Do you dread preparing expense reports? Does your bookkeeper spend an inordinate amount of time chasing down those tiny pieces of paper and explanations from salespeople in far-flung regions? How often do your employees feel cheated out of reimbursement because they lost proof of valid expenditures? In other words, is your business still being held hostage to the dreaded paper receipt? It needn’t...

2018 National Manufacturing Outlook and Insights

Written on January 12, 2018. Posted in General Business.

The LEA Manufacturing Steering Group oversees the development of this annual report. It is made up of members from the following firms: ABBB Anders CPAs + Advisors Bennett Thrasher LLP Blue & Co., LLC EKS&H LLP KPM CPAs & Advisors LBMC Lutz PKF Texas Schenck SC William Vaughan Company More than 450 manufacturing executives participated in the survey, which includes the opinions of respondents who produce industrial/machining, transportation/automotive, construction,...

New Leasing Standards: Key Elements of Changes Adopted by FASB

Written on September 26, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Erin Silkowski Your company’s operation might rely heavily on leasing equipment or property as a way of using assets without the burden of purchasing or disposing of them when no longer needed. Due to changes adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, many of these lease agreements that take place off the balance sheets will soon find their way on to them. As a result, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the upcoming changes sooner rather than later to avoid...

Conducting an Internal Audit: What Your Business Needs to Know

Written on September 22, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Fatima Wallizadeh Updated 7/30/2019. When an internal audit is conducted, auditors set up in a conference room with boxes of files, stacks of binders and open laptops. They might stay for a day, a week or longer. But do you really know what goes on during an audit, and why doing one is so important to a company’s operations? Here is what happens during an audit, and how auditors work with their clients to help them improve their businesses. Learning the client It’s essential for...

You Cannot Automate a Relationship

Written on August 8, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Ruth Raftery “Hello! My name is Samantha and I am an automated voice recognition answering service. You can speak to me as you would with a live representative. Please tell me, what are you calling about today?” It seems many calls I make lately– whether to credit card companies or to other businesses – are answered by the type of technology that runs programs like “Samantha.” In my experience, these systems can never actually answer the types of questions...

Business Leaders: Give Yourself an 85 Percent Chance of Success

Written on August 1, 2017. Posted in General Business.

Dr. Nick Molinaro, Ed.D., P.C. CEOs and other top business executives have it tough. We read about their challenges all the time. Sometimes they are called heroes and sometimes goats for taking actions in the face of a possible downside – or for refusing to do so. Ah, the magic of 20-20 hindsight. An accountant’s main job consists of narrowly focusing on the specific task in front of them. CEOs, on the other hand, must have the ability to shift awareness to different items perhaps...

Top Business Leaders Learn to Shift Awareness to Maximize Performance

Written on June 27, 2017. Posted in General Business.

Dr. Nick Molinaro, Ed.D., P.C. As I have explained in this previous post regarding my work as a licensed psychologist with high-level athletes, awareness and focus are critical. Those same mental skills serve the leadership skills of the exceptionally performing business leaders I work with as well. Let’s drill a little deeper into how the performance abilities of both groups align. From a psychological viewpoint, there are two types of sports – closed and open – and many top athletes...

Valuing Your Company: What to Know Before Seeking Business Valuation

Written on June 20, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Brittney Neal Updated 7/30/2019. Businesses change hands all the time, for a variety of reasons. Whether they’re sold, gifted, merged, passed on to next of kin, or divided among former partners, family members or divorcing spouses, ownership of even the most stable of businesses at some point will change. And when a business changes hands in whole or in part, the parties involved need to have an accurate picture of the value of the sum total of the company’s assets....

The Power and Pitfalls of Pressure

Written on May 23, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Connor Doyle There are few things done in the business world that are performed at a leisurely pace. Owners don’t wander through their fiscal year, money doesn’t change hands without intent, and bosses don’t demand 10% of one’s abilities within a project. More often than not, there’s an urgency to requests. There’s an unspoken agreement that a concerted effort will be made towards completion in a timely manner. With that request comes pressure, and with that pressure often comes...

Utilizing a Triple Bottom Line Approach for your Future Success

Written on May 16, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Arnold Macalintal Yes, businesses can do good while also maintaining a healthy balance sheet and income statement. That’s the premise behind a triple bottom line approach, also known in some circles as TBL, or 3BL. The intent isn’t just to meet the company’s financial bottom line—it’s to focus on two others as well: social and environmental impact. The idea is to give equal consideration to the importance of people, planet and profit for the overall betterment of the business....

Enhancing Business Leadership and Performance Through Awareness Training

Written on May 2, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Dr. Nick Molinaro, Ed.D., P.C. Successful business leaders have a skill set that includes curiosity, wisdom, courage, creativity, tenacity and the ability to lead, motivate and energize others. But one key trait—and the one that serves as the foundation of all others—is awareness. Internal and external awareness makes business leaders more sensitive to their environment and the conditions in front of them, and to how they’re perceived by employees, partners, vendors, customers...

Safeguarding Accounting Ethics

Written on March 28, 2017. Posted in General Business.

By Brian Harden Across industries, the most effective managers understand that leading by example is the best way to influence corporate culture. In the realm of accounting ethics, this concept is known as Tone at the Top. The premise is simple: Employees look to management for leadership, and odds are high that their behavior will mirror the conduct of their bosses. If managers act with honesty and integrity, employees will generally follow suit. By the same token, if workers see...

Tips for Providing Quality Client Service

Written on December 28, 2016. Posted in General Business.

By Carrie Grotz I am a lover of coffee and I frequent Dunkin Donuts (DD). I know their menu so well in fact, that I could probably work there. From the moment I enter a DD, I can usually tell which have knowledgeable staff, good donuts (the ones that look fresh, large and full of filling), those that offer the “fun” munchkins instead of just the plain, chocolate, and powdered ones, and just by glancing at the staff, I can usually tell from the moment I place my order if the coffee...

Building Customer Relationships: Today’s Clients Demand More

Written on October 20, 2016. Posted in General Business.

By Paul Peterson Updated 7/30/2019. Your relationship with your customers has never mattered more than it does today. Customers no longer just expect you to sell them a product or service. Instead, they want you to be one step ahead of them, understanding their pain points and bringing issues — and solutions — to the table. To do that, you need to understand your customer and bring transparency to the relationship. Today’s consumers have more access than ever to information...

Fraud Prevention – A Necessary Evil

Written on October 11, 2016. Posted in General Business.

By Timothy Kennedy, CPA Do you trust your bookkeeper? This is a question you have to ask yourself periodically. Not only do you want to feel confident that they wouldn’t steal from you, but you also want comfort in knowing that they can properly journalize and manage the accounting information that comes through the door each day. Poor accounting record maintenance and overall sloppy accounting by a lackluster bookkeeper can take you to the point of no return—and force your hand...

Utilize Your Point of Difference to Stand Out Among the Crowd

Written on August 16, 2016. Posted in General Business.

By Paul Peterson How to Utilize Your Point of Difference Today’s marketplace has never been more competitive. The fierce combat for the preponderance of consumer attention has skyrocketed in the past decade. Consequently, it is imperative for establishments to acquire and apply the professional skills required to be distinct among contenders, add value to the profession, and assist in supporting clients with sculpting a more affluent future for their businesses. When casting your...

How to Find and Develop Top-Performing Millennial Employees

Written on April 26, 2016. Posted in General Business.

By Paul Peterson Attracting innovative, young hires is very essential to Wiss. These workers maintain the vibrant, creative culture we strive to preserve, which is why we often search for young professionals in their 20’s that exhibit these dynamic characteristics. Through numerous interactions with many millennials, there are several tendencies that are found within business youths of today, such as open-mindedness and the ability to harvest valuable relationships. Here are four...

Top Earners Should Consider this Retirement Strategy

Written on December 1, 2015. Posted in General Business.

By Russ Faye If you are a high-income sole proprietor or the owner of a small business searching for a tax-advantaged retirement strategy, defined benefit pension plans could be the ideal tool for your needs. Here’s how to determine whether you should discuss this option with your trusted financial adviser. How it works A defined benefit pension plan is a qualified retirement plan to which you make an annual contribution, which fund a chosen level of retirement income you will receive...

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