General Business Archives - Wiss & Company, LLP

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 & Company 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...

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...