GAAP vs. tax-basis: Which is right for your business?
Posted November 28, 2019 / No comments
Most businesses report financial performance using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). But the income-tax-basis format can save time and money for some private companies. Here’s information to help you choose the financial reporting framework that will work for your situation. The basics GAAP is the most common financial reporting standard in the United States.
Read MoreCan employees donate unused vacation pay to charity?
Posted November 25, 2019 / No comments
Like many employers, you may allow employees to carry over unused vacation pay from one year to the next. With the year winding down, and gift giving on the minds of many, certain staff members might inquire about donating their unused vacation pay to charity. In turn, you may wonder: Is doing so allowed under
Read More2 valuable year-end tax-saving tools for your business
Posted November 25, 2019 / No comments
At this time of year, many business owners ask if there’s anything they can do to save tax for the year. Under current tax law, there are two valuable depreciation-related tax breaks that may help your business reduce its 2019 tax liability. To benefit from these deductions, you must buy eligible machinery, equipment, furniture or
Read MoreManage your working capital more efficiently
Posted November 22, 2019 / No comments
Working capital is the difference between a company’s current assets and current liabilities. For a business to thrive, its working capital must be greater than zero. A positive balance enables the company to meet its short-term cash flow needs and grow. But too much working capital can be a sign of inefficient management. In
Read MoreClose-up on pushdown accounting for M&As
Posted November 15, 2019 / No comments
Change-in-control events — like merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions — don’t happen every day. If you’re currently in the market to merge with or buy a business, you might not be aware of updated financial reporting guidance that took effect in November 2014. The changes provide greater flexibility to post-M&A accounting. Pushdown accounting is optional
Read MoreDon’t worry! A broken trust can be fixed
Posted October 29, 2019 / No comments
There are good reasons why estate planning advisors recommend you revisit and, if necessary, revise your estate plan periodically: changing circumstances, including family situations and new tax laws. While it’s relatively simple to change a beneficiary, what if an irrevocable trust no longer serves your purposes? Depending on applicable state law, you may have options
Read MoreReasons why cash is king
Posted October 20, 2019 / No comments
In financial reporting, investors and business owners tend to focus on four key metrics: 1) revenue, 2) net income, 3) total assets and 4) net worth. But, when it comes to gauging short-term financial performance and creditworthiness, the trump card is cash flow. If a business doesn’t have enough cash on hand to pay payroll,
Read MoreNonprofits: New alternatives for reporting goodwill and other intangibles
Posted October 11, 2019 / No comments
Did you know that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently extended the simplified private-company accounting alternatives to not-for-profit organizations? Many merging nonprofits, including educational institutions and hospitals, welcome these practical expedients. Here are the details. Alternative for goodwill The first alternative accounting method allows for the amortization of goodwill on a straight-line basis over
Read MoreMeasuring fair value for financial reporting
Posted October 1, 2019 / No comments
Business assets are generally reported at the lower of cost or market value. Under this accounting principle, certain assets are reported at fair value, such as asset retirement obligations and derivatives. Fair value also comes into play in M&A transactions. That is, if one company acquires another, the buyer must allocate the purchase price of
Read MoreThe untouchables: Getting a handle on intangibles
Posted August 27, 2019 / No comments
The average company’s balance sheet understates its value by 80%, according to Sarah Tomolonius, co-founder of the Sustainability Investment Leadership Council. Why? Intangible assets aren’t recorded on the balance sheet under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), unless they’re acquired from a third party. Instead, GAAP generally calls for the costs associated with creating and
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