Footnote disclosures: The story behind the numbers
Posted January 29, 2021 / No comments
The footnotes to your company’s financial statements give investors and lenders insight into account balances, accounting practices and potential risk factors — knowledge that’s vital to making well-informed business and investment decisions. Here are four important issues that you should cover in your footnote disclosures. 1. Unreported or contingent liabilities A company’s balance sheet might
Read MoreIRS issues final regs on ICHRAs
Posted January 22, 2021 / No comments
In mid-January, the IRS issued final regulations that clarify the application of employer shared responsibility provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as nondiscrimination rules, to Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). The regs also address Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). These accounts allow employers to make tax-deductible contributions to reimburse employees for part
Read MoreAccounting for property, plant and equipment assets
Posted January 22, 2021 / No comments
Businesses and not-for-profit entities capitalize machines, furniture, buildings, and other property, plant and equipment (PPE) assets on their balance sheets. Here’s a refresher on some common questions about how to properly report these long-lived assets under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). What’s included in book value? PPE is reported on the balance sheet at
Read MoreWhat does a trustee do?
Posted January 21, 2021 / No comments
Your estate plan may include several different trusts. The reason is that various types of trusts can accomplish a myriad of estate planning goals. Thus, it’s critical to understand the role of a trustee. The trustee’s duties The trustee is the person who has legal responsibility for administering the trust on behalf of the interested
Read MoreNew law provides option to delay implementing the updated CECL standard
Posted January 8, 2021 / No comments
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), signed into law on December 27, 2020, includes a variety of economic relief measures. One such measure allows certain banks and credit unions to temporarily postpone implementation of the controversial current expected credit loss (CECL) standard. Here are the details. Updated accounting rules The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting
Read MoreIs this the year for a 360-degree performance feedback program?
Posted January 8, 2021 / No comments
More and more employers have established 360-degree performance feedback programs to give themselves a broader perspective on how well employees are performing and interacting. Under this model, an employee is evaluated by not only his or her supervisor, but also direct reports (if applicable), peers — and sometimes even vendors or customers. If you think
Read MoreHow can your business benefit from the Consolidated Appropriations Act?
Posted January 7, 2021 / No comments
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) was signed into law in late December. The sprawling legislation contains billions of dollars in additional stimulus funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as numerous unrelated provisions. Let’s take a closer look at the provisions that are most likely to affect your company’s bottom line.
Read MoreThe Consolidated Appropriations Act brings COVID-19 relief (and more) to individuals
Posted January 5, 2021 / No comments
President Trump signed into law billions of dollars in long-awaited COVID-19 and economic relief. The relief package is part of the nearly 5,600-page Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), which also contains numerous other tax, payroll and retirement provisions. Here are some of the provisions most likely to affect individual taxpayers. Recovery rebates The most headline-grabbing component
Read MoreThe COVID-19 relief law: What’s in it for you?
Posted January 5, 2021 / No comments
The new COVID-19 relief law that was signed on December 27, 2020, contains a multitude of provisions that may affect you. Here are some of the highlights of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which also contains two other laws: the COVID-related Tax Relief Act (COVIDTRA) and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act (TCDTR). Direct
Read MoreCongress passes COVID-19 aid package containing billions in funding and tax breaks
Posted December 23, 2020 / No comments
After months of negotiations in Washington, an agreement has been struck on a new aid package to address the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation has been passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and President Trump is expected to sign it soon. Included in the nearly 5,600-page
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