Category: a&a

  • Reporting Restricted Cash For Your Company

    Your company’s financial statements should be transparent about any restrictions on cash. Are your reporting practices in compliance with the current accounting guidance? The basics Restricted cash is a separate category of “cash and cash equivalents” that isn’t available for general business operations or investments. There are many types of restricted cash. For example, companies…

  • Financial Keys to Securing a Commercial Loan

    Does your business need a loan? Before contacting your bank, it’s important to gather all relevant financial information to prove your business is creditworthy. By anticipating information requests, you can expedite the application process and improve your chances of approval. Lenders love GAAP U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is a collection of specific accounting…

  • Should my Distressed Company Consider a Debt Restructuring?

    Many businesses have experienced severe cash flow problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, some may have delayed or missed loan payments. Instead of filing for bankruptcy in court, delinquent debtors may reach out to lenders about restructuring their loans. Restructuring vs. Chapter 11 Out-of-court debt restructuring is a process by which a public…

  • Accounting for Property, Plant and Equipment Assets

    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…

  • Footnote Disclosures: The Story Behind the Numbers

    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…

  • Financial Keys to Securing a Commercial Loan

    Does your business need a loan? Before contacting your bank, it’s important to gather all relevant financial information to prove your business is creditworthy. By anticipating information requests, you can expedite the application process and improve your chances of approval. Lenders love GAAP U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is a collection of specific accounting…

  • Assessing and Mitigating Key Person Risks

    Auditing standards require a year-end risk assessment. One potential source of risk may be a small business’s reliance on the owner and other critical members of its management team. If a so-called “key person” unexpectedly becomes incapacitated or dies, it could disrupt day-to-day operations, alarm customers, lenders and suppliers, and drain working capital reserves. Common…

  • Accounting for Property, Plant and Equipment Assets

    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…

  • New Law Provides Option to Delay Implementing the Updated CECL Standard

    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…

  • Assessing and Mitigating Key Person Risks

    Auditing standards require a year-end risk assessment. One potential source of risk may be a small business’s reliance on the owner and other critical members of its management team. If a so-called “key person” unexpectedly becomes incapacitated or dies, it could disrupt day-to-day operations, alarm customers, lenders and suppliers, and drain working capital reserves. Common…