Category: a&a

Is your company planning to hire a new CFO? A recent survey found that hiring managers look for more than financial acumen when vetting CFO candidates. In fact, only 38.5% of CFOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies were licensed CPAs in 2023, according to executive recruiting firm Crist Kolder. What other skills may…

When you hear the word “audit,” you might automatically associate it with financial reporting or the IRS. But auditing warehouse operations might also be beneficial for some businesses, such as manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Awkward or repetitive movements by employees, oversized packages and disorganized layouts can slow down productivity and even lead to medical and…

There are currently more than 33 million small businesses in the United States, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To succeed in today’s competitive markets, it’s essential for your business organization to have accurate books and records.  Bookkeeping vs. accounting For starters, you should understand the distinction between bookkeeping and accounting. Bookkeeping refers to…

With a median loss of $766,000, financial misstatement schemes are the costliest type of fraud, according to “Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report to the Nations,” a study published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Fortunately, auditors and forensic accountants may be able to detect financial statement fraud by testing journal entries for errors and…

Financial statements are critical to monitoring your business’s financial health. In addition to helping management make informed business decisions, year-end and interim financial statements may be required by lenders, investors and franchisors. Here’s an overview of two common accounting methods, along with the pros and cons of each method. 1. Cash basis Under the cash-basis…

External auditors spend a lot of time during fieldwork evaluating how businesses report work in progress (WIP) inventory. Here’s why this warrants special attention and how auditors evaluate whether WIP estimates seem reasonable. Valuing WIP Companies may report various categories of inventory on their balance sheets, depending on the nature of their operations. For companies…

The top line of an income statement for a for-profit business is revenue (or sales). Reporting this line item correctly is critical to producing accurate financial statements. Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), revenue is recognized when it’s earned. With accrual-basis accounting, that typically happens when goods or services are delivered to the customer,…

Earth Day (April 22) is a good time to evaluate what your business can do to protect the planet’s natural resources for the next generation. “Green” initiatives can demonstrate your company’s commitment to responsible business practices — as well as lower your monthly bills. For many small and midsized businesses, utilities and fuel are significant monthly…

Have you completed your company’s year-end financial statements yet? Most calendar-year entities issue their year-end financials by March of the following year. Lenders and investors may think the worst if a company’s financial reports aren’t submitted in a timely manner. Here are three assumptions your stakeholders could make when your financial statements are late. 1.…

Financial statements are critical to monitoring your business’s financial health. In addition to helping management make informed business decisions, year-end and interim financial statements may be required by lenders, investors and franchisors. Here’s an overview of two common accounting methods, along with the pros and cons of each method. 1. Cash basis Under the cash-basis…