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CFOs need more than accounting skills
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…
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Strong controls over financial reporting are essential
Public companies are required to evaluate and report on internal controls over financial reporting using a recognized control framework under rules set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, private companies also need checks and balances to help ensure their financial statements are correct and reduce the risk of fraud. Additionally, transparent reporting…
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Board independence is about more than avoiding conflicts of interest
Are your not-for-profit’s board members independent? Your immediate response is probably, “of course!” But contrary to what many nonprofit leaders and staffers might think, director independence goes beyond avoiding conflicts of interest. In fact, the IRS has a four-part definition of independence. If a majority of your organization’s board members don’t meet all four criteria,…
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Advantages of keeping your business separate from its real estate
Does your business require real estate for its operations? Or do you hold property titled under your business’s name? It might be worth reconsidering this strategy. With long-term tax, liability and estate planning advantages, separating real estate ownership from the business may be a wise choice. How taxes affect a sale Businesses that are formed…
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How your business can prepare for and respond to an IRS audit
The IRS has been increasing its audit efforts, focusing on large businesses and high-income individuals. By 2026, it plans to nearly triple its audit rates for large corporations with assets exceeding $250 million. Under these plans, partnerships with assets over $10 million will also see audit rates increase tenfold by 2026. This ramp-up in audits is part…
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Employers: In 2025, the Social Security wage base is going up
As we approach 2025, changes are coming to the Social Security wage base. The Social Security Administration recently announced that the wage base for computing Social Security tax will increase to $176,100 for 2025 (up from $168,600 for 2024). Wages and self-employment income above this amount aren’t subject to Social Security tax. If your business…
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Is your money-losing activity a hobby or a business?
Let’s say you have an unincorporated sideline activity that you consider a business. Perhaps you offer photography services, create custom artwork or sell handmade items online. Will the IRS agree that your venture is a business, not a hobby? It’s an essential question for tax purposes. If the expenses from an activity exceed the revenues,…
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Work-issued credit cards: How to prevent staffer abuse
Let’s say that one of your not-for-profit’s employees makes significant personal purchases on a credit card you’ve provided for work-related expenses. You may think the outcome is relatively straightforward: The individual is fired and referred to law enforcement for prosecution, and you recover the funds. Unfortunately, obtaining a criminal conviction may be difficult. Plus, you might…
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Sharing space can mean sharing costs and more
If your not-for-profit is looking for significant ways to cut costs, one of the best ideas is to target your workspace. Sharing an office or other facility can help you slash rent or pay a mortgage, as well as cut utilities expenses. These arrangements can also provide other, less obvious cost-busting benefits, such as enabling…
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Taxes take center stage in the 2024 presidential campaign
Early voting for the 2024 election has already kicked off in some states, but voters are still seeking additional information on the candidates’ platforms, including their tax proposals. The details can be hard to come by — and additional proposals continue to emerge from the candidates. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable…
