Sat.Dec 02, 2023 - Fri.Dec 08, 2023

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Science Has Finally Explained Why Accountants Are Good With Numbers: Because They’re Cynical and Negative

Going Concern

This explains so much. Researchers at the University of Bath have found that excessive optimism is actually associated with lower cognitive skills such as verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, numerical reasoning, and memory. People with higher cognitive ability (aka smarties) tend to be both more realistic and pessimistic in their expectations about the future.

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Branding an Accounting Firm – Top Resources You’ll Need

CPA Practice

Are you considering your own firm (or rebranding due to a merger or acquisition)? Here are several branding questions to answer and resources you will need before opening the front door. Branding Questions Addressing these questions can help you create a strong, distinct brand for your firm, setting a solid foundation for growth and client engagement.

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How to create effective business expense reports.

Airbase

Business expense reports play a pivotal role in shaping the fiscal health and success of an enterprise. This blog explores the critical importance of these reports, delving into how they contribute to financial transparency, regulatory compliance, and the overall efficiency of business operations. As businesses navigate the complexities of modern finance, the role of expense reports is an integral component essential to informed decision-making and sustainable growth.

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Year-end Done Well

Insightful Accountant

For accountants and their business clients, the goal this time of year is to end the year well and set a good foundation for the next. But year-end work is rarely simple, often messy, and certainly adds to the holiday hustle and bustle.

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Forecasting Failures Are Costly: Here's How To Fix Them

Speaker: Dave Sackett

Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.

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IRS falls short when employees get arrested

Accounting Today

The Internal Revenue Service needs to do a better job of keeping track of employees who are arrested by law enforcement and notifying their colleagues, according to a new report.

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10 Ugly Christmas Sweaters For Your Favorite Accountant | Canopy

Canopy Accounting

We’ve given you Halloween costume ideas and now you’ve come to us for another equally important fashion decision: an ugly Christmas sweater for any accountants in your life, including yourself. If your office is throwing a holiday work party (which, you totally should—it’s a great way to boost morale) then you’re going to need an outfit that will wow your colleagues and say “I’m an accountant, I’m festive, and I’m here to have fun!

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Economic trends to help your business plan for 2024

Xero

The past year has been a bumpy ride for many. Most owners have been focused on maintaining cash flow, as they deal with the combination of rising costs and a limited capacity to lift their prices as customers become increasingly scarce. As 2024 approaches, it’s a good time for small business owners to think about business planning for the next 12 months.

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IRS Criminal Investigation unit is taking on more crypto tax cases

Accounting Today

The Internal Revenue Service crime unit that played a leading role in the Binance Holdings Ltd. probe is seeing a surge in cases involving crypto-related tax evasion.

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How the “Wild West” of Tax Preparation Led to Massive ERC Issues

ThomsonReuters

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) emerged as a lifeline for many companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, incentivizing them to retain their employees and navigate through the financial turmoil. However, while the ERC served as a valuable support mechanism, it has also raised concerns about abuse when it comes to accurate claims for the credit. James Creech, a senior manager with Baker Tilly’s tax advocacy and controversy team, explained that the origin of the current issues with the ERC

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There May Still Be Time to Reduce your Small Business 2023 Tax Bill

RogerRossmeisl

In the midst of holiday parties and shopping for gifts, don’t forget to consider steps to cut the 2023 tax liability for your business. You still have time to take advantage of a few opportunities. Time deductions and income If your business operates on a cash basis, you can significantly affect your amount of taxable income by accelerating your deductions into 2023 and deferring income into 2024 (assuming you expect to be taxed at the same or a lower rate next year).

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Are Robots Replacing You? Keeping Humans in the Loop in Automated Environments

Speaker: Erroll Amacker

As businesses increasingly adopt automation, finance leaders must navigate the delicate balance between technology and human expertise. This webinar explores the critical role of human oversight in accounts payable (AP) automation and how a people-centric approach can drive better financial performance. Join us for an insightful discussion on how integrating human expertise into automated workflows enhances decision-making, reduces fraud risks, strengthens vendor relationships, and accelerates R

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Does sales tax apply to memberships?

TaxConnex

Clubs and dues have been around for decades, but the rise of certain memberships – and the ability to sell them over the internet – have also raised the question of whether memberships incur sales tax. Ecommerce can involve many different types of memberships, often offering access to discounts or other benefits perceived as exclusive. Gym and fitness chains and warehouse retailers, for example, use the internet to sell memberships to their franchised businesses all over the country.

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2024 Predictions for Startups to Plan and Prepare for Now

BurklandAssociates

Startups are saturated with information on how to best budget and forecast for the year ahead. Founders are asking questions, but they’re not asking all the questions. Negative supposition about Read More The post 2024 Predictions for Startups to Plan and Prepare for Now appeared first on Burkland.

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20 big companies that need better tax advice

Accounting Today

The five S&P 100 companies with the highest overall tax rates paid an average of 43.32% in 2022.

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Don’t Forget to Empty Out Your Flexible Spending Account

RogerRossmeisl

If you have a tax-saving flexible spending account (FSA) with your employer to help pay for health or dependent care expenses, there’s an important date coming up. You may have to use the money in the account by year-end or you’ll lose it (unless your employer has a grace period). As the end of 2023 gets closer, here are some rules and reminders to keep in mind.

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Book of Secrets on the Month-End Close

Based off SkyStem's popular e-Book, the book of secrets to the month-end close will be revealed in this one-hour webinar. Learn leading practices when it comes to building a strong and sustainable month-end close that has room to grow and evolve. Learn about the power of precise estimates, why reconciliations are critical to closing the books, how and when to automate, and how the chart of accounts play into your close process.

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What’s new in sales tax?

TaxConnex

There’s always something changing in the world of tax, especially sales tax. Here’s a review of some of the recent changes and updates. Well into the black: Black Friday 2023 e-commerce spending jumped 7.5% from a year earlier to a record $9.8 billion in the U.S., according to a Adobe Analytics report cited by news sources. Americans spent $12.4 billion on Cyber Monday, news reports added, saying overall spending increased 9.6% from a year ago, making it the biggest online shopping day ever.

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Streamlining procurement processes: A case study with Airbase and Doximity.

Airbase

From controlling costs to ensuring compliance, the procurement function is crucial to an organization’s financial health. But despite procurement’s importance, many companies struggle to implement processes with the right balance between control and efficiency. This balance is especially challenging for companies who don’t have a dedicated procurement team, but still need strong control over and clear visibility into all spending.

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Audit partners see more use of AI at public companies

Accounting Today

Nearly one-third of public companies are using artificial intelligence in their financial reporting, according to a new survey.

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IRS Rejects More Than 20,000 ERC Claims

Withum

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is continuing its crack down on dubious claims for the employee retention credit (ERC), a refundable tax credit for certain businesses that paid employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 6, 2023, the IRS issued a press release announcing that it would be sending more than 20,000 letters to taxpayers notifying them of disallowed ERC claims, either because their entities did not exist during the ERC eligibility period or because they did not have employ

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How To Break Digital Transformation Barriers And Accelerate AI Adoption

Speaker: Anna Tiomina, MBA

AI is reshaping industries, yet finance remains one of the slowest adopters. Concerns over compliance, legacy systems, and data silos have made finance teams hesitant to embrace AI-driven transformation. But delaying adoption isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. How can finance leaders overcome these challenges and start leveraging AI effectively?

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IRS Shoots Down Rumors of More Stimulus Checks

CPA Practice

By Alec Regimbal, SFGate, San Francisco (TNS) The IRS has no plans to send a fourth round of stimulus checks, despite claims made in a series of widely-shared social media posts. The Facebook posts, which began appearing last month, generally repeat the same false information. They claim a fourth round of stimulus checks, with payments ranging from a few hundred dollars and a few thousand dollars, will be sent to residents of 10 states starting Nov. 30.

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Research: Big 4 Dads Still Aren’t Embracing Paternity Leave

Going Concern

TLDR summary of this article from ChatGPT: Big 4 accounting firms introduced paternity leave in 2006, but a recent study finds that many fathers, especially in high-pressure environments like audit firms, hesitate to take advantage of it. The study, based on interviews with 13 men in French audit firms, reveals that fathers view leaves as incompatible with their professional commitments and perceive less support compared to mothers.

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IRS disallows 20K Employee Retention Credit claims amid crackdown

Accounting Today

The Internal Revenue Service is continuing to combat scammers and promoters encouraging businesses to file claims for the pandemic tax credit.

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Tax Court Weakens Self-Employment Tax Exception for Limited Partners

Withum

On November 28, 2023, the Tax Court ruled that the exception from self-employment tax for limited partners does not apply to limited partners who actively participate in the partnership’s business operations. The court engaged in a “functional inquiry into the roles and activities” of the limited partners. It concluded that their level of participation was inconsistent with an exception from self-employment tax.

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New Software & You: Elevating Your Tech Stack

Speaker: Joe Wroblewski, Senior Sales Engineer

Is your tech stack working for you—or are you working for it ? 🤖 In today’s world of automation and AI, technology should simplify workflows—not add complexity. Seamless integration and interconnectivity are key to maximizing productivity, optimizing workflows, and improving collaboration. Join expert Joe Wroblewski for a practical and insightful session on how you can build a smarter, more connected tech stack that drives efficiency and long-term success!

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How AI can transform the way accountants work — for the better

ThomsonReuters

As technology has evolved, so too has the accounting profession. From paper-based processes to cloud-based software, accountants are no strangers to change. No previous advancement, however, has had the potential to alter accounting (and many other industries) quite like generative artificial intelligence. But for those who embrace AI, there is a strategic opportunity to capitalize on its many benefits while protecting and even uplifting the irreplaceable human connection.

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Making the Jump to Industry Might Be Harder to Do Next Year Per This CPA Survey

Going Concern

Well it was nice while it lasted. According to the the fourth-quarter AICPA & CIMA Economic Outlook Survey, inflation has once again taken the top spot for things that keep CFOs, CEOs, and controllers with CPA after their names up at night. Last quarter the big concern was talent , that sure has changed for this quarter: Twelve percent of business executives said they had too many employees , up four percentage points from last quarter.

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Are special districts too special for meaningful financial data comparisons?

Accounting Today

Municipal bond investors and government regulators could benefit from easier access to consistent, machine-readable financial data from government bond issuers.

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Investing in Crypto: A Conversation With Matthew Walsh of Castle Island Ventures

Withum

In this episode of Cryptonomix, Mark Eckerle and Matthew Walsh, Founding Partner at Castle Island Ventures, cover the developments in the crypto space over the past year, Castle Island's investment preferences, valuable insights for other venture capital firms, best practices for companies seeking financing, and a preview of the upcoming year.

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The Human Side of Finance: The Intersectionality of People, Culture, Adaptability, and Resilience

Speaker: Melissa Hurrington

Finance isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about the people behind them. In a world of constant disruption, resilient finance teams aren’t just operationally efficient. They are adaptable, engaged, and deeply connected to a strong organizational culture. Success lies at the intersection of people, culture, adaptability, and resilience. Finance leaders who master this balance will build teams that thrive through uncertainty and drive long-term business impact.

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Variance Analysis Made Easy with NetSuite

AccountingDepartment

In the fast-paced world of business, understanding the reasons behind changes in financial data is crucial for making informed decisions. That's where variance analysis comes in. Also known as flux analysis, this powerful tool compares two sets of data, revealing the quantitative difference between them and shedding light on the underlying factors behind the change.

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Ruh-Oh, Something Bad Happened to CohnReznick’s Network (Allegedly)

Going Concern

Tip time! CohnReznick’s network is apparently contaminated and the firm has warned employees not to connect to it in the office under any circumstances (in red text and caps no less). In fact, they’ve told people to stay home just to be safe. Tip: All offices are working remotely with severely limited access to normal functions and systems.

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IRS spots $37.1B in tax and financial crimes

Accounting Today

The Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation unit identified $37.1 billion in tax and financial crimes in fiscal year 2023, exceeding the previous year.

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App Aware: Accruer

Insightful Accountant

The Accruer App uniquely solves QuickBooks accruals and automates prepaid expenses, deferred revenues and fixed assets directly in QuickBooks Online.

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Demo SkyStem’s Award Winning Month-End Close Solution & Earn $100

Is your finance team bogged down by endless data requests and disorganized spreadsheets during the month-end close? It’s time to consider a better option – automate with ART! SkyStem’s solution works alongside your ERP to transform the close and account reconciliation process and speed up month-end work. Explore SkyStem’s ART - the award-winning account reconciliation automation platform - and receive a $100 Amazon gift card as a thank you for your time.