October / November
Showing 337–352 of 469 results
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COMPLIANCE ALERT
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 88
Abstract: A brief list of key tax reporting deadlines for October through December.
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Reformation and surcharge under ERISA — Expanding on a Supreme Court theory
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 428
Abstract: Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a summary plan description (SPD) isn’t a plan document subject to enforcement under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Court did, however, state that, if an employer issued an intentionally misleading SPD, a plan participant may have an ERISA claim under equitable doctrines, such as reformation and surcharge. This brief article reviews a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit case that tackled this issue. Citation: Skinner v. Northrop Grumman Retirement Plan B, 673 F.3d 1162 (9th Cir. Mar. 16, 2012); ERISA §502(a)(1)(B).
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The DOL issues opinions on "open" multiple employer plans
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 487
Abstract: Earlier this year, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued two advisory opinions that address the legitimacy of "open" multiple employer plans (MEPs). An open MEP acts as plan sponsor and plan administrator under ERISA of a single plan under which unrelated employers participate. This article discusses the DOL’s conclusion that an "open" MEP isn’t a single retirement plan under ERISA. Citation: DOL advisory opinions 2012-03A and 2012-04A
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Does your plan have the right vesting schedule?
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 833
Abstract: Vesting defines the amount of ownership a plan participant has in employer contributions according to the plan sponsor’s predetermined vesting schedule. Vesting schedules can vary by retirement plan. This article summarizes the different types of vesting schedules and why a plan sponsor may choose to add or change an employer contribution vesting schedule.
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Employees seek more security, yet take more responsibility — Highlights of MetLife’s benefits trends study
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 823
Abstract: MetLife has released its 10th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends. The study is a compilation of the results of surveys of employers and employees about issues facing the U.S. benefits industry today. This article reviews some of the study’s highlights.
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Back to Basics — Performance in a flash
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 530
Abstract: GAAP financial statements typically come out two to six weeks after month end. Management based solely on this stale information is reactive, not proactive. This article shows how flash reports bridge the timing gap between daily operations and receipt of GAAP financial statements. It explains what’s in a flash report and describes its uses and limitations.
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Bankers need to evaluate receivables with caution
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 559
Abstract: Some borrowers exaggerate their receivables to get a loan. Savvy bankers, however, know what to look for on the receivables end so that they don’t get duped. This article explains how to look out for fictitious sales, identify borrowers at risk, and look beyond the figures on financial statements.
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Who’s looking at impairment?
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: When the Financial Accounting Standards Board relaxed its annual impairment testing requirements, some private firms mistakenly thought they were no longer required to test or report impairment. Not true. Impairment testing is alive and well. And many more borrowers could face impairment losses as the economy continues to limp along. This article describes the quantitative testing that’s required and the qualitative pretesting that’s allowed, and lists several factors to consider when deciding whether to formally test for impairment. A sidebar notes the impact of write-offs on financial statements.
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Going global — Tips on maneuvering the minefield
October / November 2012
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 822
Abstract: Does offshoring live up to all the hype? Before a borrower enters — or, in some cases, re-enters — the global realm, it’s important to consider ways to minimize risk and maximize results. This article discusses the pros and cons of offshoring and lists steps a company can take if that decision is made. It also looks at alternatives that may provide some of the benefits of offshoring while minimizing the drawbacks.
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Final whistleblower rules – SEC addresses internal reporting concerns
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 456
Abstract: One of the more controversial provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) was to provide significant cash incentives to whistleblowers who report suspected financial misconduct directly to the SEC, instead of reporting it internally. Some critics have worried that it encourages employees to bypass their employer’s internal compliance and reporting systems. This article discusses how the SEC’s recently finalized whistleblower rules have addressed some of these concerns.
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CAQ takes the mystery out of audits
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 304
Abstract: Independent audits of public companies are a critical tool for building confidence in the U.S. capital markets. Yet many investors and other nonauditors lack a full understanding of the audit process and the auditor’s responsibilities. This article discusses a Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) guide that provides an overview of the audit process, key players and critical issues involved in audits of public companies.
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Does say-on-pay create a Catch-22 for companies?
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 697
Abstract: The “say-on-pay” provision in last year’s Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) requires companies to give shareholders a nonbinding “advisory” vote on compensation for top executives. But attempts to modify nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements may run afoul of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. In fact, making changes to an executive’s nonqualified deferred compensation — even for legitimate business reasons — presents tax risks.
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How equity-based compensation affects EPS
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Public Company Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1080
Abstract: No single number can fully reflect a company’s financial performance. But public company investors generally believe that earnings per share (EPS) comes close. This article explains how equity-based compensation programs affect calculation of EPS. It also makes a distinction between basic and diluted EPS and discusses how stock options and restricted stock affect EPS. A sidebar offers an example of the role that equity-based compensation plays.
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News for Nonprofits – When is website activity UBI?
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 403
Abstract: This issue’s “News for Nonprofits” notes that, while the Internet is a significant communication tool, it also can create unrelated business income (UBI) and the tax liability that comes with it. The article describes the activities to watch out for. It also explains how the proposed Protection of Charitable Assets Act (PCAA) is designed to safeguard the role of the states in protecting charitable assets by further clarifying the role of the state attorney general.
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Regaining tax-exempt status
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 562
Abstract: Nearly 275,000 not-for-profits lost their tax-exempt status this year because they’d failed to file required annual reports for three consecutive years. This article tells what a nonprofit needs to know if it’s on the revocation list and seeks to re-attain its exempt status. It describes the tax forms and other items it must file and explains that small organizations may be eligible for transitional relief.
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The audit dance – Nonprofit and auditor roles are distinct but complementary
October / November 2011
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 516
Abstract: A nonprofit and its external auditor are somewhat like dance partners performing a well-choreographed routine. To execute the dance properly, each dancer must complete specific moves and coordinate timing with his or her partner. Likewise, a not-for-profit and its audit firm each have particular duties in the audit process but share the same end goal: a set of financial statements that fairly present the organization’s financial condition and operating results. This article defines the responsibilities of each party and shows how the board can be used as a resource.