12.15.17

Environmental Due Diligence Can Preempt Costly Liability

If you buy property with environmental issues, you may be liable, even if you were not responsible for the presence of contaminants. To best protect yourself, be sure to include environmental review as part of your due diligence. Why Conduct Environmental Due Diligence The most obvious reason investors conduct environmental due diligence is to know […]

12.14.17

When Should you Buy or Lease Office Space?

Like many businesses, law firms often face the quandary of deciding to purchase or lease office space. While property ownership comes with several potential financial and tax benefits, it also frequently brings hassles and headaches that you can avoid by leasing space. The correct choice will depend on your firm’s current financial, competitive and geographic […]

12.12.17

Smart Factories and Blockchain: Stay on the Cutting Edge of Technology
Kenneth Tornheim

Most manufacturers have already applied classic business management concepts, such as just-in-time production and continuous improvement initiatives, in order to enhance cash flow and efficiency. However, these efforts might not be enough to stay competitive in a technology-driven marketplace. Smart factories and blockchain technologies are expected to revolutionize the manufacturing industry in the 21st century. […]

12.11.17

All Eyes on Performance: How to Make Data Analytics Work for You
Kelly H. Buchheit

Your not-for-profit organization is accountable to many constituents, including donors, volunteers and the people you serve. A surefire way to demonstrate your effectiveness is through the use of data analytics. With facts at your fingertips, your organization can show the world how you are meeting your goals in community outreach, program activities, fundraising and more. […]

12.06.17

Five Ways OmniChannel Retail Influences Your Accounting Processes

Strategies to use to ensure seamless accounting processes with an omnichannel retail experience. When “omnichannel” was first mentioned, Marketers everywhere were dubbing it as the next buzzword marketing term. Yet, as the years have gone by, its prevalence has increased considerably throughout publications. In fact, recent stats suggest that today’s consumers use an average of almost six touch-points across […]

11.27.17

Sugar Tax Set to End While Federal Tax Reform Looms
Christopher Georgiou

Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance This past summer, the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance went into effect after challenges and attempts to halt the tax’s implementation. The tax impacted retail sales of sweetened beverages by charging a rate of $0.01 per ounce on such purchases. However, the tax lasted only a few months […]

11.21.17

New Landscape for Real Estate Investment Trusts
Justin L. Sylvan

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act made substantial changes to certain areas of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) rules. Many of the provisions provide REITs with additional flexibility regarding the nature of their assets and income, which make REITs an appealing investment vehicle for foreign taxpayers (see Sidebar). Prohibited Transaction Safe Harbors […]

11.21.17

Financial Evolution of a Start-Up

From checking it twice to predicting your future, these are the five stages of a start-up’s finances: Stage One: The Lone Wolf Transaction In the beginning of the evolution of a start-up, it is likely that the founder is in a lone wolf scenario. He or she is grinding away to get the business off […]

11.16.17

Budgeting and Forecasting for High Growth Companies

From best practices, to forecasting, to budgets gone bad, we recently hosted a roundtable discussion on budgeting and forecasting for high growth companies at The Junto Institute in Chicago, IL. One of the key takeaways from this discussion were the essential questions to ask for each stage in building a budget.

11.16.17

What to Do about Falling Realization Rates
Jacqueline N. Janczewski

Are your firm’s realization rates declining? If so, most firms are in the same boat. However, you should be able to keep your rate above 90% with a concerted effort.