06.05.15

Illinois Restaurant Association’s Update on “Happy Hour” Law
Joseph Odzer

The Illinois Restaurant Association issued a press release earlier this week regarding an update to part of Illinois’ Liquor Control Act, also known as the “Happy Hour” law.

05.29.15

Tips for Effective Performance-Based Compensation
Danielle M. Winkle

Firms that still use a lockstep model to compensate associates may be undermining their profitability and competitiveness. Instead, firms might consider a performance-based system that compensates associates based on a range of factors, including billable hours, client satisfaction and professional development. This blog explains how to adopt fair and consistent performance-based compensation.

05.29.15

The Unique Challenges of Owning a Restaurant

At one time or another, non-restaurant business owners have to deal with challenges such as bad Yelp reviews, inventory spoilage, tipping issues, staff no-shows and nasty weather driving away business. The restaurant owner, on the other hand, has to deal with some or sometimes all of these problems on a daily basis. In this blog, we will address three of these unique challenges.

05.28.15

Why Deal Structure Counts: Comparing and Contrasting Asset and Stock Deals
Kenneth Tornheim

The merger and acquisition market is picking up along with the performance of the manufacturing sector. This blog discusses how deal structure can have a major impact on expected cash flow and exposure to potential liabilities after the dust settles.

05.25.15

How Does Divorce Affect Social Security Retirement Benefits?
Frank L. Washelesky

One of the challenges of planning for retirement is that an unexpected event, such as divorce, can dramatically change your retirement income needs. If you were counting on your spouse’s social security benefits to provide some of your retirement income, what happens now that you are divorced? This blog examines the effects.

05.19.15

Are Your 401(k) Plan Administrative Fees Allocated Equally?
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

Most 401(k) plan participants should not bear a higher proportion of a qualified retirement plan’s administrative costs than others because of their investment choices. This blog notes that the numbers can be significant and discusses how to reasonably allocate fees.

05.15.15

Trade Associations and Political Activities – Is a PAC Right for You?
Barbara Miller

In order to serve its members by supporting certain political activities but not violate the Federal Election Campaign Act, a trade association might make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates and parties through Political Action Committees (PACs). This blog explores how they work.

04.28.15

Using an IC-DISC to Lower Taxes

Manufacturers and distributors who export products should consider the use of an interest charge domestic international sales corporation (IC-DISC) to reduce their tax burden. This blog answers some frequently asked questions about this strategy.

04.27.15

So You Inherited a Large Sum of Money… What’s Next?

According to a recent report by Accenture, approximately $30 trillion will pass from one generation to the next over the next 30 years. Baby boomers alone are starting to receive an estimated $8.4 trillion in inheritances from older generations. Could you be receiving a significant inheritance? If so, how do you plan on handling the fortune?

04.27.15

Depreciating Your Restaurant Assets

Are you maximizing your depreciation expense? You can take full advantage of these deductions by assigning the smallest allowable depreciable life to your restaurant assets. This blog highlights the basics of depreciating assets in certain categories.