04.23.15

For Good Referrals, Ask Good Questions

Bringing in quality new business is the goal of every law firm. The question is, how can a firm attract a steady stream of potential “A” clients without breaking its budget? This blog focuses on referral pipelines and the techniques law firms can use to develop and maintain them.

04.21.15

Ratio Revelations—What Expense Data Says About Your Spending Habits
Caitlin G. Gibbs

When a not-for-profit spends more money on administering itself than on its programs, it can find itself in trouble with watchdog groups and others. This blog will help you have a better understanding of what your not-for-profit can do to present yourself accurately.

04.19.15

Are You Offering a Roth 401(k) Plan Option Yet?

In a Roth 401(k) plan, participants make after-tax contributions to a qualified plan and receive tax-free distributions, provided the funds are in the plan for at least five years from the date of the initial Roth 401(k) plan contribution. Thus, while participants pay a tax on the income that was the source of the contribution, the earnings on the contributions are tax-free. This blog summarizes Roth 401(k) basics and provides support for implementing a Roth option into a 401(k) plan.

03.31.15

New BASSET Law Takes Effect July 1 – Are You Ready?
Brian R. Israel

In the past, Beverage Alcohol Servers Education and Training was merely encouraged by the state of Illinois and only required by some local municipalities. Beginning July 1, all involved in the sale of alcohol across Cook County will be required to hold a BASSET card, and all Illinois BASSET cardholders must renew their certifications every three years. This blog outlines the basics of the new law.

03.30.15

Compensating Physicians for the Value of Their Work

It is hard to miss news reports discussing the shift in the basis for provider reimbursements from “volume” to “value.” Public and private payers are promoting value-based payment methodologies for physicians and hospitals — including “meaningful use,” “pay-for-performance” and more. This blog explains what value means in your practice and how to compensate providers accordingly.

03.26.15

Uncle Sam Wants You to Invest in Technology and Training
Tanya Gierut

The White House recently announced a series of executive actions for subsidies totaling roughly $550 million for investments in advanced manufacturing. These actions provide financial incentives for your company to increase spending on technology and training, if it is not already part of your 2015 budget. This blog discusses the three pillars of support that underlie the president’s manufacturing initiatives.

03.25.15

Is a Bridge Loan Right for Me?
Tamara Partridge

As the real estate market rebounds, bridge loans can provide an interim financing option for investors and developers until they are able to secure long-term financing. While such loans provide several benefits, they also come with some disadvantages worth weighing before jumping into the loan. This blog discusses the ins and outs of bridge loans.

03.23.15

Should Board Members be Required to Make Donations to the Organizations They Serve?

You may think one of the barriers to recruiting someone to join your not-for-profit board is that they will feel obligated to make a financial donation. Because board members want to see the organization succeed, this may not be as big of a challenge as you think.

03.12.15

The FAQs of Fiscal Sponsorship

An organization may be too new — or too small — to have obtained its tax-exempt status. Or, if it is well-established, it may have an opportunity to expand its programs by joining forces with a smaller or newer organization. In either case, fiscal sponsorship might be worth considering. This blog answers some questions about this special relationship, including how the arrangement works and possible pros and cons for the sponsor.

03.10.15

Understanding Bonds: What Do Your Plan Participants Know?
James Quaid

Bonds have a place in retirement portfolios. However, recent research suggests that many 401(k) plan participants may have some misperceptions about what that place is — and how bonds perform under various market conditions. This blog reviews the research and suggests that taking the pulse of your 401(k) participants might be a prudent thing to do.