12.17.14

Share the Holiday Beer, Spread the Holiday Cheer
Robert Swenson

As the season changes from fall to winter, snow begins to fall and brewers release their holiday beers. Sharing the latest seasonal brew at a holiday party this December helps spread the holiday joy. And, as you are celebrating the last month of the year, don’t forget to begin your year-end tax planning.

12.15.14

Do Your Part for Donors: IRS Substantiation Rules Apply to Contributors
Sarah G. Widlock

With donors gearing up for tax-filing season, it is not too late for not-for-profits to make sure they are following the IRS donation “substantiation rules.” This blog explains what the IRS requires to document various levels of gifts and offers a real-life example of the consequences of not closely adhering to the rules.

12.10.14

Floating-Rate Bond Funds Offer an Alternative Yield Source

When interest rates rise, bond funds can suffer. Certain fixed-income investment strategies may help investors manage the risk. Floating-rate bond funds — also known as bank loan funds or senior loan funds — are one option to consider. This blog examines the benefits and the trade-offs.

12.09.14

Year-End Update from the DOL

The Department of Labor (DOL) keeps a full plate on their retirement regulatory agenda and research projects each year. Now that the end of 2014 is closing, the DOL recently provided some insight of where they stand on some of these items. In early November, the ERISA Advisory Council presented their final recommendations of this year’s research projects. The DOL also provided a bit of an update, too, in regards to their retirement regulatory agenda at this meeting.

12.08.14

How to Maximize Your Practice’s Financial Health
Greg Koelling

Few medical practices operate at peak financial health simply because the actual processes of many patient-focused tasks have not been evaluated. Many of these processes ultimately affect profitability. However, if you take a systematic approach to these procedures, you will not only improve your patients’ experiences but also your bottom line and both your personal and staff satisfaction.

11.25.14

Five Tips for Reducing Fraud at Your Firm

Because they foster a collegial, trusting environment, law firms can be more vulnerable to fraud than many other types of businesses. Enforcing internal controls may simply seem unnecessary in an office of professionals dedicated to the law. Unfortunately, occupational thieves take advantage of such complacency. This blog discusses five basic controls that law firms can implement to help deter fraud.

11.24.14

Are You Ready for the New Omni Circular?
Harry Fox

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has recently updated and streamlined the guidance that applies to federal awards. So what does this mean for a not-for-profit organization? Beginning with all new federal award contracts starting after December 26, 2014, not-for-profit organizations will be subject to changes in federal award requirements. This blog highlights the most significant changes.

11.18.14

Protect Your Financial Future—Your Best Retirement Asset is You

The possibility that a serious illness or injury could dampen one’s earnings is real. But long-term disability income insurance recoups some income should you become disabled and unable to work. This blog offers an overview of this insurance and explains the pluses and minuses of group and individual coverage.

11.13.14

Ten Tips for Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements
D’Ann R. Meisenheimer

Until they become partner-owners, most physicians have an employment relationship with their physician group. When it is time to negotiate or renegotiate an employment contract, there are critical issues that must be understood and settled.

11.12.14

Demystifying LTL Freight Classification

The National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC®) system can be overwhelming. However, manufacturers that understand how carriers classify freight can find creative ways to lower their costs for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. This blog describes the factors that affect freight rates and offers ways to qualify for lower, less expensive freight classes.