09.02.14

How to Account for Special Events

More and more not-for-profit organizations are turning to special events as a major source for generating funds. This blog describes three options that not-for-profits have for reporting most such events on their Statement of Activities. In any case, proper financial reporting will require careful tracking of an event’s transactions.

08.29.14

Getting a Tax Benefit from Capital Losses
Thomas Kosinski

As volatile as the stock market has been, you probably have some underperforming investments which have lost value that you are considering selling. Tax planning is especially important when you are considering selling at a loss. This blog explains how selling holdings for less than the purchase price can lower a person’s income tax bill.

08.27.14

What You Need to Know About Professional Liability Insurance
Danielle M. Winkle

Practicing law without professional liability insurance can be a financial disaster. But lawyers have options when it comes to the amount and type of liability coverage; even the price may be flexible. This article discusses the basics of malpractice policies and how insurers set rates.

08.20.14

Make Endowment Funding Your Ally
Caitlin G. Gibbs

These days, demand for services is up while donations to not-for-profits are down. But do not be disheartened: You may have an ally in your endowment funds; but you will need to be aware of each fund’s restrictions. The challenge is to develop a spending policy that is dynamic enough to take these factors into account and not cause you to pull funds out beyond what is budgeted and needed for operations.

08.19.14

IRS Provides Relief for Mezzanine Financing Workouts

The IRS has issued new guidance that will, in certain circumstances, exclude from gross income any discharged debt that is secured by the ownership interest in a disregarded entity. Revenue Procedure 2014-20 should help taxpayers with mezzanine financing in workouts and similar arrangements. This blog takes a look at how the issue arises and how to qualify for the exclusion.

08.18.14

Group Medical Visits… Still a Viable Option
Jason Flahive

Group medical visits have been a well-established offering of many practices for years. And there is a reason why: Both doctor and patients can gain many benefits simply from listening to each other. This blog describes some of those benefits, while noting some caveats to look out for.

08.14.14

Is an Online Freight Marketplace Right for You?
Kenneth Tornheim

A new generation of online businesses wants to cut the transportation middleman out of the warehousing and distribution equation. These new online marketplaces offer manufacturers and distributors greater convenience and efficiency by directly matching them with freight carriers, cutting down on red tape and lag time. This blog discusses how these online marketplaces work and how to avoid potential pitfalls.

08.13.14

What to do When Raising Menu Prices is the Only Option
James Pellino

From the new Health Care Reform Act to this past year’s polar vortex, restaurateurs have recently faced a plethora of challenges. One problem they have run into this past year is the dramatic increase in food costs. This blog examines what to do when raising menu prices is the only option.

08.12.14

How Not-For-Profit Watchdogs Rate Your Organization

Watchdog organizations that patrol not-for-profits have been around for several years, and you probably know that they aim to make available information on charities’ financial health to benefit donors and funders. But do you know how they evaluate not-for-profits like yours?

08.11.14

What’s Coming Up from the Department of Labor

The Department of Labor (DOL) is working on several important initiatives in 2014 covering a broad range of retirement plan issues. This blog reviews some initiatives affecting qualified retirement plans.