Insights

If M&A is part of your inorganic growth plan for 2020, you may want to be thinking ahead to the resources needed for purchase price allocations.

Whether your manufacturing or distribution company is planning to expand, add more employees or bring in new technologies, growth takes investment.

As the end of 2019 approaches, commercial real estate owners and investors are looking for strategies to increase their 2019 tax deductions and reduce income taxes.

Certain leasing arrangements will complicate your adoption of the new leasing standard. Here’s what lessees can do to navigate the nuances of sale and leaseback and build-to-suit arrangements.

Now that the states have the ability to tax out-of-state vendors, they are onto their next quest to capture more sales tax revenue from online sales by shifting the burden of sales tax collection and remittance from sellers to marketplace facilitators.

The frequency of cyberattacks and information security incidents in today’s market makes information technology controls vital.

The votes are in: Private companies and smaller reporting public companies are getting more time to work through some complex accounting changes, including the updates to lease accounting. With the effective date delay, it might be tempting to put implementation activities on the back burner. Here’s what to do to keep your leasing standard adoption on track.

Companies considering an initial public offering (IPO) should be aware of the types of information the SEC wants to see, which includes the fair value of financial instruments, share-based compensation arrangements, and other types of company assets.

A recent court opinion deals a blow to efforts to overturn the so-called state and local tax cap. The following is a closer look at the reasons the court gave for supporting tax reform provision.

Cybersecurity is a concern for all industries, but some sectors like private equity and venture capital tend to be targeted more than others due to the nature of their business. The following are some of the top data security considerations for PE/VC firms.

Major cybersecurity incidents from 2019 can tell us a lot about the current information security landscape. Here are some of the top lessons we have gleaned from some of the year’s most disruptive cyber attacks.

Practical expedients in the revenue recognition accounting standard are designed to make adoption easier for private companies, but they come with some considerations. Evaluating your practical expedient options can help make the transition to Topic 606 easier, and also helps with compliance in the standard in the long-term.

Some companies will have a harder time making the changes in the new lease accounting standard than others. Reviewing these 10 questions may help illuminate lease features that may make adopting ASC Topic 842 more complicated for lessees.

October is cybersecurity month, a good reminder for not-for-profits and their boards to re-examine their information security strategies. The following are five ways a not-for-profit’s board can help with data protection.

A recent court decision put a pause of an IRS regulation that would have allowed some not-for-profit organizations to forgo including the names and addresses of major donors in their annual information filings. But the decision does more than question a rule change; it speaks to how complicated it is to balance financial transparency with donor privacy protections.

Tax planning season is almost here. Private equity and venture capital firms will have a lot to sift through but one element that should not be overlooked are funds’ state and local income tax obligations.

Cost containment strategies may help not-for-profit organizations reduce their overhead expenses. Three avenues in particular may be ripe for cost recovery opportunities: construction contracts, accounts payable practices, and telecommunications contracts.

The tax reform law’s Qualified Opportunity Zone program is gaining popularity, but individuals, business operators, and real estate developers who are looking to take advantage of the program’s benefits should note that both the Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds and the businesses they support come with compliance requirements for 2020. The following gives a preview of what to expect.

July nearly turned into a tit for tat between the United States and France that involved Google, Facebook, French wine, and a tax on digital services revenue. The two sides resolved the disagreement over France’s Digital Services Tax, but the root of the France-U.S. conversation remains: Should the U.S. change the way digital business activities are taxed?

One of the big sore points with the 2017 tax reform law involved the elimination of some business write-offs, including the deductibility of parking expenses and employer-provided food costs. At a recent event, a spokesperson from the IRS indicated that it may be adjusting its approach to give taxpayers some relief.

New professional sports stadium builds like the ones in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas could look very different under the forthcoming changes to lease accounting. The following is a closer look at some of the implication the standard changes could have on professional sports teams and their local governments.

Artificial intelligence technologies could reshape the world of accounting as we know it, but we may never get to the point where AI completely replaces the human accountant. The most promising AI accounting technology available today requires human-machine collaboration. Here’s how it may be affecting your organization.

A recent proposal from a Democratic presidential candidate sounds good in theory—$1,000 per month per citizen—but the provision designed to be an economic safety net would come at a huge cost. Even its proposed economic benefits would not be enough to make it affordable. Our analysis takes a closer look at why the concept of universal basic income is so difficult.

Not-for-profit organizations drew the short end of the stick when the new tax law commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made parking expenses incurred on behalf of their employees a taxable increase to unrelated business taxable income (UBTI).

Changes are coming to auditing standards for employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). While most of the updates affect plan auditors, there are implications for your management team. Here are some changes ERISA plan sponsors should expect for their employee benefit audits starting in 2021.

Goran Kovacevic, a director at CBIZ, looks ahead to 2020 and how tech trends will impact cybersecurity and risk management.

Advance payments happen every day, from subscription services to purchasing airfare or tickets to a sports game. For the companies accepting the advance payments, however, the deferred revenue liability that comes from those sales presents certain challenges, particularly if those companies were to undergo a business combination while holding the deferred revenue.

The forthcoming lease accounting changes will require companies with leased assets to record a lease liability. For most lessees, the only option they will have to calculate their lease liability will be to estimate an incremental borrowing rate. Careful analysis is needed to estimate an incremental borrowing rate. The following factors should be part of that evaluation.

Private equity and venture capital (PE/VC) firms can save a lot of grief with their international tax requirements by setting up parameters for their investor onboarding and reporting processes.

While the 2018 tax filing season has come and gone, it is never too soon to start thinking about filing for next year’s taxes.

After a tax season with some unwelcome withholding tax surprises, the IRS created a new tool to help. Taxpayers can use the Tax Withholding Estimator to complete their Form W-4 so that they get the desired income tax withholding outcome: a refund or a zero balance. But the new tool is only as good as the information supplied.

In the race to adopt the revenue recognition accounting changes, the initial impact assessment is your course map. Knowing how to conduct your revenue recognition assessment—from selecting the sample contracts to applying the five-step accounting model itself—can help your organization get to the adoption finish line faster.

Washington recently joined the growing number of states that are adjusting state tax policies around remote retailers and marketplace facilitators. The state made updates that will likely increase the number of out-of-state vendors who would be subject to the state’s Business and Occupation tax.

Opportunity Zones are one of the hottest investment topics in the tax world because they offer not one, not two, but three tax saving opportunities. But is it as easy as just investing in a Qualifying Opportunity Fund? And what happens when an investment partially qualifies for tax benefits? Recent IRS guidance provides insight into these pressing questions.

We may be a ways off from having anything like the GDPR in the U.S., but support grows for federal privacy protection laws. Companies should brace themselves for potentially stringent data protection requirements. You can help position your organization for new regulations by answering some tough data security questions.

The challenge with the new lease accounting standard won’t end with the initial adoption. Tracking and monitoring lease data and modifications may mean that traditional approaches to lease management aren’t feasible anymore. Lease accounting software provides a solution, provided you know what to look for in your tool.

Construction Executive Magazine, a publication from Associated Builders and Contractors, recently named CBIZ and MHM to its list of the Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms in the nation.

Several members of the CBIZ and MHM Not-for-Profit Practice attended the AICPA’s not-for-profit conference in Washington D.C. this summer. The annual conference covers hot topics in accounting, tax, and financial advisory, and other industry trends that practitioners and their clients should have on their radar.

For many private companies, the evaluation of the variable interest entity (VIE) guidance to their brother and sister entities has been a confusing and difficult process.

The tax plans for each of the candidates in the 2020 Presidential campaign involve some varied and unique proposals, including a wealth tax, a tax on securities trading transactions, and new refundable credits for low-income housing.

Good news for private companies, nonprofits, and smaller public companies: the FASB is planning to delay the roll-out of its accounting updates to leasing, credit loss impairment standard, hedge accounting, and long-term insurance contracts. Discussions by board members also indicate the FASB may be leaning toward a new approach for future complex accounting standards.

As online sales surge, more sellers are using larger online marketplaces to provide their products online, oftentimes using the popular Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program.

Unexpected UBTI & the Flip Side to Alternative Investments in Your Benefit Plan is designed to help plan sponsors understand how the tax on unrelated business income may affect their plan and what they can do to minimize compliance risks.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently extended relief for goodwill and intangible asset accounting to not-for-profit organizations.

Accounting changes to ASC Topic 842, Leases share many of the characteristics that made the revenue recognition updates in Topic 606 so challenging.

More not-for-profit organizations are recognizing the benefit of financial performance measurement as a strategy for evaluating operations, programs, services and financial stability.

Not-for-profit organizations benefited from a stronger economy and higher per capita disposable income in recent years.

The AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board (ASB) recently released SAS No. 134, Auditor Reporting and Amendments, Including Amendments Addressing Disclosures in the Audit of Financial Statements, which updates the form and content of a financial statement auditor’s report.

Cybersecurity, data security, and data privacy continue to be hot topics for all market segments. Information security incidents put a lot at stake and can cause financial harm, brand and reputational damage, increased regulatory scrutiny and personal liability for business leaders, and of course, repercussions for customers, clients and others in the value chain.

Companies have options when it comes to the lease discount rate they use when applying the new leasing standard. Here's what to consider.

Not-for-profit organizations have a long-standing debate with regulators about whether revenue generated by certain organizational activities should be taxable.

Independent contractor or employee? A recent Last Week Tonight with John Oliver segment highlights the vital importance of making the right distinction. We take a closer look at the issue, including the compliance risk employers face if they misclassify their workers.

The Securities and Exchange Commission took another step toward simplifying the financial reporting requirements for small public companies.

Private equity and venture capital firms that have or are looking to invest in financial services portfolio companies should be aware of the coming changes in the way financial service entities calculate credit loss reserves.

If it’s been a while since your firm last evaluated its tax function, you may want to consider a quick self-assessment.

Economics 101 teaches us that time can be quantified in dollars and cents, and that if you want to measure the value of your time—i.e., your opportunity cost—start by looking at your hourly wage.

The news is full of stories about the President’s tax returns and whether Congress can obtain them.

The Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) dealt a blow to the financial services industry during a recent board meeting. On April 3, the FASB rejected a proposal from a group of regional banks related to changes to the credit loss impairment standard.

As Gertrude Stein famously noted nearly a century ago, “A rose is a rose is a rose.” While this aphorism may be accepted in the mundane, it is unfortunately less established when the tax laws address EBITDA.

View key metrics regarding the construction industry for the month of March.

A central theme among the candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination has been increasing the tax burden on the wealthy.

Over the years, the IRS and taxpayers have battled the issue of whether state tax incentives and grants are taxable gross income under Reg. Section 1.61-1(a) or nontaxable contributions to capital under Section 118.

Your not-for-profit organization's internal and external stakeholders are growing more sophisticated.

Anticipation about forthcoming regulations for the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program has grown to a fever pitch in recent weeks.

CBIZ and MHM’s 2019 Executive Education Series™ unpacks some of the major changes coming your way through webinar-based training.

Contingent considerations have played a vital role in a large number of merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in recent years.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) is a common metric used by private equity fund managers to value investments made in portfolio companies.

Private equity and venture capital groups around the country have a lot of money but limited opportunities to spend it.

Financial services groups use benchmark interest rates to assist with business functions ranging from lending to mitigating interest rate risks. One of those benchmark interest rates, the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), is effectively going away after 2021.

Threats to information security are leading to innovation within the information technology function.

When it comes to what not-for-profit organizations should pay their top executives, the “instructions” are not always clear or obvious.

Not-for-profit organizations that hold collections received some much-needed clarification from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) that will eliminate a diversity in practice.

Cloud updates and other technology advances have put new pressure on most technology companies—especially Software as a Service (SaaS) companies—to streamline roll-outs of updates and new product offerings.

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) might be ushering in a new age of cyber regulations.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced an additional test for when sales, gross receipts, and other items of income (collectively, sales) are recognized.

Clarity is critical for implementing new accounting standards.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) cuts emerging growth companies some slack when it comes to their financial reporting requirements.

Several not-for-profit developments emerged during the first part of the year that should be on your organization’s radar.

In 2017 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an accounting standards update (ASU 2017-01) clarifying the definition of a business.

As not-for-profit organizations adopt the new financial statement presentation changes, they may want to take another look at their accounting for fundraising costs.

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed with the latest regulatory developments, members of our Student Financial Aid Specialty Group recently attended the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) conference in Atlanta.

The IRS released proposed regulations in November 2018 to provide taxpayers with guidance on applying a key tax reform provision related to business interest expense deductions.

Many touted the tax reform legislation known as the TCJA as the most significant change to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) since the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

The improving economic conditions have created a near perfect environment for real estate over the past five years.

The Supreme Court made 2018 an incredibly exciting year for state and local taxes.

Starting in 2019, private manufacturers will be following new guidance for recognizing revenue from the contracts with their customers.

There is little question that the accounting for share-based payment awards was among the most time consuming and complex areas of U.S. GAAP.

Even though the pace of new standard setting has appeared to have slowed, not-for-profit organizations will have no shortage of accounting considerations in the next year.

Corporate AMT refunds claimed under Section 53(e) will not be taking a hit for the federal deficit in 2018, according to a recent IRS update.

Late in 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released minor changes to lessor accounting designed to make adopting the new leasing standard easier.

Double dipping is not overreaching for businesses with fiscal years beginning in 2017 and ending in 2018.

It’s the New Year and a new tax season. As the celebrations end and the holiday decorations are put away, the process begins for tracking down and organizing important tax return data.

Federal agencies may be in the midst of a partial shutdown over southern border security concerns, but tax season hasn’t hit a wall.

Recently, the IRS made several changes to the rules related to hardship withdrawals for not-for-profit organizations.

The FASB issued ASU 2018-17 Consolidation (Topic 810) which expands the accounting alternative for private companies' application of variable interest entity (VIE) consolidation guidance and changes the analysis of related party decision maker and service provider fees.

The transition to the new leasing standard promises to be time-consuming, and it could have an impact on financial statements. Taking action early — before the effective date — can help private companies simplify their adoption process and potentially avoid compliance issues with loan covenants.

MHM was the recipient of the Kreston International Collaboration Award at the Kreston World Conference last week in New Orleans.

The amendments in the Rule are intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors.

The time to adopt the new leasing standard is almost here for public companies. Changes introduced in ASC Topic 842 take effect for public companies for fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 2018. All leases will need to be evaluated in light of the new requirements and internal processes and reporting may need updating.

The 2017 tax reform law affected the tax treatment for divorce settlements by eliminating the deduction for alimony and maintenance payments for the payor and the tax on the alimony for the recipient.

The IRS recently released its proposed regulations interpreting Section 965, the provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that imposes a one-time "transition tax" on the stockpiled earnings of U.S. companies' foreign subsidiaries.

The cloud provides a more efficient venue for creating new products or services by allowing remote collaboration. From a cybersecurity perspective, however, cloud software presents a logistical nightmare.

As the effective date nears, entities will need to be prepared for the changes to lease accounting. The following are some elements to consider when preparing for the transition to ASC Topic 842.

In the fourth quarter, we will be offering industry-specific looks at revenue recognition issues as well as quarterly updates for all businesses to consider. Most webinars are eligible for CPE credit.

Private equity and venture capital firms and their portfolio companies need to be aware of the potential tax impact, as changes to financial reporting practices could create differences between book and tax accounting.

Beyond the task of selecting an external auditor, an audit committee provides additional key functions to an organization that are of immense value.

A low unemployment rate and high number of open positions up the ante in the talent marketplace. Not-for-profit organizations may want to go on the defensive to ensure they keep their top talent.

ASU 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans, Topic 715-20 removes several disclosure requirements, and adds and clarifies others in an effort to provide more useful information for benefit plan financial statements.

The 2017 tax reform law gives donors more of an incentive to make charitable contributions, increasing the deduction allowed for cash contributions to public charities from 50 to 60 percent of adjusted gross income. Substantiating that deduction, however, may be more challenging due to recently finalized IRS regulations.

Private equity and venture capital firms and their portfolio companies should be aware of the potential impact the Wayfair decision could have on their existing sales and use tax collection, remitting and reporting processes.

The FASB recently issued proposed guidance that would simplify three elements of the new leasing standard that will affect lessor accounting.

Online trading platforms have become a popular way investors can buy and sell digital assets, including cryptocurrency coins and tokens offered in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

The increasing popularity of these digital currencies may offer new opportunities for your organization because they represent new ways to raise money and conduct business, their transactions are secure, and their underlying technology has the potential to dramatically lower not-for-profits' bookkeeping costs.

Tax-exempt organizations other than those organized under 501(c)(3) or political organizations (under Section 527) will soon be able to leave off donor names and addresses from their Form 990s.

Internal accounting departments may be focused on complying with the tax changes in South Dakota vs Wayfair (and rightly so), but there are also financial reporting considerations that come into play with sales and use taxes.

Those reticent about making backdoor Roth IRA contributions for fear of drawing IRS scrutiny may want to reconsider participating in the strategy.

As use of cryptocurrency grows in popularity, it presents challenges for accounting of which vendors and their accountants will need to be aware.

This OMB memo dramatically increased these thresholds, which should simplify purchase processes for not-for-profit organizations receiving federal funds.

Three emerging technologies in particular — blockchain, automation, and cloud software — will shake up some traditional accounting practices and streamline others.

In South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. , the Supreme Court ruled that the physical presence standard for sales tax collection is no longer the law of the land. Retailers across the nation must prepare for a profound increase in sales tax collection responsibilities as states adapt their laws to this new judicial standard.

From large organizations to small local associations, cybersecurity is a concern for everyone in the not-for-profit sphere.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will impact income tax planning for trusts and estates, at least until Dec. 31, 2025 when many of the provisions are scheduled to expire. Here are some tax planning opportunities to consider for executors, trustees, and beneficiaries of trusts, as well as those considering the creation of new trusts.

Domestic manufacturers should explore the potential benefits and drawbacks under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act now.

Failing to follow audit regulations can mean significant consequences for a not-for-profit organization. Here are some things to look for within your own organization before your audit begins.

The IRS may be faced with a declining workforce and budget, but it's still active in monitoring compliance for not-for-profit organizations. In its 2018 work plan, the IRS stressed its data-driven approach to selecting Form 990s to examine.

Regardless of size or type of operation, all companies can benefit from having an audit committee to help with corporate governance strategies and, ultimately, provide the best chance to ensure the organization's success.

In light of lawsuits and the recent continuation of certain cases, not-for-profit organizations may want to take a close look at their 403(b) programs, and if necessary, make some changes to help minimize fiduciary risk.

It's a good time to take a look at the message your organization's tax return is sending.

Over the past several months, regulators have released new guidance that will affect not-for-profit accounting and taxes. Here are highlights of some of the major developments from the end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018.

Employers should begin preparing for the restatement process if they have not done so already.

Meeting donor (and media) perceptions and expectations with regard to how much executives within a not-for-profit organization should be paid can be complicated.

Bankers are optimistic about the next few years, and why not? Tax reform presents banks and financial institutions with additional options.

Life sciences companies have many new things to consider in light of the changes made by the 2017 tax legislation known informally as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

In the wake of an increasingly improved economy and a strengthening stock market, many private biotech companies have either initiated the process of going public or are at least contemplating it.

While much of the focus of the recently enacted tax reform legislation has been on the direct effect of the new federal provisions, there are major indirect implications for state income taxes as well.

These accounting changes will likely affect financial statements, so it's critical that entities understand where accounting changes will need to be made as well the impact to their financial statement in order to communicate the reason for the changes to their financial statement users.

Accounting changes will affect financial statements, so it’s critical entities understand what accounting changes will need to be made in order to explain the reason for the changes to their financial statement users.

The new tax law introduced as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) includes considerable changes to the Internal Revenue Code that will impact the private equity and venture capital industries.

The TCJA provides many changes for individuals and business that mostly take effect beginning in 2018. Some are permanent and some expire after 2025. Having a good list of start and end dates is important to understanding the Act's long-term impact.

Operating environments change, and not-for-profit organizations can expect to feel a financial impact from the new tax legislation.

Not-for-profit organizations will face some critical challenges as the new tax law begins to take effect.

Effective Jan. 1, 2017, Revenue Procedure 2016-37 changed the IRS determination letter program to eliminate the five-year remedial amendment cycle for tax-qualified individually designed plans (IDP).

The new tax law that is informally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) included many perks for businesses, but it also established new protocols for the recognition of gross income that may be detrimental.

SAB 118 introduces the concept of a measurement period for the accounting for the TCJA.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the most far reaching tax change to affect the real estate sector since the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Generally speaking, real estate fared well under the new law.

This update provides brief descriptions of selected international tax provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — based on the more extensive summary above — and adds a few observations about the impact of such provisions.

These are the top five issues to be dealt with in preparing Dec. 31, 2017 financial statements.

Understanding the risk management lessons from major events in 2017 will help you plan to address the risks of tomorrow.

It's a challenge to retain a talented finance executive. The following may help your organization keep the talent it has secured.

Proposed updates to individual tax brackets, employment tax-related provisions, and estate planning are among several areas that may have an impact on charitable giving and other tax-related matters.

A growing number of organizations are turning to a framework of internal coaches who can assist in creating a pipeline of leaders and develop managers who can coach their teams.

The new guidance enhances COSO's 2004 ERM publication, Enterprise Risk Management-Integrated Framework by providing additional detail organizations can use to enhance enterprise-wide risk management procedures.

A proactive approach to managing your property tax burden can return significant dollars to your bottom line.

Not-for-profit organizations have a diversity problem, and it starts at the board level.

Data-driven analytics are here to stay when it comes to compliance enforcement for not-for-profit organizations.

Information security is a threat for every business, but it’s particularly disruptive to the nation’s infrastructure systems including transportation, communications and financial institutions.

Not-for-profit organizations affected by natural disasters may be able to harness the generosity that follows a natural disaster, but they should be careful.

A financial statement audit is bound to produce questions on financial statement reporting, and many are matters that are better addressed before the start of the audit.

Mergers and acquisitions aren't part of a typical not-for-profit organization's growth strategy, but they may be a resource worth considering.

Regulatory burdens, customer demands and new technologies will continue to encourage smaller community and regional banks to consolidate in response to this shifting landscape.

Not-for-profit organizations can better manage employees in different age groups if they understand some common generational traits and where differences may arise.

We recently received an inside look at the grant-making process, and the experience provided some additional insights into the type of information and requests that make a grant application appealing to grant-makers.

Recent tax court cases indicate that regulators will be aggressive in enforcing charitable contribution tax deduction rules.

As entities work through their transition to the new guidance, a number of questions may come up. The following may assist with implementation.

A good board with a wide variety of skills may lead your not-for-profit to new heights.

At a recent Department of Education Federal Student Aid conference, presenters discussed some of the most common compliance issues involving student aid and federal funds.

Each organization is vulnerable to unique risks and disruptions, but in general, not-for-profits should be prepared to address four types of losses: loss of people, loss of vendors, loss of facilities and loss of technology.

Audit committees should evaluate and update their charters to ensure they include best practices, not only for managing the audit process but also for helping their organizations mitigate their key risks.

The number of cyber attacks continues to rise. Employee benefit plans should evaluate their protocol to make sure they are prepared for the risks in their environment.

To identify the right candidate, not-for-profit organizations may want to broaden the search to include individuals with a corporate background.

Not-for-profit organizations can help protect their organization from financial abuse and mismanagement by understanding what form fraud may take.

Not-for-profit organizations must be vigilant in how they manage and protect their sensitive information, including employee data, donor data and financial data.

CPAs will use the report to evaluate entities' cybersecurity risk management programs, similar to the process used to evaluate an organization's control environments in SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports.

Understanding common accounting mistakes related to these instruments as well as the accounting guidance to which the instruments may be subject can assist with navigating through complex debt and equity transactions.

The Johnson amendment was passed in 1954 and prohibits Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organizations from participating in political activities that favor or oppose a candidate for office.

CBIZ and MHM are pleased to sponsor the 2017 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) National Not-for-Profit Conference being held on June 21-23, 2017.

Organizations that follow four simple steps may find that an in-depth examination from a regulator is no cause for alarm.

Not-for-profit organizations can use social media to help drive engagement with internal and external audiences.

New revenue recognition standards for financial reporting require careful planning and education to develop an implementation strategy. They may bring about substantial income tax consequences as well.

To ensure your organization is adequately protected, management and IT need a routine monitoring plan in place and regular communication about the following topics.

2017 started with a big backlog of companies looking to go public, and year-to-date, very few of them have gone public. The first quarter had only four biotech IPOs. With that, companies right now are looking for other ways of raising capital.

Used by tax-exempt organizations, these "top hat" nonqualified retirement plans allow key employees or a select group of employees to defer receipt of compensation to a later date, perhaps when their tax rate is lower.

If your organization accepts in-kind donations, it should have clear policies and reporting measures in place.

MHM's David Diamond recently participated in a panel at the ROTH conference discussing the process of listing on a US National Exchange and the impact on liquidity and visibility within the investment community.

Logical security protocol makes it more difficult for one user to be the source of a major issue.

While business growth and regulatory compliance are perhaps the two most critical business drivers behind a financial service firm's decision to outsource, the outsourcing solution itself creates a risk that must be managed and regulatory requirements that must be met.

Although the OCC's objectives in granting limited-purpose bank charters to fintech companies are regulatory in nature, the move could be a huge game changer for companies seeking to innovate within the financial services industry.

The most significant change relates to the establishment of the Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) impairment model for loans measured at amortized cost.

In 2016, the FASB released 20 accounting standards updates. Among the more significant were changes to leasing, financial instruments and the not-for-profit reporting model.

Not-for-profits should prepare for the effective date by ensuring their processes are ready for the new requirements and that they are prepared for the transition to ASU 2016-14.

How leases are transitioned to the guidance under FASB ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) will depend on the types of leases in place at the date of adoption and whether electing available practical expedients makes sense for the organization.

MHM and CBIZ representatives have been forging valuable relationships with our international network peers while attending the Kreston India Conference 2017 in Mumbai. Kreston is our international network of accounting firms.

Protecting your organization from cybersecurity threats is essential in today's business environment. One of your key areas of vulnerability comes from third-party service providers.

Data breaches and other disruptive environments can often be traced to external providers, and as such, service organizations are being asked to demonstrate their controls to the user organization.

MHM's Employee Benefit Plan Audit Practice Leader Hal Hunt was recently quoted in an article by PlanSponsor Magazine titled "Both the DOL and IRS Are Stepping Up Their Audits."

Who needs to be contacted and when may vary depending on your physical location.

Changes resulting from ASU 2015-02 Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis impact each step in evaluating whether a relationship with another entity should be consolidated.

In light of the recent attention paid to impairment accounting, oil and gas companies should evaluate their own practices to ensure they meet the applicable standards.