Accountants Telephone Seminars

Sales and Use Taxation of Internet Sales: The Evolving Case Law BenefitsWith growing budget deficits, many states are taking increasingly aggressive positions in an attempt to impose sales and use tax obligations on internet transactions. Internet sellers face a murky and sometimes ill-defined landscape with respect to sales and use taxes that are impacted by both state law and federal constitutional principles. By exploring the growing body of judicial  more...

Calculating the Cost of a Change ...ey shouldn't pay. CMs, attorneys, and the consultants and accountants that advise them will learn what is needed to accurately and persuasively price a change. We will focus on the hard topics - the legitimate damages associated with delay, the real costs of inefficiency, the balancing concerns when pricing acceleration. We will also touch on the sometimes controversial areas of unabsorbed  more...

A Regulatory Update on Unclaimed Property Compliance BenefitsWho within your company is responsible for ensuring compliance with the various state unclaimed property laws? Is your company currently undergoing an unclaimed property audit? If you are struggling to find the answer to these important compliance questions, this live audio conference is for you! Believe it or not, there are still many companies who are unfamiliar with the various state  more...

Merchant Reporting and Form 1099-K BenefitsLearn about the new 1099-K rules issued under IRC Section 6050W and how it relates to you! Gain insight into challenges posed by the merchant reporting. Understand how to reconcile clients' gross receipts according to the new reporting requirements. Learn about duplicate reporting relief. Perfect your back up withholding rules know-how by attending this live audio conference. This live  more...

What Every Business Person Needs to Know About Legal Issues in Contracts BenefitsMost businesses enter into contracts thinking they know precisely what they want to accomplish and what they have agreed to. All too often this is not actually the case. Written agreements may not reflect what a business believes it negotiated. Parties may later recall terms different from what seems to be reflected in the initial agreement. And all too often, the legal boilerplate terms  more...

New IRS Rules for Treatment of Revenues from Gift Card Sales and Merchandise Return Cards BenefitsAttend this live audio conference and gain a detailed understanding of how Rev. Proc. 2011-17 and 2011-18 modified the existing federal tax deferral rules applicable to gift card revenues. Learn how the tax deferral rules apply to a variety of common gift card structures and understand when a 2-year tax deferral may be available, but also when it may not be optimal. Finally, receive tips  more...

Commonly Encountered Sales and Use Tax Audit Issues and Strategies to Defuse Them BenefitsStates are becoming more aggressive as falling tax revenues constrain expenditures and force budget cuts. Business structures, products and services are increasingly complex with outcomes that don't always fit neatly into vaguely worded and outdated statutes. Heightened audit activity, the states' shifting tax policies and a new wave of proposed sales tax legislation all serve to highlight  more...

Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis for Nonprofits BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide you with an overview of nonprofit financial statements and both external and internal nonprofit financial reporting concepts. We will focus on the primary users of nonprofit financial statements and the key differences between nonprofit and for-profit financial statements and reporting. This program will explore the fundamental accounting concepts  more...

Commercial Loan Documentation BenefitsAs commercial loan documentation has become more complex and hundreds of pages long, many loan officers and counsel have found it difficult to adequately review the documentation. This live audio conference will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of drafting and reviewing the key provisions of a credit agreement. You will also gain insight into typical collateral documents and  more...

Collection Techniques for Landlords BenefitsFor many commercial landlords, consistent receipt of rent and other tenant charges is the key to their business. Most leases outline specific collection techniques and security mechanisms, such as security deposits and guaranties, intended to ensure that the landlord receives rent and other tenant charges consistently. However, the lingering effects of the recession are causing landlords  more...

Key Subcontracting Issues Including Flow-Down and Paid-if-Paid Provisions BenefitsThe saying goes that two heads are better than one, and this is especially the case when pursuing government contract opportunities. It is a prime contract that has a contractor performing without any partners. Even large defense contractors with an extensive library of forms, however, can fall victim to certain traps that can lurk in the subcontract. Failure to comply with legal  more...

Wage and Hour Update: Overtime Concerns With Mobile Devices BenefitsEmployer expectations for 24/7 access to employees is now the norm for many industries as new technologies allow work to be done virtually anywhere at any time. Serious questions have emerged about how employers should limit, monitor and compensate remote work hours. Recent litigation trends also show that compensation for time worked away from the office during nontraditional hours is  more...

IRS Form 941 Reporting Update BenefitsThe IRS collects hundreds of billions of dollars of employment taxes each year - more than any other source of revenue. Form 941 and related forms lie at the heart of the IRS's employment tax collection system. Much of the administrative burden under that system falls on employers. An employer's failure to understand and comply with its obligations can result in IRS assessments, audits and  more...

Basel III Regulatory Update BenefitsFollowing the financial crisis that began in 2008, international banking regulators have been working together to increase the stability and resiliency of the global financial system. The Basel III Accord is a cornerstone of that international initiative. The Basel III Accord, which represents the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's proposals for capital and liquidity requirements for  more...

How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint BenefitsEvery day, executives, managers, and rank and file employees sit through bullet-riddled presentations that are boring, uninspiring and worse, don't get the message across. Attend this live audio conference and learn how to use several techniques that will engage and excite your audience without using bullet point after bullet point. You will learn how visual metaphors, targeted animation  more...

Current Issues in Subcontracts and Teaming Agreements BenefitsSubcontracts and teaming agreements are common in business and take many forms. When the customer is the Federal Government however, companies often try to squeeze these relationships into their standard purchase orders and performance work statements. Particularly with heightened scrutiny by all federal agencies over the entry into contracts and the performance of those contracts, by all  more...

Amending Tax Return Errors and Misstatements BenefitsIt's a fact of life that mistakes happen, with a multitude of reasons for such occurrences. And, so, we have the option to amend our returns. Unless it is a mere mathematical error that the Internal Revenue Service will automatically correct, be proactive and amend the return if you are aware of substantial errors before the IRS contacts you. On both personal and business returns,  more...

Form 990 Survival Guide - the Form, Unrelated Business Income (UBI) Tax Issues and Practical Solutions BenefitsThis live audio conference will involve a detailed discussion of Form 990, UBI tax issues and practical solutions utilized by leading practitioners in the field. If you are involved with 990s, you know the effort it takes to complete the form accurately. With renewed emphasis on the filing due to IRS audit activity and sophisticated contributor analysis, this program will go through the  more...

Tax Planning and Guidance for Business Travel and Entertainment Deductions BenefitsLearn the specifics of documenting business travel, meals and entertainment expense to ensure you can take full advantage of the deduction allowed under the federal tax code. Ensure that your records will stand the test of a tax audit. Fine tune your understanding of when an employee's meal is 100% deductible and when it is only 50% deductible. Understand when foreign travel is deductible  more...

The Hazards of Overlooked Property Interests: The Relationship Between Intellectual Property and Estate Planning BenefitsIntellectual property is a hot area of the law, and businesses, along with individuals, are using intellectual property interests to start, grow and value their businesses. After the patent, trademark or copyright application is filed, most individuals and businesses think they are done with the process; however, some often overlooked interests - estate planning issues - can present  more...

Implied Obligations in Construction Contracts BenefitsWhen parties enter into construction or design contracts there may be numerous implied obligations that arise under law or in equity. These implied obligations should be carefully considered by owners, design professionals and contractors. These implied obligations apply to most construction and design contracts unless a specific contractual provision is provided in the contract that  more...

Electronic Contracts: Best Practices and Legal Implications BenefitsThe legal landscape affecting the enforceability and proper use of electronic contracts continues to change. While such contracts are now widely used, certain issues remain unsettled, including unilateral modification of contracts and attribution of electronic signatures to a particular user for enforceability issues. Jason Epstein and William Norton will provide solutions to some of these  more...

Internet Strategies and Best Practices for Nonprofits BenefitsMany nonprofit organizations and executives are struggling to make sense of the Internet as a way to improve communications and results with donors and clients. Ever since the introduction of social-media tools like Facebook and Twitter , keeping up with the pace of change on the Internet, and optimizing your nonprofit's presence in these areas, is an ongoing challenge. To make matters  more...

Current Issues in Revocable Living Trusts BenefitsRevocable living trusts are a foundation of many estate plans. The use of a revocable living trust generally provides for a confidential distribution of family wealth without required court interference and also allows for assets to avoid probate in most jurisdictions. Using a revocable living trust allows for planning in the event of incapacity without having to formally declare a person  more...

Fundamentals of SBA Lending: Documenting, Closing and Funding the SBA Loan BenefitsAs credit standards have tightened, government guaranteed loans have provided strength to credit facilities. Small business administration loans give lenders the opportunity to make loans with the backing of the SBA, but they can be complicated for the bank. The live audio conference will walk you through the details you need to know to prepare successful SBA loans. If an SBA loan is not  more...

Social Security Benefits: Is It Worth It to Delay? BenefitsSocial Security has been the American workers' greatest investment and has been labeled the third rail of politics, and perhaps rightly so. However, dire predictions have recently been published about the collapse of the system. But are those predictions really warranted? This live audio conference will take you from the beginning of Social Security to the present day and probable future.  more...

Prevailing Wage Law: An Understanding of Davis-Bacon BenefitsAlleged violations of wage and hour laws have become a major source for the new wave of employment class actions, which often result in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in many cases millions of dollars, of recoverable damages and attorneys' fees awarded to the successful litigants and their attorneys - in addition to the substantial amount of legal fees and administrative costs  more...

IRS Form W-9 and W-8 Series: Payee Identification and Tax Determination BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide information about the purpose of the form and when it should be obtained. You will learn who can complete Form W-9 for U.S. persons, and if the payee is a foreign person, that Form W-8 is necessary. In addition, this live audio conference will provide valuable information regarding the backup withholding requirements if the W-9 information is not  more...

FLSA New Fluctuating Workweek Regulatory Guidance BenefitsOver the last two years, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has placed the employer community on notice that it intends to be very assertive in its enforcement of the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Consistent with this philosophy and its current modus operandi, the DOL recently concluded rulemaking that, among other  more...

Accounting Endowments of Not-for-Profit Organizations After UPMIFA BenefitsIn response to the enactment of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act in most of the United States, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, in 2008, promulgated FASB Staff Position No. FAS 117-1. FSP FAS 117-1 provides guidance for nonprofits as to the proper classification of endowment funds when UPMIFA has been enacted and expands the required disclosure about  more...

Conducting Successful HR Audits BenefitsIncreasingly, human capital is an organization's most important asset - it's certainly one of its largest expenses. It also exposes organizations to material risks. Yet many of the management techniques and assessment tools used to manage and assess other assets and processes of the organization have not been applied to HR. That is changing. As the implications and risks of misaligned,  more...

Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts BenefitsYou will receive an intense practical analysis of intentionally defective grantor trusts - an often overlooked estate planning tool. Emphasis will be placed on the practical how-to-do-it instruction as opposed to a recitation of case law in the area. The speaker will concentrate on when to use this technique, how to design these trusts, and their place in comparison to other estate  more...

Boilerplate Contract Terms: Yes, They Really Matter BenefitsThis live audio conference will address the parts of a contract that often go overlooked and underappreciated: the boilerplate terms, the provisions toward the end of the contract that are often left to the lawyers, that are not heavily negotiated, but that matter most when things go wrong. The program will also discuss damages and warranty provisions, choice of law and forum clauses,  more...

Payroll Recordkeeping: What You Need to Know BenefitsIn recent years there has been an explosion in the number of lawsuits and claims for overtime and unpaid wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Did you realize that liability for FLSA violations can be enormous? Recent reports estimate that over the last few years companies have collectively paid out more than $1 billion annually to resolve FLSA claims! Learn the role of the FLSA and  more...

Understanding the GAAP Codification Update BenefitsThe official launch of the FASB Codification began on July 1, 2009. On that date the codification became the official single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP. The codification will be effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The codification will supersede existing FASB, AICPA, EITF and related literature, which means there will no longer  more...

Essential Concepts In Construction Contracting BenefitsThis live audio conference is designed to educate persons responsible for construction contracting about project delivery systems, basic concepts and contract terms, and the allocation and avoidance of risk in construction contracts. Pitfalls for the unwary will be addressed, especially when using standard form agreements and informal contracting on small projects. This program is  more...

UCC Article 9 Update BenefitsThe revisions to Article 9, which generally became effective in 2001, substantially changed the law. Now, with years of experience, the case law is developing, and practitioners are beginning to identify issues not contemplated by the original drafting committee. As a result, a Joint Review Committee was formed and has recommended changes to Article 9 that are expected to be approved this  more...

Flexible Spending Accounts BenefitsMany employee benefit plan sponsors are unaware of all the complex rules governing flexible spending accounts. In this session you will receive a thorough overview of the numerous plan design considerations and legal requirements of flexible spending accounts. This knowledge will enable you to avoid running afoul of rules that could jeopardize the tax-favored status of your plans. This  more...

Using Social Media in Banking BenefitsSocial media has become a hot topic for bank boards and senior managers as hundreds of millions of consumers have congregated to social networks, blogs, and other social media platforms. The widespread use of social media has resulted in structural changes in commerce, politics, and now, banking. Banks are being forced to adapt to changes created by social media. Specifically, banks must  more...

Purchase Order Fundamentals BenefitsPurchase order fundamentals will be an interactive experience covering the basics of a current procurement office and how purchase order systems are used. The topics covered will give the beginner an understanding of basic purchasing processes and how to avoid common mistakes. The experienced professional and manager will be able to discuss interactively and share their experiences and ask  more...

Tax Implications for Foreign Operations BenefitsForeign operations can present a significant opportunity for a company, but can also raise a number of legal and tax issues. Proper planning in establishing foreign operations, and an understanding of the ongoing disclosure and other requirements they entail is essential to avoiding difficulties down the road. This live audio conference will provide participants an overview of the issues  more...

Tax Implications for Foreign Operations BenefitsForeign operations can present a significant opportunity for a company, but can also raise a number of legal and tax issues. Proper planning in establishing foreign operations, and an understanding of the ongoing disclosure and other requirements they entail is essential to avoiding difficulties down the road. This live audio conference will provide participants an overview of the issues  more...

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: Fundamentals and New Approaches BenefitsThis live audio conference will focus on the uses, benefits, requirements and differences among the various Domestic Asset Protection Trusts ('DAPTs') permitted under state law and the reasons why one state law may be preferred over another. There will also be a discussion of the most recent applications involving trusts for protection and other uses. Examples include the use of a DAPT as  more...

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: Fundamentals and New Approaches BenefitsThis live audio conference will focus on the uses, benefits, requirements and differences among the various Domestic Asset Protection Trusts ('DAPTs') permitted under state law and the reasons why one state law may be preferred over another. There will also be a discussion of the most recent applications involving trusts for protection and other uses. Examples include the use of a DAPT as  more...

Reclaiming Goods in Debt Collection BenefitsGet practice tips for crafting effective reclamation demands under UCC Section 2-702 and learn how to avoid common missteps in the enforcement of UCC security interests. Attend this live audio conference and obtain important information on how Bankruptcy Code affects reclamation rights of creditors. This live audio conference is designed for credit and collection managers, attorneys,  more...

Utilizing Macros in Microsoft Excel BenefitsWhen you find yourself repeating actions in Excel - whether it's a five-step sequence you use when formatting a certain cell type or the 30 steps you use when you sort, filter, and print multiple worksheets once a week, the possibility exists that you can automate these actions in the form of a macro. Thereafter, you can perform these sets of actions with a simple keystroke combination, a  more...

Portal to Portal Act: Determining Hours Worked at the Start and End of the Work Day BenefitsEmployees and their counsel continue to pursue class action claims for off-the-clock work and unpaid overtime wages at a fever pitch. Thousands of wage and hour class actions asserting violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act or parallel state laws are filed each year and the costs of defending these matters and the damages claimed and paid, whether through trial or settlement, are  more...

Portal to Portal Act: Determining Hours Worked at the Start and End of the Work Day BenefitsEmployees and their counsel continue to pursue class action claims for off-the-clock work and unpaid overtime wages at a fever pitch. Thousands of wage and hour class actions asserting violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act or parallel state laws are filed each year and the costs of defending these matters and the damages claimed and paid, whether through trial or settlement, are  more...

Insurance Coverage Disputes and Construction Defects BenefitsThis live audio conference has been prepared by two nationally recognized experts in construction law and insurance coverage. You will gain knowledge and insight based on practical experience of handling both the construction and insurance components of construction defect claims of all sizes, and implicating all types of insurance coverage, both first and third-party. Receive updates on  more...

Insurance Coverage Disputes and Construction Defects BenefitsThis live audio conference has been prepared by two nationally recognized experts in construction law and insurance coverage. You will gain knowledge and insight based on practical experience of handling both the construction and insurance components of construction defect claims of all sizes, and implicating all types of insurance coverage, both first and third-party. Receive updates on  more...

Taxation and Accounting Conflicts of Interest ...Accountants working in various disciplines have been involved in litigation resulting from or exacerbated by a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Failure to identify an actual or potential conflict of interest and to disclose or avoid it can lead to expensive legal fees, loss of a client or employment, a claim against malpractice insurance, bad publicity, or an  more...

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Scope Creep on Construction Projects BenefitsProject success can be measured by delivering the required product on time, on budget and at client's expectation. For many construction projects in today's competitive marketplace, completing on time and on budget is challenging. Scope creep is a term used in the construction industry to define the inevitable tendency of projects to expand beyond their original intent and is often  more...

Workers' Compensation Benefits: Who is Eligible, How are They Calculated, When and How Can They be Settled BenefitsWorkers' compensation benefits are a continuing and significant expense to employers. This live audio conference will address who is eligible for workers' compensation benefits, how these benefits are calculated and what employee benefits may be offset with the payments of workers' compensation, and most important, how to resolve or settle a claim without creating additional liability for  more...

Form 706: Estate Tax Return Fundamentals BenefitsAmericans have been able to accumulate wealth. It is estimated more than $10 trillion in wealth will be transferred over the next 15 years. If a person has been fortunate to amass significant wealth, the government imposes a tax when the person transfers their wealth at death. In 2011, if a person's gross estate plus adjusted taxable gifts equaled or exceeded $5 million in value, Form 706  more...

Economic Development Financing Update Benefits'In the space of two days I had evolved two plans, wholly distinct, both of which were equally feasible. The point I am trying to bring out is that one does not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. One tries to make plans fit the circumstances.' - General George S. Patton, Jr., War as I Knew It, page 116 (1947) Those localities that have not planned for the current  more...

Unrelated Business Income Tax BenefitsThe recent activity in the charitable sector by federal and state regulatory agencies has mandated that professionals take a proactive approach into all aspects of this important and very diverse sector. The tax-exempt community is under a microscope. Problems that a few years ago might have gone unnoticed now get picked up and widely broadcast. Recent IRS compliance initiatives in  more...

XBRL in Transition:From Requiring XBRL to Leveraging XBRL to Improve Data Collection, Analysis, and Business Reporting BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide a comprehensive overview of XBRL technology from the SEC mandate, why XBRL, how XBRL works, potential problems, issues and how to overcome them to why the market will leverage XBRL as a global, open architecture reporting framework for improved business reporting and analysis. Learn what XBRL means, why public companies have adopted it and why those  more...

Service Level Fundamentals: Maximizing Business Value BenefitsService levels provide targeted, effective incentives to cause service providers to achieve their customers' desired business outcomes. However, too often customers discover that those service levels are being achieved with reports showing 'green' while the service itself feels 'red.' In these situations, customers often find that those service levels: measure the wrong aspects of the  more...

Loan Modification Fundamentals BenefitsMortgage loan defaults and foreclosures are at historic levels. New businesses counseling borrowers and dealing with these crises have been created. How we deal with this crisis will have a significant impact on the nation's economy. Borrowers and lenders alike are working to resolve these defaults and foreclosures, attempting to find a balance between allowing consumers to remain in their  more...

Utilizing Formulas in Microsoft Excel BenefitsAnyone using Excel invariably needs to create and understand how to use formulas and functions. For some Excel users, it is the centerpiece of what they do on a daily basis. Many Excel formulas involve simple mathematical constructions using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, but sometimes you need more complex formulas to reach an answer. Excel has more than 300 built-in  more...

Charitable Remainder Trust Fundamentals BenefitsNinety percent of Americans give to charity regularly. If you don't discuss charitable planning with your clients, you are forfeiting potential business to your competitors. Charitable remainder trusts help your clients combine their estate, tax and financial planning with their charitable dreams. This live audio conference will explain how you can implement charitable remainder trusts  more...

Section 199 Deduction for Qualified Construction Activities Income BenefitsAs IRC 199 was billed as a manufacturing incentive, most people associate the IRC 199 domestic production deduction with manufacturing activities. However, the deduction, by its own terms, expressly applies to the construction and real estate development industries. As the phase-in of the deduction became complete in tax years beginning in 2010, construction contractors may be eligible for  more...

Nonprofit Revenue Stream Alternatives: Thinking Outside the Box BenefitsContribution income is flat or slightly down, state and local government funding looks bleak - you have already cut back on expenses and pared staffing to the bone. Now what? This live audio conference will explore ways to re-engineer some of your current revenue streams. You will hear of many 'out of the box' ways to find new revenues for your nonprofit organization. Concrete case  more...

Incoterms 2010 Fundamentals BenefitsIncoterms are global shipping terms to define each party's responsibilities for the movement of goods. This live audio conference is a must-attend event for importers and exporters. We will review the purpose of Incoterms and what has changed since Incoterms 2000. We will cover each Incoterm in detail and its definitions, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each term, so that  more...

Creditors' Proof of Claims and Objection Requirements BenefitsGenerally speaking, a creditor must file a proof of claim with the bankruptcy court prior to the bar date in order to receive a distribution or to vote for or against confirmation of the debtor's plan of reorganization. Unfortunately, the filing of a proof can adversely affect the creditor's ability to defend against claims asserted by the debtor. Additionally, there are a number of  more...

Roles of HOAs in Foreclosures and Short Sales BenefitsThis live audio conference will address relevant legal issues and practical considerations related to the current housing market and increased rate of foreclosures and short sales. Discussion will include perspectives and tactics for protecting community associations' liens and collecting delinquent assessments from owners in foreclosure and short sale transactions. Refresh and garner an  more...

GSA Leasing: Understanding The SFO Process, Negotiating The Lease and Dealing With The Government As The Tenant BenefitsThe federal government is the country's biggest 'tenant' by far, if not in the world. In both strong and not-so-strong economic times, the federal government is always in the market for new or replacement space ranging from state of the art office space to simple warehousing requirements. When the commercial real estate market is in the doldrums, the federal government is always still  more...

Divorce Taxation: Practical Issues BenefitsMost divorce cases have significant tax ramifications to your client. This live audio conference provides the skills to identify them before they create a problem for you and your client at settlement. We will begin with the recent changes to the tax law and provide a key road map in navigating the numerous pitfalls that may appear in your case. Whether it is when your client may qualify  more...

Online Collection Techniques: Do's and Don'ts BenefitsTechnology has changed how we communicate and do business. Debt collectors have the added challenge of trying to contact debtors who may only correspond via email or online portals. Some debtors no longer have a land line phone and only use cell phones, texting, email and instant messages to communicate. How can debt collectors face this challenge while following debt collection laws that  more...

Document Retention: Compliance and Protectionism BenefitsThis live audio conference will cover the importance of a document retention policy starting with the identification of what exists and what should be captured to the different rationales for implementing a retention policy - regulatory compliance to evidence in litigation. There are numerous challenges to an effective policy, which if acknowledged can be worked through. Living with the  more...

Tax Diligence, Representations, Covenants and Indemnifications in Business Acquisitions BenefitsBuyers and sellers of businesses typically are focused on getting the deal done and the relative economic benefits to each. They often fail to consider potential undisclosed tax liabilities resulting from pre-closing operations, and rarely want to hold up negotiations thinking about the 'what ifs.' However, when the 'what ifs' turn into 'what now,' it is important that potential tax risks  more...

User Requirements and Specification Fundamentals BenefitsPoorly written requirements often result in the customer not getting what the customer wanted or needed. In worst case scenarios, the final product doesn't solve the problem or produce anything of value for the customer. The result is money and time wasted. This live audio conference helps those responsible for purchasing products or getting the right thing built generate requirements  more...

Show Me the Money: Determining Return on Investment for People, Projects and Programs Benefits'Show me the money!' is the mantra of the day. Senior leaders in private sector, public sector, and social sector organizations want to see value for investments made in people, projects and programs. This value, more than ever before, is defined in terms of return on investment. Until you can produce solid, verifiable numbers that prove the worth of investments, you may never gain the  more...

Exit Strategies for Section 42 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Properties BenefitsThe affordable housing tax credit program was created in 1986 to encourage the private sector to develop and own affordable rental properties throughout the United States. Tax credit properties completing their initial 15-year tax credit compliance periods face several business, legal, tax and accounting issues that must be addressed before a property can be successfully repositioned.  more...

Are You Prepared for the Financial Institution Record Match Program? BenefitsThe State of California enacted legislation (California Revenue Tax Code 19266) that will impact virtually every bank, credit union, thrift and brokerage firm doing business in California. This new program will place a new burden on financial institutions in order to help the state collect delinquent taxes. Financial institutions should start consideration of the FIRM Agreement and how  more...

Accounts Receivable and Collection Management with QuickBooks by Lorman Education Services BenefitsCash flow is truly the livelihood of any business. It is important that you use the tools and tips available in QuickBooks to get your business's cash flowing quickly. This live audio conference will help you to learn how to optimize your cash flow by properly utilizing QuickBooks for the customer cycle, setting preferences, using reports and tools, and preparing customer and collection  more...

Enhanced Foreign Asset Reporting Rules for 2011: An Update on FBAR and FATCA Requirements BenefitsFor the past three years, much attention has been focused on offshore bank accounts and the obligation of U.S. taxpayers to report such accounts on the much-heralded Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts or 'FBAR' form. The FBAR rules require taxpayers to annually report whether they have a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, foreign bank accounts, and  more...

Basic Principles of Construction Insurance BenefitsThis live audio conference will offer an overview of basic insurance coverage used for construction projects. The presenter is an experienced construction and insurance coverage attorney who will discuss how to secure appropriate insurance coverage at a project's inception and what to do when claims arise during construction or after project completion. Builder's risk, CGL and other common  more...

Battle of the Forms and Managing the Contracting Process BenefitsEffective contracting practices are critical to ensuring that contracts are made on acceptable terms. Ineffective practices can lead to a failure to achieve required terms or worse, a contract on terms that are contrary to one's objectives. Our fast-paced world increases the pressure as it is very easy for conflicting terms to be exchanged electronically without a complete meeting of the  more...

Prepaid Cards: An Alternative to Traditional Checking Accounts? BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide banking and other financial services companies with essential information to evaluate prepaid card/access products that will best complement their current business models and risk tolerance. The program will explore the advantages and disadvantages of this rapidly evolving financial product line. It will provide organization with solid guidance on  more...

Multistate Taxation: Income Franchise Tax BenefitsWhile many businesses focus their tax strategies on mitigating the federal income tax, many businesses are becoming aware of increased enforcement of state tax laws, especially on interstate businesses. Rather than concentrating on the intricacies of a single tax in a single jurisdiction, this live audio conference will explore trends in state taxation of interstate businesses, with  more...

Excel Power Tips and Shortcuts BenefitsNeed an Excel productivity boost? You can now learn simple tricks and many shortcuts that will make you instantly more proficient using Excel ! Most Excel users are underutilizing this software. Start using the full power of Excel , and learn cool Excel tips and tricks that will make you the 'go-to' person in your office! Master more than 100 tips to make you a Power User! This live audio  more...

Commercial Lease Negotiations and Due Diligence BenefitsIn this informative live audio conference, our speaker will take the key lease provisions and go back to the basics with respect to commercial leases. This live audio conference is ideal for beginners and experts alike, since each provision will start at the simplest level and go to the most sophisticated level. You will learn about the critical due diligence issues and developments that  more...

SAS 117: Compliance Audits BenefitsSAS 117, issued in December 2009, establishes standards and clarifies the auditor's responsibility in auditing and reporting on an entity's compliance with applicable governmental auditing standards. Attend this live audio conference to gain an overall understanding of the requirements of AU Section 801 and learn new auditor and management performance and reporting requirements. Learn  more...

Fair Labor Standards Act: Coverage and Compliance Issues BenefitsA major challenge is ensuring compliance with wage and hour laws. Those laws are extensive and complex, and claims against employers in virtually every industry are on the rise. In particular, employers often misunderstand the exemptions to overtime requirements and fail to properly classify their employees, resulting in potential back pay claims. Even where employees have been properly  more...

Key Elements and Legal Lessons Surrounding Donor Intent BenefitsA charitable gift given for a specific purpose generally can be used only for that purpose. But, under certain circumstances, a charity may be permitted to release or modify restrictions imposed on a gift. Understanding when and how such restrictions may be modified - and when donors may have standing to enforce the terms of their gift - is crucial both to charitable organizations and to  more...

Understanding Your Summary Plan Descriptions BenefitsEmployers who sponsor ERISA-covered health and welfare plans are required to communicate the terms of the plan to participants in a summary plan description. The SPD is an important disclosure document that describes, in understandable terms, the rights, benefits and responsibilities of participants and beneficiaries in ERISA-covered health and welfare benefit plans. The SPD must include  more...

Guidance on Lobbying and Political Campaign Activities of 501(c)(3) Organizations Benefits501(c)(3) organizations are subject to very specific rules - and very harsh penalties - with respect to both lobbying and political activity. Lobbying is permitted, but only in specific circumstances. Political activity is never permitted. This live audio conference will explain, in plain-English, how to avoid the pitfalls and how to take advantage of the opportunities available to  more...

Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: Using Tax Incentives to Develop and Invest in Historic Properties BenefitsThe federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) has grown into a key financing tool for economic development, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization. Combined in many areas with available state historic rehabilitation tax credits, HTCs have been used to rehabilitate historic city centers, theatres, warehouses and other historic buildings across the country. This live  more...

Tax Benefits and Considerations for Contributions of Inventory and Other Assets by Business Entities BenefitsMany business entities and individuals wish to support the mission and programs of important charitable organizations with gifts of inventory and other assets. This live audio conference will review the unique considerations and rules governing the tax benefits for gifts of inventory and other assets. Applicable IRS publications and forms will be shared and explained. This live audio  more...

Non-Resident Employee Withholding BenefitsWhen having employees working in multiple states it can be difficult to know what to consider to make sure that the correct state taxes are being withheld and the correct taxable earnings are being taxed in the correct states. This live audio conference will give you the tools to determine what taxes are applicable for your employees based on residency, state and reciprocity agreements. We  more...

Key Aspects of Mezzanine Financing BenefitsMezzanine loans will play an increasingly important role in meeting the financing needs of companies in the coming years. With the tightening of leverage multiples for senior debt, a growing number of companies and equity sponsors are turning to mezzanine debt as a solution to their capitalization requirements. This live audio conference will provide you with an in-depth understanding of  more...

Document Retention and Destruction Policies for Financial Institutions BenefitsFinancial institutions too often rely on recommended document retention guidelines without understanding the risks of inconsistent or antiquated practices. While Sarbanes-Oxley has clarified the responsibilities of certain financial institutions, Sarbanes-Oxley is only a portion of the document universe. This live audio conference will help you navigate the complex universe of document  more...

How to Detect Fraud BenefitsA typical organization loses an estimated five percent of its annual revenue due to fraud. If you apply that estimate to the 2009 Gross World Product, this fraud equates to more than $2.9 trillion dollars lost each year to fraud. This live audio conference will educate listeners to the different varieties of occupational fraud and relevant statistics. We will provide a foundation to the  more...

Fundamentals of Section 382 BenefitsOne of the most important assets of a development stage company can be its federal income tax loss carry-forward (NOL). Protecting its value to offset future federal income tax income, however, can be challenging as there are a number of tax rules designed to limit the availability of the NOLs. In particular, Section 382 limits a corporation's ability to offset taxable income with its NOLs  more...

Control Costs and Increase Efficiency With P&C Claims Predictive Models BenefitsNearly every P C insurance company has a latent 6 to 8 loss ratio point improvement available to them through better claims handling with predictive models. Up until recently, insurance companies have focused the vast majority of their analytics horsepower on the front end of the insurance equation - underwriting predictive models. However, with the soft market continuing to adversely  more...

Withholding of Taxes on Payments to Foreign Persons and Entities BenefitsIn an increasingly global society, many U.S. payors of items of income are unknowingly subject to withholding tax obligations for payments to foreign individuals and entities. Understanding the rules for withholding on these payments can reduce liability to the IRS. After attending this live audio conference, you will be able to identify when income is subject to withholding, evaluate the  more...

Tax and Estate Planning for Clients Relocating to Florida BenefitsThis live audio conference will highlight the legal and tax impact of a client relocating to Florida. Certainly the appeal of Florida's great weather can be too much to resist for some, but the move has consequences. Tax laws in Florida are generally much more favorable than the laws of the state the client is departing. Similarly, the laws impacting asset protection planning are generally  more...

Why Everything You Know About Roth Conversions May Be Wrong BenefitsLearn to capture your share of the multi trillion dollar IRA rollover marketplace. Most advisors have been ambivalent at best about the Roth conversion. This live audio conference will give you clarity so that you can recommend specific, accurate advice to your prospects and clients. This live audio conference is designed for accountants, presidents, vice presidents, controllers, CFOs,  more...

Hot Topics in Native American Financing 2011 BenefitsHear the latest legal news and developments on the following topics: 1) principal practice guidelines to ensure your financing documents are enforceable and compliant with federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; 2) the National Indian Gaming Commission 'declination letter' review process - how long does it take, what to include in your submission, and what does receiving a  more...

Documentation and Proof of Construction Delay BenefitsTime truly is money, especially in construction. Consequently, being able to determine and document delay is a crucial skill. This live audio conference will focus on the key terms, important contract provisions and the most successful approaches to the determination of delay. It will include a discussion of the importance of the critical path, the importance of the contemporaneous  more...

Understanding the Basics of Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Terminology BenefitsThe current economic environment makes bankruptcy a particularly timely and relevant topic. Whether you are forced to deal with bankruptcy issues as a debtor, secured or unsecured creditor, lessor or lessee, or investor looking for distressed-asset opportunities, this live audio conference will give you a road map to understand the bankruptcy process. This live audio conference is  more...

Pricing and Cost Analysis in Purchasing BenefitsOne of the most important and complex decisions a business or organization has to make is how much to pay for its items or services. The buying professional should be able to easily detect prices that are too high. Thus pricing decisions must be given careful consideration when buying industrial products and services. The price of a product or service should be expected to cover cost of  more...

Special Needs Trusts: What, Why and How BenefitsA thorough knowledge of planning for disabled individuals is important for providing full service to a practitioner's clients and avoiding serious malpractice liability. Unfortunately, the government benefit programs involved and the options available for obtaining and preserving such benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid, are highly complex. Furthermore, the  more...

IRS Guidelines for Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations BenefitsGiven continued congressional scrutiny of whether tax-exemption is a worthy federal subsidy for any type of tax-exempt organization, proper governance and accountability to the local community are key factors that may distinguish the tax-exempt sector from the taxable sector. The Internal Revenue Service, the press and others have linked the need for good governance to the quest for  more...

Powers of Attorney: Estate Planning Opportunities and Pitfalls BenefitsPowers of attorney are often given insufficient attention by the practitioner and mistakes in their drafting and implementation can lead to disastrous consequences for the client and the draftsman. This live audio conference will present an in depth analysis of the effective use of powers of attorney in the client's estate plan and consider practical problems and solutions in their use.  more...

Understanding the Durbin Amendment's Impacts and Implications BenefitsThe Durbin Amendment was game-changing legislation for the debit card industry. Certain Durbin Amendment impacts have been immediate but the industry will continue to evolve for some time in response to the longer-term implications of these new requirements. Attendees at this live audio conference will engage with the speaker on an overview of the various provisions of the Durbin  more...

International Tax Forms and Reporting Requirements BenefitsTo compete in today's economic environment, U.S. businesses - large and small - must be able to compete globally. As the growth of U.S. businesses conducting business abroad increases at an exponential rate, many tax professionals must complete a number of IRS forms that have not been previously encountered. This live audio conference will deal with those IRS forms that tax professionals  more...

Email Collections: Do's and Don'ts BenefitsTechnology has changed how we communicate and do business. Businesses and collectors have the added challenge of trying to contact customers or debtors who may only use cell phones, have given up their landline phones, and use email, instant messages, social media websites and text messages as their primary form of communications. In this live audio conference, you will learn how you can  more...

When Words Get In The Way: FDCPA Claims Based On Collection Letters BenefitsThe defects in collection letters form the primary basis of claims against debt collectors. This live audio conference will provide an overview of the typical claims that are brought against debt collectors pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the best defenses against such claims, a discussion of recent cases involving claims emerging from the language and format used in  more...

Structuring and Drafting Conservation Easements BenefitsCreating a conservation easement can be complicated and the failure to consider the effects of possible pitfalls can be devastating. This live audio conference will provide you with the legalities of creating a conservation easement and establish what the priorities are when it comes to structuring and drafting them. You will gain an appreciation for the complexities of crafting a form of  more...

Taxation and Accounting Issues With Debt Restructuring, Modifications and Bankruptcies BenefitsThe recent market climate has created opportunities for investors or debtors themselves to acquire outstanding debt at remarkable discounts. Unfortunately, it also has left many companies struggling and in need to modify their outstanding debt. Many large, well known companies have dissolved or declared bankruptcy. Debt modifications, repurchases and bankruptcy can have a profound tax  more...

Getting Burned by Boilerplate: The Pitfalls of Using Outdated Standard Real Estate Contract Provisions BenefitsProblems can arise when boilerplate contract provisions are not modified over time to account for evolutions in applicable law that have occurred since the provisions were first conceived. This live audio conference explores some of those problems and offers practical advice on ways to improve provisions on arbitration, integration, attorneys' fees, choice of law, oral modifications,  more...

Current Issues in Joint Venture Taxation BenefitsUpon completing this live audio conference you will have learned the tax considerations when creating, operating and terminating joint ventures, including special tax issues in a real estate joint venture or when a joint venturer is a tax exempt organization. This live audio conference will cover key income tax issues covering the life of a joint venture including: What are the tax  more...

Compliance With the PCI/CISP Credit Card Security Standards BenefitsThe Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard has driven compliance and security spending up, while giving long-time security professionals a stick to push the organization into thinking more strategically about data security. While the standard updates every two years, it is still a baseline by which we should far exceed, not the ceiling by which we judge our information security  more...

Securitized Loan Fundamentals BenefitsReal estate loans that a loan originator intends to securitize are documented with the underwriting requirements of CMBS underwriters, rating agencies and buyers in mind. Consequently, their structure, documentation, closing and administrative requirements are less subject to negotiation than other types of real estate loan products. This live audio conference will help you understand  more...

Tax Consequences of Gifts, Prizes, Fringe Benefits, Business Expenses, and Other Payments To Employees BenefitsPaying employees is not just about wages. Today there are a myriad number of taxable and nontaxable benefits, such as gift cards, moving expenses, educational expenses, meals and travel expenses, that employers provide as part of employee's total compensation. Particularly in difficult economic times, employers are looking to provide such benefits to employees with the least cost, both to  more...

Construction Payment Bond Fundamentals BenefitsIn a tight economy, more situations arise where someone in the line of project contracts, from the prime contractor down to a second- or lower-tier subcontractor, fails to pay its bills - or even goes out of business. Those who are unpaid must seek alternative means to ensure payment. And those who are higher on the project chain must take steps to assure the flow of funds all the way  more...

Handling Your Post-Judgment Files BenefitsObtaining a judgment may seem easier than keeping it, effectively enforcing it and collecting your money. The effective use of judgments and developing a strategy toward effective enforcement can be confusing. In this live audio conference, you will learn how to assure that your judgment is effective and can be enforced in and out of the jurisdiction where the judgment was entered. You  more...

Effective Collections: A Proactive Approach to Credit Management BenefitsMore than 10,000 businesses have slow or nonpaying customers. How can you collect that money efficiently and quickly, and keep that money coming in? The credit crisis, high fuel costs, job losses, bankruptcies, foreclosures and the failing economy are all contributing to factories closing, job loss and business owners going out of business because they can't get paid. Learn how to take  more...

The Carryover Basis Election for 2010 Decedents Benefits2010 was the most complex year in the history of the estate tax to administer an estate. The 2001 Tax Act, EGTRRA enacted IRC Section 2210, which made the estate tax inapplicable to 2010 estates, and the GST tax inapplicable to generation-skipping transfers made in 2010. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the '2010 Act') Section 301(c)  more...

Rules and Responsibilities Regarding Abandoned Wages BenefitsThis live audio conference will examine the rules and responsibilities regarding abandoned wages. If your payroll department is not handling unclaimed wages properly, you could be placing your company at risk for huge audit assessments, significant interest accumulations, and civil and criminal penalties. If your company issues any type of employment checks whether it be wages, bonuses,  more...

But It's Only Our Opinion:The Legal Opinion In Commercial Transactions BenefitsA client is about to borrow $10,000,000 for acquisition of a new project and a copy of the bank's loan commitment and its 'standard form' of borrower's counsel legal opinion letter have just been received. Even for those who have dealt with such third-party legal opinions in the past, it's important to make sure everyone understands the applicable standards and the diligence expectations  more...

IRS Form 1099 Reporting Update BenefitsAs another year passes in the world of 1099 reporting, we have become accustomed to educating ourselves as to the complicated revisions of the 1099 rules. After having prepared to comply with the original text of law thrust upon us by Congress last year, we subsequently became witness to several repeals of the burdensome provisions. There will be continual uncertainty as to what revisions  more...

All You Need to Know About the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act but Didn't Know to Ask BenefitsAs the economy falters and the credit crisis continues help keep your business out of a lawsuit by better understanding and learning more about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, who is affected, what debts are covered, who enforces it and how you can collect more money while following the law. Failing to properly train collectors is a top reason companies get sued. Don't let this  more...

The Open Enrollment Challenge: Strategies for Success BenefitsIs your benefits information often greeted by a yawn? Are you viewed as the enemy because you tell your employees how much more they have to pay for benefits every year? And why does the good news always get lost in the mix? Sometimes, it's not so much what you say as how you say it - and how often. Communications should never be an afterthought. Make sure employees appreciate all your  more...

Utilizing Microsoft Word(TM) Features and Functions BenefitsEnjoy the time-saving benefit of learning shortcuts and 'must know' automation features. While you may have used Word for years, completing documents using basic features, the more in-depth features will add a new level of capability to current skill sets. Participants transitioning to version 2010 will regain their bearings on the new locations of Word commands. So many features and so  more...

Bankruptcy Section 363: Purchasing Distressed Assets BenefitsCurrent and expected future economic conditions portend an increase in the sale of distressed assets out of bankruptcy due to the increase in financially distressed and overleveraged companies. Lower valuations for both public and private companies, the limited access to growth capital for potential sellers and the build up over the last couple of years of 'dry powder' at investment funds  more...

Tips for Calculating a Regular Rate of Pay For Your Employees BenefitsWage and hour claims against employers have exploded in the last five years. One target is the rate of pay an employer pays to its nonexempt employees, and how that rate affects overtime payments. Most covered employers understand that they must pay overtime compensation at the rate of 'time and a half' to nonexempt employees. But time and a half of what? Under the FLSA and most state  more...

Construction Project Accounting BenefitsThe euphoria of being awarded a contract often overshadows the real work behind the scenes required to make the project successful. Join us for a 'tour of the bases' as we use a baseball analogy for construction project accounting. Learn to identify up-front issues and procedures needed to have a successful bid, assure yourself you are prepared once you get 'up to bat' by pinpointing the  more...

Understand and Interpret Financial Statements BenefitsFinancial statements can be thought of as a report card for any business. They provide both a historical and current perspective on the health of an organization, as well as offer indications of future performance. They offer management, creditors, prospective investors and various other users a means to judge the financial performance of an organization. The speaker will discuss the  more...

Use of Terms and Conditions in Purchase Agreements BenefitsThis live audio conference will discuss various provisions commonly found in the terms and conditions of agreements for the purchase and sale of goods. How many times do you get boilerplate agreements without truly reading the small print? When is small print even acceptable? What do these terms and conditions mean? How do I go about negotiating the terms? Do they really matter? This audio  more...

Workers' Compensation Issues for the Construction Industry BenefitsThis program will cover a variety of workers' compensation topics that includes several cost-savings ideas often overlooked by employers and insurance agents. This live audio conference includes a detailed discussion on experience modification factors (EMRs) and provides a simple explanation to both understand them, spot simple and the most frequent errors in their calculation, as well as  more...

Preventing and Recognizing Financial Elder Abuse BenefitsFinancial crimes against the elderly are generally considered to fall into two categories: fraud committed by strangers, and financial exploitation by relatives and caregivers. These categories are not discreet, and sometimes overlap. A clever stranger can often become a trusted caregiver. Although financial exploitation of the elderly has long been recognized as a 'national disgrace,'  more...

Proactive Fraud Prevention Measures BenefitsThis live audio conference will discuss the basic fraud components to include the elements of the 'fraud triangle' - opportunity, financial pressures/incentives and rationalization. We will also review the warning signs of fraud and proactive fraud measures to include the importance of internal controls to aid in fraud deterrence. This live audio conference is designed for CFOs,  more...

Commercial Ground Leases: A Conceptual Framework BenefitsProblem - We are all aware of the difficulties of today's real estate marketplace: a surfeit of properties on the market, depressed prices, fewer buyers and limited financing. One strategy property owners are pursuing to get properties back into use is ground leasing. It enables users to get onto a property without the capital outlay of a purchase, and it creates cash flow for the owner.  more...

IPPS Final Rule BenefitsThe Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) was implemented in 1983 replacing a cost-based reimbursement methodology in an effort to better control the costs of providing care to the Medicare inpatient and to incentivize hospitals to better manage utilization. As time has passed CMS has modified the program to better recognize severity of illness AND to reduce payments to hospitals for  more...

Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives for Residential Builders and Commercial Building Owners BenefitsThere are a number of energy incentives available for builders and owners of residential and commercial real estate. These federal tax incentives are available for projects ranging from relatively simple building upgrades to the implementation of new electrical systems. The types of tax incentives available to taxpayers include tax deductions, tax credits, and payments of cash grants in  more...

Legal Implications of Doing Business on the Internet BenefitsThe Internet is the modern day Wild Wild West. Digital pirates, copyright trolls, cybersquatters, website hijackers, hackers, and scammers are only a few of the nasty breed of outlaws that prowl the Internet. Online threats from unscrupulous competitors, Internet activists, and disenchanted employees may be even more damaging to a business. Legal claims such as false advertising, unfair  more...

Waiver of Subrogation Clauses and Provisions in Construction Contracts BenefitsThis live audio conference will aid in understanding which parties to a contract have truly minimized the risk of lawsuits and claims that could arise among the parties. It will address if the intended risk allocation sought by the waiver of subrogation clause has been achieved. Further, this live audio conference seeks to educate participants in a better understanding of other key  more...

The Trickle Down Effect of Health Care Reform: A Potpourri of Payroll, Benefits, Income Taxes, and Other Changes BenefitsThe phased in requirements of health care reform require that you continually monitor the landscape to spend your benefit dollars effectively, while remaining compliant. This is an opportunity for employers to reassess their decisions and consider the future impact of this legislation. Attend this live audio conference and stay current on your compliance obligations, planning  more...

GASB 45 Strategies BenefitsThis live audio conference is critical for any governmental employer with other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities. The program will provide vital information and planning techniques that will enable employers to avoid the potentially disastrous consequences of failing to identify, control and fund its OPEB liabilities. Most states, municipalities and governmental agencies are  more...

Municipal Finance Fundamentals BenefitsThe global economy has endured tremendous stress and fluctuation during the past three years. Investors are seeking investments that will provide them with a favorable rate of return and yet afford them a higher degree of security. Increasingly, investors are looking to the United States tax-exempt municipal market to obtain those two objectives. As a result, the volume of the municipal  more...

Giving and Receiving Employment References: Successfully Negotiating the Maze BenefitsMany employers still do not put the necessary amount of thought into requests for references - whether they are on the requesting or responding end. Responding to such requests can be fraught with potential pitfalls and could expose an employer to legal liability from both ends (i.e., from the current/former employee and from the requesting entity). On the other hand, given these issues,  more...

Commercial Real Estate Financing: Current Trends & Opportunities BenefitsGet an in-depth look at the current trends and emerging opportunities in today's ever-changing real estate finance market. Experienced experts will discuss the current trends in the workout negotiations of troubled assets including bank loans and CMBS (conduit) loans including who the key players are and what possible outcomes exist from negotiations. Borrowers will learn how others are  more...

Closing Budget Gaps With Asset Sales BenefitsThe lingering Great Recession and slow recovery have diminished the growth of state and local government revenues while expenses continue their increase causing structural budget gaps. A new source of revenue is the sale or conversion of government assets into revenues. These revenues may be one-time proceeds of asset sales, leases and franchise fees, redevelopment of existing buildings,  more...

Commercial Tenant Notifications: Priorities and Pitfalls BenefitsTenant notifications are a necessary aspect of all commercial leases and are being increasingly scrutinized by courts and legislative assemblies across the country. Indeed, a failure to correctly notify a tenant can jeopardize the landlord's right to collect amounts due and owing under the lease, prolong the right to evict a defaulting tenant and even expose an innocent landlord to civil  more...

How to Handle Travel Pay Legally BenefitsMany companies do not understand how to compensate an employee properly for time spent traveling to destinations other than a regular work site. Many companies send employees to conferences and other work sites using commercial travel and personal vehicles. This live audio conference will enable you to understand how and when to compensate an employee for travel time away from a work site.  more...

Legal Issues Surrounding the Utilization and Maintenance of Computerized Medical Records BenefitsWith the federal government's prioritization of health information technology and evidence that electronic health record systems can reduce medical errors and lead to more efficient delivery of care, many hospitals and providers are beginning to implement EHRs in their facilities and practices. Despite federal regulations that permit certain donations of EHR technology, the implementation  more...

Common Pitfalls of Certificates of Insurance Benefits'Trust me, we're covered. We have general liability insurance.' This statement is also often followed by an all too common explanation, 'My company employees are listed as additional insured so we are covered.' Certificates of insurance are meant to evidence insurance coverage for landlords and tenants, secured transactions, and other property, casualty and liability exposures companies  more...

SSARS 19: Compilation and Review Standards Update BenefitsStatements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services No. 19 is effective for all periods ending after December 15, 2010. This statement is the most comprehensive rewrite of the standards for compilations and reviews since the original SSARS No. 1 issued in 1978. All CPAs performing compilation and review services will have to comply with these new engagement standards for year-end  more...

Understanding UCC Article 9 Foreclosures BenefitsCurrent market conditions pose an alarming rate of defaults on commercial loans not seen in years. With defaults commonplace and secured creditors facing challenges in protecting their interests, foreclosing on assets under UCC Article 9 may be the right option. If appropriate, a public auction, private sale or friendly foreclosure under Article 9 may provide a quick and relatively  more...

Sales and Use Tax Determination Headaches BenefitsSales and use tax professionals are faced with the legal and practical challenges of learning as many as 50 different state sales and use tax laws and regulations. No one could possibly learn all of the different state requirements and yet our jobs demand it! The purpose of this audio conference is to reveal the secrets to working in a multistate environment. You will learn about the four  more...

IRS Form 5471: Information Return for U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations BenefitsAs more U.S. companies view global markets as a necessity to survive and to grow, more U.S. companies own foreign subsidiaries to conduct foreign operations. Whether you are a growing multinational company with subsidiaries all over the globe, or a small, closely-held company that owns a Canadian subsidiary, you will have to file IRS Form 5471 for every foreign corporation that you own.  more...

Due Diligence Considerations for Participation Loans BenefitsAn increasing number of commercial loans are syndicated or participated, and an increasing number of lenders sell interests in loans they originate or acquire interests in loans originated by other lenders. This audio conference will explore loan assignment and participation transactions from the perspective of the originating lender and the assignee or participant. You will learn about  more...

Do's and Don'ts for Internal Investigations of Employment Issues BenefitsAny prudent employer will want to investigate and, if necessary, remedy reported discrimination or harassment. In some states, a prompt investigation is legally required. This audio conference will provide you with valuable and practical advice on planning and conducting internal investigations, and assessing how to respond once the investigation is completed. This audio conference is  more...

IRA and Qualified Plan Distributions BenefitsThis audio conference is specially designed for those who advise their clients on IRA and qualified plan distributions. It will focus on the required minimum distribution rules and how an IRA payable to a trust may still qualify as a designated beneficiary. This program can help you spot and avoid some of the common mistakes taxpayers make with their IRAs and inherited IRAs. This audio  more...

De-Mystifying The Excel(R) Real Estate Pro-Forma BenefitsWith an installed user base in the hundreds of millions worldwide, Microsoft Excel is the primary tool of choice for spreadsheet-based analysis. This is the case in real estate development and investment, yet many practitioners are still not very familiar with how projection models are built or work. This audio conference breaks down the real estate pro-forma into its essential components,  more...

GASB 51: Accounting Standards for Intangible Assets BenefitsGovernments possess many different types of assets that may be considered intangible assets, including easements, water or air rights, timber rights, patents, trademarks, and computer software. The implementation of GASB 34 created questions as to whether and when intangible assets should be considered capital assets for financial reporting purposes. An absence of sufficiently specific  more...

Partnerships and Section 704(c) BenefitsMany tax professionals and investors in partnerships, LLCs and other entities treated as partnerships struggle with the concepts and the operating rules that apply to Section 704(c). These rules potentially apply whenever property is contributed to such an entity or are distributed from such an entity. The regulations under Section 704(c) provide a very flexible but very complicated set of  more...

Status Classification: Exempt vs. Nonexempt BenefitsEmployees and their counsel continue to pursue individual and class action overtime claims based on the alleged misclassification of exempt workers at a fever pitch. Thousands of lawsuits asserting violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act or parallel state laws are filed each year, and the costs of defending these matters and the damages claimed and paid, whether through trial or  more...

Statement of Work Contract Fundamentals BenefitsA good statement of work is the only thing between you and failure, whether it's a project, contract, grant application or proposal. Success is in the details of the SOW. Without it, you can't compete or communicate. Those who have managed contracted work know that poorly written SOWs can lead to communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, disputes, rework, delayed completion and added  more...

Construction Lien and Bond Claims in Texas BenefitsAnalyzing construction payment disputes in Texas can be a complex process. Learn strategies for tackling lien and bond issues for private and public projects. Owners will learn how to protect property from unperfected liens - and what steps to take if they do arise. Contractors, subcontractors and suppliers will learn how to efficiently collect payment for work performed or materials  more...

Current Issues in Sales and Use Tax Reserves BenefitsSales and use tax reserve practices remain a real concern for corporate tax departments. This uncertainty is heightened by proposed changes to ASC 450 (fka FAS 5) which could require enhanced disclosure of certain loss contingencies, including sales and use tax reserves. When evaluating whether a loss contingency may exist in today's business and regulatory environment, all aspects of  more...

Dealing With Employees Who Have Been Charged With a Crime BenefitsOne of the most perplexing problems that can confront an employer arises after the employer discovers that one of its employees has been arrested and charged with a crime. Under our legal system, the familiar mantra is that an arrested person is innocent until proven guilty. So, what can you do to address situations where an employee has been arrested, or has been charged, or incarcerated  more...

Foreclosure and Workout of Commercial Mortgage Loans in New York BenefitsWhile legal business is down in some areas, one practice area which is booming is New York's foreclosure and workout of commercial mortgage loans. New York foreclosures are becoming more complex and hard fought. From the massive foreclosure of Stuyvesant Town, to the highly-publicized foreclosure of One Madison Park, to the complex foreclosure of the Manhattan property where a crane fell,  more...

Utilizing Graphs and Charts in Microsoft Excel BenefitsAny Excel user who needs quick methods to show numerical information in a visual way needs to know the basics of chart creation, how (and why) to use different chart types, and how to alter the look of a chart with layout, color and content changes. Depicting data in a chart may reveal a trend that was not so obvious in the numerical data, which often can be dry and boring. That elusive  more...

Collateral Valuation in the New Economy BenefitsThe turbulent economy of the past several years has materially impacted asset values, and the complexity of investment vehicles has made asset valuation, at best, problematic. Investors must plot an optimal course with their existing holdings. Additionally, future investments require an entirely different valuation approach than is possible under traditional models. Only the architects of  more...

Upgrading to Microsoft Office 2010: What's New and Improved? BenefitsOffice 2010 has many new and improved features which can mean a longer learning curve for users upgrading from older versions. New Microsoft Office users may be overwhelmed by the number of features and options available and never take full advantage of the potential it offers for managing email, PowerPoint , Access , SharePoint workspace and Excel . Join us to learn the new and improved  more...

How Letters of Credit Work and Why Sometimes They Don't BenefitsThis audio conference will walk you through the steps in the life of a letter of credit, identifying pitfalls along the way. The program will review and illustrate fundamental principles using real-life examples. Our presenter will explain how these principles apply to both commercial and standby letters of credit, and how these two types differ. You will learn why letters of credit might  more...

Funding Trusts in Estate Planning BenefitsIt is all too common for clients who go through the time and expense of creating a revocable trust to not properly fund the trust. Failing to fund a revocable trust will often defeat the very purpose for creating such a trust, i.e., avoiding probate and the public disclosure of assets. This audio conference will provide an overview of the mechanics of contributing property to revocable  more...

Keys to Understanding and Writing Purchasing Contracts BenefitsProfessional purchasers demonstrate their level of professionalism by their degree of sophistication in writing their own contracts. Many purchasers relinquish their responsibility for writing contracts and leave it up to their legal staff to accomplish this critical skill. A few purchasers develop their knowledge, skills and ability writing contracts, and thus distinguish themselves  more...

Hot Topics in Retail Leasing BenefitsThe more aggressive regulation of retail tenants at a time of 'great economic pressure' on retail sales is very dangerous and expensive. The retail and mall business plan is under attack and the retail complex owners are consolidating and stripping retail profits via lease regulation, hidden charges and profit centers for what were 'pass through services'. Many retail tenants are unable to  more...

Construction Substitutions: Current Issues and Complexities BenefitsSubstitution requests on construction projects have been around since the first contractor had to competitively bid for the work. In today's market, winning a contract for the provision of construction products has become even more competitive. This audio conference will help you understand the steps in the process and what the important considerations are in reviewing a substitution  more...

Commercial Site Development: A Case Study BenefitsThis audio conference presents an overview of commercial site development from both a new and renovation approach. It will address issues of site assessment, budget, jurisdictional research and other aspects for development. You will receive a step-by-step guide and checklist for commercial site development for both new and existing projects. This audio conference will assist in  more...

Google Analytics for Accountants: How To Measure Online Marketing and Website Performance BenefitsAre you really getting the most out of Google Analytics? Are you leveraging Google Analytics to its fullest potential? This audio conference will teach you about some of the critical features you can use to better understand the performance of your website and marketing initiatives, and the needs of your visitors. We'll begin with a review of some basic configuration settings you should  more...

Grant Management for Grant Recipients BenefitsJoin Edward T. Waters, Esq., an attorney with nationally recognized expertise in federal grants law, to review the essential elements of federal grants and subgrants from a legal perspective. Learn about the fundamentals of grant administration followed by a discussion of urban myths - that is, commonly misunderstood provisions of federal grants - and sharks in the waters, high-risk areas  more...

New Disclosures Required on the Credit Quality of Finance Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses under FASB ASU 2010-2 BenefitsOn July 21, 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20 to require companies to provide significant new disaggregated disclosures about the credit quality of their financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. This audio conference provides an overview of ASU 2010-20 and discusses the new disclosure requirements under this pronouncement. This ASU is not limited to financial  more...

Owner Construction Risk: How a Controlled Insurance Program Can Protect Your Assets BenefitsOwners and contractors have been subject to increased litigation arising from risks created by construction operations. However, due to changes in the insurance market, contractors are increasingly challenged to secure insurance coverage to meet owner insurance requirements. As a result, many owners have turned to incepting an owner-controlled insurance program or relying on a  more...

Post-Mortem Tax Planning BenefitsWhile death and taxes are both inevitable, taxes do not end with death. The Federal Estate Tax, the Gift Tax and the Income Tax all have bearing on what happens post-death. Further, there are state rules that also are applicable post-death to estate planning documents. There are numerous questions that have to be addressed and answered. This audio conference will cover many of the  more...

Economic Nexus Standards in State Taxation BenefitsA state's ability to impose taxes on a multistate business is limited by nexus standards rooted in the U.S. Constitution. In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed its longstanding rule and held in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota that nexus requires some form of physical presence in the taxing state. In today's economy, however, states are continuing to push nexus limits farther than ever  more...

SBA Loan Guarantees: Current Purchase Issues and Complexities BenefitsIn the current economy, many lenders are looking to the credit enhancement offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration's government guaranteed lending programs to keep capital flowing to America's small businesses. While the many benefits of the programs may be appealing to lenders an understanding of the guaranty purchase process and the pitfalls which lenders fall victim to,  more...

Avoiding Legal Pitfalls on Construction Projects: The Three Ds (Dollars, Delay and Defects) BenefitsConstruction projects are notoriously fecund areas for legal disputes, most of which can be categorized according to the Three Ds: dollars, delay and defects. Is it inevitable that all construction projects will at some point be labeled troubled, or is it possible to avoid the chronic and recurring bugbears? This audio conference will help you anticipate and maybe even avoid the classic  more...

Using Social Media in Collections BenefitsTechnology has changed how we all communicate and do business. Business owners and collectors have the added challenge of trying to contact debtors who may only have a cell phone and no landline, and use email, text messages or instant messages to communicate. How can you face this challenge while following the laws, following your ethics and without breaking any debt collection laws? In  more...

Commercial Landlord Tenant Law in California BenefitsToday's leasing environment in California is extremely challenging. Unemployment remains at its highest level in recent history, credit is tight and many commercial properties are under water. Nobody is sure what the future holds and this keeps a lot of people on the sidelines. This audio conference is geared to help you understand the current market dynamics, what kind of deals are  more...

Recent Developments in Material Participation for LLCs and LLPs BenefitsThe IRS has been actively auditing and disallowing losses claimed by owners of businesses organized as limited liability entities on the grounds that the owners do not materially participate in the operations of the business. The critical element of the IRS's attack is that members of a limited liability entity are, under applicable treasury regulations, equivalent to limited partners in a  more...

Skip Tracing vs. Cyber Tracing BenefitsIt's true that anyone can do skip tracing ... but to do it properly, you need to know more than the raw mechanics. At this audio conference, you'll learn the practical techniques you can use to finally find who you're looking for. Learn how to profile your skip with old-school skip tracing and new age cybertracking. You'll get insider secrets from a renowned skip tracing expert. Become an  more...

Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning BenefitsMany estate planners who are asked about family limited partnerships or family limited liability companies do not understand the reasons for forming these entities in the planning process. They also are not clear on what is the current status of statutory and case law concerning the continued use of these entities. This audio conference will help you learn to identify when the use of this  more...

Fraud Prevention Techniques for Nonprofits BenefitsIt's unfortunate, but the reality is that thinking your employees are honest isn't true! This fascinating and practical audio conference will walk you through actual fraud scenarios, discuss how the frauds occurred, and show profiles of embezzlers; why they did it, how they did it and what internal controls would have prevented them. Additionally, you will be provided a valuable handout  more...

2010 Florida Condominium and Homeowner Association Law Legal Update BenefitsThe 2010 Florida legislative session was very active in the number of bills introduced concerning community associations. As a result, a myriad of significant changes were made to chapters 718, 719, 720, 721 and 617 of the Florida Statutes. Attend this teleconference and you will not only learn about the changes but will understand some of the intended and unintended consequences resulting  more...

Trust Situs and State Taxation: Practical Planning Implications BenefitsState tax departments are becoming more aggressive at collecting revenues and the trend is likely to continue in light of state fiscal issues. Trusts are no exceptions. The rules under which a state can tax a trust are complex and changing in more aggressive ways. How can a state tax a trust? What planning steps can be taken? What must you understand when preparing tax returns? Each rule  more...

Purchasing Contract Remedies BenefitsAccording to the old proverb, 'When things get tough, the tough get going.' A corollary might be, 'When things go wrong, call the lawyers.' At which point a headache could easily become a nightmare. Is there a better way? Of course there is. Litigation can, and should be, a last resort. After all, litigation takes time and our business clients typically need something NOW: the steel for  more...

Current Hot Topics in Lease Escalations: Avoid Theft by Additional Rentals BenefitsThe two costliest line item component issues in a killer commercial lease are fixed rentals and additional rentals. By far, the most expensive and least understood and budgeted for are the hidden costs of additional rentals. The killer lease forms in aggressive money market center cities can take the traditional incremental increases in operating expenses, real estate taxes and utility  more...

Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions: FIN 48 Update BenefitsUnderstanding and meeting the financial statement disclosure rules on uncertain tax positions is already a challenge. Now, the recent IRS proposal to require corporate filing of Schedule UTP brings highly controversial reporting concerns. Schedule UTP would require income tax return disclosure of federal uncertain tax positions in detail that goes far beyond the corresponding financial  more...

Creating a Payroll Manual: Putting Your Procedures Into Writing BenefitsThe Sarbanes-Oxley Act made it abundantly clear that all areas of accounting within a company should have well documented policies and procedures. These are an integral part of every function and that includes payroll. During this audio conference, we will discuss the steps you can take to ensure your procedures are well documented, clear and concise. During the program, we will discuss  more...

Mobile Banking: Banking Without Borders BenefitsLike online banking, mobile banking is poised to revolutionize the industry, but it has stagnated in its infancy. Given the indispensability of cell phones and their broad capabilities, banks and technology providers are rapidly developing solutions that use cell phones to provide unparalleled convenience and value to customers. With the potential to competitively and geographically level  more...

Economic Substance Doctrine Codification Update Benefits2010 has produced the sweeping changes in health care via legislation titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Knowledge of its tax implications, tax credits, employer obligations and other financial aspects will be discussed in this informative audio conference. Awareness of the compliance rules will avoid financial risk and a variety of costly penalties for both individuals  more...

The Foreign Tax Credit Provisions of H.R. 1586: Practical Implications BenefitsThis audio conference will cover the restrictions on the foreign tax credit recently enacted by Congress in H.R. 1586. You will learn the purpose, scope, and structure of these restrictions, as well as a sense of their limitations, and unresolved questions and potential answers. Examples will be used to explore the practical implications of the new rules to enable you to spot issues  more...

Preparing for the International Financial Reporting Standard BenefitsOn November 14, 2008, the SEC released its proposed road map for the adoption of IFRS in the United States. About the same time, leaders from the G20 countries at a financial summit in the United States issued a statement which, among other things, confirmed the leaders' support for developing a single set of high-quality global accounting standards. Both of these events represent  more...

Refining Your Business Writing Skills BenefitsDo your written communications to clients, employees and stakeholders position your message appropriately? Are you getting responses to your business letters and emails that show you are being heard? Without question, your written communications influence the way internal and external audiences view you and your organization. In fact, in today's global marketplace, this may be the only  more...

Not-for-Profit Auditing and Accounting for Contributions and Pledges BenefitsIn this day and age, it is essential for not-for-profit professionals to have a basic understanding of auditing and accounting as it relates to contributions and pledges. This will help you to account for every dime taken in, and to report accurately and completely on how each dollar is used. By preserving the financial integrity of your organization, you will also earn the trust of your  more...

Title Issues for Lending Professionals BenefitsWho reviews the title commitment to make sure that there are no title problems? Not having a solid understanding of the title can cause headaches for everyone involved in the title process. This audio conference offers insights into what the title insurance policy really covers. We will answer some commonly asked questions, such as: What should you be concerned about on Schedule A? What  more...

Recent Developments in Employer Liability for 401(k) Investments BenefitsUnhappy employees, U.S. Department of Labor investigations, IRS investigations, massive class action lawsuits - an ever-expanding list of factors bombards sponsors of 401(k) plans, and places companies and their management potentially in the cross hairs. From Enron, Worldcom and Sarbanes-Oxley, to the more recent massive class actions filed against Fortune 500 companies regarding 401(k)  more...

Best Practices in Performance-Based Service Procurement BenefitsPerformance-based service procurement is a commercial best practice for many types of service procurements. The General Accountability Office says performance-based procurement is the government's primary resource for correcting problems in service procurement. In both the public and private sectors, it benefits the buying organization in many ways when done right. Performance-based  more...

Impact of Health Care Reform on Elder Law BenefitsThis teleconference will teach you how the recent health care act will affect seniors and persons with disabilities. President Obama signed into law, in March of this year, the Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. These together are referred to as the Affordability Care Act. This act makes changes to Medicaid and  more...

Tax Issues of Social Media and Internet Activities for Nonprofits BenefitsThe internet is essential to the functioning of virtually every nonprofit organization, yet it is fraught with a host of exempt organization tax pitfalls. This audio conference will focus on the exempt organization tax issues associated with internet activity: generating revenue through web-based activities, managing the internet presence of multiple affiliate entities, and avoiding  more...

Understanding Fiduciary Investment Duties for Trusts: Be Prudent and Diversify BenefitsIn the current volatile and uncertain economic climate, estate planning advisors and their clients need to re-examine conventional estate planning wisdom, better understand how fiduciary performance will be tested and evaluated, and how fiduciary risk can be managed by proper conduct. This audio conference is designed for attorneys, estate planners, accountants, trust administrators,  more...

Public/Private Partnerships: Major Infrastructure and Other Development Projects BenefitsThe term public/private partnership, or P3, has recently emerged as one of the latest buzz words in the development area. States and local governments are struggling with resource limitations and ever increasing demands of infrastructure. The involvement of the private sector offers an enticing solution for meeting massive infrastructure needs. At the same time, P3s provide an opportunity  more...

Reengineering Revenue in Today's Market BenefitsThe days of simplicity in bank income have long past. Recently, staying on top of noninterest income has become even more complex with the migration to electronic transactions, changes to Reg E and current economic conditions. As bankers adjust to these changes, they have to be more creative with how to oversee NII. This teleconference helps you understand the exact impact the current  more...

Construction Joint Ventures: Benefits and Pitfalls BenefitsConstruction joint ventures, properly conceived and implemented, enhance the marketing opportunities and organizational assets of the individual joint venturers thereby enabling the joint venture to obtain and successfully complete larger more complex projects than those the joint venturers could undertake individually. Construction joint ventures are excellent vehicles for combining  more...

Land Development Right Transfer Issues and Complexities BenefitsMany communities use transferable development rights to preserve environmental areas, farmland, historic landmarks and open space. TDR uses development rather than taxation to pay for permanent protection of these and other threatened resources. Working though the zoning code, TDR helps implement the preservation as well as the development goals of a community's land use plans. When TDR  more...

Agreements of Sale and Due Diligence in Commercial Real Estate Transactions BenefitsThe experienced attorney can help purchasers and sellers avoid needless aggravation and expense. Both parties to a land transaction have incentive to avoid protracted legal disputes. By negotiating and drafting effective agreements of sale and assisting clients with the performance of essential due diligence, attorneys can allocate the risks associated with land transactions and save their  more...

S Corporations: How to Avoid Common and Often Overlooked Pitfalls (Simple to Complex) BenefitsAs many practitioners will attest to, there are many pitfalls when S corporations are involved. This teleconference will identify the most common pitfalls, such as not properly maintaining earning accounts, ineligible shareholders, the one class of stock principle, invalid or missing S corporation elections and built-in gain. You will not only learn how to identify these pitfalls, but you  more...

Commercial Loan Stress Testing Fundamentals BenefitsStress testing of loan portfolios is rapidly becoming an integral component of the credit risk management process. All banks should perform some type of stress testing to quantify the impact of changing economic conditions on asset quality, earnings and capital. This teleconference will benefit those who are beginning to incorporate the concepts of stress testing into their loan portfolio  more...

New Features and Functions in Updating to Excel 2007 BenefitsAny Excel user who is making the transition into Excel 2007 needs to get up to speed and needs help in locating familiar features that have been redesigned or relocated. Version 2007 is the biggest change in Excel's history and without a road map to its new features, you will waste a lot of time and be inefficient - you need this teleconference! We will give you indispensable tips for  more...

Ohio Prompt Payment Act Update BenefitsThe Prompt Payment Act contains some often misunderstood or overlooked requirements that are critical to protecting project profitability. Cash flow is the lifeblood for most companies, but particularly contractors. Many contractors, subcontractors, specialty trades and suppliers are forced to finance the construction of a project as a result of delayed payment from their contracting  more...

Ohio Sales and Use Tax: Recent Trends, Developments and Planning Opportunities (Maximizing Exemptions and Minimizing Taxable Ser BenefitsLearn the latest developments and planning opportunities in the context of an overview of Ohio sales and use tax. Mr. Dimengo will go through various exemptions and how they can be maximized, and how various otherwise taxable services can be minimized. This teleconference is designed for accountants, controllers, accounts payable professionals, CFOs, tax managers and officers, presidents  more...

Risk-Based Pricing Regulation Update: Are You Ready for the Upcoming Compliance Deadline? BenefitsThe Risk-Based Pricing Rule is effective January 1, 2011, and requires all lenders to provide a specific notice to a consumer when the lender sets or adjusts the price and other terms of credit provided to the consumer based on the consumer's credit report. In this teleconference, you will learn the various strategies for compliance, including the special exceptions for auto lending,  more...

Telephone Collections: Do's and Don'ts - Surviving the Jungle BenefitsThe credit and collection industry has grown dramatically over the past 20 years. Creditors are faced with increasing challenges in making loans and extending credit. The collection staff members in these creditor settings face mounting customer difficulties and tighter compliance environments. This teleconference will help you understand the importance of developing an effective recovery  more...

State of the Estate Tax: Where We Stand Today and What Practitioners Can Do ... 2010, what does this mean to investments? What steps can accountants and other advisers take? Sample language and provisions will be provided. Understanding the theory and history of how the repeal of the estate tax occurred is helpful, but this teleconference will focus on practical implementation and planning. Extensive materials will be provided. This teleconference is designed for  more...

Immigration Issues for Construction Professionals BenefitsThis teleconference will provide strategies for you to evaluate and implement to avoid or minimize risk to your company. Government visits are increasing for all companies and it is important to have a plan of action in place prior to the government knocking on your company's door. We will review the proper steps to complete an I-9 form and to audit an I-9 form, while also encouraging the  more...

When Wages are Not FICA Wages BenefitsDo you know what is not considered wages by the IRS, thereby exempting those monies from FICA tax? If not, this teleconference will be beneficial to you in helping reduce employer liability for FICA taxes on money that is not wages. You already know that any cash or noncash remuneration received for employment, unless specifically exempt, is considered wages subject to the FICA tax. This  more...

Best Practices in Electronic Invoices and Electronic Payments BenefitsIt may seem impossible to escape the paper-heavy processes in your AP department and achieve the coveted paperless status, but pulling off this caper is not a feat reserved for only paper mavericks. Instead, we can show you there is a way to achieve a paper-free environment and realize your ROI. In this teleconference, e-invoicing architect Henry Ijams will discuss your options for a  more...

Utilizing Data in Microsoft Access BenefitsOriginally released in 1992, Microsoft Access is part of the Microsoft Office Suite. Microsoft Access is the most popular Windows desktop database used by most organizations around the world, from small to large businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, etc. Microsoft Access fits a unique space between the skills of the information worker and professional developers. It's a database  more...

Real Estate and Land Valuation in Depressed Markets BenefitsThis teleconference will guide professionals depending upon reliable estimates of market value to identify viable and reliable market data using methods available in the market but not commonly applied during active real estate markets. The teleconference will explain underlying valuation theory for these alternative applications using relevant information during the current real estate  more...

Understanding the Role of the Trust Protector BenefitsThink of how far society and trusts have evolved in just the last 100 years. How can we anticipate what changes lie ahead of us from both a tax and nontax perspective? Is the movement toward multigenerational trusts pushing the planning horizon many years past the point most estate planners were trained to envision? This teleconference will identify those unintended consequences and  more...

Collection Disputes: A Good Defense Is the Best Offense BenefitsTiming is often everything when attempting to collect debts and delinquent accounts. A collection dispute can cause prejudicial delays that may severely impair your ability to collect a debt, or worse, may result in the debtor filing a lawsuit against your firm or agency. Collection disputes may take the form of a dispute about the debt itself, whether the debt is owed by the person upon  more...

Restructuring the Commercial Loan BenefitsA commercial loan restructuring requires a working knowledge of a number of commercial law aspects, e.g., bankruptcy, transactional and litigation issues. This teleconference will help provide you with an understanding of these issues from inception through the end of the commercial loan restructuring process. Listen to our panel of experienced counsel provide seasoned advice so that you  more...

Best Practices for MRO Purchasing BenefitsMany organizations lack thorough MRO purchasing strategies that are comprised of a guiding strategy and supporting tactics to achieve the goals that have been identified for the MRO purchasing function. This is often a significant opportunity to reduce operating cost and improve mean time to repair. This teleconference will help you understand and design the MRO purchasing system and  more...

Social Media Guidelines for Estate and Financial Planners BenefitsAttend this teleconference and learn how to diagnose and score current digital/web presence. You will be able to identify steps to build an effective experience taking advantage of the latest web 2.0 features. This teleconference will teach you how to apply a top-down messaging model to craft positions along the 'long tail' and organize communications to reinforce your brand. Gain a better  more...

Obtaining Surety Bonds for Construction Projects BenefitsThe current heightened risk environment caused by increasing contractor failures have raised concerns in the surety markets, however underwriting standards have not materially changed. What has changed is that sureties are more closely scrutinizing contractors' balance sheets and underwriting information to meet these standards and this trend will remain until the construction industry  more...

The Complete Commercial Loan Closing Checklist BenefitsMany individuals involved in commercial loan transactions never fully understand all the steps and details that go into closing a real estate loan transaction. They understand their participation in the transaction, but do not comprehend everything else that is involved before a transaction can actually close and fund. This teleconference will provide an overview to understand the entire  more...

Public Disclosure and Transparency: The New Form 990 BenefitsExempt organizations are subject to a variety of restrictions under the Internal Revenue Code regarding their lobbying and advocacy efforts. The new and redesigned Form 990 is intended to capture the level of these activities by exempt organizations. With the increased focus and disclosure of the activities of exempt organizations, organizations need to understand the limitations on these  more...

Reverse Auctions: Current Issues and Opportunities BenefitsAll across the spectrum, organizations are seeking ways to save money on their operations. Certainly, gaining efficiencies in your procurement spending can make a tremendous difference on your bottom-line in the private sector and in saving precious budgetary resources in the public sector. How can you achieve 5 to 20 percent or more savings on much of what your organization spends on  more...

Reporting and Disclosure Requirements Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 BenefitsThe passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has presented a significant number of opportunities for government, not-for-profit and commercial entities to expand upon current and initiate new programs and services. However, ARRA also establishes a number of mandates that recipients must comply with or risk potential financial and legal penalties in addition to public  more...

Schedule C Reporting Update BenefitsAccording to IRS statistics, more than 22 billion Schedule C forms are filed each year. Many of these represent small, often home-based, businesses. However, a large number also represent large, full-time business enterprises. It is not surprising that with such a large vast array of different types of businesses, Schedule C filers are frequent targets of IRS audits. This teleconference  more...

A Primer on International Estate Planning BenefitsIndividuals are increasingly 'international' today - especially wealthy ones. More and more clients work or study abroad, own property in more than one country, find their spouses abroad and qualify as citizens or residents of multiple nations. All of this can subject clients to the competing property, succession and tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. This teleconference will help you  more...

Landlord and Tenant Law: Commercial Tenant Bankruptcy Considerations BenefitsIn today's uncertain economic climate, commercial tenants may find themselves with diminishing cash flows and limited resources to satisfy their obligations to their landlords, leaving both grappling with tough decisions, including whether to renegotiate the existing lease, terminate the lease or exercise other remedies upon default. This teleconference will explore the rights, remedies  more...

Florida Documentary Stamp Tax Update BenefitsLenders and real estate professionals operating in Florida for the first time (and oftentimes seasoned Florida practitioners) are forced to deal with the sometimes confusing imposition of the Florida documentary stamp tax. Florida documentary stamp taxes are imposed on loan transactions and real property transfers taking place in Florida. This teleconference will provide a discussion  more...

IRS Form 8928: Health Plan Reporting and Excise Tax Update BenefitsEmployers who sponsor group health plans now have a duty to self-report certain regulatory plan failures and pay excise taxes where such failures are not corrected in a timely fashion once discovered, or are due to willful neglect. You need to know the Internal Revenue Code rules or risk expensive excise taxes for failure to comply with COBRA, HIPAA and other federal group health plan  more...

Loan Workout Complications: Second Lien Issues BenefitsApproximately $50 billion of second lien loans were issued between 2003 and the second quarter of 2007. A significant portion of these second lien loans were issued to borrowers who are now in, or facing, restructuring and/or bankruptcy proceedings. This teleconference will examine the strengths and potential pitfalls of first lien/second lien intercreditor agreements in such a  more...

Code Section 409A BenefitsThe IRS is giving employers one last chance to fix their plan documents and compensation agreements for Code Section 409A. However, the IRS has also announced some new interpretations of Section 409A provisions that will require most employers to make changes to their plans and agreements. Employers that make these changes before January 1, 2011, can avoid IRS penalties, in most cases. In  more...

Navigating Form 1041 BenefitsWith more individuals using trusts in estate planning, knowing how to prepare an accurate Form 1041 is becoming more important than ever. Properly computing taxable income and correctly allocating taxable income between the entity and its beneficiaries can avoid not only challenges by the IRS but also disgruntled beneficiaries. This teleconference will help you understand the main rules on  more...

Long-Term Care Insurance in Estate Plans BenefitsClients spend a lifetime building financial security for their retirement, often with the desire to pass the assets on to their family or charity rather than loose it to the cost of long-term care. Whether at home, assisted living or nursing home care, the cost can be staggering. When is the purchase of long-term care insurance appropriate for a client? How can the client control the  more...

Ohio Commercial Activity Tax Update: Now Fully Phased in, What We Have Learned and What We Can Expect Going Forward BenefitsIt has been five years since Ohio elected to move away from its more traditional, net income and net worth based corporate franchise tax to the commercial activity tax, or CAT. In addition to the CAT, in recent years a number of states have made significant changes to their income and franchise tax regimes, which has created a complex and arduous landscape for companies' state income tax  more...

Express and Implied Warranties Under UCC Article 2 BenefitsThe warranty provisions under UCC Article 2 and the laws interpreting them provide a vast amount of information that can seem overwhelming at times. This teleconference will provide a general overview of the scope of Article 2 and the types of warranties offered by the UCC, and discuss the various defenses, remedies and damages available for each type of warranty. The discussion will  more...

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: The Overhaul of the U.S. Financial System BenefitsThe Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act signed into law by President Obama overhauls the United States financial system. This legislation will affect every corner of the financial services industry. Learn how this legislation is likely to affect you. This teleconference will review many important aspects of the Act, including the new Financial Stability Oversight  more...

Understanding the HIRE Act and Form 941 BenefitsWith all of the new legislation that has affected employers, it is becoming difficult to keep up with the new requirements. During this teleconference, you will obtain the knowledge on how to make sure that your company can take tax benefits being offered to employers for producing jobs and hiring new employees. We will explain in detail the HIRE Act from how to determine what employees  more...

Assessing and Avoiding Lender Liability Claims: Don't Let Borrowers or Guarantors Turn the Tables BenefitsContinued economic uncertainty and unrest in the credit markets has resulted in a dramatic increase in loan defaults and corporate bankruptcy filings. These events have precipitated a resurgence of lender liability claims as borrowers, guarantors and bankruptcy trustees have become more aggressive in asserting such claims in an effort to increase their leverage in workout negotiations and  more...

Reading Financial Statements: A Creditor's Perspective BenefitsThis teleconference will teach you how to read and understand financial statements, especially from a creditor's perspective. It is also for investors and business owners who not only desire to expand their business, but who want a better handle on what the number on their financial statements mean and how they can become useful tools. This teleconference will impart useful and practical  more...