Agents Telephone Seminars

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Best Practices in Networking and Referral Generation BenefitsReal estate is a relationship business. Without developing techniques to foster long-term business relationships, you cannot succeed in the new age of global competition. Studies conclude that effective networking both face-to-face or via the Internet is not easy even for the seasoned professional. This live audio conference will help you learn the strategies to guide you through the  more...

Best Practices in Networking and Referral Generation BenefitsReal estate is a relationship business. Without developing techniques to foster long-term business relationships, you cannot succeed in the new age of global competition. Studies conclude that effective networking both face-to-face or via the Internet is not easy even for the seasoned professional. This live audio conference will help you learn the strategies to guide you through the  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...

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...

Taxation and Accounting Conflicts of Interest BenefitsAccountants 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  more...

Strategies for Successful Mixed Use Development ...rations between design professionals, developers, leasing agents, tenants, municipal planners, land use attorneys, local government and communities. This live audio conference will evaluate some of the new challenges and opportunities available for mixed use design from site selection to plan approvals and operations. We'll discuss selected topics from a 360-degree perspective of the designer,  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...

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...

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...

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...

Writing Real Estate Descriptions That Sell BenefitsThe real estate industry has changed significantly in the last 20 years, especially with the use of internet marketing. Effectively communicating what you are selling is crucial to your success, yet the typical real estate agent is still running their business as they did 20 years ago, with brief, and not descriptive ad copy. Many real estate professionals are simply at a loss for words  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Form 990 And Unrelated Business Income BenefitsThis live audio conference will involve a detailed discussion of Form 990, including tips and traps. 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 congressional attention and IRS audit activity, this program will go through the respective parts of the form in detail, and provide tips on completing the  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

COBRA: A Little of Everything is Changing ...agents and new employee benefit specialists or the seasoned specialist that want to double check the basics and the most recent changes in the COBRA law. We will discuss who has the compliance responsibilities and what an employer must do every day to be in compliance! How do all of the employee benefit laws work together - when do they work separately. How can the employer keep up? SO many  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Workers' Compensation Issues for the Construction Industry ...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 the role of the EMR in safety and in the bidding process. We will also discuss specific tips to  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Curing Title Exceptions BenefitsTitles are often subject to outstanding interests and claims, some genuine but others unsubstantial or baseless. What types of defects, liens and encumbrances impair the title to real estate? When, as the result of tangible matters revealed by a search and examination of the title, is the title unmarketable? Learn what to look for when reviewing the title commitment, and what endorsements  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Sale Leaseback Transactions Today: Monetizing Real Estate Assets BenefitsA troubled economy and a chilly borrowing environment require a re-thinking of how capital and debt are used in your business. Monetizing real estate assets by sale-leaseback transactions may free up needed capital to invest in your business, particularly if the real estate is undervalued. This teleconference will help you understand when and where sale-leaseback transactions on real  more...

Administration of Pain Agents BenefitsYou will learn about using balanced analgesia with pharmacologic options for treating pain. This provides optimal analgesia and level of function for their patients. Discussion will include the importance of choosing the appropriate pain agent for the type of pain at the right dose. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss different types of pain medications. - You will be able  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...

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...

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...

Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single-Family Homes BenefitsIn today's environment, many purchasers of condominium units and homesites are trying to back out of their purchases. Learn how to keep your hard-earned condominium unit sales and single-family home sales from slipping away. Many condominium developers and home builders who are subject to the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act do not understand how to comply, or perhaps  more...

1099 Reporting of Payments to Attorneys and Other Third-Parties BenefitsJoin this informative teleconference to gain insight as to the Internal Revenue Service's reporting requirements for payments made to an attorney in connection with legal services (whether or not the services performed are for the benefit of the payor). The IRS reminds us that all third-party payers, such as small businesses or individuals, are required to annually report payments made to  more...

Using Social Media to Grow Your Accounting Firm BenefitsSocial media is all the talk these days but can it really help businesses grow? In this teleconference, you will learn how companies large and small, including other accounting firms, are using Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter and other platforms to actually generate new business. Whether you are new to social media or a seasoned netizen, you will get practical tips you can use to enhance  more...

Land Banking, Off-Balance-Sheet Financing and Joint Ventures in Residential Development BenefitsLand banking, off-balance-sheet financing and joint ventures have become an even more important means for the home-building industry to mitigate the risk of land ownership, control capital requirements, and avoid the negative impact of carrying acquisition assets and liabilities on balance sheets. This teleconference is intended to provide those involved with the residential real estate  more...

Current Issues in Real Estate Title and Title Insurance BenefitsThis teleconference is a nuts-and-bolts program designed to give you real life practical information to facilitate the closing of commercial and residential real estate transactions. You'll gain insight into the workings of the title industry to better prepare you to anticipate problems and assist in developing solutions to ultimately close the transaction. This teleconference will  more...

Lease vs. Buy: Choosing the Best Option BenefitsThe decision to finance business equipment through lease programs or by purchases is one of the most difficult and important decisions faced by businesses every day. Making the wrong choice can not only result in economic loss but significant disruption of business, loss of time and opportunity. This teleconference will provide you with a comparison of the benefits and pitfalls of  more...

A/R Management: Converting Receivables Into Cash BenefitsCash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Payments from customers are the major source of cash for most businesses. It would be much easier if all sales were paid in advance or at the time of product/service delivery (like in a retail store). Unfortunately, competitive markets demand that credit be extended to customers and this is where AR management becomes so important. This  more...

Basics of Trust Administration BenefitsThis teleconference will provide an overview of basic principles of trust administration under U.S. law, including powers and duties of trustees; relations with beneficiaries; removal and replacement of trustees; the use of directed trustees, protectors and investment managers, etc., to 'slice and dice' trustee powers; probate court involvement in trust administration; and concepts in  more...

Texas State Tax Update for the Oil and Gas Industry BenefitsProfessionals who work in the oil and gas industry, and related fields, face frequent questions regarding Texas state taxation of the oil and gas industry. The comptroller's office has hired more auditors and is busy conducting audits of taxpayers in the industry. This teleconference is designed to provide you with an update of the Texas state tax issues facing the oil and gas industry,  more...

Understanding Property Taxes in New York BenefitsNew York State real property taxes remain among the highest in the nation. Managing property taxes requires an understanding of how the property assessments on which taxes are based are set by the local assessor, whether it is cost effective to challenge such assessments and the procedures and strategies for doing so. This teleconference is for anyone who wants to understand the procedural  more...

Understanding the Apportionment Rules for Service-Based Businesses BenefitsApportionment of income for state tax purposes is 'where the rubber meets the road.' That is to say, the complex and varied rules for determining a taxpayer's state income tax apportionment percentage can provide opportunities - with careful planning - for state tax minimization or create traps - without such planning - that lead to multiple taxation. Service-based businesses face  more...

Common Clauses and Pitfalls of Homeowners Insurance BenefitsHomeowners' insurance is routinely purchased but rarely examined by the homeowner at that time. Buyers simply assume that in exchange for their monthly premiums they are guaranteed the insurer's protection. But when calamity strikes, these homeowners may be surprised to learn that their policies contain provisions that work to reduce or even eliminate that protection. We will offer our  more...

SAS 70 and SSAE 16: Basics, Rules and Standards for Service Organizations BenefitsThis teleconference will discuss the rules of SAS 70s and the benefit/costs for the organizations and auditors using the SAS 70. In addition, there will be discussion on how SAS 70s have gained attention in the post Sarbanes-Oxley era. This will help you implement internal controls in becoming SAS 70 compliant. This will also assist you in analyzing the results of SAS 70 reports.  more...

Using Investment Policy Statements as an Investment Tool: It's an Art, Not a Science BenefitsThis teleconference will bring together a panel with differing perspectives on the use and creation of investment policy statements, including outside legal counsel to address perceived problems arising from nonconforming activities; inside legal counsel to discuss techniques for ensuring that the instrument clearly and fully reflects the investor's expectations and the firm's  more...

An Introduction to L3Cs: Low-Profit Limited Liability Companies BenefitsThe current state of the economy has left many charities and businesses, all with great intentions, struggling for financial support. These organizations need to re-evaluate their business models to successfully adapt in this economic climate. This teleconference will provide advisors and business owners with a broad overview of a new hybrid for-profit/nonprofit business model: the  more...

Top Sales and Use, Credits and Incentives Tips to Improve Your Bottom Line BenefitsIn the current economic climate, additional free cash flow is a priority for all companies to sustain corporate activities and fund working capital, capital improvements, acquisitions, research and development, etc. This teleconference will focus on unprecedented tax credits and economic incentives currently offered by state and local jurisdictions to stimulate business investment and the  more...

The Fundamentals of Estate Planning for Pets BenefitsPets are an important part of the lives of many individuals. People own pets for a variety of reasons - they love animals, they enjoy the companionship and they enjoy receiving unconditional love. On many occasions, pets have supplanted children in people's lives. Planning for these companions requires a comprehensive look at the various opportunities and techniques which are available to  more...

Payroll Tax Pitfalls: Preventing IRS Penalties and Personal Liability for Late Payments BenefitsAmong many other legal obligations, employers face the ongoing requirement to timely withhold and remit payroll taxes to the federal government. People responsible for fulfilling a company's payroll tax obligations often do not realize the substantial penalties that can be imposed by the IRS against the company when payroll taxes are not timely deposited or paid at all. Additionally, in  more...

Current Issues Facing Real Estate Lenders: Managing Through the Tidal Wave of Distressed Properties BenefitsThis is a unique time in the cycle of real estate financing. The economy is at risk in a way not experienced since the Great Depression. Credit markets are frozen and financial institutions are under severe distress. Real estate assets are suffering from deflation in value and illiquidity. Tenant distress, soon followed by landlord challenges, will create further deep disruptions. It is  more...

Cost Segregation: Applications for a Valuable Tax Planning Strategy BenefitsCost segregation is a powerful tax planning strategy used by real estate owners and tenants to accelerate significant depreciation deductions associated with buildings and improvements of all types and sizes. Although cost segregation has become quite popular in recent years, many tax advisors and real estate owners are still missing significant opportunities because they are unfamiliar  more...

Accounting for Off-Balance Sheet Items Update BenefitsFor years, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and others have wrestled with how companies should report their involvement with special-purpose vehicles and transactions with such entities in their financial statements. Frequently, these issues are mentioned in the context of structured finance or asset securitization or, more broadly, as off-balance sheet financing. The  more...

Workout Strategies for Troubled Condominium Projects BenefitsThe present economic downturn has affected real estate projects of all types but perhaps none as significantly as condominium projects. To further complicate matters, strategies to cope with failing and failed condominium developments must address multiple overlays of statutory and other legal requirements and limitations, as well as the often conflicting rights and concerns of the many  more...

Protect and Collect - The Effective Use of Engagement Letters BenefitsToday's economy finds companies in every industry, including professional service firms, looking at best practices to keep revenues steady and to decrease liability. The collection process has become more burdensome as cash flow tightens across the country. With more and more lawsuits arising against professional service providers and their firms, law firms, accounting firms and even  more...

Current Issues in Cloud Computing: Is There Sun Behind Those Clouds? BenefitsCloud computing is an enormous, pervasive and game-changing technology. Tech industry heavyweights such as Microsoft , IBM and Google have each committed billions to developing and marketing it. Smaller players and startups are cropping up daily with new offerings. Yet, for all the hype, few people understand the technology nor the unique issues cloud computing poses - particularly when it  more...

Tax Treatment of Charitable Fundraising BenefitsFundraising for charitable organizations has become a complex business. Charities no longer hold out a tin cup and ask for donations. They engage in sophisticated activities to generate revenue for their mission and the activities have tax consequences. This teleconference will review the federal tax consequences of fundraising activities and provide specific guidance on how to avoid tax  more...

Revenue Recognition Standards and Policies BenefitsThe teleconference is intended to accomplish two things: 1. To review current accounting guidance for revenue recognition with an emphasis on, in my experience, two contentious revenue recognition issues - multiple element arrangements and accounting for sales incentives; and 2. An introduction to two new standards on revenue recognition that will affect the accounting for multiple element  more...

Real Estate Income Tax Issues BenefitsThis teleconference will address valuable planning techniques and recent developments concerning the income taxation of real estate, including issues applicable to partnerships and LLCs holding real property. You'll learn about capital gains strategies, like-kind exchanges, tenancies in common, how to structure transactions when some partners want cash and others want tax deferral, and  more...

Current Work Product Issues in Taxation: Preservation, Waiver and Tax Accrual Work Papers BenefitsCompanies face many obstacles and ever-changing standards to maintaining work product protection of sensitive documents and information prepared by counsel. The documents at issue, such as tax accrual workpapers, litigation analyses and internal investigation materials, are often roadmaps for the companies adversaries. Challenges to work product protection come from many directions,  more...

Community Association Legal Issues - Charting the Course Through Rough Seas BenefitsWith the current state of the economy, managing Community Associations presents new and complex issues to the board of directors and the management companies. The value of and the ability to sell real property in a common interest community are significantly affected by the appropriate and effective management of the Association. Implementing a budgeting process and establishing collection  more...

Final Regulations on Shareholder and S Corporation Debt BenefitsThis teleconference will discuss the IRS' recently issued final regulations which limit the use of open account debt to pass-through S corporation losses to shareholders. Prior to these new regulations, taxpayers avoided recognition of income on the repayment of open account debt with reduced basis because of prior loss pass-throughs. We will discuss how these new regulations limit the use  more...

FASB Statement 157 - Fair Value Update on Corporate Asset Valuation BenefitsDuring the past 24 months we've seen unprecedented volatility in the financial services industry, capital markets, and global economy. While implementing changes mandated by FAS 157 (ASC 820) has been challenging for many companies - the rule aims to make it easier to communicate value to shareholders. This teleconference will provide an overview of FAS 157 (ASC 820) guidelines, including  more...

Direct Cost Accounting and Indirect Cost Allocation for Not-For-Profit Organizations BenefitsThis teleconference will help you deepen your understanding of direct cost accounting and indirect allocation rules, risks and best practices to achieve compliance with accounting requirements and maximize cost reimbursement. Accountants, attorneys, executive directors, officers, controllers, CFOs, tax managers and enrolled agents  more...

Federal Tax Classification of Series LLCs BenefitsThe series LLC may be the solution to many issues that confront federal tax practitioners on a daily basis. For example, the series LLC is very useful in situations where long and expensive regulatory processes are involved with a new state law entity. The series LLC also can be used in asset backed securitizations in place of business trusts in those states that treat single member LLCs  more...

Current Tax Implications of Repositioning Real Estate BenefitsIn a declining real estate market, more building owners and developers are concerned about the tax consequences associated with foreclosures, deeds in lieu of foreclosure, short sales and debt restructuring. Often, the tax consequences associated with these transactions can be difficult to determine. This teleconference will help you advise your clients on the income tax effects of  more...

Understanding the New GFE and HUD-1/1A Settlement Statements Benefits strong Effective January 1, 2010, all residential mortgage loan originators will have to change their loan origination forms and procedures to comply with a new rule recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. /strong The new rule dramatically changes both the Good Faith Estimate and the HUD-1 and HUD-1A Uniform Settlement Statements required by the federal  more...

Utilizing Spendthrift Trusts in Estate Plans BenefitsA spendthrift trust is an invaluable tool in protecting assets for the beneficiary. This teleconference will introduce you to the use and purpose of spendthrift trusts. Additionally, this program will provide specific guidance of drafting an effective spendthrift trust and highlight drafting pitfalls. Attorneys, estate planners, accountants, presidents, vice presidents, CFOs, controllers,  more...

Getting Advice from the IRS: Letter Rulings, Pre-Filing Agreements, TAMS and GLAMs BenefitsMany times clients must have certainty as to the federal tax consequences of a proposed transaction - and while tax opinions are helpful, they do not provide the certainty of qualified advice from the IRS. This teleconference is designed to discuss how, when and why to seek qualified written advice from the IRS, normally in the form of a private letter ruling request, a review of the  more...

Living With Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) BenefitsAs of March 19, 2009, 29 states have adopted UPMIFA as law and the Uniform Act is presently pending in an additional 16 jurisdictions. By the end of 2009, in most of the United States, attorneys representing nonprofit institutions and those who donate to them and their endowment funds will be governed by new state law which replaces the Uniform Management of Institutional Funds, which had  more...

Strategies in Representing Clients Before the IRS BenefitsThis teleconference is designed to summarize the important strategies to keep in mind when representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service. Tax exams are an every day occurrence. It is important to conduct them professionally and efficiently while at the same time presenting the taxpayer's position in the best possible way. Accountants, CPAs, attorneys, tax professionals, CFOs,  more...

Estate and Financial Planning for Clients Living With Chronic Illness BenefitsChronic illness affects nearly 120 million Americans. How can professional advisers better serve and advise clients living with chronic illness and their loved ones? In many situations modest changes to traditional planning tools and drafting conventions can provide tremendously improved protection and peace of mind for clients living with chronic illness. This teleconference will provide  more...

Buying and Selling Partnerships, LLCs and Other Similar Entities BenefitsCorporations and alternative entities have distinctly different frameworks for defining the tax, economic and management rights and obligations of their equity owners. But oftentimes business people and their advisors structure and negotiate purchases and sales of equity interests in alternative entities using concepts from the corporate model. Failing to account for the differences  more...

Valuation and Reporting of Gifts and Service Donations BenefitsAs not-for-profits continue to face challenges related to raising money, they are becoming more creative in soliciting donations, resulting in more donations of noncash assets and greater restrictions on contributions received. This is occurring at the same time that there is a higher focus on the definition of fair value. Contributions of gifts and services should be measured at the fair  more...

Taxation Issues When Conducting Business With Native American Tribes BenefitsThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included a number of provisions designed to encourage economic development on Native American reservations, including expanded authority for American Indian tribes to issue tax-exempt bonds for projects on American Indian lands and a $500 million investment of funds for infrastructure, renewable energy, tribal detention facilities and  more...

Private Foundation Grant Agreements: Basics and Beyond BenefitsGrant making is the raison d'etre of most foundations. It is what you do! Therefore, a solid foundation grant agreement ought to be the legal backbone for much of a foundation's operations. Surprisingly however, for many private foundations the grant agreement is merely a form document that has been given little thought - if it exists at all. This teleconference will cover some of the  more...

Tax Treatment of Gift Card and Certificate Sales BenefitsThe IRS is aware that the popularity of gift cards has increased at a remarkable rate in recent years. Gift card sales by retailers raise a variety of interesting and complicated tax issues. The IRS has announced that certain gift card issues are Tier II issues; some of which must be raised during an examination and some of which should be raised during an examination. The IRS announced,  more...

Form 709: Gift Tax Fundamentals BenefitsTransfer taxes are imposed on the gratuitous transfer of property. When property is transferred during lifetime, a gift tax may be imposed. While the most ignored tax, failure to properly comply with the gift tax laws during life may cause estate tax problems at death. During this teleconference, you will learn when a gift tax return should be filed, what type of gifts need to be reported,  more...

Tax Practice and Procedure Blunders That Can and Should Be Avoided BenefitsThis teleconference will describe common mistakes made by tax practice and procedures practitioners which can and should be avoided. Discussion on inadvertent privilege waiver, failure to control the flow of information at an audit, missing critical deadlines, failure to provide appropriate and adequate refund claims when necessary, and other key procedural mistakes will be addressed.  more...

Independent Contractor Reporting BenefitsIndependent contractor status has distinct advantages for companies and workers, and continues to grow in popularity. However, as independent contractor relationships have become more common, the risks have become more apparent as well. This teleconference will help you understand how independent contractor status is determined for tax, EEO state law and other purposes, including in PEO  more...

Developing, Managing and Analyzing a Budget: Understand and Implement an Effective Budget for Better Management and Financial De BenefitsThis teleconference will show how proper planning and budgeting are the keys to success, and operating without a plan or budget is an invitation to fail. This concept holds for businesses - no matter how large or small - nonprofits and governments. Budgeting is a dynamic process, not a static one. By knowing the types of budgets and processes that have worked for others, one can create an  more...

Current Issues in Attributional and Agency Nexus 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. However, physical presence is not limited only to direct presence. It may also be established  more...

When Worlds Collide - Bankruptcy and Probate BenefitsUntil the U. S. Supreme Court's 2006 decision in Marshall v. Marshall, 547 U.S. 293 (2006), there was a common belief among many bankruptcy and probate practitioners that the so-called probate exception to federal jurisdiction served to prevent bankruptcy courts from adjudicating any matters that were related, even only slightly, to a probate estate. In giving a very narrow interpretation  more...

Cash Is King: Effective Cash Flow Management BenefitsA balance sheet is often described as a snapshot of your financial situation at a single point in time. (Think of it as the balance in your personal checking account.) An income statement summarizes revenue, expenses and net income for the entire year or other period of time. Both of these financial statements are important tools to measure the success of your business but do little to  more...

Multifamily Project Finance and Development BenefitsAlthough generally performing better than single family, the multifamily credit markets continue to be in turmoil, and raising necessary debt and equity for acquisition, refinancing and development continues to be a challenge, even for well-capitalized owner/developers with good track records and performing or well conceived new projects. The looming 'refinance crisis' for multifamily  more...

Nonprofit Gift Acceptance Policies BenefitsFundraising is hard enough without running into the legal, accounting and practical pitfalls inherent in some types of gifts! A comprehensive gift acceptance policy can help an organization avoid these pitfalls, enhance its donor relationships and run a more successful development program. This teleconference will address the issues that should be covered in a basic gift acceptance policy  more...

Working Capital Management: Effective Policies and Techniques BenefitsLiquidity is top of mind for executives and they are looking at all sources of incremental free cash flow within their organizations. One area that is on everyone's list of sources is working capital, but most companies fail to reap the full opportunity that is available to them. What are leading companies doing to effectively drive cash flow from working capital? This teleconference will  more...

Understanding the Basics of Lean Accounting BenefitsAs mid level manufacturing firms migrate to advanced manufacturing processes, they have become uncertain about the ability of traditional cost accounting tools to provide meaningful and accurate measurements. This teleconference outlines a hands-on view of the process needed to evaluate, establish and maintain lean accounting in a mid-level manufacturing environment. While lean accounting  more...

When HOA's and the IRS Compete for Lien Property: Lien Priorities, Perfections and Foreclosure Rights BenefitsIn lien law, timing is everything - or is it? If an HOA's statutory lien is perfected by recording its CC R's, then an HOA lien should have priority over a subsequently recorded IRS income tax lien; but does it? When the IRS records an income tax lien, lien priority determinations under state law may be complicated by governed federal laws. This teleconference will discuss HOA lien  more...

Revised Federal Form 1065 BenefitsMore and more businesses are choosing to operate in the form of limited liability companies and being taxed under the partnerships rules as a pass through entity. The preparation of a partnership income tax return is becoming increasingly more challenging as the IRS increases the level of transparency and reporting. The purpose of this teleconference is to highlight important areas for  more...

Private Foundation Requirements and Restrictions BenefitsMany families and corporations establish private foundations to carry on their personal philanthropy. While private foundations offer significant opportunities for family and corporate philanthropists, there are special federal tax rules that apply. Failure to fully understand these rules can subject the foundations and those involved with them to substantial excise taxes. This  more...

Recent Trends in CPA Technology BenefitsTechnology has totally transformed the way CPA's do business. In this teleconference, we will highlight recent trends in the technologies that play an important role in how we do business today. Whether you practice in public, private, education, government or in any other role, this program will give you some insight as to where technology is at and where it will be tomorrow. This  more...

IRC Section 41: Credit for Increasing Research Activities Update BenefitsThis teleconference will feature a discussion around one of the most misunderstood and misapplied sections of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 41 - Credit for Increasing Research Activities. Our team of former Big Four partners and managers has collectively worked on more than 500 research tax credit studies during our careers. Learn from some of the top technicians in the industry on  more...

Estate Planning for the Final Years of Life BenefitsEmpirical evidence and directed studies indicate that the majority of Americans fail to plan for their final years of life. Ironically, this is the time when many people are confronted with their greatest challenges and most stressful experiences. This teleconference will cover why people need to plan, what they need to plan for and how to apply proven strategies for dealing with the final  more...

Circular 230 Update and Practitioner Regulation: Expansion of Scope and Clarifications BenefitsTax preparers and advisors are increasingly burdened with expanded regulation and penalty exposure for themselves and their firms or institutions. Tax departments have moved from being a profit center to being a center for risk management. This teleconference will help you understand the current requirements and risks for tax preparers and advisors. The teleconference will cover the  more...

FASB Statement 109: Impacts on Your Financial Statements BenefitsThe teleconference will update the Tax Department personnel with knowledge of the latest tax accounting rules and learn how the latest FAS pronouncements can affect the preparation and review of 2009 income tax provision. Accountants, controllers, CFOs, tax managers and officers, presidents, vice presidents, business owners and managers, financial planners, bankers, business analysts,  more...

Splits, SNTs and Public Benefits: Understanding the Complexities of Special Needs Planning in Divorces BenefitsMarital stress and divorce are highly prevalent among families with special needs. Many attorneys who specialize in the area of divorce are unfamiliar with the complexities of special needs planning, despite the importance of public benefit programs to their clients and their families. This teleconference not only helps you understand the detailed public benefit programs available to your  more...

Board Governance BenefitsWith increased scrutiny from legislators, the press and the public, it is imperative that tax-exempt organizations meet the best practices and requirements in terms of their organization and operation. Those involved with governing, guiding and counseling tax-exempt organizations need to be fully informed of the complex rules and operating requirements pertaining to them. This  more...

Taxation and Accounting Methods of Executive and Employee Bonuses BenefitsBy now most employers know about the rules under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code governing deferred compensation. However, many employers are not aware of the broad coverage of Section 409A and the fact that some normal payroll practices, such as bonus payments, may be covered by the new rules or the accounting issues that are raised by these programs. This teleconference will  more...

401 (k) Plan Audits-What to Expect of the Process BenefitsThe idea of auditing a 401(k) plan can seem daunting and intimidating to some. In addition, as it is essentially a compliance requirement, few plan sponsors see much value in the audit. This teleconference will explain in depth what is involved in the audit of a 401(k) plan. Gain insight into the various entities involved in the audit process and what they contribute to the successful and  more...

Engaging Stakeholders (and Raising Money) With Social Media for Nonprofits BenefitsYour nonprofit can use all of the support it can get, so how can you use social media to engage current stakeholders and attract new supporters? What strategies are effective at helping promote your mission - and raising money? Presented by nationally known nonprofit technology educator and strategist, John Kenyon, this teleconference will help you navigate the world of social media. The  more...

Dissolving Business Entities BenefitsBecause liquidations of entities occur infrequently, many legal and accounting practitioners and owners or officers of entities have not focused on the mechanics of how state law dissolutions and liquidations work with respect to corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, nor on the federal income tax consequences associated with such liquidations. This teleconference will  more...

Resolving Form 1099 Discrepancies BenefitsThis innovative teleconference will provide the required knowledge to correct any errors discovered in the initial filing or reporting requirements, either by the company reporting these amounts or in reply to the Internal Revenue Services' inquiry to discrepancy in the records reported to them via a CP-2100. By following the practices discussed, you and your client's business entities  more...

Nonprofit Joint Ventures - Partnering with For Profit Organizations BenefitsAs economic conditions improve, joint venture activity between tax-exempts and for-profit entities is again on the upswing. Despite evolution in business conditions, the IRS positions governing this complex area of law have not eased and can be difficult to apply to complex structures. This teleconference will enable you to learn how to structure joint ventures that make business sense  more...

Conservation Easement Tax Incentives BenefitsIn the current challenging economic conditions, capital remains difficult for individuals and businesses to obtain to meet their working capital and business expansion needs. However, many businesses are unaware that they may already be holding valuable tax assets that can be utilized to generate positive cash-positive and provide significant tax benefits. This teleconference will help  more...

Understanding the Complexities of Form 5472 BenefitsAs more foreign companies view the U.S. market as a fertile market, they will form U.S. subsidiaries to grow their U.S. operations. Whether you are the U.S. subsidiary for a large, Dutch-based multinational company with subsidiaries all over the world or a small U.S. distributor of a Canadian Parent, you will have to file IRS Form 5472 for every transaction with a related party. Although  more...

Practical and Legal Aspects of Real Estate Auctions nIn today's uncertain real estate economy, many real estate developers, investors and fiduciaries are holding surplus inventory with poor turnover performance and a grim outlook on return on investment. The carrying costs to maintain the property during a lengthy conventional brokerage sale weaken the asset's physical properties and investment potential. Real estate auctions have been a viable  more...

Understanding the New Penalties for Tax Preparers nSignificant changes have been made to the preparer penalty of IRC §6694 since 2007. The standard of care needed to avoid the penalty has been raised, the penalty is greater and the reach of the penalty is broader. In addition, there are various other penalties and rules of conduct you must be aware of and new guidance has been issued in several of these areas in the past year. It is imperative  more...

Statement on Auditing Standards No. 104 - No. 111 Risk Assessment Standards nThis teleconference will provide experienced and inexperienced auditors a concise summary of the risk assessment standards. In addition, this will provide auditors recommendations on how to become more efficient and effective in their application of these standards leading to less time required to implement the standards and a greater realization on audits. Since the majority of auditors may be  more...

Successfully Maneuvering the Tax Maze of Amortization Rules nEfforts to simplify the rules on capitalization and amortization of intangible assets and benefits have resulted in a few lengthy sets of regulations that are often not easy to remember or apply. This teleconference provides a framework for identifying and applying the tax rules for the acquisition and creation of intangible assets, as well as costs to facilitate such transactions. Special  more...

Developing an Effective Property Management Plan nThe world of real estate and finance has changed dramatically. Are you interested in making more money? Having more free time? Living life with less stress? If you are a professional HOA property or community manager, or if you are thinking of becoming a HOA property manager, you will want to know what's new in property management. Become acquainted with the newest technology and how you can  more...

Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning nEstate tax laws keep changing. Did you know that even though the estate tax exemption is predicted to stay at $3.5 million the lifetime gift tax exemption will stay at $1 million, leaving the door open to reduce the estate tax exemption back down to $1 million when Congress tries to balance the budget in a few years? In addition to estate taxes, clients' families need protection from probate, bad  more...

IRS Form 1040 - Schedule D Update nUnited States taxpayers are experiencing many challenges in our current economic environment that will have major effects on their tax returns. The collapse of the housing market, home foreclosures and worthless securities has affected most taxpayers. Preparing the 1040 Schedule D is challenging for even the most efficient tax professional. By attending this teleconference, you will be reminded  more...

Tenancies in Common - Legal and Practical Issues nDuring the last five years, the tenant-in-common offering industry has grown to approximately $5 billion in annual equity raised. While specific data is hard to find, industry experts estimate that between $10 billion and $12 billion has been raised and spread across more than 2,000 offerings. In the last year, the number of materially under-performing TIC transactions has increased. As the  more...

Valuation for Gift and Estate Tax Purposes in a Troubled Economy nWhether we are in a recession or depression, the values of assets are not what they once were. If you are contemplating whether to consider gift and estate tax planning or executing a plan, what will the impact of this troubled economy be on your tax valuations? This teleconference provides up-to-date guidance on current market conditions, and evolving valuation industry practices and techniques  more...

Creating Investment Policies For Your Nonprofit: Risk Tolerance, Reserve Funds and Portfolio Management Capacity nEstablishing and maintaining investment policies that fall in line with the needs, risk tolerance and portfolio management capacity of your organization are critical to its success. At this teleconference we will take a strategic look at the components that contribute to creating strong investment policies. Included will be discussions on understanding the needs of your organization, spending  more...

Tax and Practical Aspects of Business Succession Planning nClosely held family businesses are often as important to the owners of that business as are their own children. With business failures increasing in today's economic environment, the importance of a well planned, dynamic and long-term succession plan is vital to the continuation of the family business as it is passes from generation to generation. Tax considerations are one part of that plan, but  more...

Doing Business in Texas? An Overview of the Texas Margin Tax nFor decades, the Texas Franchise Tax remained virtually unchanged. Once equipped with the knowledge that Texas limited partnerships were not taxable, many companies saw little need to delve further into the details of the tax. Beginning with reports due in 2008 all this has changed with the revised Texas Franchise Tax, known as the Texas Margin Tax by everyone but the Texas Comptroller's Office.  more...

Effective Fundraising Techniques for Nonprofit Organizations nNonprofit organizations always need to diversify their revenue from earned income, government grants with philanthropic fundraising. Now, in tough economic times, you must determine how to maximize the effectiveness of your fundraising program. This teleconference will cover the basic elements of a complete fundraising program for annual operating support as well as ways every organization can  more...

Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes (UDIPTA): Business vs. Nonbusiness Income Tax nWhile most U.S. states impose income tax on multistate business under the principles contained in the Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act, state courts and taxing authorities have interpreted that set of relatively uniform laws differently, especially with regard to the definition of business income. The differing interpretations of business income have increased significance to  more...

Estate Planning Opportunities in an Uncertain Environment nMotivate the reluctant client; freeze the estate value to reduce the estate tax load. How many of us have clients waiting on the sidelines to decide what to do after experiencing 2008? The uncertain times and uncertain market have actually created the perfect time to use some of the advanced planning tools in the estate planner's arsenal. Depressed values for good assets open up the opportunity  more...

Retirement Benefit Solutions For Nonprofit Organizations and Government Entities nNonprofit organizations face many of the same issues regarding use of retirement benefits to attract and retain employees and executives as for-profit companies, but the tools available to them are often more limited. This teleconference will explore both broad-based retirement programs and executive deferred compensation available to nonprofit organizations. It will highlight new rules for  more...

Updating and Maintaining Wills, Trusts and Estate Plans for the Evolving Client nThis teleconference has two primary focuses. The first part will highlight issues and opportunities for a drafting attorney to revisit and update an existing client's estate plan or prepare an update for a new client with existing documents. This part will focus on when and why clients need to review and revisit their estate plans and how to spot those issues for existing and potential clients.  more...

Share-Based Compensation - Impact of Recent Events on the Use of Equity Compensation nExecutive compensation continues to be a hot topic across many industries. Recent changes in share-based compensation rules, principally the changes to Financial Accounting Standards 123(R) [FAS 123(R)], and market uncertainty and declines have led to significant changes in how companies and executives view the role and the value of equity as part of an overall compensation package. Join our  more...

The Streamlined Sales Tax Project - How and Why It Affects Your Business nThe Streamlined Sales Tax Project is an effort by state representatives to implement a national uniform, simplified system of sales and use tax compliance. After more than five years of their efforts, the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Agreement came into effect on October 1, 2005. The SSTP now includes 19 full member states and three associate member states. Although initially taking effect as a  more...

Hot Topics for 501(c)(3) Organizations nThere has been a lot of talk about the revised Form 990 and it's finally here! Whether you love it or loathe it, you can't put it off any longer. We will spend a majority of the time talking about some of the hot-button issues that the new form raises both in terms of simple compliance and in communicating with and involving your board. But wait, there's more! After this teleconference, you'll  more...

Investing IRAs and Qualified Plan Rollovers in Real Estate, Franchises, Start-Ups and Other Private Investments - Techniques and nA growing number of IRA owners and recipients of qualified plan rollovers have sought to take control of their own investments by investing directly in real estate and small businesses that they may intend to manage or otherwise be personally involved in. This trend has accelerated in recent years as syndicators, entrepreneurs, private fund managers and franchisors have come to view IRAs and  more...

Estate Planning for Vacation Homes nSummer and holiday gatherings at the family vacation home have become important traditions for many families. Providing a place where family members can relax, reconnect and escape the busy pace of life is increasingly significant to many families. Parents want to perpetuate these cherished memories and experiences throughout the generations. To do so requires careful, thoughtful planning by both  more...

Restructuring: Changing Your Choice of Business Entity nEach business goes through various stages of its life cycle as it grows. The plans of its owners change, and management succession and exit strategies become more immediate concerns. As a result, initial tax and state law decisions need to be revisited, and when warranted, consideration of changes to a company's tax and legal structure may be advisable or necessary. This teleconference will  more...

Obtaining and Sustaining a Tax-Exempt Status nIn today's environment, the pressure on tax-exempt organizations to comply with the tax rules is greater than ever. In this teleconference, you'll learn the difference between nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, how an organization qualifies for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, how to distinguish between private foundation and public charities, how to understand the benefits of public charity  more...

Grant Applications From Beginning to End nGrants are highly competitive. With the down turn in today's market they are becoming even more competitive as business and investors are looking at grants to leverage their position. Grants that are easy to find are the most competitive and most difficult to receive. Grant money is free money, in the sense that it does not have to be repaid like a loan. Getting grant funding takes skill,  more...

Advanced Records Management: The Intersection of Good Records Management and eDiscovery Preparedness nEffective records management can have an enormous impact on e-discovery preparedness and a corporation's bottom line. While many corporations have established policies related to paper records, many of those same corporations have failed to update those policies to account for their rapidly increasing volumes of electronically stored information. No form of ESI demonstrates these complex issues  more...

Capital Improvements for Condominium and Homeowners' Associations nThe common elements of all forms of community associations are in a never ending cycle of deterioration. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the association's board of directors to protect and maintain the community. It is not optional to address the physical condition of the community in a well-considered manner. This teleconference will help you develop strategies. The board itself needs to  more...

Effective Program Evaluation for Nonprofits nThe importance of evaluating your nonprofit cannot be underestimated! The data you collect and analyze will let you know the extent to which you have met your goals and objectives, how your clients feel about your organization and its services, whether you are using quality processes, what you can celebrate and how you can improve! Effective evaluations can also tell you about the program design  more...

Toxic Properties: Mold, Meth Labs and Beyond nAre you 100% sure that property is safe? Don't guess - know the history of the property and the risks that history presents to potential buyers. Sign up for this teleconference and you'll get the up-to-date information you need to recognize the most pressing toxic property concerns in the country. n nYou'll hear from expert speakers about mold, meth labs, asbestos and - most importantly -  more...

Latest Trends in the Rise of Unclaimed Property Enforcement nRegister for this teleconference and stay abreast of the latest statutory and state enforcement trends. You'll get an update on recent cases involving unclaimed property (state and corporate) and best practices you can use to address current internal controls, policies and procedures.  more...

A Tax Primer on Real Estate Investment Trusts nMore than $375 billion are invested in approximately 180 publicly traded real estate investment trusts (or REITs). In addition, billions more are invested in privately held REITs. This teleconference will provide an introductory summary of the tax requirements REITs face in their formation and ongoing operations. You will develop a basic understanding of REITs through this program. The  more...

Environmental Issues in Commercial Leases Benefits Environmental issues impact myriad provisions in a commercial lease and can have not only a material legal effect, but a material economic effect on the rights, duties and risk allocation between the landlord and the tenant. From pre-delivery site and building assessment to operational risks, insurance and indemnification obligations to premises surrender, restoration and abatement,  more...

State Income Tax Apportionment-The Sales Factor and The Throwback Rule Benefits This teleconference will provide an in-depth analysis of the sales factor used in state and local income tax apportionment. You'll learn all about the sourcing of sales of tangible personal property and services, including the dock sales test and market-based sourcing. Find out what you need to know about the throwback rule and the throw-out rule. Get expert advice on handling issues  more...