Business Owners Telephone Seminars

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 Building Construction - Why Tilt-Up Is The Right Choice! ...ase studies of completed tilt-up projects that have saved business owners time and money while still producing award-winning designs. Learning Objectives: - You will be able to describe what tilt-up construction is. - You will be able to discuss dispelling common misconceptions of tilt-up construction. - You will be able to explain benefits compared to conventional construction methods. - You  more...

Impact of NLRA on Nonunion Employers BenefitsEmployees have the right under the National Labor Relations Act to form together for their mutual aid and protection and to engage in concerted activity to better their working conditions or protest those conditions. Although these actions usually occur in a union setting, nonunion employees also enjoy these protections and rights. Additionally, although nonunion employers are not bound to  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...

Is Lookism Illegal? Appearance Discrimination at Work BenefitsMore and more frequently, the argument is made that there should be a law against 'lookism,' or appearance discrimination, in the workplace. This live audio conference will explore whether appearance discrimination is a significant problem, which laws already address it, and how a law might be written to outlaw it specifically. This program will better equip managers and human resources  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

International Payroll Compliance Issues BenefitsThe emergence of the global economy has created opportunities for a large number of companies to expand internationally. This has resulted in an increase in cross-border transfer of their employees, thereby creating a host of challenges for companies that must administer payrolls in different jurisdictions with a myriad of reporting and tax withholding rules. Companies must find a way to  more...

Wellness Programs: Rewards, Penalties, Legal Risks, and Legal Developments BenefitsWellness programs played a central role in the health reform debate. Health care reform clearly demonstrates the desire of Congress and the President to encourage wellness programs and healthy lifestyles to control the cost of health insurance. Much of their interest is based on success stories from the private sector. Despite regulatory uncertainties, rising health insurance costs have  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...

Common Injuries in Workers' Compensation BenefitsThis live audio conference 'Common Injuries in Workers' Compensation,' presented by John W. Valente, Esq., will discuss some of the solutions and strategies used by employers to both prevent and control common workplace injury claims. A review of common injuries employers face every day in the workplace injury realm, ranging from slip and fall claims to back injuries from lifting, and  more...

Common Injuries in Workers' Compensation BenefitsThis live audio conference 'Common Injuries in Workers' Compensation,' presented by John W. Valente, Esq., will discuss some of the solutions and strategies used by employers to both prevent and control common workplace injury claims. A review of common injuries employers face every day in the workplace injury realm, ranging from slip and fall claims to back injuries from lifting, and  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...

Medicare Secondary Payer Act: Protecting Medicare's Interest In Insurance Settlements BenefitsPursuant to 42 USC Section 1395y(b)(2), commonly known as the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, Medicare may not make payment for medical benefits where payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under a workers' compensation law or plan of the United States or a state, or under an automobile or liability insurance policy or plan (including a self-insured plan), or under no  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...

Intellectual Disabilities and Employer ADA Obligation BenefitsWith the dramatic expansion of the American With Disabilities Act (ADA) by the ADA Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and the EEOC's ADAAA final regulations effective as of May 24, 2011, ADA claims are skyrocketing. A great many of the burgeoning claims concern matters formerly called mental disabilities and which are now called intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disabilities, which may  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...

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...

Creating and Using a Salary Increase Matrix BenefitsThis live audio conference will discuss the concept, implementation and best practices associated with a merit matrix. Implementing a merit matrix is one of the easiest and most direct ways to link pay with performance and manage turnover. Sharing of pitfalls that many companies encounter when implementing a matrix and how to avoid them will be addressed. The live audio conference will  more...

E-Verify Requirements and Best Practices BenefitsE-Verify is an online system that allows employers to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from an employee's Form I-9 against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases. Although initially implemented as a voluntary program, many states now require the use of E-Verify. Additionally, many federal contractors are also required to use  more...

Strategies for Successful Mixed Use Development BenefitsThe ideals and reality of mixed use as the preferred urban form are still in their relative infancy as part of the 21st century development vocabulary. Ironically, the ideals behind the tremendous push for this development form reference the urban fabric of our oldest cities. The driving factors behind the attraction to the mixed use model include current trends and attitudes toward a more  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...

Implications of Medical Marijuana in the Workplace BenefitsAn applicant takes a pre-employment drug screen and tests positive for marijuana but tells you that he is a registered user of medical marijuana to treat his medical condition. Can you refuse to hire him? An employee tells you that he needs to take a daily break in order to consume medical marijuana to treat his cancer. Do you have to accommodate this request? How is this request different  more...

Intermittent Leave Under FMLA BenefitsMany employers are confronted with various issues related to intermittent leave under FMLA. This live audio conference will help front line personnel identify and handle intermittent leave issues. The program will address the legal and human resources issues confronted by employers and provide practical steps and procedures for employers to follow. This live audio conference is designed  more...

Health Savings Accounts BenefitsThis live audio conference will explain the basic rules for eligibility, contributions and use of an HSA with a high deductible plan. It will also review current studies on whether HSAs are achieving the goal of reducing total health care costs through consumerism. Focusing on the final comparability rules for employer contributions and updates on the new contribution limits and IRS  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...

Offboarding: Strategies for a Successful Goodbye BenefitsThis live audio conference will review research showing the value of effective offboarding: higher levels of employee commitment, lower recruitment costs, and higher quality candidates. As with all employment actions, it should be lawful, safe, secure, efficient, ethical, fair and respectful. Effective HR leaders must work both sides of the basic accounting equation: assets = liabilities +  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...

Successful PTO Programs BenefitsPTO programs have become quite popular over the years as an alternative to traditional vacation, sick leave and other policies. Done right, PTO can be a powerful recruiting and retention tool. Done wrong, PTO can negatively impact morale and productivity and be a trap for the unwary employer. This live audio conference helps those persons responsible for designing and implementing employee  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...

Current Issues in Real Estate Appraisals BenefitsThe worst of the financial crisis and recession appears to be over, but where are we in terms of current market conditions for various property types and how does this relate to the valuation process? What is an evaluation versus an appraisal and what impact might they have on the lending community and appraisal industry? What are key issues in appraisals and ways of looking at risk? This  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...

Understanding the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Employee Family Leave Laws and Return-to-Work Issues BenefitsThe Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of 'pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.' But what does this mean? The Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act may provide protections for employees with certain medical conditions due to pregnancy or who have recently given birth. But how do you know who is covered and what  more...

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP): Developing a SWPPP and the New EPA Storm Water Rules BenefitsCities, states and the EPA are placing new emphasis on storm water discharges from industrial facilities, construction sites and municipalities. They are conducting storm water pollution prevention plan inspections at industrial facilities and construction sites. Some of these inspections have resulted in storm water violations with fines. Nationwide, storm water is a leading source of  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...

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...

Workers' Compensation: Return to Work Issues BenefitsBy attending this program you will learn the fundamentals of managing the employee returning to work from a compensable injury. In addition to an understanding of the interplay between federal laws prohibiting discrimination against health conditions and state workers' compensation laws, you will learn strategies to make the most of functional capacity evaluations and rehabilitation  more...

Weight Loss At the Workplace: Legal Issues For Employers Seeking To Reduce Health Care Costs BenefitsLearn the issues used to identify and address when formulating and implementing a corporate wellness program that is aimed at weight loss reduction. The number of potentially applicable federal and state laws requires careful consideration of the potential issues raised with drafting and managing a corporate wellness program. The multiple relevant laws and regulations only heighten the  more...

Telecommuting: The Next Wave of Wage and Hour Litigation BenefitsTechnological developments have resulted in a substantial increase over the last several years in the number of employers offering telecommuting as an alternative work arrangement, and the number of employees who choose it. Although telecommuting arrangements can be beneficial to employers and employees, many employers have failed to adequately meet many of the legal compliance and  more...

Employment Law Compliance: Disciplining or Terminating a Workers' Comp Claimant BenefitsThis live audio conference will address many of the difficult issues that arise when considering whether to discipline or terminate an employee who is also a workers' compensation claimant. The program will cover the core concepts underpinning workers' compensation statutes and the primary types of anti-retaliation provisions found in workers' compensation statutes. The live audio  more...

Americans With Disabilities Act - The Reasonable Accommodation Process BenefitsThis live audio conference will review practical issues you have to handle when it comes to the Americans With Disabilities Act. This audio conference will review what employment policies should be contained in your employee handbook, when you can make a medical inquiry, what is a disability-related inquiry, how you should handle a reasonable accommodation request under the Americans With  more...

Learning on the Job: Creating Legally-Sound Internship Programs BenefitsCreating a successful internship program is not as simple as identifying and assigning appropriate projects and requiring interns to shadow your employees. An internship can be a wonderful opportunity for the participant to learn about a business, organization, or industry. Organizations that maintain internship programs must be mindful, however, that they must comply with several federal  more...

Potholes: Causes, Maintenance and Pitfalls BenefitsRoads are built to provide a safe and comfortable ride for road users. To fill this function, a pavement surface must be smooth, thus free of breaches such as potholes. Potholes are circular holes in asphalt pavement extending through an entire pavement layer. In certain conditions, they develop in a matter of hours. If potholes are not fixed immediately after they appear, a safety risk  more...

Satisfying OFCCP's Internet Applicant Rules BenefitsThe Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs continues to clarify the definition of an Internet applicant and the evolving guidance gives employers additional direction and assistance. Moreover, the OFCCP has initiated a systematic process for monitoring adherence to the Internet Applicant Rule. This live audio conference will review the continuously developing OFCCP guidance 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...

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...

Is a Benefits Portal Right for Your Company? BenefitsIn this session, you will get an overview of the latest trends in benefit portals and how a benefits portal can improve employee engagement, drive employee self service and streamline benefits administration. Demonstrated by best practice models and live examples, you will leave with a real-world understanding of benefit portals and 'next step' ideas to introduce or further advance this  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...

Creating Successful Employee Surveys BenefitsEmployee surveys help organizations identify opportunities to improve their employment brand; identify employment practices problem areas; improve employee relations, morale and teamwork; enhance employee commitment and engagement; and assess the implementation and effectiveness of HR management systems and processes. In today's economy and workplace, this however is just the starting  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...

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...

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...

Advanced Applicant Tracking Strategies For Government Contractors: Effective Tools To Avoid Claims of Discrimination BenefitsFederal contractors and subcontractors are required to track applicant data for their affirmative action plans. However, even companies who properly track applicant data treat the process as a purely recordkeeping exercise. Failure to maintain proper and robust information regarding applicant disposition is the most common error employers can make which results in Office of Federal  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...

Considering Medicare's Interest in Future Medical Expenses While Avoiding MSA Overfunding BenefitsThis live audio conference will focus on Medicare compliance in workers' compensation and liability cases in which future medical expenses are likely to be incurred. We will explore the legal obligations of injured persons, insurers, and employers in compliance with the Medicare Secondary Payer Act when settling workers' compensation and liability cases. Explore alternatives to submission  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...

Planning Your Holiday Party: Keys to a Celebration Without Litigation BenefitsHoliday parties can be a great opportunity for employers to celebrate the accomplishments of the passing year and reward employees for a job well done. Unfortunately, these same parties can provide an outlet for inappropriate behavior and potentially expose the company to liability well past the New Year. This live audio conference will help you understand the possible sources of trouble  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...

COBRA: A Little of Everything is Changing BenefitsThis live audio conference is for 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.  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...

How to Develop an Effective Mentoring Program BenefitsCreating a structured mentoring program is a powerful way to support the personal growth and career development of employees. Mentoring also enhances the stability and productivity of an organization through employee retention, succession planning, transfer of knowledge, and leadership development. The problem is that many businesses believe that mentoring consists of just 'putting two  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...

When Employee Bloggers Attack: Responding to Negative Employee Comments on the Web BenefitsAs social networking, via online tools such as MySpace , Facebook , and Twitter , have exploded in popularity over the last few years, many employers have had to deal with inappropriate conduct by their employees on the web, including an employee's direct criticism of the company. According to one survey, at least half of all employers have had to discipline employees for inappropriate  more...

Employee Discipline for Conduct Outside of Work BenefitsIn this informative live audio conference, you will learn the legal rights and responsibilities of employers in disciplining employees for conduct outside of work. You will hear about recent legislation and court cases involving some of the hottest topics in employment law, including employee discipline for blogging, web-based 'employer trashing,' workplace dating and extramarital affairs,  more...

Everything You Wanted to Know About Drug and Alcohol Testing but Were Afraid to Ask BenefitsMost companies that care about safety in the workplace have implemented a drug and alcohol testing program. An added benefit to companies is a reduction in their workers' compensation insurance premiums. What makes an effective program? What kind of safeguards should there be to ensure accuracy? What does a drug test really measure? What is the best sample: urine, hair or oral fluid? Are  more...

Effective Collections: A Proactive Approach to Credit Management ...y 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 specific steps and use positive action to streamline and maximize your credit management policies. This live audio conference is designed for credit and collection managers, presidents, vice presidents, business owners and managers, accounting managers,  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...

Responding to an EEO Charge BenefitsThe most effective way to avoid an EEOC charge is to make sure you have appropriate anti-discrimination policies and procedures in place and that all employees understand those policies. Prevention and awareness are areas employers should focus on when dealing with employee discrimination issues. If the worst case scenario happens, this live audio conference will tell you how to protect  more...

Using Travel Policy to Control Costs BenefitsIn the old days, professionals assumed that travel expenses had little impact on their firm's bottom line. Clearly, those days are long gone. Attendees of this program will gain a high level of understanding about the best practices in travel management, so they can manage the balance between the competing strategic goals of service, savings and safety. Because a well-structured travel  more...

Legal Implications of Environmental Contamination BenefitsThis live audio conference will provide business managers, landowners, environmental consultants, and legal practioners a practical grounding in the basic concepts underlying environmental common law tort, statutory/regulatory and contractual liability. You will understand the framework of federal and state sources of environmental liability and learn how to avoid and mitigate exposure to  more...

Bikeway Design Principles, Planning, and Best Practices BenefitsBicycling is gaining popularity in the United States as a recreational activity and a utilitarian mode of transportation. By expanding their bikeway networks, cities throughout the US have increased bicycle ridership and broadened the transportation options available in their community. However, significant barriers to bicycling keep many could-be riders off of their bikes. Additionally,  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...

Writing Job Descriptions BenefitsA frequent challenge for many employers in launching compensation initiatives, or completing organizational re-design, is a general difficulty in collecting and delivering accurate and timely job documentation. The focus of this live audio conference is to reinforce the importance of proper job documentation and provide strategies on how to build and maintain a library of accurate job  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...

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...

Changes to Cafeteria Plans: What You Need to Know to Prepare BenefitsThe IRS recently issued new rules which replaced portions of the old regulations. These new rules are exciting but require you to review and act on your old documents. The information provided in this live audio conference will assist you in decisions for the upcoming plan year and how to prepare for the changes. This live audio conference is designed for human resources and benefits  more...

How to Design Parking Lots That Work BenefitsThis live audio conference will be of great benefit to architects, engineers, developers and contractors. You will learn how to acquire a potential property, how to design and maintain surface parking lots. We will not only devote time to surface features, such as pavements, drainage and striping, but will also discuss the importance of paying attention to soil preparation and pavement  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...

Screening Unemployed Job Applicants: Pros and Cons to Consider Benefits(Problem) Many employers struggle to balance their need for information about potential applicants, given the high costs of even a single 'bad hire,' with understanding their legal obligations and the risks of using certain available tools to screen job applicants. Unemployed applicants pose unique issues and are more likely to bring a failure to hire discrimination claim. (Solution) This  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...

Workers' Compensation Metrics: Assessing and Reporting on the Success of Your Program BenefitsEmployers struggle with finding a way to measure the effectiveness of their occupational health programs and crafting reporting packages that are relevant and action-focused. Often data is difficult to collect, or overwhelmingly detailed. Vendor-supplied reports are generally focused on tactics, not strategy outcomes. This leaves many employers unable to answer some of the most critical  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...

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...

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...

Pervious Pavement Alternatives BenefitsPorous pavements are becoming one of the most important tools for meeting nonpoint source pollution goals, building low-impact developments and rehabilitating cities in a sustainable manner. However designers, developers and municipal officials are reluctant to use porous pavements until numerous questions about their practicality and feasibility are answered. This audio conference conveys  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...

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...

Florida Employment Law Update BenefitsThis audio conference will provide you with working knowledge of the most prevalent issues facing Florida employers. The speakers, experts in management labor and employment law, have identified three areas of utmost concern. You will gain insight and the tools necessary to avoid and combat these common workplace problems. This audio conference is designed for human resource managers,  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...

2011 Affirmative Action Compliance Update BenefitsWhen was the last time you updated your narrative plan documents, your applicant self-identification forms, and your statistical and adverse impact analysis? As you update your plan documents for 2011, take an hour for an in-depth review of recent changes to the regulatory requirements and best practices that affect each aspect of your plan and related forms. If a letter from the OFCCP is  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...

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...

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...

Understanding Massachusetts' Exemptions to Employment at Will BenefitsMany Massachusetts employers feel overwhelmed by the number of laws and regulations that govern the employee-employer relationship. Often, employers feel restricted in properly dealing with employee issues, especially when employees claim they have rights or they are being harassed at work. Massachusetts law, however, recognizes at-will employment, which provides you with significant  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...

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...

Managing Employees' Pre-Existing Conditions: Strategies for Reducing Injury Losses BenefitsAttend this audio conference to learn the fundamentals of managing employees with pre-existing health conditions. In addition to an understanding of the interplay between federal laws prohibiting discrimination against health conditions and state workers' compensation laws, you will learn the nuances of distinguishing between pre-existing conditions and new work-related injuries. You will  more...

Using Human Capital Analytics to Maximize the Value of Your Workforce BenefitsMeasuring and maximizing the contribution people make to the bottom line is a critical issue for organizations, and analytics are the key to those insights. The challenge is using analytics to understand where making a change would improve engagement and performance. This audio conference addresses how to integrate the business and HR perspectives when conducting human capital analytics,  more...

Reduce Unemployment and Turnover Costs With Decision Making Leave BenefitsThis audio conference will teach you about decision-making leave - a concept offering several potential advantages for employers. These benefits break down to immediate and long-term legal benefits when properly implemented. Practical considerations for implementing decision making leave, including a case studies involving decision making leave will be discussed. This audio conference is  more...

How Can End-of-Life Planning Resources Benefit Your Workplace? BenefitsEnd-of-life issues can be a major distraction for employees. MetLife estimates that U.S. businesses lose between $17 billion and $33 billion per year in productivity of full-time workers with caregiving responsibilities. Employers need to place a priority on addressing end-of-life issues. These issues affect their employees who serve as caregivers to aging parents, children and other  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...

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...

Positive Strategies For Dealing With Problem Performers BenefitsAre you still experiencing problems with employees even though you've tried progressive discipline? Is your company still using punishment as a means to discipline employees? Are you wondering why your disciplinary strategies don't seem to work? If you have these questions, attend this audio conference and learn about more positive strategies and approaches in dealing with problem  more...

Behavioral Based Interviewing: The Next Evolution BenefitsBecause your organization can never be greater than the sum of its parts, your success is determined by one key decision: Who gets hired? Yet fewer than 30 percent of hiring managers nationwide have had any real training in applicant interviewing skills (a fact supported by a University of Chicago research study concluding that basing a hiring decision on an interview is only 8 percent  more...

Using Social Media in Collections ...ology 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 this  more...

HR Time Lines: The Complex Integration of FMLA, WC, Disability and COBRA BenefitsHow do workers' compensation, FMLA, disability and COBRA laws work - together, independently or concurrently? What can run together? What cannot? When can we cancel the health plan, for what reason and is it a COBRA qualifying event? During this audio conference we will pull all of these together to explain the employer's liability. When can coverage be canceled? What laws protect  more...

Recent Developments in Material Participation for LLCs and LLPs ...tically examined, teaching you what the decisions mean to business owners in terms of their ability to claim losses from limited liability entities under current law. The audio conference will also examine the alternatives the IRS might pursue as it contemplates amending the regulations to address the judicial defeats. Gain a better understanding of the circumstances that will satisfy the  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...

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...

Phased Retirement in The New Economy BenefitsThe concept of phased retirement first gained popularity in the 2000s, primarily based upon the shrinking labor force and employers' concerns regarding the loss of valuable talent to retirement. As a result, Congress enacted certain legislative and regulatory rules regarding phased retirement arrangements. These rules seek to provide flexibility for older workers desiring to take part in a  more...

Essentials of Florida Garnishment Laws BenefitsWhen the process server hands you garnishment papers about someone working for you, what do you do? Hire an attorney? Respond on your own? Throw it away? The garnishment writ is a directive from the court to withhold salary or wages from someone working for you (and not just an employee). This audio conference will explain the nuts and bolts of Florida's garnishment laws, from how a  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...

Complying With OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements BenefitsMany companies do not understand the scope or complexity of the various recordkeeping obligations under OSHA's laws and regulations. This audio conference will provide guidance as to OSHA's recordkeeping requirements, including pending regulatory changes and trends. Learn about OSHA's new penalty policy, as well as the pending OSHA Reform Bill hidden in the Miner Safety and Health Act.  more...

Metal Building Design for Changed Occupancy or Loading BenefitsIn today's economy, many building owners are electing to update their current location or existing structure instead of purchasing new facilities. Metal buildings are very common due to their efficiencies and lower up-front construction costs as they are designed to meet exact project requirements. Changes in the project requirements that increase loading or moving building components can  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...

Workers' Compensation Handbook Best Practices BenefitsMinimizing workers' compensation abuse and controlling the costs of legitimate claims is a daunting task. In this difficult economy, it is essential you take every step you can to reduce your workers' compensation exposure and costs. This 90-minute audio conference is geared to provide you with the best handbook practices - policies, procedures and techniques - for staying in control of  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...

Illinois Leave Laws: Navigating a Minefield BenefitsAlthough the economy may have been stagnate, the legislature has not. Over the past couple of years, Illinois has passed or expanded numerous leave laws presenting even more obligations for employers. The interaction of these laws can be complex and difficult to institute. This teleconference will assist you in understanding their obligations in implementation and compliance. Leaves  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...

Implications of the First Investigations Under the FTC Guides for Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising BenefitsThe benefits of word of mouth and viral marketing via blogs, Twitter , Facebook and other social media platforms are undeniable. These emerging technologies are rapidly taking hold in corporate America and are radically changing the marketing landscape. In an effort to stay current with the way consumers obtain product information, the Federal Trade Commission has, for the first time since  more...

Jeopardizing Exempt Status BenefitsOnce exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employees do not necessarily remain exempt for the duration of their employment. Actions taken (or not taken) by employers can and do jeopardize the exemptions claimed, leading unknowing employers down the path to potentially ruinous liability for unpaid minimum wages and overtime. This teleconference is designed to help you identify issues  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...

Family Responsibility Discrimination Law: Family Friendly Employer or Litigation Target? BenefitsFamily responsibilities discrimination against employees because of their family caregiving responsibilities is becoming a major issue for employers. Employers have been the subject of increasing but not well understood claims based on FRD claims. These claims have been pursued under a variety of both federal and state laws, and have resulted in multimillion-dollar verdicts. This  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...

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...

Emerging Trends in Metal Roofing BenefitsThis teleconference will provide information on the current state of the metal roofing industry as well as the trends for the future. Metal roofing is the fastest growing residential roof product, and its share of the commercial roofing market continues to grow. It is becoming a product of choice for architects, designers and facility managers looking for a durable and energy efficient  more...

Labor Law: Could 2011 Be the Turning Point for Unions? BenefitsIt's been almost two full years of President Obama's administrative initiatives - a rollout of many campaign promises. Unions played a vital role in the 2008 elections and they continue to have a large voice in upcoming Congressional elections this fall. While most of the country has been focused on health care reform, 2011 could prove to be a pivotal year for union activity. What  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 BenefitsThis teleconference will present a practical, action-oriented analysis of the estate and GST tax in 2010 focusing on the repeal of the estate tax and subsequent developments. The focus will be on how the client advisor team, consisting of the estate planning attorney, insurance consultant, accountant and wealth manager, can take practical and coordinated steps to best serve their clients  more...

Health Care Reform Update BenefitsPresident Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. This legislation will effectively restructure one-sixth of our economy and have a significant impact on our personal lives. Beyond the partisan politics and media hype are the practical concerns of employers, HR professionals, attorneys, third-party administrators, and other consultants and  more...

Texas Nonsubscriber Claims 101: Perspectives From Employees and Employers BenefitsTexas is the only state in the union that permits employers to opt-out of worker's compensation insurance. Employers who opt-out are known as nonsubscribers. Some nonsubscriber employers purchase insurance products that pay for medical care, lost wages and indemnify the employer if a claim is filed. Other employers self-insure and handle claims in-house or send them to third-party claim  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...

Handling Paid Leave Requests in New Jersey BenefitsIn January 2009, New Jersey became one of only a handful of states mandating that certain kinds of family leave be paid leave. Paid leave brings with it new employer compliance questions. For example, what must an employer do when an employee makes a paid leave request? Who pays for such paid leave? What laws are implicated by such a request and who decides whether an employee is eligible  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...

Recruiting on a Limited Budget: Proven Low and No Cost Tools and Approaches BenefitsThere is a long and established history of recruiting professionals being asked to accomplish more with less around the world. A June 2010 poll recently revealed that while 73 percent of organizations expected the volume of recruiting activity in their organization to increase significantly in the current year, only 18 percent received an increase in budget on par with the forecasted  more...

10 Employee Handbook Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make BenefitsWith major developments occurring in labor and employment law over the past year, now is the perfect time to review your employee handbook to ensure it is in compliance with the latest changes and includes best practices. To avoid errors in this process, you will learn the top mistakes employers make and the keys to making the employee manual a valuable tool. The new governing legal  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...

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...

Implications of the Michigan Budget Shortfall BenefitsMichigan is in the middle of a fiscal crisis that will have a direct impact on Michigan's quality of life and future development. Most people do not understand how Michigan's economy works and how it relates to the State Budget process. This teleconference will help shed some light on what economic factors go into the development of the state budget and the impact the current recession and  more...

Implementing Stay Interviews: If You Want to Keep Them You Have to Talk to Them! BenefitsCompanies work very hard to obtain talent with a very high price tag per hire. When they achieve proficiency in what is expected, they become a valuable contributor and an asset to the firm. The last thing you want to happen is to lose these employees because of situations that are within your ability to control. By attending this teleconference you will learn tools, tactics and  more...

International Employment Assignments: Understanding the Compliance Risks BenefitsWhether a company is sending employees to the U.S. to work in its U.S. branches, subsidiaries or affiliates, or sending U.S. citizen employees abroad to work in foreign entities, the risks of failing to comply with U.S. and foreign employment and immigration laws are enormous. Attorneys who counsel these companies and human resource executives who implement company policy must be aware of  more...

Oil SPCC Update: How do the Ongoing Changes Affect You? BenefitsThe Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures rules did not change much over the first 30 years of their existence. However, in 2002, the EPA published new proposed rules and the EPA is continuing to tweak and modify those rules, including the streamlining and clarification efforts associated with the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 changes, changing the effective date over and over  more...

Strategies to Utilize Web 2.0 BenefitsIn an era where Web 2.0 is revolutionizing the social dynamics of our society, the HR professional must respond to the changes this new technology is bringing to the workplace. This teleconference will present a practical framework for understanding Web 2.0 and provide insight into a number of best practices that explore a variety of strategies for leveraging the power of this technology  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...

Perpetual Pavement Design and Sustainability BenefitsEnvironmental sustainability in road construction is becoming increasingly important as the public demands more sustainable practices and economic considerations make sustainable solutions more attractive. Asphalt pavements are widely recognized as being sustainable because they can be recycled easily and effectively, but an even more sustainable practice is to ensure the long life of a  more...

How to Save Millions in Claims Through Ergonomics and Injury Prevention BenefitsWe all know how to do our jobs, but no one has ever taught us how to work 'safely.' While there have been attempts to federally regulate ergonomics, these have failed in all but one state, California, which has the only active OSHA regulation to protect workers from repetitive motion injuries. With this in mind, employers are encouraged to voluntarily support an active ergonomics process  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...

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...

Is Your Health Care Plan Grandfathered Under the Health Care Reform? BenefitsEmployers and other sponsors of group health plans routinely make annual changes to their plans that are designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve employee health and productivity. As plan sponsors consider design changes for 2011, they must also take into account new federal mandates under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as modified by the Health Care and  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...

Reading Financial Statements: A Creditor's Perspective ...om 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 ideas, take the mystery out of finance and accounting, and allow you to use financial statements as  more...

Developing a Policy for Employee Use of Mobile Devices BenefitsThe paperless office is not yet here for most, but the vast amount of electronic information coursing through the average organization is bringing us closer and closer each day. Along with all the electronic information and use of mobile devices comes great opportunities, complex challenges and dangerous pitfalls. This teleconference will address employment issues as they pertain 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...

Implementing Employee Threat Assessments: Are Your Employees Ticking Time Bombs? BenefitsEmployers are confronted more often with dangerous employees. This teleconference will address practical human resource issues including how not to hire dangerous employees, strategic discipline, strategic terminations and high risk terminations. It will also discuss some practical tools employers have at their disposal to deal with difficult employees, along with a discussion of real life  more...

Using Payroll Audits to Detect Errors and Fraud BenefitsAs a finance professional, you probably are expected to safeguard your company's money. Unfortunately, there is no typical picture of the fraud perpetrator and embezzlement of funds is all too common place, so you have your work cut out for you! An excellent place to start is with Jeffrey G. Matthews' 'Using Payroll Audits to Detect Errors and Fraud' teleconference. You will learn about  more...

Social Networking in the Workplace: Policies, Monitoring and Discipline Issues BenefitsSocial networking via online tools such as MySpace , Facebook and Twitter has exploded in popularity over the last few years. According to an October 2008 survey, 51 percent of employees accessed social networks at least once per day at work; many of them did so for an hour or more per week. Despite these numbers and the risks inherent in employees using social networking tools, such as  more...

EEO-1 Form: Reporting for 2010 BenefitsIn this interactive teleconference, you will learn the EEO-1 reporting requirements as well as practical, easy to use approaches to completing and submitting the EEO-1 report by the filing deadline. This engaging teleconference will also explain the EEOC's and OFCCP's systemic discrimination enforcement initiatives. From understanding the EEOC's and OFCCP's new focus on these issues to  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...

Evaluating Your Third-Party Administrator: Are You Getting What You're Paying For? BenefitsUsing a third-party administrator is ubiquitous with health and welfare, and retirement plans. However, proper administration by TPAs should not be taken for granted. As with all facets of employee benefit plans, TPAs need to be monitored and evaluated to ensure proper plan administration and fulfillment of a plan sponsor's fiduciary responsibility. This teleconference explores the key  more...

Avoiding Exposure Under The Illinois Wage Payment And Collection Act BenefitsAre you paying your employees correctly? Maintaining proper pay practices has always been challenging due to the highly technical and often changing regulations in this area. Unfortunately, as the number of wage and hour lawsuits continues to spiral out of control, keeping abreast of the current rules and legal developments regarding pay practices has now become a matter of basic survival.  more...

Mortgage Foreclosures in Illinois BenefitsAn Illinois mortgage foreclosure is a complicated process that requires strict adherence to its statutory requirements. Failure to follow the correct procedure can add time and expense for lenders. For borrowers, understanding the nuts and bolts is critical to protecting their rights. Given the increased activity in the purchase of distressed assets, potential investors and buyers also  more...

Cost Accounting Techniques BenefitsCost accounting continues to gain importance and become more critical. It has also become easier to collect measure and analyze data. This teleconference will give you a complete overview of cost accounting in a fast-paced, information-filled and practical procedure-based presentation. Specific ideas will be discussed that can be immediately applied to benefit your company's profitability,  more...

The FLSA Comp Time Controversy BenefitsComp Time, or compensatory time, is an alternate way of rewarding overtime work. Instead of paying an hourly employee time-and-a-half for work done over the time allotted in the normal work week, employers can allow an hour and a half of time off for each hour of overtime worked. This teleconference will cover how the FLSA views the use of comp time in relation to public agencies and  more...

Developing a Sound HR Metrics System BenefitsDoes your organization's HR metrics system fall short of expectations? How can we effectively measure the value that our employees bring to our organizations? How do we measure the effectiveness of our human resources department? Utilizing proper metrics and benchmarking can provide the answers to these questions. Attend this teleconference and learn the importance of demonstrating HR's  more...

Employee Driven Health Care: A Checklist for Employers BenefitsThis teleconference will include a comparison of HSA, HRA and FSAs. You will discover the value of Section 125 plans and recognize funding methods for various plans. Human resource managers, benefits and payroll professionals, controllers, CFOs, business owners and managers, insurance professionals and attorneys  more...

How to Set Pay Ranges That Are Fair and Effective BenefitsOrganizations nationwide seek to continuously improve performance and motivation, while simultaneously reducing costs. This arduous task often becomes the responsibility of human resources. Without effective systems in place and data available, employee compensation can run counter to efficiency and performance objectives set by the organization. The implementation of market-based pay  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...

Techniques to Prepare for Difficult Employee Discussions BenefitsSexually offensive behavior, poor communication and leadership skills, excessive absenteeism, and attitude problems - whether you're encountering commonplace or exceptionally serious employee relations issues, you'll need a down-to-earth strategy to protect yourself and your organization. Verbally addressing problems head-on can be a daunting task because of their confrontational nature,  more...

An Introduction to L3Cs: Low-Profit Limited Liability Companies ...c climate. This teleconference will provide advisors and business owners with a broad overview of a new hybrid for-profit/nonprofit business model: the low-profit limited liability company or L3C. Presenters Cass Brewer and Jeff Woodward will discuss the unique attributes of these entities, especially examples of where an L3C may be appropriate. At its most elemental level, the L3C is a  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...

Advanced Microsoft Excel Formulas and Functions BenefitsEven if you are fairly comfortable with building formulas and functions in Excel , you might still be missing out by having overlooked some powerful functions or just not be aware of special capabilities, like array formulas. There's no question that Excel's 300+ functions give you tremendous capabilities to tackle a myriad of statistical, mathematical and financial challenges, not to  more...

How to Successfully Identify, Propose, Win and Manage Government Contracts BenefitsSmall and medium-sized businesses often experience difficulty conducting business with the federal government. They also do not know of the many tools and resources at their disposal. This teleconference provides those responsible for or trying to penetrate the federal government market space with valuable insight into the intricacies of the federal government acquisition lifecycle. It  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...

Overcoming Employee Absenteeism and Tardiness BenefitsManaging absenteeism and tardiness can be a sticky issue - it is rarely a black and white issue. There are mandatory leave laws that have to be incorporated into your leave policies and some of those can create restrictions on how to administer your leave policies. There are also some restrictions on disciplining employees when they appear to abuse policies. This teleconference will help  more...

Noncompetition Agreements for the HR Professional: Protecting the Company's Business Resources? BenefitsNow more than ever, employers are seeing former employees trying to jump start their career moves - voluntarily or involuntarily - by cashing in on the employer's investment in relationships and information. Quite simply, the most effective way to protect your company's resources against the actions of departing employees is the noncompete agreement. But effectively using noncompetes  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...

Low Back Claims: From Injury to MMI BenefitsLow back pain is the leading cause of work-related disorders that present to a medical provider or occupational clinic. It is estimated that complaints regarding the low back account for up to one-third of all workers' compensation costs. Additionally, occupationally-induced low back disorders can lead to loss of an employee, lost time, diminished productivity, and the cost of hiring and  more...

Meeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities Under ERISA BenefitsMaintaining an employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 requires that people managing the plan or investing plan assets become fiduciaries. You need to know when they might become an ERISA plan fiduciary. You must understand your legal obligations to plan participants and beneficiaries. This teleconference will provide you with an overview of the  more...

Return on Investment for Wellness Programs BenefitsMounting evidence indicates that worksite wellness should be part of every strategic health plan. These plans can offer a valuable tool for employers to promote a fit and health-conscious work force that will save employers money by keeping health insurance premiums down, reducing workers' compensation costs, and by increasing productivity and decreasing lost time. Implementing a plan  more...

Controlling Purchasing Card Risk BenefitsThe backbone of an effective purchasing card program is a good control system. Without it a program may never realize its potential and risk may turn into reality causing a potential program shutdown. Fabian Aragon, P-Card program manager with Sandia National Laboratories, will discuss different ways a program can minimize risk, including basic controls, procedural controls, and assurance  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...

Best Practices in Invoice Processing BenefitsCritical tools such as electronic invoicing, vendor inquiry and Optical Character Recognition are rapidly changing the accounts payable field. Join an accounts payable industry analyst to learn why your job depends on not only understanding these high-power tools, but becoming an expert in their use and application. This teleconference will cover the tangible benefits of streamlining your  more...

Reports for Maintaining Compliance and Controlling Costs BenefitsToo much money is lost due to 'minor' payroll errors. Reviewing and working with certain payroll reports on weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis can prevent these errors from costing you money that adds up fast. One incorrect form sent to the IRS or a state agency could result in thousands of dollars in penalties. Failure to deduct insurance or other deductions from employees can  more...

Pervious Concrete - The Pavement That Drinks! BenefitsPervious concrete is an innovative building material with many environmental, economic and structural advantages. The proper use of pervious concrete is a recognized best management practice by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for providing first-flush pollution control and storm water management. Property owners and developers can also reduce fees and enhance the bottom line by  more...

Employee Safety and Health Systems: Cutting Injuries Using the Team Approach BenefitsTraditional safety committees involve a small number of employees and are often managed by the individual responsible for the facility safety and health system. The problem is that the success of the committee, and thus the system success, is predicated by the authority given to the committee and its leadership which in most cases is low to nonexistent. The bottom line is that employee  more...

ADA Interaction with Addictions and Personal Habits BenefitsOne of the most confounding problems for employers is what to do when an employee comes forward with a drug problem or when an employee appears to be intoxicated while at work. This teleconference is designed to educate legal and HR professionals in addressing those situations within the boundaries of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which generally protects recovering drug addicts and  more...

Discover the Secrets of Microsoft(R) Excel Pivot Tables BenefitsAny Excel user who maintains database-like data invariably needs tools to manage and analyze the data beyond mere sorting and filtering. Excel 's pivot table feature gives you a quick and powerful way to create summary cross-totals combined with an enormous flexibility to restructure your results with simple dragging of fields. Whether you need the ability to create a quick look at the  more...

Unique Workers' Compensation Aspects of Independent Contractors and Traveling Employees BenefitsHear experienced attorneys discuss the complex issues that arise when dealing with independent contractors and traveling employees. Take advantage of this opportunity to gain professional knowledge and advanced insight on this important workers' compensation issue. Workers' compensation administrators, human resource managers, benefits professionals, safety and compliance managers,  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...

Electronic Record Retention: Mistakes HR Professionals Can Avoid BenefitsLearn the facts and get advice on cutting your dependence on paper records. According to the Association of Information and Image Management, more than half of organizations that attempt to implement paperless records management systems fail. Don't be one of them. This teleconference will help HR managers and anyone attempting to implement paperless records management to go paperless  more...

Top 5 Joint Employer Questions Answered BenefitsIn an economic environment where business must find creative staffing solutions to get work done, how do they recognize the hidden dangers in having workers with different types of working relationships? This teleconference helps responsible employers understand the different types of employment relationships, the pros and cons of each, and how to avoid unknowingly changing an individual's  more...

Talent Management: Best Practices to Retain Top Employees BenefitsDesigned for leaders, managers and front line leaders, this teleconference will build a solid understanding of what it takes to engage and retain talent, and demonstrate the pivotal role managers play in this process. See how some of the best organizations deliver engagement and retention results year after year. You will leave knowing what you need to do to equip managers to take action  more...

Preparing for the Unexpected Departure of Key Employees: An Introduction to Replacement Planning BenefitsFewer than 40 percent of U.S. organizations, public or private, have functioning replacement plans in case of the disastrous loss of key people to death, disability, sudden resignation or the potential threatened loss in hostage-taking situations. Replacement planning is not the same thing as succession planning or talent management, though many organizational leaders confuse them. This  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...

New Technology and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you with information regarding the interplay between the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the use of new technology in contacting debtors. The speakers will cover the use of voice mail, caller ID, email, text messages and faxes, and discuss recent case law addressing the application of this technology to the debt  more...

Buying and Selling Claims in Bankruptcy BenefitsYou will benefit from an analysis of the latest bankruptcy procedures and forms for the trading of claims in bankruptcy, strategies for maximizing the value of claims, and recent court decisions and orders that could have a substantial impact on the value or enforceability of the claims purchased. In addition, you will gain insights on trading for passive investment to gain a return on  more...

Billing and Collecting for the Health Care Industry BenefitsDon't miss this billing and collecting teleconference presented by Neltner Billing Consulting Services, Inc. During the teleconference, we will present an overview of coding, billing and auditing for evaluation and management services. We will discuss common billing errors and practical methods for ensuring compliance. We will also share specific techniques for claims processing, payment  more...

Screening Applicants Using Social Networking Sites: Legal or Liability? BenefitsJob applicants have long used the internet to research employers. But now, employers are using the internet to research job applicants as well. Employers aren't only using search engines to find information on applicants but are now examining social networking sites, such as Facebook or MySpace . For job applicants, social networking site are places to interact with peers in any manner  more...

8 Issues When Doing Business or Contracting With Native American Tribes BenefitsThere are more than 500 federally-recognized American Indian tribes in the United States, each established under a constitution unique to the tribe. Each tribe, through its constitution and subsequent legislation, has developed its own laws and regulations addressing issues of contracting, jurisdiction and waivers, if any, of sovereign immunity. Individuals and entities seeking to do  more...

Case Study: What Makes Dixon Schwabl One of the "Best Small Companies to Work for in America" BenefitsLearn how to motivate, empower and excite employees to build a great place to work. Dixon Schwabl, Inc., CEO Lauren Dixon will share her experiences developing a company culture built on flexibility, freedom and respect for employees, inspiring an innovative approach to everyday workplace practices. No matter the size, geography or industry - any company can be a great place to work. Ms.  more...

Internal Controls BenefitsWhether you're part of the Fortune 500 or a small private company, understanding how to develop and implement effective internal controls is critical to your business. In addition to helping you comply with the law, a good system of internal control can dramatically improve your bottom line. In this 90-minute teleconference, you'll learn about basic internal control concepts that will help  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...

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Tips and Tricks BenefitsOutlook is a powerful, feature-filled personal information manager but many users are overwhelmed by the features and options available and never take full advantage of the potential it offers for managing email, calendar and contacts. They don't discover the time-saving shortcuts Outlook provides or utilize the many options included in Outlook. This teleconference offers a quick course in  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...

Workplace Accident Investigations for the HR Professional BenefitsAttend this teleconference and learn how to conduct a workplace accident investigation as well as how to conduct an effective investigation and protect the company's interests. Many written investigative reports are used against the company because they are too conclusory or did not have sufficient information, and should have included certain language for risk management purposes. Learn  more...

Limited Medical Programs: How Employers Are Using Them to Control Health Care Costs BenefitsAfter years of increasing medical premiums, employers are hitting road blocks in cost saving measures. We are at a point of office visit co-pays approaching $50, prescription drug co-pays of $50 to $100, deductibles exceeding $2,000 for in-network benefits, and more and more premium cost shifting from employer to employee. Employee's are finding it hard to afford the per pay premiums and  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...

Strategies for Reducing Unemployment Claims Costs BenefitsMany employers, after terminating an employee, focus on defending against a possible discrimination charge or a lawsuit. Unfortunately, they may pay little or no attention to defending against the ex-employee's unemployment compensation claim. Those employers, albeit mistakenly, believe the ex-employee will be awarded unemployment compensation benefits no matter what they do - so why  more...

Effective Job Rotation Programs: Development and Implementation BenefitsThere is little argument that job rotations, stretch assignments and on-the-job development projects are some of the most effective development tools in the talent management arsenal today. However, the design of many programs currently in operation date back to a time when the speed of organizational change was much slower than it is today, when the pressures of global competition were  more...

Internet and Email: Monitoring Employee Conduct BenefitsTechnology has made privacy issues a hot bed of legal, moral and ethical debate. The development of new technology in recent years has created the ability to access seemingly limitless information resources and has changed irrevocably the way business is conducted. Companies literally have the world at their fingertips. The ever increasing developments in technology will only add to the  more...

Understanding Business Valuations From Purpose to Product BenefitsThe business valuation field is widely fragmented with a variety of specialized services, appraiser credentials, business valuation standards and business valuation deliverables. For this reason, the business valuation methods employed, products delivered and prices charged can vary widely depending on the purpose of the business valuation and the appraiser or firm engaged. Therefore, it  more...

Pitfalls of Participant Loans in Retirement Plans BenefitsParticipant loans in a qualified employee benefit plan are a common problem area due to their complex administration. Plan sponsors of qualified employee benefit plans need to be aware of many pitfalls to avoid tax consequences. Even worse than tax consequences is the possibility of the entire plan losing its preferred tax status. This teleconference will explain the regulations of  more...

Effective Management of Off-Site Employees BenefitsHaving employees telecommute has evolved from being a personal convenience to a good business strategy, and now taking our current economic challenges it is a business necessity. It has become an imperative to effectively manage employees who are not reporting daily to the normal work site. This 90-minute teleconference will discuss how to properly manage off-site employees, the pitfalls  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...

Dress Code Liabilities BenefitsIn this teleconference, you will learn how to deal with complicated and sensitive issues involving how employees dress, the number and type of jewelry worn by employees, and the number and type of tattoos visible on employees while at work. This teleconference will explore the pros and cons of different options in written policies and discuss different approaches in dealing with these  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...

Providing Investment Advice to Retirement Plan Participants Without Triggering Liability BenefitsThe current recession and volatile financial markets highlight the importance of financial literacy. Until recently, retirement plan sponsors have been constrained in the types of investment advice that can be provided to plan participants. Plan sponsors have long wanted to provide the investment advice their participants desire, but without incurring liability for advice given in good  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...

Fundamentals of Form W-2 Processing BenefitsThe main priority for the payroll department is getting the pay checks to associates acutely and timely to employees. But a critical function for the payroll department is to pull all the payroll information together and produce a Form W-2 for all employees. This produces a great challenge to payroll departments to ensure that all elements of the W-2 are complete and accurate along with  more...

The Interrelationship Between Social Security Disability, Medicare and Workers' Compensation Settlements BenefitsThis teleconference covers the two most important federal aspects of workers' compensation practice: Social Security disability offsets and the Medicare secondary payer statute. Anyone who represents claimants, employers or insurers in workers' compensation claims must understand the interrelationship between Social Security disability, Medicare and workers' compensation settlements. You  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...

Lawful Hiring BenefitsEmployers must navigate a minefield of complicated and, in some cases, conflicting laws that affect the hiring process Discrimination claims often arise out of the hiring process. The new U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ricci v. DeStefano, 557 U.S. ___ (2009) shows how an employer (the New Haven Fire Department in that case) can violate discrimination laws when taking steps to attempt to  more...

Dealing with Employee Gambling in the Workplace BenefitsGambling is a billion dollar pastime that is enjoyed by millions of Americans, including groups of employees in the average workplace. The NCAA or Super Bowl office pool can increase morale, create camaraderie among co-workers and generally be a fun and exciting event, especially with the prospect for a lucky employee of a substantial monetary payout. Workplace gambling, however, also has  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...

Employee Engagement in Troubled Times BenefitsEngaging and retaining valued employees is particularly critical amid periods of economic uncertainty if organizations are to maintain product and service quality, and lay a foundation for future growth. Yet while challenging economic environments make employee motivation more critical, they also make employee engagement more difficult to achieve. Belt tightening often results in  more...

Financial Planning After Retirement: Coordinating the Retirement Plan with the Estate Plan BenefitsA wrong determination of whether a trust qualifies as a designated beneficiary of retirement benefits can cost the owner decades of tax deferral as well as 50 percent excise tax penalties. Learn how to provide the best asset protection and estate planning benefits for large retirement plans so that the valuable 'stretch out' does not become a 'blow out.' Most trusts are inadequately  more...

A Privacy Law Primer: What Every Attorney, Compliance and Security Officer Should Know BenefitsPrivacy and information security legislation, standards and case law are having an ever-larger impact on your relationships with your customers, clients and employees, as well as on your company's management of personal information. Issue-spotting in this area requires some familiarity with the complex state, federal and international regulatory patchwork and nongovernmental standards that  more...

Practical Transportation Design and Solutions: Concepts and Implementation BenefitsDue to the increasing age of our nation's transportation infrastructure, in conjunction with the increasing demand for travel, the need for ongoing road preservation, safety and mobility projects has continually increased. However, the long term availability of funds for such improvements continues to diminish. Typical planning and design approaches may prioritize projects at the planning  more...