Businesses Telephone Seminars

What Every Business Person Needs to Know About Legal Issues in Contracts ...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 turn out to  more...

Demolition and Asset Recovery Fundamentals ...onomical climate has brought about many challenges in how businesses and developers are approaching demolition projects. Power generators needing to update their plants to abide by new emissions standards are finding that shutting down and rebuilding are more financially advantageous than retrofitting existing systems. Smelters are faced with the same concerns along with rising cost in raw  more...

The Hazards of Overlooked Property Interests: The Relationship Between Intellectual Property and Estate Planning ...nefitsIntellectual 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...

Loan Modification Fundamentals ...oan defaults and foreclosures are at historic levels. New businesses counseling borrowers and dealing with these crises have been created. How we deal with this crisis will have a significant impact on the nation's economy. Borrowers and lenders alike are working to resolve these defaults and foreclosures, attempting to find a balance between allowing consumers to remain in their homes without  more...

Tax Diligence, Representations, Covenants and Indemnifications in Business Acquisitions ...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 be considered, and that the  more...

Multistate Taxation: Income Franchise Tax ...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 particular emphasis on  more...

How to Sell to the U.S. Government BenefitsMany business people want to sell their services and products to the federal government but find the process confusing and filled with dead ends and frustration. Competitors are winning contracts but it can seem impossible to get through to decision makers, or valuable time and resources are wasted responding to bids that fail. This live audio conference demystifies the federal contracting  more...

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

Email Collections: Do's and Don'ts ...echnology 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 use  more...

How to Develop an Effective Mentoring Program ...dge, and leadership development. The problem is that many businesses believe that mentoring consists of just 'putting two people together'- this is not accurate. Without proper planning and staffing, mentoring programs are bound to fail. This live audio conference demystifies workplace mentoring by focusing on specific tasks described in 'mentoring best practices.' Addressed in chronological  more...

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

Key Legal Distinctions Between Business Entities ...g choice can be problematic. For example, for multi-owner businesses, the choices may include (depending on the relevant state): (i) general partnerships; (ii) limited liability partnerships; (iii) limited partnerships; (iv) limited liability limited partnerships; (v) corporations; and (vi) limited liability companies. This live audio conference will help you identify common nontax and tax  more...

Rules and Responsibilities Regarding Abandoned Wages ...ce with the law. It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of businesses currently comply with unclaimed property laws. However, many companies are not aware of their reporting responsibilities and may just write off unclaimed property. This can cause your company fines for failure to report unclaimed wages. This live audio conference will keep you informed on your legal responsibilities and  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...

Legal Implications of Doing Business on the Internet ... to manage Internet legal threats currently facing online businesses. We will explain strategies that should be implemented to operate and safeguard a web-based business and protect a business brand online. Specific policies and procedures will be analyzed, and how they can be used to minimize online threats. Best practices to safeguard domain names, copyrights, trademark rights, data  more...

IRS Form 5471: Information Return for U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations ... Form 5471 is the place the IRS starts when auditing U.S. businesses that own foreign corporations. As a result, the proper preparation of the Form 5471 will offer the opportunity to document your planning and make that planning audit proof. In this audio conference, you will learn the law behind and the mechanics of how to prepare a Form 5471. New enforcement policies of the IRS with respect  more...

How Can End-of-Life Planning Resources Benefit Your Workplace? ...or 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 relatives, or who experience a health  more...

SBA Loan Guarantees: Current Purchase Issues and Complexities ...nding programs to keep capital flowing to America's small businesses. While the many benefits of the programs may be appealing to lenders an understanding of the guaranty purchase process and the pitfalls which lenders fall victim to, resulting in discounts and denials of these same loan guarantees, is more important now than ever. As the oversight standards of the SBA tighten, you need the  more...

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

EPA Requirements for Underground Storage Tanks: Recent Changes and Cleaning Up Contamination ...businesses and individuals encounter the opportunity to purchase land that has been previously contaminated by underground storage tanks. Many of these prospective purchasers are not aware of or do not understand the responsibilities and liabilities that can be associated with such a purchase. Even worse, most businesses and individuals underestimate the amount of time and expense that is  more...

Economic Substance Doctrine Codification Update ...includes several nonhealth related provisions that affect businesses. Included are the Codification of the Economic Substance Doctrine, expansion of Medicare taxes on high-income earners and the revised reporting requirements on certain payments to corporation. As a result of attending this audio conference, you will become acquainted with several key provisions of the Act and prepare for  more...

Competitive Public Bidding and Public Contract Code in Florida ...looking to the government for opportunities to grow their businesses. While competing for government contracts presents expanded opportunities for success, participation in such procurements is governed by rules, laws and case law precedent not generally applicable in the private sector. This teleconference helps you understand how to obtain contracts with the government and better understand  more...

Labor Law: Could 2011 Be the Turning Point for Unions? ...could prove to be a pivotal year for union activity. What businesses may not be aware of, are many proposed, smaller amendments to NLRA and NLRB rules - when coupled with some form of passage of the Employee Free Choice Act - could prove to be disastrous for employers lacking knowledge and experience against a revitalized union organizing campaign. How might the card check process be  more...

Utilizing Data in Microsoft Access ... 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 platform that allows information workers to extend the power of Excel into database applications. Nonprofessional developers can create their own tables, queries,  more...

Schedule C Reporting Update ...ch year. Many of these represent small, often home-based, businesses. However, a large number also represent large, full-time business enterprises. It is not surprising that with such a large vast array of different types of businesses, Schedule C filers are frequent targets of IRS audits. This teleconference will review the basics of a Schedule C and move on to the proper reporting of income  more...

1099 Reporting of Payments to Attorneys and Other Third-Parties ...IRS reminds us that all third-party payers, such as small businesses or individuals, are required to annually report payments made to subcontractors, attorneys, architects and other service providers. Your attendance will provide the knowledge to insure compliance with these laws and advise payors of their responsibilities. Accountants, CFOs, controllers, accounts payable professionals, tax  more...

Using Social Media to Grow Your Accounting Firm ...l 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 your firm's  more...

Lease vs. Buy: Choosing the Best Option ...ne 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 financing business equipment through equipment lease financings and by purchasing. The speakers  more...

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

Climate and Energy Policy: Interpreting State, Regional and Federal Discrepancies ...s to require reporting by a wide spectrum of industry and businesses. Understanding the existing rules is critical for analyzing the effects of pending federal legislation. The speakers will also identify some of the opportunities that have been enacted, and the new technologies and practices coming into the market. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss EPA Actions under the Clean  more...

Understanding the Apportionment Rules for Service-Based Businesses ... planning - that lead to multiple taxation. Service-based businesses face particular difficulties in identifying and analyzing the rules applicable to their operations for two reasons. First, state apportionment rules were written several decades ago at a time when our economy was dominated by the manufacturing of tangible personal property. Thus, these rules focused on the manufacturing  more...

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

How to Successfully Identify, Propose, Win and Manage Government Contracts ...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 also helps you understand  more...

Implications of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act ... for providing services that are used by illegal gambling businesses. At the same time, there is considerable confusion about the types of Internet gambling that are legal and illegal in the United States, making the risks and opportunities for businesses difficult to understand. This teleconference will help those responsible for risk management and compliance understand what risks confront  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...

Taxation Issues When Conducting Business With Native American Tribes ...ith Native American tribes, tribally-owned enterprises or businesses owned by tribal members. These ventures present significant legal challenges along with unique opportunities, particularly in the area of taxation. This teleconference examines the key federal, state and tribal tax issues facing companies that work with Native American tribes and tribal enterprises, with practical insights  more...

FEMA's Critical Flood Plain Regulation ...nt role in protecting communities and their residents and businesses from the disaster caused by flooding. It publicizes the areas of greatest flood risk, restricts construction with high flood risk, and provides insurance for the flood losses that are excluded from most homeowners and general business policies. These activities have a critical impact on the ability of local government  more...

Developing, Managing and Analyzing a Budget: Understand and Implement an Effective Budget for Better Management and Financial De ...r budget is an invitation to fail. This concept holds for businesses - no matter how large or small - nonprofits and governments. Budgeting is a dynamic process, not a static one. By knowing the types of budgets and processes that have worked for others, one can create an environment and procedure that is a tool for attainment of organizational goals. A suitable budget will, indeed, help  more...

Clean Air Act Update ...businesses are facing unprecedented uncertainty as to future requirements under the Clean Air Act and an array of new programs addressing stationary and mobile emission sources. The Obama Administration and Congress are poised to usher in a new era of greenhouse gas and energy regulation. At the same time, the Obama EPA is confronting a bewildering array of court-ordered regulatory revisions  more...

Current Issues in Attributional and Agency Nexus BenefitsA state's ability to impose taxes on a multistate business is limited by nexus standards rooted in the U.S. Constitution. In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed its longstanding rule and held in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota that nexus requires some form of physical presence in the taxing state. However, physical presence is not limited only to direct presence. It may also be established  more...

Collective Bargaining and Construction Labor Contracts ... jurisdiction. As a result, the contractors exposed their businesses to increased labor costs as well as potential liability to the union benefit funds for unpaid benefit contributions. With proper planning and a better understanding of the law, these problems can be avoided. This teleconference will help contractors gain a better understanding of the types of labor agreements they are being  more...

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

Enterprise Resource Planning - Getting the Payback From Your ERP System ... get an overview of the planning hierarchy in world class businesses and how the planning process utilizes the ERP system. You will better understand the need for robust metrics and an accountability infrastructure, and will become more aware of the power the ERP discipline has in getting the most return for the effort invested. It will become apparent that there is a lot of opportunity to  more...

Maintain and Gain Downtown Businesses in a Tough Economy: Key Retention and Recruitment Concepts ...rning Objectives - You will be able to define reasons why businesses succeed and fail. - You will be able to identify when a business is struggling before it's too late to help them. - You will be able to review the most common business retention strategies available to downtown businesses. - You will be able to discuss techniques for good business recruitment. City managers, municipal  more...

Uncovering Workers' Compensation Fraud ...sult, filing fraudulent claims drives up premiums for all businesses. Additionally, businesses that don't have workers' compensation or report inaccurate payrolls are potentially able to under-bid legitimate businesses on jobs. This teleconference will help you understand what workers' compensation fraud is, what a good investigation entails and how to avoid the pitfalls. The teleconference  more...

Google Wave(TM): Effective Uses and Applications for Businesses ...cial platform? A replacement for email? Is it the new app businesses need to survive in the next decade? Google Wave is none of these, all of these and just about anything you want it to be. Wave is a platform for development. This 90 minute teleconference will show you how everything from corporations to collegiate blogs are using Google Wave to save time, save money and be more productive.  more...

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

Understanding the Complexities of Form 5472 ...the place the IRS starts when auditing foreign-owned U.S. businesses. As a result, the proper preparation of the Form 5472 will offer an opportunity to document your planning as well as make that planning audit proof. In this teleconference, you will learn the law behind and the mechanics of how to prepare a Form 5472. The enforcement policies of the IRS with respect to failure to file Form  more...

Statement on Auditing Standards No. 104 - No. 111 Risk Assessment Standards ...ince the majority of auditors may be working with smaller businesses, this teleconference will include situations encountered with companies that have limited controls and suggestions to meet the standards in this environment. n nFor nonauditors (for example controllers and CFOs), suggestions will be provided to implement controls using cost effective measures. This will include methods to  more...

Demand-Side Water Conservation Initiatives ...eliable water supplies. These circumstances are impacting businesses, homeowners, and the health and security of our modern existence. Brown and Caldwell is helping utilities, government agencies and private companies nationwide develop effective solutions to manage increasing water demands with dwindling water resources. Our team has a proven track record in water conservation and drought  more...

FDIC's Role When a Financial Institution Fails: What Businesses and Bankers Need to Know nThe FDIC is modernizing its current business processes and procedures for determining deposit insurance coverage in the event of a failure of one of the largest insured depository institutions. This teleconference will provide you with information on the complex rules governing FDIC insurance coverage and how to maximize FDIC coverage. The coverage rules, the new rules recently passed and  more...

Tax and Practical Aspects of Business Succession Planning ...businesses are often as important to the owners of that business as are their own children. With business failures increasing in today's economic environment, the importance of a well planned, dynamic and long-term succession plan is vital to the continuation of the family business as it is passes from generation to generation. Tax considerations are one part of that plan, but should not take  more...

Establishing Payment Arrangements: Beyond Net 30 ...businesses have slow or nonpaying customers. How can you collect that money efficiently and quickly and keep that money coming in? The credit crisis, high fuel costs, job losses, bankruptcies, foreclosures and the failing economy are all contributing to factories closing, job loss and business owners going out of business because they can't get paid. Maximize your in-house receivables, learn  more...

Floodproofing Fundamentals: Design Methods to Reduce Flood Damages ...nd insurance groups agree that nearly 40 percent of small businesses that experience a flood or other major disaster never reopen, and less than 30 percent of those that do reopen remain are operating two years later. Yet in spite of these risks associated with flooding, a 2008 national study commissioned by Office Depot indicates 40 percent of small businesses and nearly 50 percent of  more...

Mitigating the Impact of Construction Projects: Hurdles to Project Success ... have impacts on their surroundings, including neighbors, businesses, communities and the physical environment. These impacts frequently are the center of controversy surrounding a project and can lead to unnecessary delays, lost productivity, added project costs and bad public relations. This teleconference will provide you with practical strategies for identifying and controlling negative  more...

Workplace Flexibility: Innovative Strategies for an Evolving Workforce ...an workforce have changed dramatically. In response, many businesses have turned to workplace flexibility in order to recruit and retain the best workers, boost productivity and increase their competitive advantage. At the same time, policymakers in Washington have been exploring various approaches for increasing access to workplace flexibility across industries and professions. n nThis  more...

Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes (UDIPTA): Business vs. Nonbusiness Income Tax ...business income have increased significance to multistate businesses that are in the process of selling assets, liquidating or ceasing operations. This introductory teleconference details the mechanics of UDITPA and how that set of uniform laws requires allocation of nonbusiness income to a particular state and apportionment of business income among the states in which the business conducts  more...

Investing IRAs and Qualified Plan Rollovers in Real Estate, Franchises, Start-Ups and Other Private Investments - Techniques and ...nvestments by investing directly in real estate and small businesses that they may intend to manage or otherwise be personally involved in. This trend has accelerated in recent years as syndicators, entrepreneurs, private fund managers and franchisors have come to view IRAs and qualified plan rollovers as sources of capital. This raises significant policy and enforcement issues for government  more...

Curbing Unauthorized Overtime ... unauthorized overtime occurs, labor costs skyrocket, and businesses face a budgeting nightmare. And when employees perform compensable work off the clock, the potential overtime liability for an employer can be staggering. This teleconference will help businesses understand their responsibilities with respect to compensating for overtime, the rules regarding what activities constitute hours  more...