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Author Archives for Service2Client

  • Deepfakes and Social Engineering: The New Face of CEO and CFO Fraud

    Posted Date March 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readTechnological advancements have ushered in a new era of cybercrime, with deepfakes and social engineering tactics at the forefront of fraudulent activities. CEO and CFO fraud has become increasingly widespread, posing significant threats to organizations worldwide. Understanding CEO and CFO Fraud CEO and CFO fraud involves cybercriminals impersonating executives to manipulate employees to transfer funds or sensitive information. These scams often rely on social engineering techniques to deceive unsuspecting victims. While traditional phishing emails used in business email compromise (BEC)might use generic language, sophisticated cybercriminals now leverage deepfakes to make their schemes more convincing. They exploit... View Article

  • What to Know About the Art Donation Deduction

    Posted Date March 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readIf you would like to donate artwork to an eligible charitable organization, you might be able to take a deduction on your tax return. However, the rules are complex. There are different requirements for different values, and there are scams you want to avoid that could lead to severe consequences for taxpayers who abuse this deduction. Generally, the deduction for donated art is based on the fair market value of the property. This refers to the price the artwork could reasonably be expected to sell for on the open market. To qualify for the deduction, note... View Article

  • U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Begins

    Posted Date March 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 4 min read The U.S. Treasury recently enacted a new reporting requirement aimed at quashing illicit financial transactions. The agency believes that corporate anonymity is enabling money laundering, terrorism, and drug trafficking. As part of the 2021 Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), certain companies are now required to report information about their beneficial owners. The goal of the new registration requirements is to create a centralized database of beneficial ownership information. There has been push-back from some lawmakers and small business organizations, citing this as an erroneous regulatory process that just makes life harder for small businesses. Efforts to... View Article

  • Municipal Bond Outlook for 2024

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readOne of the positive aspects of sustained high-interest rates is higher yields on bonds, particularly high-quality municipal bonds. It is possible that 2024 will present a different scenario as the Federal Reserve begins a schedule of monetary easing by reducing interest rates over time. The potential for this strategy, combined with a slowdown in inflation and economic growth – and exacerbated by the potential volatility of a U.S. presidential election – offers a hazy but ultimately positive outlook for municipal bonds. For now, investors with a long-term outlook (up to 10 years) can take advantage of... View Article

  • New Email Deliverability Rules: Reaching Gmail and Yahoo Subscribers in 2024

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readEmail marketing remains the most powerful and effective tool, especially for its high ROI, reach, and engagement. It plays a significant role in business growth. However, more stringent measures are necessary due to evolving threats, hence the recent email deliverability requirements. Starting this February, major email providers Gmail and Yahoo are implementing stricter email deliverability rules to combat spam and protect user inboxes. This announcement was made by both Google and Yahoo on Oct. 3, 2023, indicating a united effort to enhance email security. Initially intended for bulk senders (marketers, businesses, and individuals) sending more than... View Article

  • How to be Your Tax Pro’s Favorite Client this Tax Season

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 4 min read Why on earth, you may ask yourself, would I care about being a good client to my tax prep professional? I mean, you are a paying client, and aside from treating them with the same decency and respect that you would show any other random person, who cares – right? Wrong! What’s in it for me? Honestly, it’s simply in your own best interest to be a good client. Maintaining a positive relationship with your tax professional can benefit you in numerous ways. Your tax preparer bills you in one of three ways: a flat... View Article

  • Understanding How Variances Vary

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readVariance analysis is found by determining the difference between what was budgeted and what actually occurred. Additionally, when variances are added together, we get a better picture of how well a company is measuring its performance against expected metrics. It’s also important to be mindful that each metric is measured to determine what the actual cost is versus the industry’s standard cost. Whether it’s materials, labor, electricity, or another metric, if the actual cost is lower than the standard cost for the same quantity of materials, it would be a favorable price variance. However, if the... View Article

  • Documenting Fiduciary Accounting Practices

    Posted Date January 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readFiduciary accounting, which is also referred to as court accounting, is a way to document and report financial activity during a discrete period of time for legal entities, such as a conservatorship, estate, trust or guardianship. It’s meant to give adequate notice to all relevant parties when it comes to every consequential financial activity impacting the administration that occurred over the accounting time frame. It shows every disbursement and receipt that is managed by the legal entity’s fiduciary. It accounts for transactions beginning with the initial funding or principal and the resulting future transactions, including income.... View Article

  • IRS Plans to Shake Up Leadership

    Posted Date January 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 3 min read The top leadership in the IRS is set to change. IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel believes the changes are needed for the agency to meet its new goals. He aims to create greater flexibility and efficiency over the agency by streamlining internal processes. The changes also are needed, in his view, to adapt to the evolving landscape around tax administration – which has undergone changes due to new tax laws and technology. What Are the Changes? Changes to the organizational structure include reducing the Deputy Commissioner post to a single position (there are currently two); as... View Article

  • Technology Trends for Businesses to Watch in 2024

    Posted Date January 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in

    🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThe unrelenting advancement of technology is still going strong even as we enter 2024. The business landscape is poised for transformative changes, driven by ongoing developments that demand organizations to be innovative and adaptive. Below, we explore some key technology trends that businesses should keenly observe to remain competitive. 1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advancements: Unlocking New Possibilities The year 2023 witnessed widespread adoption of generative AI in various applications, from design tools to search engines and office software. This transformative shift changed the way businesses interact with technology. Continued integration of AI is expected to redefine... View Article

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