The future of the fiduciary rule is up for grabs, again, and clients, advisers, and firms are jumping in to make their voices heard at a crucial moment.  Via a public commentary board, the Department of Labor is hearing feedback on whether it should make changes to the fiduciary rule and delay the regulation's second stage of implementation.  Scroll through to see some of the most passionate and insightful ...

Understanding the fractions rule can enable tax-exempt organizations to invest in partnerships that hold interests in debt-financed real property without being subject to the tax on unrelated business income under Section 512.  Michael Hoffman, CPA, Washington, explains. To read the full article in The Tax Advisor, click: What Proposed Regulations on the Fractions Rule Mean for Tax-Exempt Organizations. ...

Questions for a Retirement-Preparedness Gut Check Pre-retirees should examine whether they direct too much money to goals other than retirement savings, take advantage of employer matching, and structure savings so enough pretax income is set aside.  Jonathan Clements states that other important considerations include how retirees will spend time once they stop working and whether there is a danger of outli ...

In Mercer Capital’s most recent issue of Portfolio Valuation: Private Equity and Venture Capital Marks and Trends, they provide a brief digest and commentary of some of the most relevant market trends influencing the fair value of private equity and venture capital portfolio investments.  Key highlights are covered in their Third Quarter 2017 newsletter. To read the full article in Mercer Capital's Financia ...

The FASB is conducting early stage research about developing an accounting standard for digital currency and the technology that underpins it.  With the use of digital currency increasing, proponents say inconsistent accounting practices are becoming a problem. To read the full article in Thomson Reuters, click: Bitcoin Seeks Recognition from U.S. GAAP. ...

CFOs are eager to make the finance function more efficient and useful.  Samantha White, CGMA Magazine senior editor, explains what leading finance functions have in common. To read the full article in CGMA Magazine, click: Six Traits of Leading Finance Functions. ...

It is difficult to deliver bad news or discuss mistakes, but honesty plays an important part in the development of a workplace that is effective and productive.  Eddie Huffman states that, hard truths, delivered well, are necessary for health and growth. To read the full article in CPA Insider, click: How to Encourage Candor in Your Office. ...

SEC Official Suggests IPO Paperwork Could Include Arbitration Clauses Michael Piwowar, a Republican member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, has suggested that companies be allowed to include mandatory arbitration clauses in paperwork for initial public offerings. To read the full article in Reuters, click: U.S. SEC’s Piwowar Urges Companies to Pursue Mandatory Arbitration Clauses. ...

Microsoft Could Provide Early Test of New Lease Accounting Rules Microsoft had said it would adopt new lease accounting rules July 1 instead of waiting for 2019, when the rules take effect.  Microsoft's status as a large, high-profile company means other businesses will study its example. To read the full article in Bloomberg, click: Microsoft Among First to Give Fuller Picture of Lease Situation. ...

Was it a bargain purchase or not?  The SEC has reached a $6.2 million settlement with a Big 4 audit firm relating to auditing failures associated with Miller Energy Resources.  This post will examine the particulars of the case and provide some observations on fair value accounting that can be gleaned from the SEC settlement order. To read the full article in Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click ...

With the second quarter of 2017 in the books, we ran the numbers and sifted through the data to recap all the key info on global PE activity during 2Q.  Powered by the PitchBook Platform, our quarter-end datagraphic looks at fundraising (which had a huge quarter), deal and exit activity, top investors and more. To read the full article in PitchBook, click: A Visual Recap of Global PE Activity in 2Q 2017. ...

Determining the proper tax treatment of expenditures for tangible property can be difficult—and for taxpayers with a large number of expenditures, statistical sampling can be the only practical way to review and document these expenses.  Here are examples of how sampling can help taxpayers determine the proper depreciation amount for fixed assets. To read the full article in The Tax Adviser, click: Statisti ...

In valuing a FinTech company, attention need be given to external factors such as unique industry dynamics and the regulatory environment as well as internal company factors such as risk exposure and shareholder preferences.  Hosted by Jay D. Wilson Jr., CFA, ASA, CBA, this webinar identifies the key value drivers for an early-stage FinTech company for investors, entrepreneurs, and potential partners. To re ...

Advising Clients on Charitable Legacies Many individuals desire to make charitable bequests but are not certain how to do so or how they work.  This is an area where a CPA can offer valuable assistance.  There are many issues—some tax-related, some not—but the overriding concern is the client’s desire to do some good with what they have accumulated.  Sid Kess, CPA, and Edward Mendlowitz, CPA, PFS, share way ...

Running a successful tax practice is about more than acknowledging the technology du jour.  It is about knowing which technologies make the most sense for you and using them to their fullest potential.  Learn about three technologies you cannot afford to ignore in your practice. To read the full article in AICPA Insights, click: Three Tax Technologies you Should Not Ignore. ...

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and CPA.com are launching an early-stage company accelerator to promote innovation and give the profession early insight into disruptive technologies.  The Association and CPA.com Startup Accelerator will provide funding and other support to as many as five early-stage companies that emerge from a competition. To read the full article in th ...

U.S. has Leeway on Debt Limit, Economists Say Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has called on Congress to raise the national debt limit before its August recess, but the federal government will not face a crisis if that does not happen, experts say.  The U.S. has enough borrowing power to carry it through "sometime in early September," economists at Wells Fargo said. To read the full article in Bloomberg Ma ...

With rapid advances in technology transforming companies of all types, the demand is increasing for CPA firms to understand how new technologies are affecting clients and what clients must do to adjust their processes and practices to make the most of technological innovation while also mitigating risk. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: Furious Rush of Digital Disruption Creates ...

This week, Travis Harms, Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group lead, features two stories and one study, each of which highlights the need to analyze venture transactions in their entirety, rather than focusing solely on price. To read the full article in Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: Accountability, Rights, and Discipline in Early-Stage Companies. This article is republis ...

Although some types of entities have required tax years, not all do.  Karen Messner helps you find out how to adopt a tax year other than a calendar year by planning ahead. To read the full article in the The Tax Adviser, click: Accounting Period Planning may Provide Preferred Year. ...