Why Plan Sponsors Should Read Their Service Providers’ SOC Reports

  |  August 29, 2019

When a plan sponsor hires a service provider, that organization and its professionals become part of the team operating the client’s retirement plan. Each member of the team is expected to perform a specific task according to what is prescribed in the plan document. But how do you know whether each service provider has effective systems and controls in place to ensure that they are executing their roles correctly? Read more. Read More

5 Questions to Ask About Your Company’s Employee Benefit Plan Audits

  |  July 11, 2019

As companies approach the last quarter of a year, there are great high-level questions they can be asking to ensure a successful prior year, as well as a successful future year. These questions can include “How can we cut or control costs?” “Are there time-saving tips we can leverage this time of year?” and “What value can we add to our processes?” These same questions also apply to a company’s employee benefit plan. Read more. Read More

Sell-Side Tax Considerations for Mergers and Acquisitions – Part 3: Effectively Negotiating the Tax Aspects of the Purchase Agreement

  |  June 12, 2019

A purchase agreement not only sets forth the terms and structure of the transaction, but also establishes who benefits from valuable tax deductions that may be created in connection with the transaction.

Hence, it is of critical importance that sellers have a thorough understanding of the various tax sections of a purchase agreement and take a proactive approach to achieving the desired outcomes. Read more. Read More

Sell-Side Tax Considerations for Mergers and Acquisitions – Best Practice #2: Evaluating Tax-Structuring Alternatives

  |  May 28, 2019

Ensuring that a transaction is structured in a tax-efficient manner is critical in maximizing a seller’s after-tax proceeds. Evaluating the various structuring alternatives available before undertaking a formal sale process allows a seller to identify a preferred structure and set expectations with prospective buyers regarding deal structure at the onset of the sale process. Read more. Read More

4 Signs Your Business Is Ready for the Cloud

  |  May 22, 2019

Why are so many businesses moving their accounting operations to the cloud? Should you make the switch too?

For many, “the cloud” and “cloud computing” are mysterious and confusing concepts, which can lead to a severe misunderstanding of all the efficiencies and opportunities cloud-based financial management platforms can offer you and your business.

Here are four signs you and your business are ready to take the leap from your own server to the cloud - Read more. Read More

Sell-Side Tax Considerations for Mergers and Acquisitions – Part 1: Performing Sell-Side Tax Due Diligence

  |  May 20, 2019

Now more than ever, sellers and their advisors are beginning to appreciate the value of having a thorough understanding of a company’s tax profile, areas of potential tax risk, tax attributes, and desired structure of a transaction before undertaking a deal process. Amid these changes in the dynamics of how sellers approach taxes in sale transactions, employing best practices can have a dramatic impact on outcomes.

In this article and two more to follow, we outline three best practices that are some of the most critical for sellers to consider in order to maximize deal value and ensure a smooth process when disposing of a business or business line. Read more. Read More