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Four Times to Spend Time on Tax Question Research

businessman entering number on desk phone

Sometimes “quick and easy” isn’t, but it’s still worthwhile.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Tax Season Opportunity Guide

I keep a few of the one-volume tax guides in my office so I could look up a quick answer when I need to. Recently a golf buddy emailed me a question that I thought I could answer quickly. He wanted to know that if he was in the “zero” percent capital gains tax bracket, did that apply to an unlimited amount of capital gains? Sounds like a simple question.

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Well I looked it up online and then in three one-volume tax guides. Only one source had thorough coverage of the issue. I ended up spending an hour on this “simple” question including my emailed response. Nothing is simple anymore. 
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CLIENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Six Times to Pick Up the Phone This Tax Season

Businessman talking on phone in the office

The personal touch goes a long way toward client retention.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Tax Season Opportunity Guide

Clients are not numbers on a list that needs to be reduced. They are all individuals and consider themselves very important people and want professionals who treat them accordingly.

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It is attitudinal and accountants must adopt that mindset and transmit that through to their culture. So you need to know when it’s essential to pick up the phone.

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ADVISORY & CONSULTING

The Details of Due Diligence

Do you have everyone you need on your team?

By Ed Mendlowitz
77 Ways to Wow!

In 2012, Hewlett-Packard announced an $8.8 billion deduction claiming that they overpaid for an acquisition because of the failure of many other people who were responsible for due diligence. I don’t know many of the details, but it seems that someone screwed up big-time.

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Due diligence is an essential activity in an acquisition that involves confirming the representations made by the seller, evaluating the strategic fit and terms and conditions of the deal and validating financial, legal, operational and technological aspects of the transaction. Keen due diligence can even help determine the final price.
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MANAGEMENT

Five Simple Controls to Prevent Fraud

Businessman holding up magnifying glass

Strengthen your processes and your deterrence.

By Ed Mendlowitz
77 Ways to Wow!

I’ve talked about fraud in not-for-profits, but it is also a serious issue for business firms. Here are some cash fraud scenarios and prevention techniques that can apply to all types of organizations.

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SCENARIO: One employee who is responsible for, or has access to, the handling, recording and mailing of cash disbursements creates a non-existing vendor who sends the company invoices, which are paid.
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ADVISORY & CONSULTING

Help Not-For-Profits Avoid Fraud

Five ways to reassure both regulators and donors.

By Ed Mendlowitz
77 Ways to Wow!

Again and again, stories appear in newspapers about abuse and misuse of funds in not-for-profit organizations. In many cases, these frauds have been schemes that have been going on for numerous years.

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The frauds are usually carried out by long-serving employees who earned reputation and trust that resulted in relaxation of controls or oversight. Many times, this provides temptation and ample opportunity to commit and sustain fraudulent activity over long periods paired with a reduction in the “fear” of being caught!
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