Financial statements tell investors information about an organization’s financial performance, helping to ensure corporate transparency and accountability. But they can also be used internally to help management make strategic decisions, improve upon past results and add value. There are three parts to comprehensive financial reporting under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) — each with a unique message.

Now that Labor Day has passed, the holidays are just around the corner. Many people may want to make gifts of cash or stock to their loved ones. By properly using the annual exclusion, gifts to family members and loved ones can reduce the size of your taxable estate, within generous limits, without triggering any estate or gift tax. The exclusion amount for 2023 is $17,000.

In December 2022, President Biden signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) 2.0 Act. Among other things, the sweeping new law made some significant changes to so-called catch-up contributions, with implications for both employers and employees.

In recent years, merger and acquisition activity has been strong in many industries. If your business is considering merging with or acquiring another business, it’s important to understand how the transaction will be taxed under current law.

Many homeowners across the country have seen their home values increase in recent years. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median price of existing homes sold in July of 2023 rose 1.9% over July of 2022 after a couple years of much higher increases. The median home price was $467,500 in the Northeast, $304,600 in the Midwest, $366,200 in the South and $610,500 in the West.

In July 2023, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) published a report that highlights common areas of audit deficiencies for public companies. Private companies face similar challenges when reporting their financial results. Internal accounting personnel and external auditors can use the PCAOB’s report to identify high-risk areas in financial reporting that may warrant additional attention.

Bookkeeping services are essential to any growing business, but the idea of hiring a bookkeeper can be intimidating for any small business owner. Where do you start? How do you know if they’re a good fit for you? Here are seven questions to ask before hiring a bookkeeping service.

If you have family members with disabilities, there may be a tax-advantaged way to save for their needs — without having them lose eligibility for the government benefits to which they’re entitled. It can be done though an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account, which is a tax-free account that can be used for disability-related expenses. The SECURE 2.0 law made changes that will allow more people to be eligible for these accounts, beginning in 2026.

If you’re getting a divorce, you know the process is generally filled with stress. But if you’re a business owner, tax issues can complicate matters even more. Your business ownership interest is one of your biggest personal assets and in many cases, your marital property will include all or part of it.