Keep the Long-Term in Mind When Instituting Changes
Profit growth and business expansion are two key goals for many family businesses. But in order to successfully reach your targets, growth must be controlled. If you allow undisciplined expansion, you run the risk of diluting resources, leaving projects unfinished and destroying morale. Whether you are planning an expansion, developing a new growth strategy or…
Not-for-Profit Volunteer Expenses
Question: Our organization is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteers. Sometimes our volunteers incur significant transportation and other expenses in connection with the performance of their volunteer services. We would like to pay for some of those expenses, either directly or by reimbursement, to relieve their financial burden. If we do, would the…
Uncashed Payroll Checks: Handle With Care
Small business owners may have the best of intentions when, instead of cashing their paychecks, they let them stack up in a drawer. If cash flow is tight, the owner may see this as a way to ease the crunch. This strategy may work on a short-term basis, but suppose the owner unexpectedly dies? Depending on…
Navigating the Shoals of 401(k) Hardship Withdrawals
Permitting hardship withdrawals is a mixed bag. On the plus side, some employees might not agree to join the plan if they lack the freedom to tap their accounts in a crisis. On the negative side, allowing withdrawals may cause some employees to look upon the plan as more of a short-term savings vehicle. Also,…
Dependent Eligibility Audits Emerge as Cost Cutting Tool
As employers search for ways to contain employee benefit plan costs, many are undertaking dependent eligibility audits. The logic and the potential cost savings are compelling. Why pay for something — in this case, coverage for someone not entitled to it under the terms of a benefit plan — if you don’t have to? According…
Five Steps to Generate New Ideas
The process of improvement always begins with an idea. “Think of an idea like money in the bank,” said Donna Greiner, author of The Basics of Idea Generation. “Once you acquire the habit of producing ideas… they quickly compound… Like interest on a bank account, your ability to generate ideas grows exponentially.” “Ideas are the…
Does Your Management Team Measure Up?
Part of a good management structure means that key leaders not only get the job done but they also encourage staff members and volunteers. That involves praising them properly, inspiring their trust, and providing them with the information needed to do their jobs and understand their roles in the organization. Often it’s more a question…
Casualty and Theft Losses: Find the Silver Lining in Dark Clouds
We’re in the midst of hurricane season now, but the eastern and southern shores aren’t the only parts of the country at risk for catastrophic events. Mudslides, earthquakes and wildfires often plague the West Coast, tornadoes may touch down across the Great Plains and Midwest, and low-lying areas near rivers and tributaries across the country…
Do You Allow Employees to Work from Home?
These days, many businesses have some employees who work from home — either occasionally or on a full-time basis. Keep in mind that telecommuting employees of federal government contractors are required to follow appropriate labor timekeeping policies and procedures. If your government contracting business allows employees to work from home, be aware that these telecommuters…
Insurance Issues for Government Contractors to Consider
Are you self-insured? You may be under a related Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and not even know it. The FAR addresses the allowability of insurance in FAR 31.205-19 Insurance and Indemnification. Among other conditions, F 31.205-19 (c) requires that self-insurance costs be measured, assigned and allocated in accordance with Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 416 (48…