The straight line

Okay, this year is looking to be different than what we have been expecting over the past years. Obviously, I am merely speaking from my vantage point; after being involved in audits, sitting through board and annual meetings, visiting with you managers and our partners who are involved in your audits. What we expect to...

With the firm’s 100+ cooperative client base, we like to reflect back in the first edition of each year’s newsletter on what we have seen over the past year. There is obviously exceptions, outliers that performed much better than our overall characterization of the past year. Sadly, there are those that performed much worse. That...

Chances are, you know who your business rivals are. But do you know what they’re up to? Most companies don’t take enough time to analyze the competition and use the information to find better ways to market and sell. Here are 10 illuminating ideas: Call or visit competitors’ stores or showrooms.Experience your rivals’ products or services from a customer’s standpoint....

Before your salespeople hit the streets, help them analyze prospects based on some key factors. That way, they can use their time more efficiently and close more sales. Here is a simple numeric rating system: Does the potential customer perceive a need for the product? ·  Customers who get along fine without your product and don’t...

Did you know that, once you turn age 70½, you must start taking mandatory annual withdrawals from your traditional IRAs, including any simplified employee pension (SEP) accounts and SIMPLE IRAs that you set up as a small business owner? These mandatory IRA payouts are called required minimum distributions (RMDs). And there’s a stiff penalty if you...

The Affordable Care Act established the health insurance premium tax credit (PTC). It first became available to taxpayers in the 2014 tax year. If you or a loved one is eligible for this refundable credit, it can be claimed even if the taxpayer doesn’t owe federal income tax for the year. Here’s what you need to...