Linggo, Oktubre 9, 2016

Fraud: The Other Employee Benefit

Impact of Fraud

• Fraud: Multi-trillion dollar business
• 5% of annual revenue to fraud
• 18 months to detect asset misappropriation
• 24 month to detect financial statement fraud

Fraud by Industry

• Banking 16.6% $175,000
• Manufacturing 10.7% $300,000
• Government 9.8% $81,000
• Retail 6.6% $85,000
• Healthcare 5.9% $150,000
• Insurance 5.1% $197,000
• Education 5.0% $71,000
• Services 4.9% $109,000
• Construction 4.3% $200,000
• Technology 3.6% $250,000
• Transportation 3.4% $300,000


EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AUDITS

Whether it's reviewing your plan strategy and structure, steering you away from penalties, or preparing your filings, rely on an advisor with deep expertise.
WHEN EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Moss Adams audits over 1,500 employee benefit plans each year, ranging in size from 100 to 100,000 participants with $100,000 to $5 billion in assets. This number includes close to 80 403(b) plans for tax-exempt entities. Types of plans we audit include:

·        Defined contribution
·        Defined benefit
·        Employee stock ownership
·        Health and welfare

·        403(b)

AICPA EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN AUDIT QUALITY CENTER MEMBER
Moss Adams has been a member of the AICPA's Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (AQC) since its inception. The AQC was established to help CPAs meet the challenges of performing quality audits in this unique and complex area. The AQC provides members communication of regulatory developments, best practices guidance, and technical updates. Bertha Minnihan, Employee Benefit Plan Services leader, currently serves on the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Expert Panel and has served on the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center’s Executive Committee.

TEAM

We have  employee benefit plan specialists in all of our offices nationwide. You get an efficient, well-trained audit team when you work with us. We receive specialized training to stay current on ERISA, DOL, and IRS rules and regulations, so you get a more efficient audit. Our proactive approach helps eliminate ERISA violations and results in timely filings without surprises.

SOLUTIONS

Our clients receive solid, innovative solutions based on their particular set of facts and circumstances. We work with a variety of plan administrators, actuaries, attorneys, and investment consultants to incorporate our industry knowledge and experience into meeting our clients’ needs.

Some of the solutions we provide include:

·        Review of plan documents and operating procedures
·        Review of overall plan strategy and cost structure
·        Assistance with determining the best plan to sponsor
·        Facilitating requests for proposal (RFP) processes
·        Assessment and recommendations for benefit service providers
·        Facilitating the preparation of Form 5500 filings and attachments
·        Resolution of complex compliance issues discovered during the audit
·        Assistance with prohibited transaction issues
·        Assistance with IRS and DOL audits

We can provide these services to the extent permitted by professional standards while complying with government regulations.

Huwebes, Agosto 18, 2016

Cambridge Associates Asia Singapore: Holding Concentrated Stock



How can I mitigate the risk of a concentrated holding?

Diversifying your stock may be the right thing to do, but it can be difficult to give up the position that represents the source of your family’s success. Families hold onto their stock for other reasons too: to protect against capital gains taxes or retain a control position in their company.

Every situation is different. But you have to consider both the personal and financial ramifications of holding a concentrated position. Our Research Report, Concentrated Stock Portfolios, indicates that single stocks are, on average, 40% more volatile than a diversified portfolio. In fact, 92% of the S&P 500 constituents experienced a higher volatility than the S&P 500 Index itself in the annualized ten-year period ending June 30, 2013, according to the report. And while the equity market eventually recovers from adversity, not all individual companies do.

What does this mean for you? That depends on many things. What is your risk tolerance? Is it better to pay capital gains taxes today? What will the trade-off be of remaining concentrated? Which strategy will help you sleep comfortably?


We’ve worked with private families for more than thirty years. Our specialty is figuring out the best options for your family now and for future generations.

Linggo, Agosto 7, 2016

Pugh Heating & Air Conditioning: Why clean air ducts?

Cleaning both the HVAC unit and the ductwork has beneficial effects to your home. Duct cleaning is a method to clean the intake, return and supply ducts of your home and professionals from Pugh Heating & Air Conditioning use specialized vacuums, blowers, and brushes during the process. It includes a thorough cleaning of the HVAC system's registers, grilles, motors, fans, housings, coils and air handler.

Duct cleaning can be helpful in case of contamination in the HVAC unit and the ducts. Reviews made by Pugh Heating & Air Conditioning state that animals, contaminants, illness, mold, and renovations are some factors for duct cleaning.

Dirty ductwork might be the cause of renovation or remodeling to your home, especially if the ducts are not sealed off. Duct cleaning is needed if there was asbestos abatement, large dust, or lead paint removal. This method is also required if there was animal infestation or nesting inside your ducts. Remove first the animals then clean both the ductwork and the HVAC unit.

Mold growth is another problem that needs duct cleaning because ducts can release contaminants, debris, odors, or pet hair into your home after the registers have been vacuumed or cleaned. If you're suffering from an allergy-related illness, it would be better to consider duct cleaning as well as cleaning your HVAC unit to have a cleaner indoor air.

You should avoid fraud services online when looking for good HVAC companies on the internet, and once you found the company that is to your liking, make sure that you: check certifications and standards, check references, get free estimates, get full-service cleaning, verify results of the cleaning, avoid sprays and sealants, avoid steam cleaning and avoid any gimmicks. Good thing, the team at Pugh Heating & Air Conditioning provides service protection to their customers. Contact them for more details on alternative heating systems such as boilers, hot boilers and water heaters, and other information on their HVAC services.


Linggo, Hunyo 5, 2016

Singapore Lawyer 6 Reasons To Hire Us To Draft Your Will

Money, property and inheritance talks are probably three of the most sensitive, if not the untidiest, issues families, business owners and corporations have to deal with. And as someone who is powerful enough to designate and distribute wealth and properties of your clan and stakeholders, surely you wouldn't want things to get all messy after you're gone right?

This is where will drafting services come in handy. If you are in Singapore, there's always the best legal company and/or service provider you may rely on to address this matter. So, let's get down to business and know the top 6 reasons why you need to hire a professional company for your related
needs.


No. 1: Achieving Definite Worry-Less and In-Peace Mind

6 Reasons To Hire Us To Draft Your Will?

Money, property and inheritance talks are probably three of the most sensitive, if not the untidiest, issues families, business owners and corporations have to deal with. And as someone who is powerful enough to designate and distribute wealth and properties of your clan and stakeholders, surely you wouldn't want things to get all messy after you're gone right?

This is where will drafting services come in handy. If you are in Singapore, there's always the best legal company and/or service provider you may rely on to address this matter. So, let's get down to business and know the top 6 reasons why you need to hire a professional company for your related needs.

Will and Estate Planning

No. 1: Achieving Definite Worry-Less and In-Peace Mind

Imagine dying without will and testament, undoubtedly you could expect to have your affairs in limbo for years. This could leave big problems and even contribute to the severity of whatever would be left off when you're gone. Sometimes, this situation could start up earlier than you expected and inevitably, you may find yourself torn in between parties fighting over some inheritance. This could lead up to your deeper stress that you shouldn't be dealing during these instances in the first place.

No. 2: Lawyers with Fascinating Success Rate

Given the delicacy of this matter, one of the perfect benchmarks to look at is the success rate of lawyers in terms of dealing with legal issues. Considering this aspect would simply help you to gain tangible and feasible conclusions whether you would be leaving with peace or not. Of course, you wouldn't also want to have your stakeholders, families and even friends to be jailed because of reasons related to this matter, right?

Having employed lawyers who have gained remarkable success rate in their field, clients are guaranteed that their efforts and investment wouldn't be in vain.

No. 3: Undoubted Availability at All Times

Emergency is always unexpected. No matter how much you prepare yourself and all other aspects, there would still some instances that may arise unpredictably. With this, who wouldn't want to have some legal assistance at all times? With a professional company, there would be no trouble in contacting their legal personnel as they are always on watchout mode to address their clients' needs.

No. 4: Equipped with the Best Knowledge, Relevant Skills and Experience

Hiring someone who isn't knowledgeable enough is as worse as not having someone to rely on with your legal needs. Hence, it is always crucial to look for companies that offer services in line with your will drafting needs with employees that have years of experience, relevant knowledge and skills in dealing with such concerns.

Luckily, there are companies that are dependable in times like this as they do not just guarantee maximum support with their services but most especially, employ only the best and the brightest in the field.

No. 5: Ensured Licensed to Operate

Another common trouble that may be faced by potential clients like you is to unfortunately stumble into promising lawyers but are not licensed to operate. Encountering such trouble is very much likely to lead to jeopardizing your whole transactions and your needs. Good thing about professional companies is that they always ensure to meet quality standards that would control and manage potential related problems that may come into picture. Be very wise when picking for service providers and always look out for vague offers at very high prices as these are, almost always often, fraudulent ones.

No. 6: Affordable Prices

Nothing beats the comfort and satisfaction of getting the best out of your invested money. So why trouble yourself in availing costly services when you can have even better satisfaction at a cheaper cost? With a professional lawyer company in Singapore and anywhere else, you can be guaranteed to have the best written and notarized will and testament. An expert company in will drafting knows the ins and outs of this transaction and would very glad to help you out and settle your needs in the best way possible.

And to make sure that you are getting the best offer, you may even seek for their legal advices and counselling concerning your case before anything else and see if it suits your basic needs and requirements in accomplishing the job.

Martes, Marso 1, 2016

Bacall and Associates: A Tribute to Lauren Bacall


Lauren Bacall died on August 12, 2014, at the age of 89.  Lauren BacallShe began her career as a fashion model and made her acting debut on Broadway.  She starred in films directed by Humprey Bogart, whom she later married.  When auditioning for her first film, To Have and Have Not (1944), Lauren Bacall pressed her chin against her chest and tilted her eyes upward toward the camera to minimize her quivering from nerves.  Known as “the look,” Lauren Bacall became an iconic figure and often played the independent and sultry femme fatale character.

Lauren Bacall left a large estate, approximately $26 million.  She is survived by three children and six grandchildren.  She named all three children as executors of her estate.  The children and grandchildren received the bulk of the estate. Specifically, she left $10,000 to her son, to care for her dog. 

She also left a large sum to two employees.  Lauren Bacall left gifts of $250,000 to each of her grandsons.  She said that she wanted the money to be used for college.  The boys can have the rest of the money when they reach the age of 30.  Ms. Bacall’s estate includes her co-op apartment in New York, royalties, tangible personal property, cash and the remainder of a trust left to her by Humprey Bogart.

Ms. Bacall’s iconic status makes her estate interesting, but her choice to include certain will provisions is also compelling.  She exercised many options that everyday people and families may also wish to exercise.

Many people wish to leave money for specific purposes; college education, the care of another, or to benefit a charitable organization.  People often choose to delay access to funds until the beneficiary reaches a certain age.  Many of us care deeply for our pets, and like Lauren Bacall, would benefit knowing that we can leave a portion of our estate specifically for the care of our precious animal family members.  Altman & Associates can help you plan for the future and carry out your wishes, whatever they may be.  Call us today to set up a consultation!

Martes, Disyembre 9, 2014

Trojan Energy Systems: Service


With over 200 years of combined experience, Trojan Energy Systems is prepared to handle any combustion project, from small commercial boiler service work, to large industrial boiler installations and annual preventative service contracts. We provide 24 hour emergency service 365 days a year.

Trojan Energy Systems, Inc. geographic territory includes the entire State of New York, Vermont, portions of western Massachusetts, and western Connecticut. As seen in the coverage map below.

Boiler Sales & Service
- Maintenance, Repair & Service
- Boilers for Rent
- Factory Trained Technicians
- Engineering and Design
- Boiler Room Automation
- 24 Hour Service
- Manufacturer's Represenatives

Huwebes, Setyembre 25, 2014

Energy Control: Ohio Boiler Rentals

Call us for Boiler Rentals (888) 893-0284

If you need Temporary Steam FAST, you've come to the right place. Energy Control's division known as Ohio Boiler Rentals has an entire fleet of boiler rental trailers at your disposal in the case of an emergency or boiler shut down.  The rental boiler trailer comes complete with the boiler, feed water system, pumps, water softener, chemical feed system and blow down separator all piped and wired in a semi-tractor trailer.

Just have the rental boiler delivered to your door, and connect power, water, and fuel.  You have Steam Where You Need It!

We Specialize in Temporary Boiler Rental Solutions

• Short Term or Long Term Boiler Rentals are available.
• For our Ohio Special Boilers no Operator is Required.
• Emergency? No problem. We offer Quick Delivery for Units in Ohio.
• Startup and Service is available in all major cities in the United States.
• We Use Exclusively Cleaver-Brooks Boilers, the Best in the Business.
• Our Capabilities include Design pressures up 250 PSIG and Field Selectable Voltages.
• Lease to Own or Used Boilers are also available for purchase.

Our Fleet

Our fleet of rental boilers are exclusively Cleaver-Brooks 200 or 225 Hp Ohio Special Steam Boilers, producing up to 7,765 lb./hr. Design pressures are 150 PSIG or 250 PSIG. The Ohio Special Boiler is designed to be operated in the State of Ohio without the requirement of a licensed boiler operator. The rental boiler trailer comes ready for connection of three phase power, fuel, steam piping, condensate return, water, and drain. Our boilers can be operated on natural gas or #2 oil.

Our Equipment

• CB Boiler
• Boiler Feed System
• Blowdown Separator
• Chemical Feed System
• Electrical Panel

• Water Softener