7/18 WEBINAR TO ADDRESS RETIREMENT PLANNING OPTIONS FOR SELF-EMPLOYED

Whether you run a business and are looking for a tax deduction while saving for your retirement, a self-employed business owner seeking to start a retirement plan, or simply pondering the tax advantages of a Roth IRA, join us for a free retirement planning webinar on Weds, July 18^thfrom noon to 1 p.m.

The session, titled “Retirement Planning: Choosing a Plan That’s Right for You,” will review three of the most common retirement plans for the self-employed — the Solo 401(k) Plan, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs and traditional Roth IRAs.

“This webinar is intended to shed light on the best vehicles to help self-employed individuals save for their retirement,” said Senior Employee Benefits Specialist Linda Conrad, who will present the session with my colleague Tom Donovan, CPA, a director at the firm.  “We will provide an overview of each of the plan’s characteristics, eligibility requirements, conversion rules and tax features.”

Conrad, who specializes in the design and implementation of qualified retirement plans, has more than 15 years’ experience in all areas of retirement and benefit plan administration and design.  Donovan, meanwhile, has more than 30 years experience advising Marvin and Company clients on a variety of personal and business matters. As head of the firm’s Tax Department, he often represents clients that are undergoing State or Federal tax audits.  

One hour of continuing professional educational units is available for CPAs.

PC-based attendees are required to have: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer.

Space is limited.  Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/459998874

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, call me at 518-785-0134, or email me kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

SOCIAL SECURITY BASICS ADDRESSED IN 6/20 WEBINAR

At one stage or another, each of us will retire from our full-time jobs.  But how can we best prepare for this significant turning point in our lives and, more specifically, will we be able to achieve the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement?

On Wednesday, June 20 from noon to 1 p.m., my colleague Jim Amell, CPA will host a free webinar focusing on social security basics, including how social security benefits are determined, how to optimize social security for your personal situation, and important income tax considerations.

“We are often asked to advise clients about when to apply for social security benefits, how benefits are taxed or whether they can work and still receive social security benefits,” said Jim, a managing director at Marvin and Company.  “These and many other questions will be addressed.”

One hour of continuing professional educational units is available for CPAs.

PC-based attendees are required to have: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer.
Space is limited. 

Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/992395770

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, please call me at 518-785-0134, or email me at kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

5/16 WEBINAR TO EXAMINE LESSONS LEARNED FROM COMPTROLLER AUDITS

Our team will host another free webinar Weds., May 16 from noon to 1 p.m. This month's session will focus on lessons learned from audits by the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

Ideal for accountants working at school districts and other local governments, the live session will cover topics ranging from internal control considerations when faced with staffing reductions to best practices.

“This gathering offers a good opportunity to learn the areas which are the current trend for audits performed by the Office of the New York State Comptroller and tips on how to avoid the same findings,” said Marvin and Company Managing Director Jim Amell, CPA, who will lead the webinar with Heather Lewis, CPA, an audit manager with the firm.

“For school district business officials and treasurers, as well as other government agencies required to make staffing cutbacks, we will also discuss the areas that become vulnerable to misappropriation due to these reductions and the risks/benefits that they and their board should consider,” added Amell.

Continuing professional education (CPE) credits are available.

PC-based attendees are required to have Windows® 7, Vista, XP or a 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS X 10.5 or newer.

Space is limited.  Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/446097018

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, please give me a call at 518-785-0134, or email me kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

3/21 WEBINAR: COSO INTERNAL CONTROL FRAMEWORK 20 YEARS LATER

For the past two decades, accountants around the globe have relied on the internal control framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) to better understand enterprise risk management, its benefits and limitations and to effectively communicate enterprise risk management.

A new exposure draft released in December will update the original framework, making it easier to use and more relevant to today’s business environment.

On Wednesday, March 21 from noon to 1 p.m., we'll host a free webinar tailored to board members on finance or audit committees, chief financial officers, internal auditors, as well as accounting and auditing professionals.

“This session will focus on the proposed changes to the Internal Control Framework which is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012,” said Frank Venezia, CPA, director. “Participants will be introduced to changes that take it from a rules- to a principles-based approach that explicitly identifies the 17 core principles of internal control. We will also cover some of the more common internal control deficiencies we see in our practice, their causes and how to implement cost-effective compensating controls.”

Additionally, for-profit, non-profit and governmental entities will expand their knowledge of internal control concepts that apply to their organizations. More common internal control deficiencies and possible ways to mitigate control deficiencies will also be discussed.

Frank, who will lead the session, has more than 35 years of public accounting experience and has served as the director in charge of audits, management advisory and other services to a number of organizations including not-for-profit organizations and for-profit businesses in a variety of different industries.

PC-based attendees are required to have Windows® 7, Vista, XP or a 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS X 10.5 or newer.

Space is limited. Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/484792258

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, give me a call at 518-785-0134 or email me kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

Survey Reveals Optimism Among Regional Businesses

Just in case you missed it, the Times Union ran a nice piece yesterday showing the results of the the 26th annual Business Climate Survey by Marvin and Co. and the University at Albany School of Business.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Area-firms-expect-growth-3368524.php#ixzz1ntm1bD9W

Tip for Contributions

With everyone putting their tax information together these days just remember one thing about contributions...

If you are attending a fund raising event and you are lucky enough to win the silent auction and you end up paying $500 for a diamond that is worth $1000 - you DO NOT have a charitable contribution because you paid less than its fair market value. However if you paid $1250 for it you would be able to deduct as a contribution on Schedule A $250 (the difference from what you paid and what the FMV was).

As always consult with your tax professional before making any assumptions!

1/25 WEBINAR TO FOCUS ON BOARD MEMBER ETHICS

From London’s Baring’s Bank to Enron and WorldCom, lack of attention to ethics can be a corporation’s Achilles’ heel, with the potential for one employee to single-handedly destruct even the most established of companies.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25th from noon to 1 p.m., we'll be hosting a free Webinar for executive directors and non-profit volunteer board members addressing the ethical responsibilities of board members.

“The appearance of impropriety and illegality can be detrimental to non-profit organizations,” said Marvin and Company Managing Director Kevin McCoy, CPA. “Board members must be involved in the governance of an organization to a level that assures improper and illegal acts don’t occur.”

Kevin, who will lead the one-hour presentation, stressed that all board members must understand the mission and culture of the organization and be sure that a code of ethics is enforced throughout the organization.

“The dealings board members have with their organizations should be addressed and conflicts identified,” he said. “This Webinar will focus on all of the above issues, as well as provide tips on addressing ethical issues and dilemmas.”

Kevin, who has more than 25 years experience in tax and financial planning and litigation support, handles clients that represent a variety of businesses and industries. A past president of the Northeast Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs, he has expertise servicing non-profits, privately held small businesses, professional practices and governments.

PC-based attendees are required to have Windows® 7, Vista, XP or a 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS X 10.5 or newer.

Space is limited. Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/876347842

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, give me a call at 785-0134 or email me at kpo@marvincpa.com.

Thanks!