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CFOs: The C-suite’s big-picture guys
Several years of global uncertainty have made even the toughest executives flinch, and that’s certainly true for chief financial officers (CFOs) across the country. Competent CFOs are spearheading initiatives such […]
Chef Laura: Don’t DIY
Since I'm proficient in the kitchen, I can dice mirepoix for homemade soup before someone can Google the word mirepoix. It's no biggie. I've been doing this a long time. But when it comes to investing beyond the company's 401k, I was like a clueless home cook wondering what the heck roux is. Reme...
Financial reporting: What happened, what’s ahead
In financial reporting, 2013 was a year of slow progress in overhauling accounting for revenue and leases, updating internal control standards, shining light on the use of conflict materials, heightened […]
A retirement game plan
A good approach to consider for retirement is to own a diversified portfolio of high quality dividend paying stocks. The dividend income production from the stocks can help you meet your distribution needs each year without having to rely so much on the volatile nature of capital gains. And if you...
Transform tomorrow: Retire with confidence
In today’s uncertain economy, there are so many concerns – from unemployment to housing foreclosures to credit card debt – that it’s easy to overlook the single most important long-term […]
Top tax tips checklist
As April 15 approaches, here are some individual tax return considerations for 2013 and beyond. New for 2013: Benefits for same-sex married couples: Same-sex married couples may now file jointly and will enjoy equivalent treatment and benefits in all areas of federal income, gift and estate tax la...
Value investing: Simple strategies
Buy low, sell high. This simple adage sums up the value investing philosophy. But in practice, value investing is far from simple. Done right, it involves in-depth investigation of a company’s business, industry and competitors; a valuation of its assets and cash flows; and complex quantitative an...
Best investment bets for 2014
We believe that we're headed into the second stage of an economic recovery here in the United States. In the past, interest rates and stocks have typically risen together during this second stage of economic recovery. We also see correlations among stocks continuing to fall in that environment. Th...
Your home’s hidden treasure
With today’s low interest rates and rebound in home prices, homeowners may have greater opportunity to borrow against their equity. Another notable advantage with a home equity line is making purchases with a HELOC debit card. Using the card enhances the ease of paying for unexpected and needed pu...
Avoiding the back-pay double whammy
Historically, liquidated damages were only collected when the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) won a court settlement. Now, the WHD has begun assessing liquidated damages administratively along with back wages during a final conference with the employer. This year will probably see a giant leap in the...
New IRS rules you need to know
In an attempt to simplify whether an expenditure on a property is a repair that can be expensed or an improvement that must be depreciated over time, the IRS has […]
Nobel Prize-winning investments?
I'd say it is safe to assume that a portfolio valued at $450 million has access to some pretty good resources, hopefully world-class investment consultants and institutional level asset managers. Maybe they would even take input from some Nobel Prize winners? Reports are that the Nobel Foundation...
