Insights

COVID-19 funding and cost allocation: What could go wrong?

During the past year, many grant-funded organizations saw significant increases in federal funds. Much of that funding is short term, while some of it will be with you for several years. 

Such fluctuations in funding can play havoc on a nonprofit’s processes and procedures. One of the areas that can be affected is cost allocation, whether you use a direct allocation method or an indirect cost rate (IDCR).

4/16/21
By: Denes Tobie
Industries: Nonprofits

How business owners can plan for the unexpected

Traditional business transition planning tends to focus on the retirement of the owner and how their business might transition to their children, other partners, key employees or third parties.

What many owners overlook, however, is how to protect the business in case of an unforeseen event such as the sudden disability or death of the owner. 

4/15/21
By: Paul T. Lally
Industries: Manufacturing and Distribution
Services: Private Client Services, Business Succession Planning

What is a 409A valuation, and why do you need one?

When starting a business, cash flow can be limited. Employee salaries can take up a lot of your much-needed cash flow. If a company wants to utilize the best talent but can’t pay them the going wage rate, they may provide a future incentive to entice employees to work for less — and part of that incentive could be in the form of equity in the company.

4/15/21
By: Paul D. Ouweneel
Services: Business Valuations, Consulting

Loan portfolio stress testing for banks and credit unions in the wake of COVID-19

Are you thinking about how COVID-19 will impact your loan portfolio, your earnings and your capital position? Do you continue to see warnings and have concerns regarding increasing credit risk as a result of the pandemic?

4/14/21
By: Janeen Bradshaw, Karen A. Mitchell , Cynthia Brzeski
Industries: Financial Institutions
Services: Consulting, Governance & Risk

What is stress testing, and why should smaller financial institutions do it?

Stress testing is a management tool that helps a financial institution forecast its financial position using different what-if scenarios. It’s a way to understand your financial strength and identify risks that could have an adverse impact on your portfolio and earnings. 

4/13/21
By: Janeen Bradshaw, Karen A. Mitchell , Cynthia Brzeski
Industries: Financial Institutions
Services: Consulting, Governance & Risk

7 ways service organizations benefit from a SOC exam

Businesses are increasingly asking their vendors (i.e., service organizations) for independent assurance that their data is in safe hands. Some of your customers may be asking you for a SOC report, and you may be wondering, what is a SOC exam, and what is the value of having one performed?

4/12/21
By: Jacqueline Cooper
Services: Consulting, Governance & Risk, SOC Examinations

Key factors to consider when valuing a construction company

When construction companies develop construction project bids, they rely on clearly defined scope documents for estimating costs and schedule. Estimating the value of their own construction company, however, is not always so clear-cut.

4/5/21
Industries: Construction and Real Estate
Services: Consulting, Business Valuations

How to use competitor benchmarking to gain market share

In an ever-changing and dynamic marketplace, financial institutions must increasingly rely on peer data and competitive benchmarking to make strategic business decisions.

Where do you stand amid your competitors? How do you measure up against their best practices? Is the information you currently have detailed enough to create actionable plans? By gathering custom peer data and benchmarking it against key performance metrics, you can evaluate what the stakes are in your market and how to gain a competitive advantage.

4/5/21
By: Marcie Bomberg-Montoya, Ryan Barrow, Robert H. Zondag
Industries: Financial Institutions