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Location, location, location. You know how important it is for your business. So when choosing a location, you probably research foot traffic, car traffic and the occupancy rates of the neighboring buildings. But if you don't research zoning laws,...

Many employers have been wrestling with plans to comply with new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) overtime rules since last May. That's when the rules were finalized, with a December 1 compliance deadline. Those new rules included raising the minimum...

The employer's role in documenting alien employees is a balancing act. Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) you must verify through examination of certain documents that your employees are authorized to work in the United States. At...

What do pumpkin patches, ski resorts, ice cream shops and accounting firms have in common? They're all seasonal businesses that experience a surge in revenues during their busy seasons that tapers off in the slow season. Seasonal peaks and troughs...

Digital disruption is described as the changes that occur when new technologies and businesses models have a negative effect on existing goods and services. Despite some activity, many companies are lagging when it comes to transforming to take on...

With today's technology, many companies and their employees have figured out that at least some work can be done from home. The idea seems an ideal solution for some work-related problems. Working from home eliminates commuting time and expense,...

If your business is hit by a hurricane, windstorm, blizzard, or other natural disaster, or if it falls victim to arson or terrorism, you might have to close up shop for a while. As a result, you could suffer a major loss of income. Types...

Whether you're thinking about starting your own business or investing in a start-up, there's an exciting tax break that could sweeten the deal: Gains from selling qualified small business stock (QSBS) that you acquire on or after September 28, 2010,...

Tired of preparing all the documentation needed to support business travel expenses? If your business reimburses employees for actual travel expenses, employees are required to collect receipts as they travel, noting the time, place and business...

Most illegal drug users and abusers of alcohol hold full-time jobs. That is the finding of a study released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Six...

The deadline for the Department of Labor's (DOL's) new final overtime rule is December 1, 2016. While CFOs at most large U.S. companies have been working overtime themselves to prepare for the changes, many small and midsize firms haven't been as...

While a bad economy may be one of the biggest reasons companies downsize, there are other reasons, including mergers and acquisitions, changes in management, and outsourcing. Problems can arise, however, if laid-off employees believe they are...

Have you heard of Pokémon Go? It's a popular smartphone video game that uses Google Maps technology. The augmented reality game pinpoints locations of virtual Pokémon and "PokéStops" in the real world on a map shown on a...

With the SEC requiring greater transparency with regard to executive compensation, many organizations -- not just public corporations that are bound by SEC disclosure rules -- have begun to rethink Tax Implications of High Salaries and...

If you and your employees spend hours a day working at computers, here is an easy way to save time and resources, as well as increase productivity. It may sound excessive, but most people who have tried it, can't imagine working any other way. It...

Smart company owners and executives obtain business interruption insurance -- and possibly contingent business income coverage if the operation relies heavily on outsourcing or a particular supplier. The idea is that the policy will compensate the...

Traditional interviews, background checks, and clever "scenario" questions might help you turn up a good leader. But sometimes, in spite of your best efforts, you end up hiring a problem, and then struggling to get rid of him or her. Here are some...

It can be a hard choice to make, but successful companies often have to make strategic decisions to "fix it or exit." In other words, every element of a business must earn its keep, be fixed or let go. Companies must have a growth and profitability...

Disasters never happen at a good time. But the timing is irrelevant. What counts is that your business can recover quickly with minimal long-term effects.And that means having a disaster recovery program in place so that your company is...

Attracting and retaining qualified employees is a top concern for U.S. businesses, according to the Duke University / CFO magazine Global Business Outlook survey for the first quarter of 2016. Each year, thousands of positions go unfilled, often...