Beyond the financials: What’s a quality of earnings report?

Financial statements provide insights into a company’s historical performance. But the parties to a merger or acquisition are also interested in assessing the acquisition target’s potential to generate cash flow in the future. That’s where an independent quality of earnings (QOE) report comes into play. Looking to the future QOE reports look beyond the quantitative […]

Fraud risk assessment: What auditors watch for

Auditing standards require auditors to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement due to fraud and to determine overall and specific responses to those risks. Here are some answers to questions about what auditors assess when interviewing company personnel to evaluate potential fraud risks. What’s on your auditor’s radar? When planning audit fieldwork, your […]

Enhance financial reporting by forging a partnership between internal and external auditors

Many calendar-year entities are currently preparing for the start of audit fieldwork. One proactive way to facilitate your financial statement audit is to encourage teamwork between your internal audit department and external auditors. Consider the following four tips to foster a more collaborative relationship. 1. Reach out regularly By scheduling meetings between internal and external […]

Now or later: When should your company implement the new crypto reporting guidance?

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) made favorable changes to the accounting rules for crypto assets in December 2023. The updated guidance benefits reporting entities and external stakeholders alike. It’s effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, including interim periods within those years. Here’s what you should know — and why many companies are […]

Balancing the books: Regular bank reconciliations are essential for a successful business

How often do you reconcile your company’s internal financial records against your bank statements? Bank reconciliations are an essential internal control procedure that busy owners and managers sometimes overlook or neglect. Here’s why it pays to perform them regularly. Operational benefits Weekly or monthly bank reconciliations can improve the accuracy of your company’s financial records. […]

What are retained earnings — and why do they matter?

Owners’ equity is the difference between the assets and liabilities reported on your company’s balance sheet. It’s generally composed of two pieces: capital contributions and retained earnings. The former represents the amounts owners have paid into the business and stock repurchases, but the latter may be less familiar. Here’s an overview of what’s recorded in […]

Goodwill impairment: Is your company at risk?

Goodwill impairment is often a negative indicator. It potentially signals that a business combination failed to meet management’s expectations due to internal or external factors. In recent years, uncertain markets, lingering inflation and high interest rates have caused goodwill impairments to spike. Evaluating impairment trends In 2022, 400 U.S. public companies reported $136.2 billion of […]

How do auditors verify account balances and transactions?

Audit season is just around the corner for calendar-year entities. Understanding the types of source documents your audit team might request can minimize disruptions during audit fieldwork and maximize your audit’s effectiveness. Here are some common sources of “substantive evidence” that auditors gather to help them form an opinion regarding your financial statements. Original source […]

Chart a course for success with a detailed chart of accounts

A chart of accounts is the foundation of accurate financial reporting, so it needs to be set up correctly. A disorganized chart or one that lumps transactions into broad, undefined “buckets” of data can make it difficult for management to evaluate financial performance and identify unmet customer needs — or open the door to accounting […]

Get a handle on how accounting and tax profitability metrics differ

The pretax (accounting) profit that’s reported on your company’s income statement is an important metric. Lenders, investors and other stakeholders rely on pretax profits to evaluate a company’s financial performance. However, business owners also need to keep their eyes on taxable income to optimize tax outcomes and manage cash flow effectively. Here’s an overview of […]