Beyond the numbers: 5 red flags that may indicate financial distress

Financial statements help managers, lenders and investors evaluate a company’s financial performance. But they tell only part of the story — and they might not reveal financial distress until it’s too late, especially for companies that issue only annual reports. So it’s critical to watch for these five common warning signs indicating a company may […]

How to report contingent liabilities in your company’s financial statements

It’s critical for business owners and managers to understand how to present contingent liabilities accurately in the financial statements. Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), some contingent losses may be reported on the balance sheet and income statement, while others are only disclosed in the footnotes. Here’s an overview of the rules for properly […]

5 reasons to outsource your bookkeeping

Running a closely held business is challenging. Owners usually prioritize core business operations — such as managing employees, serving customers and bringing in new sales — over tedious bookkeeping tasks. Plus, the accounting rules can be overwhelming. However, access to timely, accurate financial data is critical to your business’s success. Could outsourcing bookkeeping tasks to […]

How do external auditors evaluate audit risks?

As calendar-year entities wrap up financial reporting for the year, their external auditors work behind the scenes to prepare for audit season. Here’s what you can do to help facilitate the audit planning process. The audit risk assessment During fieldwork, auditors can’t test every transaction, recalculate every estimate or examine every external document. Instead, they […]

The evolution of financial reporting

In recent years, the accounting rules have undergone significant changes, including updated standards for reporting revenue, leases and credit losses. While business owners and managers often express frustration over the complexity of these rules, they’re more than an exercise in compliance. They help promote investor confidence and efficient capital markets. Here’s an overview of why […]

Eyes on the income statement

When reviewing their income statements, business owners tend to focus on profits (or losses). But focusing solely on the bottom line can lead to mismanagement and missed opportunities. Instead, you should analyze this financial report from top to bottom for deeper insights. Think like an auditor Review your company’s income statement with an auditor’s mindset. […]

Reminder: Profits and cash flow aren’t the same

Profitable businesses often experience cash flow shortages, particularly if they’re experiencing rapid growth. Business owners may wonder why they owe taxes when they regularly struggle to find cash to cover their bills. The answer can be found by understanding the key differences between profits and cash flow. Operating activities Profits are closely related to taxable […]

Cutoffs: When to report revenue and expenses

Timing is critical in financial reporting. Under accrual-basis accounting, the end of the accounting period serves as a “cutoff” for when companies recognize revenue and expenses. However, some companies may be tempted to play timing games, especially at year end, to boost financial results or lower taxes. Observing the end-of-period cutoffs Under U.S. Generally Accepted […]

Strong controls over financial reporting are essential

Public companies are required to evaluate and report on internal controls over financial reporting using a recognized control framework under rules set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, private companies also need checks and balances to help ensure their financial statements are correct and reduce the risk of fraud. Additionally, transparent reporting […]

CFOs need more than accounting skills

Is your company planning to hire a new CFO? A recent survey found that hiring managers look for more than financial acumen when vetting CFO candidates. In fact, only 38.5% of CFOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies were licensed CPAs in 2023, according to executive recruiting firm Crist Kolder. What other skills may […]