As interest rates continue to rise, competition among banks for core deposits is heating up. This creates a challenge for community banks striving to grow their core deposits to fund lending activities. On the one hand, banks need to consider paying higher rates to attract deposits. On the other hand, increasing the cost of deposits cuts into their profit margins.

As a business evolves, it will encounter the need to build credibility with outside parties, such as investors and lenders, and to make well-informed strategic decisions. In short, financial statements are a necessity.

Several recent trends are causing some employers to revise their drug use policies. Here are some issues to consider to help ensure your company's strategy is effective and up-to-date.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Act) legislation signed into law on December 22, 2017, was sweeping in several ways.  The Act has eliminated any deduction for business entertainment expenses, eliminated 2% miscellaneous itemized deductions for individuals, set the Corporate tax rate to a flat 21%, and created a new deduction for individuals who own pass-through entities, to name a few of the significant changes. 

The IRS announced that it is waiving the estimated tax penalty for many taxpayers whose 2018 federal income tax withholding and estimated tax payments fell short of their total tax liability for the year.

New Year's is traditionally a time to make resolutions for the upcoming months. Once you set your personal goals, it's time to get serious about your business goals. Here are ten resolutions you might consider making — and sticking to — to put you on track to prosper in 2019.

In case you missed it, the IRS has announced the 2019 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Private companies that follow U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are running out of time to implement the new revenue recognition rules. Are your accounting systems and personnel ready for this fundamental shift in financial reporting? The effects will likely be more far-reaching than expected, based on feedback from public companies that implemented the changes in 2018.

Laws and regulations governing gender-based pay equality have been on the books for decades. But equal pay for men and women has become a hot button in the business world, thanks to the #MeToo movement and some recent surveys documenting widespread pay disparity.

With the holidays fast approaching, you might want to reward your employees for all their hard work in 2018. Gift-giving ideas include gift cards, holiday turkeys and achievement awards. Although your intent may be essentially the same in all these situations, the tax outcome for recipients of your goodwill may be quite different. Typically, it depends on the value and type of gift or award.