Cohnnection - 1st Quarter 2010
3/02/2010
Welcome to Cohnnection, J.H. Cohn's quarterly e-newsletter.
In this issue, 1st Quarter 2010, you will read about:
Taxing Matters: AIM Listings Carry Unique Tax Implications
Raising equity capital on AIM is generally thought to be less costly than on one of the U.S. exchanges due, among other things, to different regulatory requirements. But U.S. companies considering listing there need to remain mindful of the tax implications involved.
Economics: Improving Jobs Outlook To Spur Modest Growth
The recession ended in November, although the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the final arbiter of the business cycle, has yet to make it “official.” Among the areas that need further comeback to make it official, says Patrick O'Keefe, J.H. Cohn's director of economic research, are the expansion of private investment and continued growth of consumer spending.
The Benefits of Serving on an Unsecured Creditors Committee
Most companies won't find out that their customer is in financial distress until they've in or near a turnaround/workout situation. If you have an unsecured claim against their bankruptcy estate, you may have the opportunity to maximize your recovery by becoming part of the Unsecured Creditors Committee.
The Argument for Continuous Planning
One in five CFOs say that their annual budgets are obsolete by January 1; two-thirds say they're obsolete by June 30. These Continuous planning, rather than making budgets a once-a-year priority, will enable your company to adapt to changing conditions, make regular revisions to assumptions and plans, and keep up with market movements that will impact your business and bottom line.
Get Ahead of the Game in Today's Recovering Economy
Many wealthy individuals have put off making important estate planning decisions until the economy sees further recovery, but they may be missing a unique opportunity to maximize estate tax savings and potentially minimize their creditor exposure.
Company Executives and Fiduciary Liability
Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and Department of Labor (DOL) regulations and guidelines, individuals identified as their employer’s fiduciaries are legally required and held accountable to act in the best interests of the plan’s participants. A fidelity bond insures against the improper management and resulting losses with respect to plan assets, however, a common misconception is that the fidelity bond provides protection to plan fiduciaries for a breach of responsibilities. It does not.
Have You Asked Your Auditor About SAS 70?
In this era of strict corporate governance, many companies look to work with organizations that have strong internal controls and procedures in place for how they provide vital services to their clients. Having a SAS 70 before your client asks for it shows that you're responsible, reliable, and qualified to handle their business.