Articles & Videos
Lead Root Service
Lead Root Service Updated: 5/16/2013 What makes a good leader? Is it self-discipline, intelligence, the ability to inspire others, or is it something else? Perhaps a better question might be; what makes me a leader? Far too often we seek leadership qualities in others, only to be disappointed. Each morning, the mirror reminds us of…
Estate Disclaiming Inheritance
Estate Disclaiming Inheritance There are a few rules that you should be aware of when making a qualified disclaimer. If a person does not follow these requirements, the property in question will be considered a personal asset that he or she has given as a taxable gift to the next beneficiary in line. According to…
Invest Selling Gold Coins
Invest Selling Gold Coins Q: My mother-in-law wants to convert some gold coins, specifically American Gold Eagles and Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, into CDs and/or money market funds. How does one convert gold coins into cash in order to do this? What are the IRS reporting requirements? A: In an unsettled economy, investing in gold…
Business Venture Financing
Business Venture Financing “Financing a venture can be structured using one or more of several types of securities ranging from straight debt to common stock.” Introduction Types of Securities Disadvantages of Debt to a Company Advantages of Debt to a Venture Capitalist Percentage Ownership Needed Case Studies Conclusion Introduction A venture financing can be structured…
Recent Trends in the Venture Capital Community
Recent Trends in the Venture Capital Community Recently, I attended a Venture Capital Conference in which one of the speakers predicted we would see technology change in the next 15 years that would rival advancements similar to the past 100 years. That is a bold prediction, but as new technologies continue to emerge we are…
Preparing Your Business Plan
Preparing Your Business Plan “Other things being equal, a well prepared business plan will increase your chances of obtaining the venture capitalist’s financial commitment.” Introduction A business plan is a description of your business. To be complete your plan should describe: Your company and industry The product The market and marketing approach How the product…
How to Recession-Proof Your Small Business
How to Recession-Proof Your Small Business The recent collapse of Bear Stearns & Co., one of the largest financial institutions in the world, has intensified the fears of most small business owners in the Bay Area despite an earlier, rosier prediction by the Association of Bay Area Governments that the recession would have minimal effect…
IRS Preventing Audit
IRS Preventing Audit Do you want an IRS agent to make a visit to your office? I don’t know many people who do, but knowing strategies to prevent an unwanted visit could certainly save you from an extra bit of stress in life. Only one percent of taxpayers yearly are selected for IRS audits, but…
5 Steps to Becoming a Millionaire
5 Steps to Becoming a Millionaire In 2011, the number of households in the United States worth over $1 million was 8.6 million. Although the thought of acquiring a million dollars may be a whimsical fantasy for some, it is not out of reach. With careful saving and investing, becoming a millionaire is possible if…
Ten Questions That You Should Ask Prior to Purchasing a Stock
1. How does the company make money? The first thing that you should understand is how the company earns money. Just because everyone else is buying the stock and the price has run up tremendously does not mean that you should also be jumping on the bandwagon. I suggest that you review the annual report…
Effective Uses of Trusts in Estate & Gift Tax Planning
Effective Uses of Trusts in Estate & Gift Tax Planning Function of Estates An estate is a legal entity that originates upon the death of an individual. An estate is set up to administer all legal affairs of the decedent to be settled and to distribute the assets owned by the decedent. Once all estate…
Real Home Owners Relief
Real Home Owners Relief The sub-prime mortgage debacle is still playing out nationwide, with new home sales plummeting 61 percent since January, foreclosure rates doubling, and the number of borrowers 90-days or more in areas growing. In Northern California, East Bay homeowners – particularly, those residing in Contra Costa County, where many buyers make their…
8 Steps for Getting Out of Debt
8 Steps for Getting Out of Debt The average American spends a great deal more than they make every year. This results in a financial pitfall later in life. If you find yourself digging deeper into the empty wallet, here are ten steps you can use as a crutch to help free yourself of the…
6 Tips to Consider When Faced With Foreclosure
6 Tips to Consider When Faced With Foreclosure By Alan L. Olsen, CPA, MBA (tax) Managing Partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP Updated: 10/9/12 Many find themselves faced with foreclosure in the world today. Sometimes the circumstances leading to foreclosure isn’t your fault. If faced with foreclosure, most likely you want to know what…
Invest QSBS exclusion
Invest QSBS exclusion Updated: 1/23/2013 The FTB issued Notice 2012-03 on December 21, 2012. The Notice states that the Court of Appeal’s holding in Cutler v. Franchise Tax Board (2012) 208 Cal. App. 4th 1247, that the qualified small business stock exclusion and deferral statutes determined that the qualified small business stock statues–California Revenue and…
IRS Representing Yourself
IRS Representing Yourself So you are under audit with the IRS or the Franchise Tax Board. Thinking about representing yourself. I suggest that you think again. As a former IRS agent, some of the easiest adjustments came from individuals representing themselves. Simply put, I would ask questions and then listen to responses. Within the first…
New Ethics Rules Mean Some CEOs Will Be Hunting for a New CPA
New Ethics Rules Mean Some CEOs Will Be Hunting for a New CPA View in PDF Format (San Jose Business Journal) The relationship between a chief executive and his accountant is an extremely important one. An outside accountant can be one of your most trusted business advisors and a key to your success. That’s one…
8 Rules of Building Wealth
8 Rules of Building Wealth Forget Performance; look at fees! Remember that it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep. When evaluating an investment evaluate the cost to generate an investment return. If you are using an investment manager compare the performance of the investment net of fees. Be careful when entering into non-tradition…
Is Accounting Boring?
Is Accounting Boring? By William Brighenti I’ve noticed on Twitter a bunch of tweets from younger people complaining that accounting is boring. This may very well be true for those who are not accountants. Non-accountants include those individuals who once loved accounting until they took intermediate accounting in college and then switched their major to…