A relatively low dollar capital raising vehicle for startups and small businesses will be unleased soon. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), consistent with the requirements of the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”), adopted final rules to offer and sell securities through crowdfunding (SEC proposed rules were published in October, 2013 with over 485 comment letters received). These rules are referred to as Regulation Crowdfunding under new Section 4(a)(6) of the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation Crowdfunding will likely become effective in May 2016, 180 days after the new rules are publised in the Federal Register.

Last week I attended a meeting at the FireSky Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona sponsored by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). The target audience for this compliance update were Board of Director members and Compliance and Audit Committee members. I found it refreshing that the audience was at the board level as opposed to directors of compliance or compliance department employees. As a Compliance Consultant it helps me to understand what the boards are hearing and what priorities concern them most.

Is your financial closing process hiding accounting issues?

Let’s say your closing and financial reporting processes are going along without any major issues. You are meeting your objectives and have a good history of no surprises or issues.

Capturing robust audit preparation benefits

At a recent Austin, Texas, Bridge Builders Alliance “ Business Leadership Series” event the theme included how Austin and surrounding Texas area business leaders can aspire and achieve in their business world greater things for a greater purpose.

As management consultants we are often asked to help with a wide variety of financial and operational problems. For example, we may be asked to resolve Intercompany imbalances or to reconcile accounts that have not been reconciled for months or years.

All industries and companies experience risk. Two such risks in a certain consumer goods related industry is employee theft and inaccurate inventory.

One company raised their employee morale and reduced inventory theft by simply trusting their employees more.

Compliance is something we all have to deal with whether it be a Federal or State Law, a Regulation or even one of your own company policies.

All industries and companies experience risk. Even companies that are compliant with government regulations and corporate policies still experience risk.

What does "compliance" really mean? Learn how companies that are compliant with government regulations and corporate policies can still, somehow fall afoul of the law. Listen to what our Managing Partner has to say about it.

Want to find out whether you're doing the right thing?

Accounting Estimates and Fair Value Measurements

Accounting estimates are clouded in uncertainty and assumption. Accounting estimates are derived from the initial and continuing measurement/re-measurement of a transaction or event reflected in the financial statements.

Audits of financial statements provide significant value to owners, regulators, creditors and investors.  Financial statements are integral to the capital markets process.  Significant decisions are made every day in part, based on company financial statements and disclosures.