The Importance of Briefing Government Contracts
By Paul Calabrese, Principal, Outsourced Accounting and Advisory Services In the realm of government contracting, the complexity of agreements can significantly impact the success of a contract. Unlike commercial contracts, government contracts come with stringent requirements and regulations that demand a meticulous understanding for compliance. The practice of “briefing” these contracts is crucial for any…
Alternatives to Financial Statement Audits
By Steven Lyons, CPA, Assurance Senior Manager and Kari Hipsak, CPA, Senior Manager of Quality Management While financial statement audits are mandatory for many organizations, a review or compilation may meet the needs of some. Understanding the differences between an audit, review, and compilation can help your organization select the best engagement to meet your…
Budgeting and Planning for 2025: Challenge Accepted!
Generated by AI and edited by Heather Broberg, Senior Manager, Accounting Technology Solutions Budgeting and forecasting are critical components of financial planning for any organization, yet they often pose significant difficulties. These processes are essential for setting financial goals, allocating resources efficiently, and making informed strategic decisions. However, the complexities involved can make budgeting and…
2024 Update on Retirement Plans: Cyber Best Practices
Cybersecurity remains a crucial concern for retirement plan administrators and sponsors. Ensuring the security of sensitive data and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements is essential to protect plan participants and maintain trust. GRF hosted a 2024 Update on Retirement Plans webinar on May 16th, 2024, which outlined key cybersecurity best practices recommended by the Department…
2024 Update on Retirement Plans: Impact of SECURE Act 2.0
The SECURE Act 2.0 is transforming retirement planning by encouraging savings, enhancing retirement plan rules, and reducing employer costs. GRF hosted the 2024 Update on Retirement Plans on May 16th, 2024, where we explored the significant changes introduced by the SECURE Act 2.0. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the new provisions aimed at…
2024 Update on Retirement Plans: Recent Changes to Form 5500
Navigating the complexities of retirement plan reporting just got easier with the latest updates to Form 5500. These transformative changes promise to streamline processes, enhance data accuracy, and significantly reduce administrative burdens for plan administrators and sponsors. GRF hosted the 2024 Update on Retirement Plans webinar on May 16th, 2024, which delved into significant changes…
Update on Employee Retention Credit Claims
By Pam Harrison, CPA, Manager, Outsourced Accounting and Advisory Services As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted in 2020, the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was established to assist businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the program later became a target for aggressive marketing efforts by ERC promoters…
Illustrating Your Nonprofit’s Story with Dynamic Dashboards
Dynamic dashboards are essential for nonprofits, turning complex data into compelling visual narratives. They simplify the presentation of financial and operational metrics, aiding in decision-making and enhancing communication with stakeholders. On Wednesday, April 4, 2024, GRF hosted an informative webinar, “Illustrating Your Nonprofit Story with Dynamic Dashboards,” featuring Ahkeeia Ward, CPA & EA, and Elinor…
How to Become a Tax-Exempt Organization
The terms “nonprofit” and “tax-exempt organization” are often used interchangeably. And while there may be considerable overlap in their definitions, there is a distinction, especially for a 501(c)(3) public charity or private foundation. As explained further below, the process to become a tax-exempt organization begins with forming a nonprofit organization. A 501(c)(3) organization must apply…
SECURE 2.0 Act Requires 401(k) Plan Administration Changes for Employers
The 401(k) plan is the most popular employer-sponsored retirement plan in the United States. As of September 30, 2022, more than $6.3 trillion in assets were held in 401(k) accounts by more than 60 million active participants, as well as millions of former employees and retirees. So 401(k) plans are a key payroll responsibility for most businesses….