Returning Value Blog

Machen McChesney is committed to keeping you informed about critical developments that may impact your business. Today, we would like to bring to your attention an important update from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concerning the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program.

From utilities and interest expense to executive salaries and insurance, many overhead costs have skyrocketed over the last few years. Some companies have responded by passing along the increases to customers through higher prices of goods and services. Is this strategy right for your business? Before implementing price increases, it’s important to understand how to allocate indirect costs to your products. Proper cost allocation is essential to evaluating product and service line profitability and, in turn, making informed pricing decisions.

Does your business receive large amounts of cash or cash equivalents? If so, you’re generally required to report these transactions to the IRS — and not just on your tax return.

Does your organization offer health care and retirement benefits for its employees? Benefit plans with 100 or more participants are generally required to have their annual reports audited under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Here’s some guidance to help plan administrators fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities for hiring independent qualified public accountants to perform audits.

The issue of raising the debt limit has been resolved, at least until January 2025, and we can all breathe easier now that the United States can continue to pay its debts. Hopefully, in the future, Congress will find a way to eliminate this boondoggle or at least work around it, as was done under 1979’s Gephardt Rule.

The past few years of pandemic recovery, rising inflation and interest rates, and legislative changes have created tremendous shifts and challenging obstacles within the real estate industry. As economic uncertainty applies pressure to sources of traditional capital, the industry is turning to private capital and small and regional banks while managing a decline in government funding.

Healthcare Has a Margin Erosion Problem

The past few years have significantly destabilized the healthcare industry’s financial footing. According to our 2023 Healthcare CFO Outlook Survey, 60% of healthcare CFOs could not meet the terms of their bond or loan covenants in 2022 — up from 41% in 2021.

Accrual-basis financial statements are considered by many to be the gold standard in financial reporting. But with the increasing cost and complexity of today’s accounting rules — particularly the updated lease guidance that went into effect last year — some private companies are seeking a simpler alternative to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The solution for some is to switch from accrual to income tax-basis reporting.

It’s common for high-growth and seasonal businesses to have occasional shortfalls in their checking accounts. The reason relates to the cash conversion cycle — that is, it takes time to collect on customer invoices. In the meantime, employees and suppliers want to get paid. The “cash gap” is currently getting wider for many companies. A recent study by CFO / The Hackett Group shows that the cash conversion cycle increased from 35.2 days in 2021 to 36.4 days in 2022. To add insult to injury, interest rates, and many operational costs are rising.

Stakeholder demands for companies to commit to clear environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and targets have become commonplace.

In addition to strengthening stakeholder relationships, setting goals and targets can help companies further their corporate sustainability strategies, improve operational and financial performance, enhance credibility, and achieve other benefits.