<?xml version="1.0" ?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Service Insights</title><link>http://www.google.com</link><description>Rss feed for this service</description><item><title><![CDATA[Comprehensive services for business owner in transition]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/userfiles/file/Insights/Investment%20Advisors/Case%20studies/BTIA_Comprehensive%20services%20for%20business%20owner%20in%20transition_Case%20study_2011.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Baker Tilly assisted business owner with business sale proceeds and deciding on the most advantages investments for his goals.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unfunded retirement plan]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/userfiles/file/Insights/Professional%20Services/BT_Prof%20Svcs_Case%20Study_Unfunded%20Retirement%20Plan_011111.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[A large law firm founded many years ago had a significant unfunded partner retirement plan that has existed since the founding of the firm.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Prevailing wage retirement plan provisions offer cost savings to construction contractors]]></title><link>/contractor-retirement-plan-savings</link><description><![CDATA[Contractors might save by electing to contribute excess fringe benefits to a bona fide retirement savings plan on their employees&rsquo; behalf.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Will private companies get their own GAAP?]]></title><link>will-private-companies-get-their-own-GAAP</link><description><![CDATA[]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[FASB issues simplified standard for goodwill impairment testing]]></title><link>simplified-standard-for-goodwill-impairment-testing</link><description><![CDATA[]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Revised multiemployer disclosure requirements]]></title><link>simplified-standard-for-goodwill-impairment-testing</link><description><![CDATA[]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[FASB issues simplified standard for goodwill impairment testing]]></title><link>simplified-standard-for-goodwill-impairment-testing</link><description><![CDATA[]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fair Value Accounting for Your Utility: How to Match Short-term Market Fluctuations to Long-term Rate Recovery from Your Customers]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/61e2d4cd75465677c17fe3d5ab20483b507e2225BT_E&amp;U_IN_FairValueAccting.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Energy and Utilities: Fair value accounting]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Don't Underestimate the Value of Work Order and Infrastructure Asset Management to Your Utility]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/e8fe68201051f0627efb4a1387bbd391570055d8BT_E&amp;U_IN_WorkOrderAssetMan.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Energy and Utilities:&nbsp;Work order value]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hiring Techniques for Accounting Positions]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/9f0d77080d763fe4b036da6332da09ebb5592ee3BTSS_Hiring techniques for top accounting positions_Article_2010.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Staffing: Techniques for hiring accounting positions]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Business Record Retention]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/8d96303d74aff6ace9ec17fdd3aaa4edd5d10bd8/1a0c9d9db6f957ca25e8c67c6c786bded0318fdcBT_BizRecordReten_flyer.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Insights and tips on business record retention.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[UPMIFA Wisconsin]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/5f82c815e85d9786fe8ed0dea9cc47c0c40f78d6BT_NFP_UPMIFA WI_Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Wisconsin&rsquo;s recently adopted&nbsp;the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) changing the reporting requirements for restricted net assets. More than forty states have now adopted the uniform act, replacing the thirty-five year old Uniform Management of Institutional Funds Act (UMIFA) in Wisconsin. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Financial Reporting Update]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/efbb84e98fb447b0bda6e9dd1c0f86410adcac58BT_FinancialReporting_NFP_Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Recent developments in the accounting industry will make it necessary for not-for-profit organizations to modify disclosures within their financial statements. The changes that will be required to be made are discussed in this alert.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Update on ARRA]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/368fdd7c33dab10821c36ded050d39935968b7a8BT_NFP_Update on ARRA_Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal agencies are able to pass down nearly $300 billion in additional federal funding. These Recovery Act federal funds are intended to supplement existing programs, create new programs, or provide general fiscal relief. The government is continuously updating the audit requiremtns of the Recovery Act funds. In response to the oversight, the Office of Management Budget (OMB) has issued an addendum to the March 2009 Compliance Supplement.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Opportunities for Employees to Contibute to 401(k)]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/9059a0581a1f1ed6fac0990e98534c165ff25840401kInvesting.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The Administration and its Treasury Department have recently issued&nbsp; numerous pieces of guidance designed to increase retirement savings. The guidance provides new ways to encourage voluntary employee saving through unused paid time off contributions.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hot Topic for Architecture and Engineering Firms]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/e40d023474ef1378e32c99c5a5eb942c0a8d9bb4UAAGR Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The Uniform Audit and Accounting Guide (the Guide), scheduled to be published in January 2010, will include significant revisions from the most recent version, which was updated in September 2005. Architecture and engineering consulting firms contracting with the Departments of Transportation in their respective state as prime or sub-contractors are likely subject to the provisions of the Guide. These revisions affect architecture and engineering firms&rsquo; Federal Acquisition Related audits.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Construction Contract Compliance & Cost Controls]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/c270664e9f42e6362f1c34412f0048ca41e1f04bBT_SS_Closeout Change Order Audit.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP was engaged by a private college to examine how their $5M renovation project ballooned to $8M. The school Regents, upset by a 60 percent budget overrun, needed to understand how their budget had been spent. We examined the project change orders and discovered duplicate change orders, change orders for in-scope work, and 40 percent embedded profit in labor burden with compounded invoice mark ups. The change order audit enabled the regents to negotiate a $300,000 sub-contractor credit.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Interim Cost Audit Helps Utility Recover $2 Million]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/4b82fd13987c2cc89c006bf66b1082806b6c1d37BT_SS_Interim Cost Audit.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[A public utility, managing $50 million annually in transmission infrastructure repairs and maintenance, engaged Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP to examine their spending practices and costs to verify that contract provisions were complied with. Through the application of vendor confirmations, physical inventory, site visits, and supplier account reconciliation&mdash;undisclosed material returns and purchase discounts were discovered. These findings totaled more than $2 million in owner credits and billing adjustments.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Interim Audit Uncovers $150k of Labor Burden Overcharges]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/9a96243970869bedd6ba1525ac9bab9d6a382920BT_SS_Interim Audit - Payroll Audit.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The construction of a $27M facility over twenty months is a significant event that can stress project financial controls. The owner asked Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP to design and implement an interim audit program that included a detailed examination of direct labor costs and burden. Benchmarking the direct labor costs to market standards uncovered labor burden rates 30 percent higher than the local collective bargaining agreement. This information lead to a billing adjustment of $150,000 and a reduction in labor burden rates for the remaining fourteen month construction period.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Partial Plan Termination]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/4b17eaf6559abd96f5e4e07639dbf7fc7be635b9BTIA_Partial Plan Termination_Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[During these tough economic times, companies are faced with decisions regarding restructuring their work force. When there is a significant reduction in an employer's workforce, it could be classified as a partial plan termination.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[What the Governing Body & Management Should Know about GASB No. 54]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/686e797a7aa01b2da17832091f888bbbb5cf5bcaAlert_S&amp;L Gov_GASB No54.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has recently issued Statement No. 54. This Statement clarifies the definitions of governmental fund types which may result in some of your funds, in particular-special revenue funds, becoming part of your general fund for external financial reporting unless your government takes specific action. These changes will affect your financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011.GASB No. 54 could have financial impact on your local government if action is not taken.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[First Aid for Contractors - Financial Statement Review]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/a9695fbaac5b2c9c3cdee5bff7f5bed659deaac0First Aid for Contractors_BTdesign.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Breaking apart financial reports can help expose more than just performance weaknesses; it also provides a compass to corrective actions that may need to be taken.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[GASB 51 Accounting and Financial Reporting for Intangible Assets]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/9fa4be073b4ccd993980252ac54b20eda860b2ecBT_EU_GASB 51_Article.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued Statement No. 51, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Intangible Assets (&ldquo;GASB 51&quot; or the &ldquo;Statement&quot;) in June 2007, which establishes accounting and financial reporting requirements for intangible assets in an effort to enhance comparability of such assets between state and local governments.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Good News for Small Public Companies]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/8204becf4cab7bdc7ecf8894fad2f73d6b1b6860BT_Alert_SEC_404b.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s official! Lawmakers recently agreed to exempt nonaccelerated filers from complying with Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Act requires a company&rsquo;s external auditor to assess the effectiveness of their client&rsquo;s internal controls over financial reporting.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding the new SAS 70 / SSAE 16 guidance and the impacts on your organization]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/0cb9b6a44fcd86b020e9d052d934c3ce8c059254SSAE 16 Webinar_2010_web.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Baker Tilly's professionals discussed&nbsp;the new SAS 70 / SSAE 16&nbsp;guidance and what it means. Information covered during this webinar included:     A historical perspective on SAS 70 /&nbsp;SSAE 16&nbsp;    New requirements defined in Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements &quot;Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization&quot; (SSAE 16)     The impact of the changes on your organization]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reporting loans to participants by defined contribution pension plans]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/36fde933c8829579b30935cf9446f76587f674ceBT_AA_EBPA_New standard for defined contribution pension plans_Alert_10.2010.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Issuance of a new accounting standard related to defined contribution pension plans.&nbsp;]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Internal Revenue Service final 403(b) regulations]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/7a2ed560a640ca5ee24807a5773452a2c15a2fe8BTIA_403(b) final regulations_Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the final regulations for 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity plans on July 26, 2007. Compliance with these changes is crucial. Failure to comply could result in substantial IRS and/or Department of Labor (DOL) penalties, which potentially could be imposed not only on the organization itself, but also on the individuals at the organization who are responsible for the plan&rsquo;s management and oversight. Additionally, failure to comply with the IRS rules could result in adverse tax consequences to employees who participate in the 403(b) plan.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Improving your business by improving your internal controls]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/edf3018643f0fd82687155a7bebb70fac9c36062BT_Consult_Improve Internal Controls_Presentation10.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[This presentation covers:    Definitions&nbsp;of risk, internal controls, fraud and fraud risks    Discusses compliance    Presents a methodology for identifying, assessing, and responding to risk    Provides specific examples of risk and related internal controls    Discusses key questions an organization should be asking about its internal controls and control environment]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Software Company Revives 401(k) Plans]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/1e47b9e72dd8a5fda50c43d92a72298b1342721eBTIA_Software%20company_Case%20Study_08.2010.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Baker Tilly Investment Advisors assisted an industry leader in the window and door software industry in increasing employee participation in their retirement plan. In addition to its software products, the company provides project management, integration, and support to architects, manufacturers, and wholesale dealers. The company&rsquo;s success has been built on deep industry knowledge, innovation, process efficiency, and strong customer service. The company is privately held and located in the Midwest.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dental practice benefits from retirement plan services]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/3aca13477bfc231232ae996179d9c29d8978bc7eBTIA_MN Dental Practice_Case Study_01.2011.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[A Minnesota dental clinic providing preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and pediatric dental services, found added value through Baker Tilly Investment Advisors&rsquo; retirement plan consulting services.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ten steps to employee benefit plan audit heaven]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/10-Steps-Employee-Benefit-Plan-Audit-Heaven</link><description><![CDATA[We have recorded a complimentary podcast that will help you manage your employee benefit plan audit process and thus have an efficient, low-stress, and no-surprises audit. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Financial reporting assessment]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/userfiles/file/Insights/Professional%20Services/BT_Prof%20Svcs_Case%20Study_Financial%20Reporting%20Assessment_011111.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[A large national law firm with multiple office locations needed assistance evaluating financial management reports and the revenue and expense allocation methods used for office and practice area reporting.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[UPDATE - DOL issues new fee disclosure rules]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/userfiles/file/Insights/Investment%20Advisors/BTIA_DOL%20Issues%20New%20Fee%20Disclosure%20Rules_UPDATE_Alert.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[The US Department of Labor has changed the effective date for the fee disclosure rules:The Department of Labor has extended the effective date to Jan. 1, 2012. The new requirements will now apply to plans in existence on or after July 16, 2011. Service providers not in compliance with the new fee disclosure rules will be subject to the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA Section 406 and related excise tax under IRC Section 4975.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Maximize credits and incentives with a facility review]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/userfiles/file/Insights/Webinars/BT_TaxWebinar_Maximize%20incentives%20with%20a%20facility%20review_03_2011.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[If you&rsquo;re investing in a new facility or renovating an existing one, there may be tax credits and incentives available to you. However, identifying every opportunity can be challenging. Often, companies lack the resources to gather all the necessary information, evaluate costs and activities, and characterize deductions, credits, and incentives appropriately. Learn how a comprehensive facility review can help identify and capitalize on the tax benefits associated with major expenditures or investments that you may be considering.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Exposure draft of SSAP No. 101 brings increased complexity to accounting for income taxes for insurers]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/Exposure-Draft-SSAP-Number-101</link><description><![CDATA[On March 22, 2011, the NAIC&rsquo;s Tax Working Group released an exposure draft of Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 101, Income Taxes, A Replacement of SSAP No. 10R and SSAP No. 10. If adopted, SSAP No. 101 would replace SSAP No. 10 and SSAP No. 10R for years beginning January 1, 2012.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Accounting Insights]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/accounting-insights</link><description><![CDATA[Recent accounting news and financial reporting insight.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Common compliance pitfalls and corresponding audit responses]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/cms/public/userfiles/40eb699b88a3fbd294f043905ecdb9b1e448003f/cb438c9008be6d328a46242bdf03d3ecbc0c5a42CommonCompliancePitfallsandCorrespondingAuditResponses_Web.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Looking to manage your employee benefit plan audit process and have an efficient, low-stress, and no-surprises audit&#63;&nbsp;View this presentation to gain solutions and industry insights into employee benefit planning.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[SEC Accounting Update]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/SEC-Accounting-Update</link><description><![CDATA[A newsletter discussing technical matters affecting SEC registrants including recent accounting reform legislation and new accounting and reporting requirements.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[The impact of Software as a Service (SaaS) on audit services]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/Impact-of-Software-as-a-service-SaaS-on-audit-services</link><description><![CDATA[Software as a Service (SaaS) provides for a more robust internal control environment, permitting the development and execution of a substantially different audit approach.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Required fee disclosures for retirement plans: Are you prepared?]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/Required-fee-disclousures-for-retirement-plans</link><description><![CDATA[The US Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized regulations addressing required fee disclosures at both the plan sponsor and plan participant levels.&nbsp;Be prepared questions about these fees.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Strong Financial Management Cuts Fraud and Increases Profits]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/Cutting-Fraud-Increasing-Profits</link><description><![CDATA[The realities of the economic recession related to the legal profession have resulted in what appears to be long term changes to the business model of law firms.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[How will GASB 62 impact your financial statements?]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/GASB-62-impact-on-financial-statements</link><description><![CDATA[Is your utility required to follow governmental accounting standards&#63; If so, you may have some questions with the issuance GASB 62, effective for financial statements for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2011.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[SSAP No. 101 draft re-exposed]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/SSAP-101-Draft-Re-Exposed</link><description><![CDATA[SSAP No. 101 was previously exposed on March 22, 2011. The re-exposure of SSAP No. 101 brings changes&nbsp;to the previous exposure draft.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Evolving requirements for law firm accounting and law firms]]></title><link>http://www.staging.bakertilly.com/userfiles/file/Insights/Webinars/Law%20firm%20accounting%20and%20finance%20FINAL%20for%20website.pdf</link><description><![CDATA[Baker Tilly recently hosted a webinar on accounting requirement changes for professional services firms. Learn more on this topic by choosing a link below.Watch the full webinar &gt;Download the presentation slides &gt;]]></description></item></channel></rss>