IMA Online News

Last Call for Regular Registration for IMA's Annual Conference & Exposition; Enjoy Continuing Education, Networking, and Optional Side Trips

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

Time is running out to share in the excitement and educational opportunities that will abound at IMA's 93rd Annual Conference & Exposition, to be held June 23-27, 2012, in Las Vegas at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Save $100 by registering before June 1. Visit www.imaconference.org to sign up now.

IMA Members Invited to Participate in People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

Want to take part in a life-changing experience that will forever shape your perspective on the global business economy?

All IMA members are invited to participate in two programs offered later this year by the People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs, which is sponsoring delegations to the People's Republic of China and South Africa. With nearly 50 years of experience, more than 500,000 alumni, and destinations on seven continents, People to People Ambassador Programs rank among the world's most recognized and respected educational travel providers.

Obama Holds Small Business Roundtable, Urges Congress to Act on 'To-Do' List

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

President Obama called upon Congress to take action on the "To Do List" of small business legislation. Ahead of National Small Business week, the president also held a roundtable discussion on his proposed legislation with U.S. entrepreneurs and Small Business Administrator and president Karen Mills. Among the items in Obama's proposal is legislation that would give companies a 20 percent tax credit for moving overseas operations back to the U.S., according to a White House release. The president is also asking Congress to give a 10 percent income tax credit to businesses that either create new jobs or increase wages in 2012, and to extend 100 percent expensing throughout the year for all businesses.

Small Business Owners And The Estimated Tax Payment

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

For new small business owners, meeting your tax obligations is a big adjustment – particularly when you've been used to having an employer take out income tax withholdings with each paycheck. When you have your own business though, tax time isn't just once a year; rather you have to make estimated tax payments throughout the year.

The Right Kind of Risk Management

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

"You should not put your own money at risk," Rep. Barney Frank said to federally-insured banks on CBS This Morning. "We now have a stronger argument for a Volcker Rule that says 'No' to a bank: 'Your main job is lending and managing the money of your clients.'" Frank's argument got a shot in the arm last week when JPMorgan revealed that a set of trades aimed at hedging wound up costing the firm more than $2 billion.

Key Steps in Implementing ERM in Your Organization

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

Any implementation of enterprise risk management must first begin with a very clear definition of what it is. "Simply put, ERM is the view and identification of risk throughout the organization and the steps that are being taken to manage the risk," Richard Sarnie, vice president of risk management for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., writes in an analysis titled "ERM: Do You Know What It Means?"

How to Fuel Business Growth by Selecting the Right Strategy

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

Most companies want to grow, the issue is just how and when. And determining an advantageous growth strategy can be challenging for executives. Less than 1 percent of companies ever reach $250 million in annual revenue and fewer still eclipse $1 billion. Unless you judiciously evaluate your options and select the right growth strategy, your small business may stay that way.

Effective Tax Rate Rises for Industrials

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

The effective tax rate, or so-called real tax rate after expenses and tax offsets are applied, was a volatile statistic during the financial crisis. To be sure, volatility has subsided for most firms amid the economic recovery, according to one study. At the same time, however, industrial companies have seen their ETR rise.

Close the Profit Draining Gaps and Improve Productivity

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

Businesses with less than 50 employees comprise 90 percent of all small businesses in the United States. What this means there are fewer people to handle all the operations associated with running a profit or not-for-profit enterprise. Small business owners today are indeed crazy busy. They wear multiple hats that twirl around their heads like the three-point colonial hat. One point is for sales, another for marketing and the third for operations. With this hats twirling around their heads, there are plenty of opportunities for inconsistencies.

Beware the Tax Traps of Wellness Programs

22 May 2012 09:56:42 CDT

These days, it seems that every major employer maintains some form of wellness program. The goal of these programs is simple: encourage employees to make healthier lifestyle choices and thereby control healthcare costs. But wellness programs confront a myriad of legal restrictions. Employers are generally aware of the rules that prohibit discrimination based on age, disability, genetic information, and health factors. Often overlooked, however, are the tax implications to both employers and employees of certain wellness-program designs.