By Rick Schreiber, Chai Hoang and Chris Bard Last year, over 6,000 manufacturers claimed more than an estimated $10 billion in research tax credits (RTCs), with each manufacturer’s average benefit exceeding $1 million. Generated in part by manufacturers’ efforts to develop new and improved products and processes, these benefits were also generated by their continued […]

By Eskander Yavar The arrival of Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, signifies the next era in manufacturing, in which plants, processes, products and people come together in an entirely new way, enabling decentralized, autonomous decision-making on factory floors. Sometimes used interchangeably with the “Industrial Internet of Things”—a term coined by GE CEO Jeff […]

By Jerry Dentinger & Ryan McCaslin Dealmaking in the manufacturing industry is poised to accelerate in 2017, buoyed by investor optimism around proposed pro-growth economic policies. Despite the modest slowdown in volume last year, multiples and valuations stayed high going into 2017. Therefore, buyers remain laser-focused on understanding a target’s profitability model to justify the […]

SUMMARY On March 1, 2017, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued a working draft aimed at helping broker-dealers apply the new revenue recognition standard when accounting for the costs associated with underwriting services on either a gross (principal) or net (agent) basis. The new working draft, Issue #3-3: Principal vs. Agent: Costs Associated […]

Earlier this month the SEC and FINRA released their respective examination priorities for 2017— please see a brief overview and link to the releases below. FINRA Five Areas of Regulatory Focus FINRA CEO Robert Cook calls this year’s priorities “a focus on core blocking and tackling issues of compliance, supervision and risk management.” Here are […]

“Americans—women especially—aren’t getting the message that they need to start saving for retirement with their very first job,” says personal finance columnist Liz Weston, author of Deal With Your Debt. As a working mom, whole weeks may go by without the chance to sit down or even think. You’re managing a career, making decisions for […]

Mary Stewart and her husband refer to themselves as "under protective" parents. They taught their kids to be financially independent but their daughter Abbie landed back home after finishing school. After a month of watching TV all day, Mary gave Abbie an ultimatum to "get a job, go to school or find a new place […]

Consumers are borrowing again, making a big economic splash. Historically, spending stimulates the U.S. economy, but too much debt can harm overextended consumers. Have spending or investment questions to help manage your debt? Talk with an LPL financial advisor today. Mortgage Debt - $8.36 trillion: Up 1.37% (+12B) Good news: While borrowing peaked, balances fell […]

Start your child on the right path from Day 1. Open a Savings Account Most banks make it easy to transfer money into a savings account on a regular basis—you can even start before your baby arrives. Think of it as your go-to fund for supplies and surprises. Modify Insurance Coverage First, add your newborn […]