This is the second of our six part series discussing financial statements. In this article we look at how liabilities are treated and the income statement. Liabilities The liabilities of an enterprise can best be described as the claims against the assets of the enterprise. As is the case with assets, liabilities are segregated between …
This the first in a six (6) part series discussing one of the most important items a small business owner/manager needs to have and understand. A company’s financial statements. The company’s lifeblood, revenue and expenses, is accurately reflected in the financials. Moreover if you ever want to sell or buy a business, the financial statements …
Difficult Issues in the Investigation Process a. Dealing with Uncooperative Complainants or Retractions Sometimes, complainants have a change of heart after making their complaint and decide that they no longer want to cooperate or that they want to retract their complaint. In this event, an employer still has an obligation to conduct a thorough investigation, …
The Investigation Report 1. Should You Write a Report? Occasionally, a client will ask for a verbal report, but nothing in writing. Although this is an option in some circumstances, it’s generally not a good option. Keep in mind that, regardless of the existence of a written report, your notes as an investigator will almost …
Conducting the Interviews 1. Effective Interviewing Techniques Schedule much more time than you expect it will take to complete each interview, as well as for the entire investigative process. Ask open-ended questions and let the employee talk freely, even if he or she is just venting about feelings. Restate information or allegations frequently to …
Planning the Investigation A. Establishing Independence and Neutrality The most important early step to take in the investigation process is to make certain that your independence and neutrality are established among the players in the investigation. This independence often must be established with both the employer (possibly your client or your supervisor) and with the …
Who Should Conduct the Investigation? An employer essentially has three options when choosing an investigator of a harassment claim: 1) Someone internally, usually human resources professional; 2) an attorney with a continuing relationship with the employer; or 3) an outside third party investigator without a relationship to the employer. When considering a potential investigator, an …
Ask yourself if you really want to depend on the IRS’s good graces and discretion to reinstate your S-status.
There is an old saying I once heard a senior attorney tell a client, “either you pay me $500.00 now or $5,000.00 later. Either way, it does not matter to me because your money is going to become my money.”
As a general rule, when one corporation sells or otherwise transfers all of its assets to another corporation, the purchasing corporation is not liable for the debts and liabilities of the selling company unless the debts are specifically assumed by the purchaser.