Geotargeted Marketing Strategies: Using Location Data to Engage Banking Consumers

by Lisa Joyce @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 12 21:02:31 PDT 2018

Banks and credit unions can drive greater marketing ROI by leveraging location-based data from consumers' mobile devices.

The post Geotargeted Marketing Strategies: Using Location Data to Engage Banking Consumers appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Why Many Debt Relief Programs Fail

by Rob Jackson @ Leave Debt Behind

Thu Jan 12 02:11:03 PST 2017

While the credit crisis is crippling many businesses, there are a few that are booming right now. Debt consolidation, credit card counseling, and even some banks are cashing in on consumers who have been fighting a losing battle trying to keep up with repayment of their debt. While most of these businesses are designed to [...]

The post Why Many Debt Relief Programs Fail appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

Bringing Simplicity to Banking

by Michelle Brown @ The Financial Brand

Sun Mar 25 21:02:21 PDT 2018

With banking, people don’t want to have to think too hard or put forth a lot of effort. Today's consumer demands the banking experience be simple across every touchpoint.

The post Bringing Simplicity to Banking appeared first on The Financial Brand.

How to Turn a Tax Refund Into a Fatter Paycheck

by Tina Orem @ NerdWallet

Fri Mar 23 12:34:45 PDT 2018

Getting a tax refund may seem great, but tax pros say it’s also a sign two things could be happening: You may not be doing enough tax planning, and you…

Five Big Strategic Shifts Bank and Credit Union CMOs Must Make

by Amber Sullivan @ The Financial Brand

Tue Mar 13 21:02:05 PDT 2018

Customer centricity, CX and digital transformation are among the dominant themes that preoccupy the most effective CMOs in the world today.

The post Five Big Strategic Shifts Bank and Credit Union CMOs Must Make appeared first on The Financial Brand.

What To Do When Your Kids Are Struggling With Debt

by Brad @ Leave Debt Behind

Mon Jan 02 07:20:09 PST 2017

Parenting can be on of the most difficult yet rewarding task of you entire life. It is never easy to see your kids struggling with anything, least of all debt. But what happens when just that situation arises and you feel obligated to help your children deal with their financial mistakes. Here are some tips [...]

The post What To Do When Your Kids Are Struggling With Debt appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

Use Data and Next-Gen Tools to Drive Digital Banking Transformation

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Wed Mar 07 18:03:52 PST 2018

The need for extensive digital transformation in banking will require the combination of data insights, analytics and innovative technologies.

The post Use Data and Next-Gen Tools to Drive Digital Banking Transformation appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Digital CX Now The Ultimate Factor In The Fate of Banking Brands

by Lisa Joyce @ The Financial Brand

Sun Mar 18 21:02:24 PDT 2018

Is there a future for traditional banks and credit unions? Yes, but everything now hinges entirely on the digital experience they deliver.

The post Digital CX Now The Ultimate Factor In The Fate of Banking Brands appeared first on The Financial Brand.

A Welcome to Laurel, America’s New Favorite Home Town

by Daniel Luter @ Community Bank

Wed May 10 11:53:19 PDT 2017

Laurel, Mississippi has been center stage over the last few months with the new hit HGTV show “Home Town” making waves. The show features Ben and Erin Napier working to restore homes in Historic Downtown Laurel. It has been a delight for the Community Bank family to watch this show come to fruition and seeing […]

The post A Welcome to Laurel, America’s New Favorite Home Town appeared first on Community Bank.

A Lifelong Commitment to Community Bank

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Wed Apr 26 06:43:11 PDT 2017

Community Bank hosted our Annual Stockholder’s event in March where we reflected on 2016 and looked forward to the exciting things to come in 2017 and beyond. Each year at our annual meeting, CB’s senior management takes the opportunity to recognize our staff-owners for their outstanding achievements. This year was no different, with one of […]

The post A Lifelong Commitment to Community Bank appeared first on Community Bank.

Meet 11 of the Most Interesting Chatbots in Banking

by Jim Marous @ The Financial Brand

Tue Mar 13 21:03:23 PDT 2018

The use of chatbots in the banking industry is exploding, with a variety of ways to apply the technology and improve the digital experience.

The post Meet 11 of the Most Interesting Chatbots in Banking appeared first on The Financial Brand.

What You Need to Know About a Qualifying Life Event

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Mar 12 05:10:40 PDT 2018

Employees have a window of time each year to sign up for certain types of employer-sponsored insurance. Although this open enrollment period takes place at the end of each year for all employees, an employee can add or remove coverage at any time of the year if they have a qualifying life event. What is […]

The post What You Need to Know About a Qualifying Life Event appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Six Secrets From a Pro Photographer for Snapping Adorable Pix of Your Kids

by Nicole Dow @ The Penny Hoarder

Tue Mar 27 05:00:05 PDT 2018

How to Prepare for an Interview When You’re Self-Employed

by Due.com @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 27 13:03:23 PDT 2018

There are many myths about self-employment that people may start to mistake for fact. Working for yourself can be a great thing, but it doesn’t always mean you’ll be 100% in control of your career and the day-to-day operations. Often times, you’ll still have to work with others and may even have to please clients if you’re […]

The post How to Prepare for an Interview When You’re Self-Employed appeared first on Chime Banking.

This is How Waze Carpool is Helping People Cut Down on Commuting Costs

by Nicole Dow @ The Penny Hoarder

Mon Mar 26 13:15:00 PDT 2018

Price to book ratio

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Wed Mar 28 04:53:00 PDT 2018

The price to book ratio compares the current market price of a company's stock to its aggregate book value. When the ratio is excessively high, it can indicate that a company's shares are over-priced, especially when the ratio is high in comparison to the same calculation for other companies in the same industry. The calculation is:

Closing price of the stock ÷ (Total assets - Intangible assets - Liabilities)

Investors like to use the price to book ratio to search for undervalued companies, and invest in their stock in hopes of having the share price return to a more normal level over time. However, there are a number of issues with the ratio to be aware of, including the following:

• The ratio could be low because the company has been mismanaged, in which case there can be no expectation that the ratio will improve over time.
• The ratio could skewed too high because the company is using accelerated depreciation to write down the value of its fixed assets at an accelerated rate.
• The company may have valuable intellectual property that does not appear on its balance sheet at all, but which is being recognized by investors through a high market price for its stock.
• The company may be investing a large amount in research and development costs, which must be charged to expense as incurred, rather than capitalized. This tends to result in a comparatively low book value for the business.
• The ratio is not overly useful when evaluating services firms and technology companies, since these entities have comparatively fewer fixed assets on their balance sheets.

Related Courses

Business Ratios Guidebook 
The Interpretation of Financial Statements 

Organic growth

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 12:42:00 PDT 2018

Organic growth is the increase in sales of a business generated by those of its operations that were in existence at the beginning of the measurement period. The concept is used to differentiate between sales generated from existing operations and those operations that were acquired during the measurement period. In particular, organic growth is used to determine whether existing operations are in a state of decline, neutral growth, or expansion. It is entirely possible that organic "growth" will actually be negative.

For example, a company may report 100% growth during a period, but further analysis may reveal that 95% of the growth was from sales attributable to an acquisition and 5% to existing operations.

Organic growth can be caused by any of the following:

• An increase in prices
• An increase in units sold of existing products
• Sales of new products from existing operations
• Sales to new customers for products from existing operations
• Sales generated by new distribution channels
• Sales generated in new sales regions

Organic growth nearly always refers to changes in revenue, but can be used in reference to changes in profitability or cash flows.

The organic growth concept is a solid growth strategy for many businesses. This approach depends on internally-generated growth, rather than through acquisitions, and is a particularly viable option for a business that does not have sufficient cash to acquire other entities. However, this type of growth tends to be rather slow, especially when compared to the massive sales gains that can be achieved through an acquisition strategy. Also, organic growth could be in a sales segment that does not generate much cash flow, whereas an acquisition could generate sales in a more profitable segment of the market.

Related Courses

Business Ratios Guidebook 
Financial Analysis 
The Interpretation of Financial Statements 

Types of financial analysis

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 14:44:00 PDT 2018

Financial analysis involves the review of an organization's financial information in order to arrive at business decisions. This analysis can take several forms, with each one intended for a different use. The types of financial analysis are:

• Horizontal analysis. This involves the side-by-side comparison of the financial results of an organization for a number of consecutive reporting periods. The intent is to discern any spikes or declines in the data that could be used as the basis for a more detailed examination of financial results.
• Vertical analysis. This is a proportional analysis of the various expenses on the income statement, measured as a percentage of net sales. The same analysis can be used for the balance sheet. These proportions should be consistent over time; if not, one can investigate further into the reasons for a percentage change.
• Short term analysis. This is a detailed review of working capital, involving the calculation of turnover rates for accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable. Any differences from the long-term average turnover rate are worth investigating further, since working capital is a key user of cash.
• Multi-company comparison. This involves the calculation and comparison of the key financial ratios of two organizations, usually within the same industry. The intent is to determine the comparative financial strengths and weaknesses of the two firms, based on their financial statements.
• Industry comparison. This is similar to the multi-company comparison, except that the comparison is between the results of a specific business and the average results of an entire industry. The intent is to see if there are any unusual results in comparison to the average method of doing business.

Related Courses

Business Ratios Guidebook 
Financial Analysis 
The Interpretation of Financial Statements 

Attention All Summer Travelers!

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Thu Jun 29 09:07:45 PDT 2017

Traveling this summer? We want you to share your travels with us! Maybe it’s to the beach, the mountains, a trip overseas or maybe just to grandma’s house that is on the agenda. Wherever you may be heading, be sure to bring your Community Bank debit card along for your chance to win a $1,000 […]

The post Attention All Summer Travelers! appeared first on Community Bank.

Valuation account

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 13:57:00 PDT 2018

A valuation account is paired with an asset or liability account, and is used to offset the value of the assets or liabilities recorded in the account with which it is paired. The result of this account pairing is a net balance, which is the carrying amount of the underlying asset or liability. The "valuation account" term is a less-used phrase that has the same meaning as the contra account concept.

Examples of valuation accounts are:

• Allowance for doubtful accounts (paired with the trade accounts receivable account)
• Allowance for obsolete inventory (paired with the inventory account)
• Accumulated depreciation (paired with the various fixed asset accounts)
• Discount on bonds payable (paired with the bonds payable account)
• Premium on bonds payable (paired with the bonds payable account)

The valuation account concept is useful for estimating any possible reductions in the values of assets or liabilities prior to a more definitive transaction that firmly establishes a reduction.

Valuation accounts are only used in accrual basis accounting. They are not used in cash basis accounting.

Similar Terms

A valuation account is also known as a valuation reserve or contra account.

Related Courses

Bookkeeper Education Bundle 
Bookkeeping Guidebook 

How to Build an Office Seating Plan That Scales

by Rachel Bolsu @ Namely: Blog

Thu Mar 22 09:00:42 PDT 2018

As your workforce grows, keep these office planning do’s and don’ts in mind.

The Four Pillars of Digital Transformation in Banking

by Lisa Joyce @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 26 21:04:59 PDT 2018

Banks and credit unions know they need a digital strategy, but few actually have one. Use this outline as your strategic checklist and self-assessment tool.

The post The Four Pillars of Digital Transformation in Banking appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Human resource accounting

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Wed Mar 28 16:21:00 PDT 2018

Human resource accounting involves the tracking of all costs related to employees in a separate report. These costs may include the following:

• Employee compensation
• Employee payroll taxes
• Employee benefits
• Employee training

Such an accounting system can be used to determine where human resources costs are especially heavy or light in an organization. This information can be used to redirect employees toward those activities to which they can bring the most value. Conversely, the report can be used to identify those areas in which employee costs are too high, which may lead to a reduction in force or a reallocation of staff away from those areas.

A more comprehensive human resource accounting system goes beyond the simple tracking of employee-related costs, and addresses the following two additional areas:

• Budgeting. An organization's annual budget includes a component, in which is concentrated all employee costs being incurred from across the organization. By concentrating cost information by its nature, management can more clearly see the total impact of human resource costs on the entity.
• Employee valuation. Rather than looking at employees as costs, the system is redirected toward viewing them as assets. This can involve the assignment of values to employees based on their experience, education, innovativeness, leadership, and so forth. This can be a difficult area in which to achieve a verifiable level of quantification, and so may have limited value from a management perspective.

From an accounting perspective, the expense-based view of human resources is quite easy - employee costs from the various departments are simply aggregated into a report. The employee valuation approach is not a tenable concept for the accountant, since this is an internally-generated intangible asset, and so cannot be recorded in the accounting system.

Related Courses

Human Resources Guidebook 
Payroll Management 

Study: Intro Bonus Offers for Travel Rewards Cards Nearly Triple in 10 Years

by Benét J. Wilson @ MagnifyMoney

Sun Mar 25 21:25:30 PDT 2018

Travel rewards aren’t just for frequent fliers anymore, as credit card issuers ramp up intro bonus rewards on travel credit cards. New research by MagnifyMoney found that the average introductory bonus on a travel rewards credit card in 2018 is now 40,556 points, more than double the average bonus in 2008 (16,050 points) and up … Continue reading Study: Intro Bonus Offers for Travel Rewards Cards Nearly Triple in 10 Years

The post Study: Intro Bonus Offers for Travel Rewards Cards Nearly Triple in 10 Years appeared first on MagnifyMoney.

Correcting Employment Taxes: What to Do If You Withhold the Wrong Amount

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Feb 28 05:10:52 PST 2018

It’s easy to make mistakes, especially when you have a million and one things on your plate. One error you could make is deducting the wrong amount from employee wages. Correcting employment taxes is necessary if you withhold too much or too little from your employees’ paychecks. This article provides an overview of employment taxes […]

The post Correcting Employment Taxes: What to Do If You Withhold the Wrong Amount appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Nonprofit accounting

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Wed Mar 28 04:55:00 PDT 2018

Nonprofit accounting refers to the unique system of recordation and reporting that is applied to the business transactions engaged in by a nonprofit organization. A nonprofit entity is one that has no ownership interests, has an operating purpose other than to earn a profit, and which receives significant contributions from third parties that do not expect to receive a return. Nonprofit accounting employs the following concepts that differ from the accounting by a for-profit entity:

• Net assets. Net assets take the place of equity in the balance sheet, since there are no investors to take an equity position in a nonprofit.
• Donor restrictions. Net assets are classified as being either with donor restrictions or without donor restrictions. Assets with donor restrictions can only be used in certain ways, frequently being assigned only to specific programs. Assets without donor restrictions can be used for any purpose.
• Programs. A nonprofit exists in order to provide some kind of service, which is called a program. A nonprofit may operate a number of different programs, each of which is accounted for separately. By doing so, one can view the revenues and expenses associated with each program.
• Management and administration. Costs may be assigned to the management and administration classification, which refers to the general overhead structure of a nonprofit. Donors want this figure to be as low as possible, which implies that the bulk of their contributions are going straight to programs.
• Fund raising. Costs may be assigned to the fund raising classification, which refers to the sales and marketing activities of a nonprofit, such as solicitations, fund raising events, and writing grant proposals.
• Financial statements. The financial statements produced by a nonprofit entity differ in several respects from those issued by a for-profit entity. For example, the statement of activities replaces the income statement, while the statement of financial position replaces the balance sheet. Both for-profit and nonprofit entities issue a statement of cash flows. Finally, there is no nonprofit equivalent for the statement of stockholders' equity, since a nonprofit has no equity.

Related Courses

Nonprofit Accounting 

Consult This Employee Termination Checklist to Keep Things Running Smoothly

by Rachel Gray @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Mar 07 05:10:00 PST 2018

Employees leave companies every day to pursue growth opportunities, accommodate personal lives, or experience change. As an employer, you hope employees won’t leave your business, but you know this is wishful thinking. When an employee resigns, you need to know what to do. The average annual overall turnover rate is 19%, according to SHRM. If […]

The post Consult This Employee Termination Checklist to Keep Things Running Smoothly appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

Cookie jar accounting

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Wed Mar 28 11:09:00 PDT 2018

Cookie jar accounting occurs when a business sets up excessive reserves in profitable periods and draws down these reserves during lower-profit periods. The intent is to give the impression that the organization generates more consistent results than is really the case. When investors believe that a firm is able to consistently meet its earnings targets, they tend to place a higher value on its stock. There is a greater temptation to use cookie jar accounting among publicly held businesses, since doing so can mislead analysts into issuing more favorable reports about them to the investment community. This approach to reporting earnings does not reflect actual results, and so can be considered fraudulent reporting.

Cookie jar reserves can be created either by over-estimating the more common reserves (such as for bad debts) or by taking large one-time charges for expected losses from one-time events, such as acquisitions or downsizings.

The term comes from the practice of using a “cookie jar” of reserves whenever needed.

Related Courses

Fraud Examination 
Fraud Schemes 
How to Audit for Fraud 

Is an IRA right for you?

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Tue Mar 28 13:43:57 PDT 2017

Our very own Tina Gadd explains what an IRA is and how it might be the right option for you this tax season.

The post Is an IRA right for you? appeared first on Community Bank.

The 10 Most Significant Obstacles Preventing Debt Elimination

by Due.com @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 06 14:42:00 PST 2018

Debt continues to be a problem among Americans of all ages and walks of life. In 2017, the total consumer debt among Americans rose 8.8 percent, to $3.827 trillion, setting a new record. The average household has a credit card balance of $15,654, and with total debts (including mortgages) of $131,431. With numbers consistently growing year over […]

The post The 10 Most Significant Obstacles Preventing Debt Elimination appeared first on Chime Banking.

5 Simple Tips for Breaking the Cycle of Debt

by Brad @ Leave Debt Behind

Sun Jan 01 07:27:34 PST 2017

You’ve been working on a plan to get debt free but have you considered what you need to do to stop the cycle of debt from repeating itself. Once you have done the necessary work to regain control of your finances, you need to continue to work on staying debt free. Here are some more [...]

The post 5 Simple Tips for Breaking the Cycle of Debt appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

Inventory change

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 13:22:00 PDT 2018

Inventory change is the difference between the inventory totals for the last reporting period and the current reporting period. The concept is used in calculating the cost of goods sold, and in the materials management department as the starting point for reviewing how well inventory is being managed. It is also used in budgeting to estimate future cash requirements. If a business only issues financial statements on an annual basis, then the calculation of the inventory change will span a one-year time period. More commonly, the inventory change is calculated over only one month or a quarter, which is indicative of the more normal frequency with which financial statements are issued.

For example, if the ending inventory at the end of February was $400,000 and the ending inventory at the end of March was $500,000, then the inventory change was +$100,000.

The inventory change calculation is applicable to the following areas:

• Accounting. Inventory change is part of the formula used to calculate the cost of goods sold for a reporting period. The full formula is: Beginning inventory + Purchases - Ending inventory = Cost of goods sold. The inventory change figure can be substituted into this formula, so that the replacement formula is: Purchases + Inventory decrease  - Inventory increase = Cost of goods sold. Thus, it can be used to slightly compress the calculation of the cost of goods sold.
• Inventory management. The materials management staff uses the inventory change concept to determine how its purchasing and materials usage policies have altered the company's net investment in inventory. They typically drill down from the inventory change figure and review changes for each type of inventory (e.g., raw materials, work in process, and finished goods), and then drill down further to see where changes arose at the level of each stock keeping unit. The result of this analysis may include changes in ordering policies, the correction of faulty bills of material, and alterations to the production schedule.
• Cash budgeting. The budgeting staff estimates the inventory change in each future period. Doing so impacts the amount of cash needed in each of these periods, since a reduction in inventory generates cash for other purposes, while an increase in inventory will require the use of cash.

The concept is also used in a general sense to keep track of the overall investment in inventory, which management may monitor to see if working capital levels are increasing at too rapid a pace.

Related Courses

Accounting for Inventory 
How to Audit Inventory 

Payroll records

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 12:00:00 PDT 2018

Payroll records contain information about the compensation paid to employees and any deductions from their pay. These records are needed by the payroll staff to calculate gross pay and net pay for employees. Payroll records typically include information about the following items:

• Bereavement pay
• Bonuses
• Commissions
• Deductions for pensions, benefits, charitable contributions, stock purchase plans, and so forth
• Direct deposit information
• Gross wages
• Hours worked
• Manual check payments
• Net wages paid
• Salary rates
• Vacation and/or sick pay

The information in payroll records have traditionally been stored on paper documents, but can also be recorded as electronic documents.

Payroll records can be considered a subset of the information stored in human resources records, which can contain considerably more information than items pertaining to just employee pay and deductions.

The time period over which payroll records must be retained will depend upon government requirements. The Internal Revenue Service typically states a required retention period in each document it issues dealing with payroll issues. In general, wage calculations should be retained for two years, while collective bargaining agreements should be retained for three years.

Related Courses

Payroll Management 

What Should HR Do When a Manager is Dating a Direct Report?

by Rachel Bolsu @ Namely: Blog

Thu Mar 08 01:30:00 PST 2018

8 HR pros weigh in on how they would handle this case of love at work.

Digital Lending Must Go Beyond Eliminating Paper

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 12 21:03:54 PDT 2018

To get the optimal benefits of digital lending, back office processes, front office solutions and marketing communication all must be digitally-based.

The post Digital Lending Must Go Beyond Eliminating Paper appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Community Bank Announces New Headquarters

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Thu Jan 25 09:57:01 PST 2018

Community Bank is pleased to announce its plans to construct a new headquarters located in Flowood, Mississippi.  “We are proud to be a part of Rankin County, having been a member of this community for over twenty years. Community Bank is delighted to further our commitment to the area by bringing this new state of […]

The post Community Bank Announces New Headquarters appeared first on Community Bank.

5 Ways HR Can Build a Culture of Employee Trust

by Rachel Bolsu @ Namely: Blog

Thu Mar 08 01:30:00 PST 2018

Do your employees feel comfortable coming to you with problems?

What Is an FEIN?

by Mike Kappel @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Mon Feb 26 05:10:00 PST 2018

When you run a business, you must meet many IRS requirements. You might need an FEIN to identify your business on documents like payroll tax forms. What does FEIN mean? What is an FEIN? FEIN is an acronym for Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as an EIN. This unique, nine-digit number is used by […]

The post What Is an FEIN? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

How Financial Services CEOs Can Embrace Social and Lead By Example

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Thu Mar 08 21:03:21 PST 2018

Social media is an important communications tool for bank and credit union CEOs, providing a 'voice' to customers, employees, partners and shareholders.

The post How Financial Services CEOs Can Embrace Social and Lead By Example appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Does Life Insurance Cover Suicide?

by Barbara Marquand @ NerdWallet

Thu Mar 22 16:09:10 PDT 2018

Along with the profound and painful questions that follow the loss of a loved one from suicide, there are practical and financial issues to address, too. If the loved one…

Banks Must Look Beyond Traditional Credit Scores

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 26 21:03:21 PDT 2018

Increased data and advanced technology is is expanding the availability of credit to consumers with thin credit scores.

The post Banks Must Look Beyond Traditional Credit Scores appeared first on The Financial Brand.

The Best Business Savings Account Rates in 2018

by Gabby Hyman @ MagnifyMoney

Fri Mar 23 05:00:40 PDT 2018

In this review we’ll cover: The best business savings accounts — March 2018 Community Bank of Pleasant Hill, 1.32% APY, No minimum balance Community Bank of Raymore, 1.32% APY, $25 minimum deposit to open First Internet Bank, 1.26% APY up to $250,000, ATM services BofI Federal Bank: 1.06% APY, $25,000 minimum balance, ATM access Live … Continue reading The Best Business Savings Account Rates in 2018

The post The Best Business Savings Account Rates in 2018 appeared first on MagnifyMoney.

Are You Prepared For Christmas?

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Mon Dec 04 14:04:47 PST 2017

The Christmas season is upon us–gift buying, giving, holiday gatherings, and family events will very much consume the month of December for many of us. With the holiday season comes much hustle and bustle, and if you haven’t planned well, this can sometimes become more chaotic than joyful. Here are a few tips to keep […]

The post Are You Prepared For Christmas? appeared first on Community Bank.

How to Save Money on Your Utility Bills

by Melanie Lockert @ Chime Banking

Mon Mar 26 11:21:00 PDT 2018

Do you cringe each month when you get your utility bills? When you see a super high bill, do you wonder what happened? We’ve all been there, and high bills for gas, electricity and cable can certainly put a dent in your bank account. But all is not lost. If you want to keep your […]

The post How to Save Money on Your Utility Bills appeared first on Chime Banking.

10 HR Mantras to Inspire Your Practice

by Rachel Bolsu @ Namely: Blog

Thu Mar 15 06:36:29 PDT 2018

When times get tough, here are the words of wisdom that keep HR people resilient.

Squeezing Your Paycheck for Every Drop

by Brad @ Leave Debt Behind

Wed Jan 04 10:57:12 PST 2017

Having trouble making ends meet? It is something not a lot of people thought they would have trouble doing but with a tough economy and many jobs not keeping up with inflation, it seems that finding ways to stretch the income you do earn is key to survival. Whether you get paid weekly, bi-weekly, or [...]

The post Squeezing Your Paycheck for Every Drop appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

A Special Salute to Our Veterans

by Matt Williams @ Community Bank

Tue Apr 11 13:23:49 PDT 2017

Sacrifice? Honor? Service? These characteristics instantly trigger in our minds the American Heroes that make up our Military. Our military Veterans and those currently serving sacrifice a great deal for our country, many paying the ultimate sacrifice with their very lives. At Community Bank, we deeply appreciate the service of these brave American heroes. To […]

The post A Special Salute to Our Veterans appeared first on Community Bank.

Outside the Box: Escaping the Confines of Obsolete Consumer Banking Strategies

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Tue Mar 20 21:01:29 PDT 2018

Financial execs must ditch the tired paradigms that served as the bedrock of 20th century banking models, and break free from the mental roadblocks holding the industry back.

The post Outside the Box: Escaping the Confines of Obsolete Consumer Banking Strategies appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Continuing professional education

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Wed Mar 28 04:53:00 PDT 2018

Continuing professional education (CPE) is ongoing training that is required in order to remain certified as a professional in certain fields. The intent behind requiring this training is to force professionals to continue to update their knowledge of pertinent information that can improve their ability to serve their clients. In the accounting field, the state boards of accountancy all require a significant amount of CPE for certified public accountants (CPAs). Though the exact training requirements vary by state, the general requirements are:

• To take 40 hours of training per year, with some minimum number of hours spent on accounting or auditing subjects; and
• To take an ethics course every other year, which in some cases must pertain to the specific ethics requirements of the relevant state board of public accountancy.

If a CPA does not meet the CPE requirements of the governing state board of public accountancy, there is usually a requirement to make up the missing training time. If this does not happen within a reasonable period of time, then the person's CPA certificate is revoked.

There are a number of ways to fulfill the CPE requirement. A person may take classes from a CPE provider that is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, or which is registered with the applicable state board of public accountancy. These classes can take the form of online self-study training, online webinars, in-person training, and so forth. A recent change in the rules is nano learning, where extremely short courses are offered that grant fractions of a credit hour for course completion. Some proportion of a person's CPE hours can also be earned by teaching classes or writing relevant professional articles or books.

Related Courses

Why Financial Institutions Are Betting on Multi-Sensory Branch Experiences

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 19 21:01:53 PDT 2018

Here's how banks and credit unions are using all five senses to shape people's perceptions of their brands in branch environments.

The post Why Financial Institutions Are Betting on Multi-Sensory Branch Experiences appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Synchrony Bank Review: CD, Savings Account, Money Market, and IRA Rates

by Lindsay VanSomeren @ MagnifyMoney

Tue Mar 27 05:00:46 PDT 2018

Synchrony Bank is a relative newcomer to the banking scene, having opened up right around the same time as the World Wide Web was being developed in the late 1980s. Today, it’s one of the largest online-only banks around, offering a range of products including high-interest savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, and IRAs. Big … Continue reading Synchrony Bank Review: CD, Savings Account, Money Market, and IRA Rates

The post Synchrony Bank Review: CD, Savings Account, Money Market, and IRA Rates appeared first on MagnifyMoney.

What’s The Best Mobile Payment Platform: Zelle, Venmo, Square or Apple Pay?

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 19 21:02:04 PDT 2018

Mobile payments are table stakes for banking providers looking to remain relevant with today's digital consumers. Which one should you offer?

The post What’s The Best Mobile Payment Platform: Zelle, Venmo, Square or Apple Pay? appeared first on The Financial Brand.

7 Habits That Will Help You Lead a More Successful and Productive Life

by Due.com @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 13 15:54:24 PDT 2018

Regardless what path in life you’re on, your habits will dictate your success. They can empower you to achieve your goals just as easily as they can derail you. That said it’s just as important to focus on maintaining good habits as it is to rid yourself of the bad ones. In this article we’ll cover […]

The post 7 Habits That Will Help You Lead a More Successful and Productive Life appeared first on Chime Banking.

My Settlements – Sample Debt Settlement Letters

by Rob Jackson @ Leave Debt Behind

Thu Jan 12 12:09:32 PST 2017

These debt settlement letters are the written proof that by negotiating a settlement with credit card companies, you free yourself from thousands of dollars of debt. These are real offers of real debt relief! Here are the images of the of settlement letters I have received from our creditors. These are real, actual letters, minus [...]

The post My Settlements – Sample Debt Settlement Letters appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

Don’t Let Bad Data Kill Your Financial Institution’s Brand

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Wed Mar 07 21:02:37 PST 2018

When you try to personalize your marketing communications and fail, you lose people's trust and undermine your brand. Here's three ways to make sure that doesn't happen.

The post Don’t Let Bad Data Kill Your Financial Institution’s Brand appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Here’s How to Improve Your Credit Score Faster

by Paul Sisolak @ Chime Banking

Thu Mar 08 14:44:08 PST 2018

Good things may come to those who wait, but time isn’t on your side if you’re struggling to raise your credit score quickly. More than 30 percent of Americans have poor credit, and if you’re one of them it can be hard to improve it. Many people aim for a credit-building secured credit card, but it could […]

The post Here’s How to Improve Your Credit Score Faster appeared first on Chime Banking.

Cook the books

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Wed Mar 28 04:57:00 PDT 2018

To cook the books means that the managers of a business are deliberately falsifying certain aspects of its financial statements to give investors a false impression of the true state of the business. Alternatively, they engage in business practices to enhance financial results that are technically legal, but which will have a negative impact on the business over the long term. A number of techniques can be used to cook the books, such as the following:

Falsification activities

• Leaving the books open past the end of the month to record additional sales within the prior reporting period.
• Not recording expenses in the reporting period, even though they clearly reflect resource consumption in the period.
• Altering the terms of leasing arrangements so that the liability appears to be held by a third party, thereby keeping the liability off the entity's balance sheet.
• Falsely recording pension liabilities lower than is really the case.
• Setting up expense reserves, such as the allowance for doubtful accounts, that do not reflect the actual loss rate.
• Recording consignment sales as though they are actual sales.
• Taking a one-time charge that is set up as a "cookie jar," which can be used in subsequent periods to write off expenses and artificially inflate profits.

Business practices

• Engage in channel stuffing to sell more goods to customers than they can realistically use.
• Grant much higher credit levels to customers in order to boost sales, even though the customers may not be able to pay off the receivables.

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How Will The Smartphone of the Future Impact Banking?

by Jim Marous @ The Financial Brand

Sun Mar 25 21:03:08 PDT 2018

Advances in smartphone technology and user growth provide opportunities for innovation and differentiation for banking organizations.

The post How Will The Smartphone of the Future Impact Banking? appeared first on The Financial Brand.

How Long Should It Take to Build a Digital Bank?

by Jim Marous @ The Financial Brand

Sun Mar 11 21:03:54 PDT 2018

To keep up with the market, the competition and the consumer, financial institutions that want to roll out a digital bank need to move quickly.

The post How Long Should It Take to Build a Digital Bank? appeared first on The Financial Brand.

How Banks and Credit Unions Can Survive Rising Interest Rates

by Lisa Joyce @ The Financial Brand

Sun Mar 11 21:02:40 PDT 2018

To make a significant difference in the amount of deposits you attract — and keep — the marketing strategy for your deposit products will have to shift.

The post How Banks and Credit Unions Can Survive Rising Interest Rates appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy

by Rob Jackson @ Leave Debt Behind

Sun Jan 15 19:10:37 PST 2017

There’s some BIG differences between bankruptcy and debt settlement. Learn about those differences here and make an informed decision. A growing number of adults become credit card holders every year. Along with that distinction comes a growing number of people racking up giant credit card bills that they can’t pay off. This is obviously not [...]

The post Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

Why In-Store Supermarket Branches Are a Bad Idea

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Wed Mar 14 20:03:16 PDT 2018

In-store branch locations may seem appealing in theory, but compared to traditional branches, they are rarely successful.

The post Why In-Store Supermarket Branches Are a Bad Idea appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Throughput definition

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 15:19:00 PDT 2018

Throughput is the number of units that pass through a process during a period of time. This general definition can be refined into the following two variations, which are:

• Operational perspective. Throughput is the number of units that can be produced by a production process within a certain period of time. For example, if 800 units can be produced during an eight-hour shift, then the production process generates throughput of 100 units per hour.
• Financial perspective. Throughput is the revenues generated by a production process, minus all completely variable expenses incurred by that process. In most cases, the only completely variable expenses are direct materials and sales commissions. Given the small number of expenses, throughput tends to be quite high, except for those situations in which prices are set only slightly higher than variable expenses.

For operations, throughput can be increased by enhancing the productivity of the bottleneck operation that is constraining production. For example, an additional machine can be purchased, or overtime can be authorized in order to run a machine for an extra shift. The key point is to focus attention on the productivity of the bottleneck operation. If other operations are improved, the overall throughput of the system will not increase, since the bottleneck operation has not been enhanced. This means that the key focus of investment in the production area should be on the bottleneck, not other operations.

For financial analysis, throughput can be increased by altering the mix of products being produced, to increase the priority on those products that have the highest throughput per minute of time required at the constrained resource. If a product has a smaller amount of throughput per minute, it can instead be routed to a third party for processing, rather than interfering with the bottleneck operation. As long as some positive throughput is gained by outsourcing, the result is an increased overall level of the throughput for the company as a whole.

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5 Ways Banks & Credit Unions Can Apply Machine Learning Today

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Thu Mar 22 21:02:01 PDT 2018

Fueled by the large volumes of data available in today's digital world, machine learning has the power to completely transform the experience financial institutions deliver.

The post 5 Ways Banks & Credit Unions Can Apply Machine Learning Today appeared first on The Financial Brand.

How to Save Money When You Get a Windfall of Cash

by Jackie Lam @ Chime Banking

Mon Mar 19 16:02:11 PDT 2018

Ah, there’s nothing quite like receiving a windfall of money. It may come by way of an unexpected inheritance, a work bonus or a job promotion. And depending on how you spend it, that sweet bit of extra cash may leave you feeling either relaxed or stressed out. While it’s tempting to spend it immediately, […]

The post How to Save Money When You Get a Windfall of Cash appeared first on Chime Banking.

4 Reasons College Students Should Be Relieved By The New Spending Bill

by Shen Lu @ MagnifyMoney

Fri Mar 23 14:33:40 PDT 2018

Congress passed a $1.3 trillion spending bill in the wee hours Friday to avoid another government shutdown and fund the federal government through the end of September. President Donald Trump signed the bill Friday afternoon after threatening to veto it. It’s no wonder the President isn’t a fan of the budget — it completely goes against … Continue reading 4 Reasons College Students Should Be Relieved By The New Spending Bill

The post 4 Reasons College Students Should Be Relieved By The New Spending Bill appeared first on MagnifyMoney.

How To Protect Your Identity

by Daniel Luter @ Community Bank

Tue Jun 06 09:31:27 PDT 2017

As you gear up for summer – planning your vacation, kid’s activities, or even the back yard barbeque, taking steps to prevent fraud before it happens is one of best things you can do to make for a relaxing summer. 8 Fraud prevention tips: Routine review of your account activity is important. Review your monthly […]

The post How To Protect Your Identity appeared first on Community Bank.

The Best CD Rates – March 2018

by Nick Clements @ MagnifyMoney

Tue Mar 27 05:00:21 PDT 2018

Updated March 27, 2018 If you are looking for a better yield on your savings, a high rate CD (certificate of deposit) offered by an online bank could be a good option. Internet-only banks offer much better interest rates than traditional banks. For example, a 12-month CD at Bank of America would require a $10,000 … Continue reading The Best CD Rates – March 2018

The post The Best CD Rates – March 2018 appeared first on MagnifyMoney.

5 Ways Fintech Firms Help Banks and Credit Unions

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Wed Mar 14 18:03:14 PDT 2018

Combining benefits of traditional banking organizations and new fintech start-ups can improve the development of digital solutions and enhance the consumer experience.

The post 5 Ways Fintech Firms Help Banks and Credit Unions appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Becoming A Super Saver

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Thu Oct 05 11:07:33 PDT 2017

We can all agree that saving is important. Don’t we all wish we had started saving a little earlier in life? Teaching our children the importance of saving early and often is something Community Bank feels is crucial to a strong financial future. By hosting events in our communities, like our recent I’m a Super […]

The post Becoming A Super Saver appeared first on Community Bank.

5 Creative Habits That Will Keep Your Finances On Track

by Ben Luthi @ Chime Banking

Tue Mar 27 13:29:00 PDT 2018

Improving your financial situation may seem as easy as saving more money and decreasing your expenses. But here’s the thing: if you want to see long-term improvements, you’ve got to first establish some good financial habits. This will help you both get on the right track and achieve your money goals. Financial habits are really […]

The post 5 Creative Habits That Will Keep Your Finances On Track appeared first on Chime Banking.

Did a Tax Pro Botch Your Return? Here’s What to Do

by Tina Orem @ NerdWallet

Fri Mar 23 06:53:52 PDT 2018

To err is human, but to err on your tax return is a total dumpster fire. If you did your own taxes, of course, you may have only yourself to…

Back-to-School Savings Just Makes ‘Cents’

by Drew Hardin @ Community Bank

Wed Aug 16 11:59:45 PDT 2017

As of this week, school is officially back. The excitement of a new year, new friends, and new sports seasons, often times comes with a heavy price tag. Back-to-school and back-to-college spending will reach $83.6 billion in 2017, a 10% increase over last year. The average family plans to spend an average of $688 on […]

The post Back-to-School Savings Just Makes ‘Cents’ appeared first on Community Bank.

You’re and Easy Target if you Fall for These Debt Settlement Lies

by Rob Jackson @ Leave Debt Behind

Sat Jan 14 05:00:41 PST 2017

It seems unfathomable that people would prey on individuals when they are at their lowest.  However it is not only a common practice but one that is growing right now as families are being stretched beyond their limits financially.  An area experiencing rapid growth for scammers is the debt settlement niche. You would think that [...]

The post You’re and Easy Target if you Fall for These Debt Settlement Lies appeared first on Leave Debt Behind.

New Banking Ecosystems Will Use Data and Collaboration to Deliver Value

by Guest Contributor @ The Financial Brand

Wed Mar 21 21:03:04 PDT 2018

Open banking requires strong data and analytics skills, a digital culture and a willingness to share and collaborate with alternative providers.

The post New Banking Ecosystems Will Use Data and Collaboration to Deliver Value appeared first on The Financial Brand.

This Is Why Research On Behavioral Finance Won the Nobel Prize

by Cat Alford @ Chime Banking

Mon Mar 12 15:50:20 PDT 2018

In October 2017, Richard Thaler got the call he’d been hoping for. After 40 plus years of economics research, he learned he won the Nobel Prize. As an economist, he faced ridicule from his colleagues for his research connecting human behavior to economics. Winning the Nobel Prize for his work in behavioral finance meant that his […]

The post This Is Why Research On Behavioral Finance Won the Nobel Prize appeared first on Chime Banking.

The difference between an invoice and a statement

by Steven Bragg @ Articles - AccountingTools

Tue Mar 27 16:21:00 PDT 2018

A customer may receive an invoice and a statement from a supplier. What is the difference between these two documents? When a seller issues an invoice to a buyer, the invoice is related to a specific sale transaction where goods or services were provided to the buyer. Since the invoice relates to a specific sale transaction, it itemizes all of the information the buyer needs to know in order to pay the seller, including:

• Invoice number
• Invoice date
• Item description
• Item price
• Shipping and handling charges
• Sales tax
• Total amount payable
• Remit to address
• Payment terms and early payment discount terms (if any)

The intent of an invoice is either to collect payment from the buyer, or to create evidence of the sale (if payment was made in advance or in cash). If payment was made at the time of sale, the invoice is stamped "Paid" before issuing it to the buyer.

When a seller issues a statement, the document itemizes all invoices that have not yet been paid by the buyer, as well as partial payments. In this case, the intent is to remind the buyer that it has an obligation to pay the seller. Since the statement is more aggregated than an invoice, it provides less detailed information at the invoice level. It typically includes the following items:

• Statement date
• Invoice numbers
• Invoice dates
• Invoice totals

A more sophisticated statement will aggregate invoice totals by time bucket, so that overdue invoices are clearly shown.

Invoices are issued whenever a sale has been completed, so they may be issued every day and in significant quantities. However, statements are usually only issued at regular intervals, such as once a month, as part of a company's collection activities.

From the perspective of the buyer, the receipt of an invoice triggers an accounting transaction, which is an account payable. Conversely, the receipt of a statement is strictly informational - it does not trigger the creation of an accounting transaction.

It can be unwise to treat a statement as an invoice and pay items listed on the statement, since it is possible that the buyer already paid for those items, but the payment has not yet been reflected in the seller's accounting system. A better alternative for the buyer is to make inquiries about any invoices that are listed on the statement, and obtain more detailed information before issuing a payment.

There can be some confusion between the invoice and statement terms when dealing with credit card providers, since they issue a "statement" that is actually an invoice.

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What Does Pay Frequency Mean?

by Michele Bossart @ Payroll Tips, Training, and News

Wed Feb 21 05:10:38 PST 2018

When you have employees, you need to run payroll so they can receive their wages. Before paying employees, you need to decide on a pay frequency. Your industry, the number of employees you have working for you, the type of workers you have, and legal requirements determine your pay frequency. But first, what does pay […]

The post What Does Pay Frequency Mean? appeared first on Payroll Tips, Training, and News.

5 Facts About Women and Money for International Women’s Day

by Chelsea Brennan @ Chime Banking

Thu Mar 08 14:46:51 PST 2018

Did you know that only 22% of U.S. women can answer three fundamental finance-related questions correctly? It’s sad but true. While women have made significant strides to close the gender gaps in education, employment, and even wealth, the gap in financial literacy is still glaring. But, in order to even begin bridging this gap, it’s important to understand that […]

The post 5 Facts About Women and Money for International Women’s Day appeared first on Chime Banking.

If You Insist on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card, Here’s How

by Tina Orem @ NerdWallet

Thu Mar 22 14:14:34 PDT 2018

Ask any financial expert whether you should pay your tax bill with a credit card, and the answer is almost universally the same: Don’t do it. Credit cards charge far…

15 Applications of AI and Machine Learning in Financial Marketing

by Jim Marous @ The Financial Brand

Sun Mar 18 21:04:59 PDT 2018

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are very powerful marketing tools that must be used by banks and credit unions to meet consumer expectations.

The post 15 Applications of AI and Machine Learning in Financial Marketing appeared first on The Financial Brand.

Best Ways to Add Value to Your Home

by Janet Berry-Johnson @ MagnifyMoney

Fri Mar 23 06:18:31 PDT 2018

If you’re tired of the way your home looks and feels but don’t necessarily want to move, you don’t have to settle. Whether you crave more square footage, an upgraded interior or better curb appeal, you’ll find an endless supply of ideas that can improve your home’s functionality and style. But, that doesn’t mean that … Continue reading Best Ways to Add Value to Your Home

The post Best Ways to Add Value to Your Home appeared first on MagnifyMoney.

The Equifax Hack Was Worse Than Expected. What to Do Next

by Jeanine Skowronski @ Chime Banking

Thu Mar 15 15:59:14 PDT 2018

Looks like that worst-ever Equifax data breach was … actually worse. In late 2017, the credit reporting agency divulged a systems breach exposed the personal information of 145.5 millions Americans, including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, dispute documents, as well as some credit card account and driver’s license numbers. But the hackers also obtained […]

The post The Equifax Hack Was Worse Than Expected. What to Do Next appeared first on Chime Banking.

Financial Institutions Aren’t Prepared for the Digital Revolution

by Jim Marous @ The Financial Brand

Tue Mar 20 21:03:28 PDT 2018

As interview with Chris Skinner on his newest book, Digital Human, where he discusses the Digital Revolution and its impact on financial services.

The post Financial Institutions Aren’t Prepared for the Digital Revolution appeared first on The Financial Brand.

The Massive Millennial Shake Up in Traditional Wealth Management

by Jim Marous @ The Financial Brand

Mon Mar 19 21:03:50 PDT 2018

As baby boomers change their financial objectives, the millennial investor provides wealth management opportunities that can't be ignored.

The post The Massive Millennial Shake Up in Traditional Wealth Management appeared first on The Financial Brand.