Robert A. Bonavito, CPA PC

RABCPA PC Blog

Finding Information on Public Companies

When you talk to your investment advisor or your friends about investing in public companies and other information, ask them if they look at the company’s 10-K, 10Q or S-1. There is a good chance that they will not know what you are talking about. Most people do not actually go the securities and exchange website (sec.com) for a public company and do the research. If you want to learn something about a specific industry or company, the sec.com website is the first place to start. Why Mergers and Acquisition Happen I often see companies merge both private and public, and have to scratch my head and say what was the reason behind that merger? There are many reasons for Mergers and acquisitions to happen, some good and some bad. Good reasons are for operational synergy for financial synergy. Mergers made because they bring economy of scale or lower the cost of capital can be good. There are many bad reasons like managerial pride. This is one of the main reasons that many mergers fail. When management feels they need to acquire a company to make themselves look busy, many times they over pay and the long-term results of this are disastrous.

Posted February 17, 2018 by Robert A Bonavito in Business Valuations

3. New Jersey Trustee Commissions

Most people look at it as an honor to be appointed someone’s executor or trustee. But once they have the duties they soon find out that this is all work and little gratitude. Often the trustees and executors are blamed for any kind of issues or problems with the trust or estate, but if everything goes as planned no one really notices. The other thing is you are not really compensated for your time, the State of NJ has strict guidelines as to what you can receive as a trustee or executor. For Estates you have the following formula for the corpus: 5% of the first $200,000 3.5% of the next $800,000 2% of the excess over $1,000,000 In addition, you earn 6% on the earnings For Trusts use the following: .5% first $400,000 .3% for the excess When you calculate your time, you find that you are only earning seven or eight dollars an hour for all of your hard work. There is one little exception that few people do not realize. If you do provide extraordinary services to the estate or trust you may be able to go back to the court and request to be properly compensated for that.

Posted February 8, 2018 by Robert A Bonavito in Tax Services

Hiding Income at The Internal Revenue Service

In our divorce practice we often are retained to search for hidden assets. Sometimes there hidden offshore in secret bank accounts, or sophisticated schemes that involve multiple companies. One of the most interesting places I find people like to hide income is at the Internal Revenue Service. For example, someone working at large company and is getting divorced may increase their federal and state deductions for taxes dramatically.  The reason for this is that once a divorce is over they can get a large refund on their tax return . I do often find that when we analysis the tax returns the spouse is not aware of the refund that may be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Also, by having a lower net check they can argue for decreased alimony and child support payments. One of the things you may check when getting divorced is to see if your spouse’s hiding money at the Internal Revenue Service

Posted February 1, 2018 by NJ Forensic Accountant in Forensic Accounting