3/13/2024
As the need for faster payments increases, financial institutions and businesses face an ever-growing threat of cybersecurity risks and ACH (Automated Clearing House) fraud. ACH fraud can have devastating consequences, including substantial financial losses and irreparable damage to a company's reputation. Financial institutions and businesses must take proactive measures to mitigate the risk of ACH fraud. This article outlines ten essential steps that can help protect financial institutions and businesses from falling victim to ACH fraud and provides additional information surrounding the topic.
3/13/2024
It is natural for investors to want more exposure to last year’s top-performing market segment. The challenge is determining what portion of that return was a one-off windfall and not something to expect going forward. Viewing expected returns through the lens of cost of capital may help benchmark what constitutes a reasonable expected return from the market.
3/4/2024
Credit cards can be a powerful tool in your financial toolkit. Using them properly can help build credit and provide exciting rewards. As is the case with most powerful tools, improperly using it can cause significant harm. This article will discuss some do's and don'ts of credit card use.
2/28/2024
As many of you are still digesting the CRA Modernization final rule that was published in the Federal Register February 1 of this year, it is important not to take for granted that many of the mandatory compliance dates are not effective until January 1, 2026. It is also more dangerous than not to expect that the recent filing from various trade groups challenging the legality of the rule itself will simply make this all go away. The effective date of the final rule is April 1, 2024, and you need to be ready for certain provisions that will become mandatory on this day. Two provisions require immediate action, one of which applies to all banks, regardless of size.
2/26/2024
Trade executions prioritize among three key parameters: price, quantity, and timing. Dimensional’s top trading priority is price. It is the focal point throughout our investment process, given that prices incorporate the aggregate views of market participants, and that differences in prices have significant explanatory power for differences in expected returns. In fixed income, we use current market prices to calculate expected returns, to determine the most attractive term, credit, and currency positioning, and to monitor credit quality in real time. Our fixed income trading process has also been designed with the goal of realizing competitive pricing to help lower transaction costs and to potentially capture the targeted return premiums.
2/26/2024
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Saltmarsh Financial Advisors will host a 4-part women-focused series centered on building confidence and community around the unique financial situations individuals may face in their lives. Featured segments will focus on the central themes of navigating loss, divorce, caregiving and philanthropic giving.
2/22/2024
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are used to evaluate the success of an organization or a particular activity in which it engages. They supply a quantifiable way to track and assess progress toward strategic goals. The choice of KPIs is crucial, as it helps organizations focus on the most important aspects of their performance.
2/19/2024
The Magnificent 7 stocks continue to capture the focus of investors as these large growth names have outpaced the bulk of global equities. Their outperformance is notable because eye-popping returns for top stocks tend to occur before they reach the top of the market. Once there, subsequent returns tend to lag the market.
2/9/2024
We're excited to announce that we have won ClearlyRated's Best of Accounting® Award for providing superior service to their clients for the second year in a row!
2/5/2024
Late last year, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the release of CMS Form 287-22, better known as the Home Office Cost Statement. The new form is effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2022, and supersedes the previously used form, 287-05. Learn more!
2/1/2024
We’re proud to announce the following internal promotions as of January 1, 2024!
1/26/2024
This past year had its share of financial uncertainty, from inflation and rising interest rates to volatile stock and bond markets. Headlines added to the unease, from the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other lenders to the threat of government shutdowns. So it’s no surprise some people feel anxious right now. When it comes to investing during trying times, it can be easy to lose track of how well markets function. Spoiler alert: They’ve been working just the way we’d expect.
1/25/2024
The IRS has updated the filing requirements for W-2s and 1099s. This change reduces the threshold for electronically filing these forms from 250 returns to 10 or more returns for the 2023 tax year. Therefore, if your business has 10 or more W-2s and 1099s, you are required to file electronically. The new threshold is effective for information returns required to be filed in calendar years beginning with 2024. The new rules apply to tax year 2023 Forms W-2 because they are required to be filed by January 31, 2024.
1/18/2024
Effective January 1, 2024, all unregulated business entities that have domestic sales of less than $5,000,000 are required to electronically file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report. This informational report discloses data about the business entity and its significant owners, stakeholders or officers.
1/17/2024
The Automated Clearing House (ACH) network has revolutionized how financial transactions are processed in today's digital age. With the increasing reliance on ACH payments, ensuring the security and integrity of these transactions becomes essential. The National Automated Clearing House Association (Nacha) has established rules and guidelines to govern the ACH network, including ACH risk assessment requirements. Let us explore the significance of ACH risk assessments and how they contribute to maintaining a safe and efficient payment ecosystem.
1/12/2024
As investors rang in the New Year of 2023, there was a lot to be apprehensive about. Inflation was still high as the Fed was aggressively raising rates, leading to a historically bad year for combined stock and bond investors. Though 2022 had ended with a late-year rally, almost every economist gave some probability that the US was headed for a recession in 2023. It seems the markets did not get the memo. The S&P 500 (large companies) finished up 24%, The Russell 2000 (small companies) was up 15%, and the Nasdaq 100 (technology companies) finished up 43% on the year. Leading the charge were 7 household names affectionately known as…
12/28/2023
I’ve been in the financial industry for nearly 20 years and have worked for many different firms. In those roles, I had different types of clients. When I came to Saltmarsh over three years ago, most of my prior experience was servicing large institutional clients. Now that I’ve been here a few years, I can reflect on my career and my various experiences. The most prominent difference between my role at Saltmarsh and roles at other firms is my current fiduciary responsibility versus my previous suitability duty.
12/27/2023
Earlier this month, our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Outreach Committee partnered with Sarah Horne and Pierce Broscious, of Saltmarsh Financial Advisors to present to students at West Florida High School in Pensacola.
12/15/2023
In November, our Saltmarsh Family celebrated Week of Thanks, a week-long show of appreciation for the incredible people who make Saltmarsh great! From November 6th through 10th, the firm participated in various activities and experiences to celebrate gratitude and community!
12/15/2023
Professional money managers have offered their services for centuries, but until the 1960s, there was no empirical way to hold them accountable for their results. When computers became powerful enough to analyze immense amounts of data, researchers could start gathering and learning from historical stock returns. Now economists could measure the success of different investment strategies compared with the performance of the broader market. The science of finance took off.
11/21/2023
Consumer fraud has become a growing concern, particularly concerning financial transactions and investments. In light of recent fraud trends, including high-profile cryptocurrency fraud cases, Nacha has recognized the need to address the risks associated with false claims of unauthorized ACH debits. To protect consumers and educate them about the potential consequences of making such claims, Nacha has updated its sample Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit (WSUD) to include language outlining the penalties for misrepresentation.
11/20/2023
A financial advisor can provide the perspective investors need to tune out the daily noise and stay focused on a long-term plan.
11/17/2023
In October, our shareholders stepped away from the office to enjoy a refreshing dose of camaraderie and strategic planning with the future in focus at our annual Shareholder Retreat in the vibrant city of Atlanta! The timing couldn't have been better, as the crisp autumn air welcomed our team and served as the perfect transition into fall. Over four days, our shareholder group engaged in meaningful conversations and generated innovative ideas that will shape the future of our firm.
11/15/2023
Webinar On Demand! In 2022, 2.4 million consumers reported losing money to fraud – totaling nearly $8.8 billion in lost wealth. The most prevalent was imposter fraud. Watch this webinar for a short storytelling of imposter fraud stories and learn the best practices to protect you and your family’s wealth.
11/14/2023
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was created to incentivize companies to maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic and consequential economic shutdown. However, due to numerous falsified claims, the Internal Revenue Service issued a moratorium on new ERC claims effective September 14, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Keep reading for recent ERC updates and how they could affect your business.
10/31/2023
Many investors see yield curve inversions—when short-term bond yields exceed long-term yields—as foreboding. Do they signal a stock market downturn? Data from the US and other major economies show yield curve inversions have not historically predicted equity market downturns. As markets incorporate news and events around the world, bond yields change, which causes yield curves to change. Historically, the US Treasury yield curve has generally been upward-sloping; however, during several periods, the curve inverted. What can we learn from these examples?
10/26/2023
While most individuals understand the importance of good credit and having a high credit score, they are often unsure of how this is measured. The difference between a good and bad score could potentially equate to thousands of dollars in interest savings over the long term. Let’s take a closer look at credit and discuss some ways to improve your credit score.
10/20/2023
Are you a business owner based in the US? Is your business organized with a Secretary of State? If so, the filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) may affect your business. This blog is written to provide a better understanding of your obligations under the Act and answer questions you may have.
10/5/2023
We are proud to share that senior manager, Sarah Oliver, CRCM, is a part of ConvergenceCoaching’s 2022-2023 Summer Transformational Leadership Program™ (TLP) graduating class!
10/3/2023
For Medicare Part A providers, bad debt can be an important yet tricky subject. Since bad debt is a key area of focus for the clients we serve, the Healthcare Team at Saltmarsh wanted to highlight some of the crucial points from Chapter 3 of Part 1 of the Medicare Provider Reimbursement Manual.
9/18/2023
Our 18th annual community bank event, BankTalk, in Tampa, brought together over 100 community bankers and subject matter experts to discuss the challenges facing the industry and also opportunities from technology and innovation to shape the future of the industry. This year's BankTalk is something to rave about, and if you missed out, don't worry – we're here to take you on an exclusive journey through the highlights!
9/15/2023
Point of View: You own a small business. Business is starting to pick up, and you are getting overwhelmed with the day-to-day operations as a one-man show. You are debating hiring an employee or two to help out, but you are struggling to decide whether you classify your new worker as an independent contractor or a common-law employee. Let’s walk through some questions to ask yourself to choose what type of worker is right for your business.
9/14/2023
For all Skilled Nursing Providers in Florida who accept Medicaid: On September 5th the Agency for Healthcare Administration published the final Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement Rates for the rate-setting period beginning October 1, 2023. Learn more in this Saltmarsh Siren!
9/14/2023
Investing offers individuals the opportunity to achieve their goals, whether they seek short-term gains or long-term wealth accumulation. Over the past decade, the landscape of investing has witnessed significant shifts, presenting unique challenges to investors. Comparing the challenges faced by investors today to those of the period between 2009 and 2019 reveals a dynamic and evolving environment.
9/13/2023
On September 5th AHCA published a Notice of Change to the proposed Florida Nursing Home Uniform Reporting System (FNHURS). This change updates and clarifies the definition of “Home Office” in proposed rule 59E-4.101, establishes the circumstances under which consolidated audits may be utilized... learn more in this Saltmarsh Siren!
9/12/2023
We are pleased to share recent firm accolades, which include being named one of Accounting Today’s 2023 Best Firms to Work For and a Top 200 U.S. Accounting Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting!
9/5/2023
The U.S. government has repeatedly revised the requirements for U.S. taxpayers to claim the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”), also commonly known as the Employee Retention Tax Credit, since its initial codification into law. As a result, many eligible taxpayers have been left uncertain as to whether they may properly claim this often-valuable tax credit. Because there is a strict statute of limitations on claiming the ERC, potentially eligible taxpayers who have not already claimed the ERC should review their eligibility under current U.S. law as soon as possible.
8/9/2023
On July 31, 2023, a final rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the SNF PPS system was issued by CMS for fiscal year 2024. Key updates include changes to the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program for FY 2024 and beyond, as well as the adoption of a measure to address staff turnover.
7/26/2023
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to file a fraudulent return and claim a refund. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly more common and people often don’t discover they've been targetted until they try to electronically file their tax return and it is rejected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
7/25/2023
Facing our own mortality can be a tough topic to tackle, which is why estate planning is so crucial. Taking the time to plan ahead can provide peace of mind and assure that our wishes will be honored. We can decide who gets what, who takes care of the kids, and even how we want our healthcare handled. Estate planning is all about making things easier for us and our loved ones down the road.
7/13/2023
Join us in welcoming Jay Newsome, CPA, to the Saltmarsh Family! With over 20 years of experience and recognition as one of Business Alabama Magazine's 2022 Faces of Finance, Newsome brings exceptional knowledge and expertise to Saltmarsh's team of talented accountants and consultants dedicated to advising financial institutions of varying sizes and complexity.
6/28/2023
We were honored to be the Platinum Sponsor for the Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA)’s 62nd Annual Awards Banquet this year!
6/27/2023
Summertime typically means more travel - which means charging your phone at public stations. But recently, both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FBI released security warnings about public charging stations and their unfortunate consequences.
6/23/2023
Saltmarsh Financial Advisors, LLC, is honored to be recognized by Accounting Today as a top firm by total assets under management (AUM) for the third year in a row.
6/22/2023
Saltmarsh Financial Advisors hosted a virtual panel called Taking Care While Giving Care to provide information and resources for people caring for loved ones. The panel featured experts in financial planning, emotional wellness, physical wellness and elder care. Here are some of the important messages that came from this heartfelt event.
6/21/2023
Recent industry uncertainties have highlighted the need to further question and research your Asset Liability Management (ALM) practices especially related to modeling Interest Rate Risk (IRR) and Liquidity.
6/19/2023
Did you know that the current estate tax exemption will be reduced by more than 50% beginning January 1, 2026?
6/16/2023
In May we hosted our annual Beacon Summer Leadership series, a unique program designed for accounting students to experience what a career in public accounting is like. Now in its 7th year, Beacon attracted more than 30 students representing universities throughout the southeast for two days of teambuilding and education in our Tampa and Pensacola, Florida offices.
6/13/2023
In Part 1 of Managing Risk, we spoke about fraud cases rising every year and the importance of managing and preventing that risk. But how exactly do you do that? What kind of access controls should you implement to secure your business? There are four types of security you can enact now.
6/9/2023
If you haven’t noticed, we call ourselves the “Saltmarsh Family” because we value time outside of our daily work routines to get together, build camaraderie and take time to unwind together as a firm.
6/8/2023
Dimensional Fund Advisors was recently honored at the 2023 ETF.com Awards, winning ETF Issuer of the Year and more.
6/1/2023
As we inch closer to marking a quarter of the way through the 21st century, one thing has become very apparent: the 21st century is anything but stable. In 22 years, the world and its economies have endured the threat of international terrorism, a global banking crisis, a worldwide health pandemic, high inflation here in the US, and overseas, the largest European conflict since World War II. Each incident presented unique challenges to consumers and businesses alike, but one thing remained constant: fraud.
5/24/2023
Sometime around June 1, 2023, the United States is expected to reach its debt ceiling. In recent years this topic has caused turmoil in the financial market and impacted thousands in both the public and private sectors. So, what exactly is the debt ceiling?
5/10/2023
The collapse of First Republic Bank is a harsh reminder that any stock can go to zero, no matter how established a company is, or how loyal and wealthy its customers are.
5/3/2023
Value stocks have gone through periods of both extreme over- and underperformance in recent years — a reminder that even reliable premiums can be volatile over shorter periods.
4/24/2023
These topics center around the broader category of financial literacy, which is generally not taught in the public school system. And if you feel unsure about your financial knowledge, you’re not alone.
4/12/2023
Saving money is a critical component of a successful financial plan. If you don’t know how to begin managing your money, setting up a savings plan is a great way to start. Here are eight tips to kickstart your saving strategy!
4/10/2023
The Financial Institutions practice group at Saltmarsh brings you The Payments Professor to discuss operational and other issues financial institutions should know for FedNOW implementation. Access the webinar on demand!
4/7/2023
Our Saltmarsh Financial Advisors hosted a discussion on Navigating Loss and the spectrum of challenges heirs can encounter. The panel included professionals in financial planning, estate planning, tax, hospice and mental health, all offering a different perspective on the topic. A few central themes emerged during the conversation that we wanted to share for those who were unable to attend.
4/6/2023
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was founded in 1983 in Northern California with the specific purpose of banking the up-and-coming technology sector. Over the next few decades, it grew into one of the 15 largest banks in the nation. In March 2023, financial regulators stepped in to remove management and control deposits, as the bank experienced a run on deposits. Though the dust has yet to settle, it’s important to understand the problems that lead to the bank’s downfall.
4/3/2023
October 12th is National Savings Day – a day to celebrate savings across the nation and reflect on the importance of maintaining healthy financial habits. A disciplined savings strategy is the foundation for building wealth, and often, the impact of saving a small amount consistently over time is underestimated.
3/31/2023
It seems that the newest thing in technology is Artificial Intelligence, or AI. ChatGPT, while only one of many projects underway, has seemingly caught everyone’s attention. In honor of that, we thought it would be interesting to let the tool write our blog this quarter - an AI edition of sorts. With some prompting, the software very quickly produced this quarter's content.
3/24/2023
It seems that the newest thing in technology is Artificial Intelligence or AI. ChatGPT, while only one of many projects underway, has seemingly caught everyone’s attention. In honor of that, we thought it would be interesting to let the tool write our blog this quarter - an AI edition of sorts. With some prompting, the software very quickly produced this quarter's content.
“AI is a technology which is staggering. We're already using it to do risk, fraud, marketing, prospecting — and it's the tip of the iceberg. To me this is extraordinary.” - Jamie Dimon, CEO | Chase Bank
3/20/2023
Businesses are facing disruption on multiple fronts, and many are struggling to simply get things done. Leaders must contend with the pandemic’s aftermath and the challenges of managing a remote or hybrid workforce, as well as economic uncertainty, ongoing supply chain disruptions, demand shifts, resource constraints and more, all while devising critical plans for the road ahead.
3/15/2023
Saltmarsh Financial Advisors is thrilled to share that our investment partner, Dimensional Fund Advisors, has been recognized as Barron's No. 1 "Best Fund Families of 2022!"
3/13/2023
We are proud to announce that Christina Doss, AAMS®, Investment Advisory Services Shareholder and Managing Director of Saltmarsh Financial Advisors, LLC, was honored as recipient of the Woman in Business, For-Profit Award at the Junior League of Pensacola’s Women’s Empowerment Awards on Wednesday, March 8th.
3/8/2023
As a reminder, the PRF Reporting Period 4 opened on January 1, 2023, and will remain open through March 31, 2023. Reporting Period 4 covers PRF payments received between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Providers who received aggregated PRF payments of more than $10,000 should be prepared to report on their use of these funds. The Reporting Period 4 Period of Availability runs from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022.
3/1/2023
Are you a Bank, Credit Union or Third-Party Sender that originates Micro-Entries on behalf of your customers? With Micro-Entries (Phase 2), risk management requirements will be applied to all Originators of ACH Micro-Entries. Enforcement of this requirement begins March 17, 2023.
2/22/2023
Consider everything investors have been through in recent years: a global pandemic, rapid inflation, war in Europe, and volatile stock and bond markets. It’s reasonable to feel uneasy in the face of so much uncertainty.
2/13/2023
As the final days of 2022 drew to a close, US lawmakers passed an omnibus spending bill authorizing $1.7 trillion in government spending. Included within the bill was a retirement-focused bill dubbed SECURE Act 2.0. The name references the original SECURE Act, which was passed almost three years ago to the day.
1/26/2023
We are pleased to announce our newest recognition as the Best of Accounting for providing superior service to our clients.
1/26/2023
Investors can benefit from understanding that they don’t need to predict which countries will deliver the best returns during the next quarter, next year, or next five years. Why?
1/17/2023
At the end of each year, we like to reflect on what transpired in the previous 12 months. The general tenet of last year’s article was that it was a year to remember for investors as stocks soared again. In contrast, this year was one many investors would like to forget. While we recognize the challenges this year brought, we feel it’s important to look back at what made this year so historic.
1/12/2023
We recently hosted our third Saltmarsh Fundamental Awards Ceremony! This celebration recognizes individuals who live our 33 "Saltmarsh Way" Fundamentals to the fullest and practice the high-performing behaviors that continue building a sustainable and uplifting culture throughout our firm.
1/11/2023
We recently received news that Katherine Creel was recognized as a 2023 Woman of the Year! She received this recognition as the Volunteer Woman of the Year by Scarlett Magazine for all the philanthropic and volunteer work she does in her community.
1/9/2023
We're proud to announce the following internal promotions as of January 1, 2023!
12/27/2022
2022 was a great and busy year for Saltmarsh! Every year flies by, especially when we’re busy out in the community, recruiting the best of the best, enjoying team-building events and exceptionally serving our clients. Come look back at our 2022 accomplishments with us!
12/20/2022
Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund is thrilled to announce that the firm has been recognized as one of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms in 2023 by Forbes.
12/20/2022
Recently, my wife was scrolling through an online news site and asked me: “What happened to bitcoin?” She showed me a headline that read, “Crypto exchange FTX files for bankruptcy.” I told her that the bankruptcy of FTX ultimately amounted to a simple explanation: FRAUD.
12/15/2022
Get ready, PRF Reporting Period 4 opens January 1, 2023, and will remain open through March 31, 2023. Reporting Period 4 covers PRF payments received between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Check out the latest Saltmarsh Siren to learn more about this reporting update and upcoming deadlines!