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The definition of a whistleblower and the criteria for reliance on associated protections has been the subject of a number of recent cases. In these matters, the reporting method has been the determining factor in whether and what protections are available. A case heard by the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals had provided an …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2014/01/when-is-a-whistleblower-not-a-whistleblower/
A recent story in the Los Angeles Times describes how DWP Union Chief Brian D’Arcy did not attend a scheduled meeting with auditors trying to investigate the spending of over $40 million in ratepayer money by two nonprofits he co-manages. The Joint Training Institute and the Joint Safety Institute were established to foster better relations between managers …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2014/01/dwp-union-chief-avoids-meeting-with-auditors/
The final touches are being put on the new single, principles-based standard that will update and converge revenue recognition under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the International Accounting Standards Board. The change will impact entities that use US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The new principles-based approach indicates …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2014/01/new-standard-for-revenue-recognition-is-coming/
In the course of affirming the district court’s decision in Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC v. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., 2013 WL 6017396, Judge Posner went a step further. While upholding the injunction, he ended his assessment with some comments “for future reference” when it comes to consumer surveys offered to demonstrate consumer confusion …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2014/01/addressing-judicial-concerns-about-consumer-surveys/
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Whistleblower Protection Program is now accepting whistleblower complaints filed online. The online form can be completed electronically or downloaded and submitted by fax, mail or hand-delivery to a regional office. The form asks basic information of the employee, including: Contact information; Bargaining unit representative information; Employer and supervisor information; and …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2014/01/new-method-for-submitting-osha-whistleblower-complaints/
In October the IRS announced that the government shutdown would delay the start of the 2014 tax filing season at least a week and likely more. According to the IRS announcement: “The government closure came during the peak period for preparing IRS systems for the 2014 filing season. Programming, testing and deployment of more than …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/12/irs-finalizes-delayed-start-date-to-start-accepting-returns/
In Rochow v. Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”), the Appeals Court affirmed a disgorgement remedy of $3.8 million under ERISA in this long term disability case. In a previous appeal, the Court had determined that LINA had acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner when it continuously denied Daniel Rochow benefits for his long …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/12/disgorgement-and-unpaid-benefits-granted-in-erisa-long-term-disability-case/
On December 10, 2013 the International Federation of Accountants released its guide for conducting review engagements. The guidelines are particularly relevant for smaller firms conducting review engagements in compliance with International Standard on Review Engagements (ISRE) 2400 (Revised). The guide includes such helpful information as: illustrative examples relevant extracts from the standard practical points for practitioners’ …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/12/new-guide-to-review-engagements/
A recent study reported in the American Accounting Association’s The Accounting Review suggests that in many cases the relationship between the the top executive and the respective audit committee members may be too comfortable to achieve truly independent oversight. The study found that approximately 40 percent of the 2000 companies analyzed have committee members who are socially …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/12/audit-committee-members-and-ceos-too-close-for-comfort/
The government shutdown has led to the IRS’ recent announcement that it will delay the start of the 2014 tax filing season at least a week and likely more. The tax season was scheduled to begin on January 21, 2014. This delay provides the IRS with needed time to program and test tax-processing systems, efforts …
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Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/10/irs-tax-filing-delay-is-for-them-not-you/
Dec 23
IRS finalizes delayed start date to start accepting returns
December 23, 2013
In October the IRS announced that the government shutdown would delay the start of the 2014 tax filing season at least a week and likely more. According to the IRS announcement: “The government closure came during the peak period for preparing IRS systems for the 2014 filing season. Programming, testing and deployment of more than …
Continue reading