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	<title>The Best Practice Network Guidelines &#124; The Best Practice Network &#187; Financial Compliance</title>
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	<description>Definition of a best practice. &#039;Best Practices&#039; are rules, standards, regulation relating to compliance, audit, risk management.</description>
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		<title>Five Best Practices in Securing Investors</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/five-best-practices-in-securing-investors/five-best-practices-in-securing-investors-31122012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/five-best-practices-in-securing-investors/five-best-practices-in-securing-investors-31122012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:22:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Five Best Practices in Securing Investors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2533</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Almost everyone wishes to make it big; however, one thing that stops people from doing so (in most cases) is a lack of finance. Many people claim of having incredible ideas but they never get the chance to get something out of them. Securing bank loans is not easy for everyone due to the bank’s [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Almost everyone wishes to make it big; however, one thing that stops people from doing so (in most cases) is a lack of finance. Many people claim of having incredible ideas but they never get the chance to get something out of them. Securing bank loans is not easy for everyone due to the <a href="../compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/bank-compliance/">bank’s</a> <a href="../compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/bank-compliance/">compliance issues</a> and heavy requirements.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="in Securing Investors" src="http://www.cityofnb.ca/mrws/photofolio/investment_banner.jpg" alt="" width="194" height="101" />The solution to this problem is simple: to find investors who are willing to put their money. However, doing so is not easy as one has to take care of several aspects in order to be able to secure investors.</p>
<p>There are best practices that must be followed if you wish to brighten your chances of securing an investor.</p>
<h3>Create a Pool of Investors</h3>
<p>There are many people out there who are willing to put their money in a business if they can be convinced into doing so. Best practices say that you should always have a pool of potential investors ready so that you can visit them whenever you have a strong idea in your mind.</p>
<p>When you already have a pool of investors, you will not have to waste any time looking for investors and you can easily have an appointment with one of the investors in your list.</p>
<h3>Choose an Investor Carefully</h3>
<p>As mentioned above, there are many investors out there; however, not everyone is the right investor for you. It is important for you to carefully scan and filter investors and find some that may be interested in your idea. Understandably, an investor who is known for investing in real estate will not be interested in a plan that revolves around engineering.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="Choose an Investor Carefully" src="http://www.trustdeedinvestment.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/317.gif" alt="" width="158" height="147" />This is why it is important to have all the details in your pool so that you can easily search through it to find the right investor.</p>
<h3>Have a Foolproof Plan</h3>
<p>You will not be able to get any investor if your idea is not foolproof. You will have to present your idea in a way that it leaves the investors gob smacked and they agree to invest in it. For this, you must plan from the initial stage. You will have to leave a mark in the first meeting itself so that the investors agree to a formal presentation.</p>
<h3>Create Opportunities</h3>
<p>Do not wait for opportunities to appear on their own. You have to take things in your hand and create opportunities in order to grow. If your idea does not get approved by one investor then you can turn to the next investor with a better plan and preparation. Always learn from your mistakes so that your chances of striking it are higher the next time you visit an investor with your plan.</p>
<h3>Stay Up to Date</h3>
<p>Your idea should be real and workable in the current scenario. If it is something dated or very difficult to achieve then you will find it very difficult to convince the investors.</p>
<p>By following these best practices you will find it easier to get an investor for your idea, given that your idea is actually worth it.</p>
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		<title>Using Best Practices for Organizational Budgets</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/using-best-practices-for-organizational-budgets/using-best-practices-for-organizational-budgets-02102012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/using-best-practices-for-organizational-budgets/using-best-practices-for-organizational-budgets-02102012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 06:21:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Using Best Practices for Organizational Budgets]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2352</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Basically, budgeting refers to the process of improving the workings of your existing budget model into something more productive. Organizational budgets often fail to achieve their targets because their budgets are somehow unrealistic and consist of mechanics that never work. Hence, planning the right budget for an organization is crucial for success.
For instance, you have [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Basically, budgeting refers to the process of improving the workings of your existing budget model into something more productive. Organizational budgets often fail to achieve their targets because their budgets are somehow unrealistic and consist of mechanics that never work. Hence, planning the right budget for an organization is crucial for success.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="Using Best Practices for Organizational Budgets" src="http://www.sitepoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/budget.jpg" alt="" width="126" height="126" />For instance, you have a company manager that wants to increase the sales and gain twice as much profit as before but only the problem is, he doesn’t know how. The manager may not have a clear idea of obtaining the suggested figures if he does not know if a budget is in control or not. A budget that’s out of control will not only lead to incomplete projects, but it will also lead to multiple losses that might give the organization a really tough time.</p>
<p>As you know, an organization’s profit figures will only match those observed in the past. Therefore, important actions have to be taken to sustain, if not improve those results. Since sales volumes differ each year, you need to hire a sales staff that’s competent enough to keep up with the existing figures.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" title="Using Best Practices for Organizational Budgets" src="http://toolkit.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/media/useruploads/images/Grow_C3_P4_Budgeting_and_forecasting_for_growth.jpg" alt="" width="168" height="111" />Once you’ve replaced your old sales staff with a new one, they may require extensive training and understanding of the work that’s been going on before them. This process may take up a considerable amount of time ad a product that you’re about to launch may take months or even a year to reach the markets.</p>
<p>For hiring a managerial staff to plan the organizational budgets, you can’t just rely on the interviews that are being conducted within your office. People may seem quite cooperative and able at the time of the interview but their real value is only exposed when they’re actually working in the field.</p>
<p>For example, a manager that you’ve hired may request the foreman to increase the production level by one hundred percent. This would mean that the company equipment will be fully utilized which is rather impossible because of the continuous maintenance that would eventually result in breakage of the machinery.</p>
<p>Complying with <a href="../">best practices</a> means that your organization should have a budget that’s real rather than something that the manager wishes for to happen. The expenses taking place within a company should be thoroughly analyzed by the manager before he or she drafts a budget. These should also include purchasing systems that are committed to remain within the budget limits.<img class="alignleft" title="Using Best Practices for Organizational Budgets" src="http://businessforsalebuy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/017-making-profit-in-a-business.jpg" alt="" width="144" height="108" /></p>
<p>Also, the bonuses that you plan on giving the manager should be based on the profits his budgets are making instead of assigning him a fixed amount. This way, the manager will remain more focused on reaching the budget target instead of making spending errors.</p>
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		<title>Budget Development through Best Practices</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/budget-development-through-best-practices/budget-development-through-best-practices-29092012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/budget-development-through-best-practices/budget-development-through-best-practices-29092012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Sep 2012 05:39:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Budget Development through Best Practices]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2292</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Budget development is an important feature of best practices as it determines a company or organization’s potential to succeed. A positive budget results in profits and productive gain whereas an unsuccessful budget only leads to more losses and zero achievement of company goals.
There are many benefits to preparing a budget in accordance to best practices. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Budget development is an important feature of best practices as it determines a company or organization’s potential to succeed. A positive budget results in profits and productive gain whereas an unsuccessful budget only leads to more losses and zero achievement of company goals.<img class="alignleft" title="Budget Development through Best Practices" src="http://www.aronsonblogs.com/gcsg/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/data.jpg" alt="" width="164" height="164" /></p>
<p>There are many benefits to preparing a budget in accordance to best practices. Improving the existing budget can result in an overall understanding of planned goals. Thus, the employers and their employees come in sync with the needs of the company and focus on reducing the overall risk factor of a business. This also leads to the company being able to respond rather swiftly to competition.</p>
<h2>Targeting Performances instead of Budget Figures</h2>
<p>There are companies that often make mistakes by targeting budget figures instead of performance measures. This forces the budget manager to reach the budget figure target by any means necessary and instead of moving forward, a company becomes more liable towards losses.</p>
<p>Effective budget development includes the managing officer to set goals that are targeted towards increasing performance measures rather than the fixed budget figures. This will enable him or her to increase work productivity by assigning appropriate funds to the maintenance and safety department of a company.</p>
<h2>Tactical Allocation of Resources</h2>
<p>With the increase in demands, businesses are forced to increase production and utilize the maximum amount of resources that are available to them. Very often, companies have to face a deficiency of resources which increases the production of cost.<img class="alignright" title="Budget Development through Best Practices" src="http://blog.trginternational.com/Portals/125873/images/budgeting.jpg" alt="" width="110" height="115" /></p>
<p>To avoid spending over the fixed budget, strategic allocation of resources is required such that no resources are consumed in excess or wasted. The budget should include programs that offer recycling techniques. This way, when the company achieves positive results, it can continue on the same <a href="../compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/how-to-balance-a-budget/">budget development</a> technique. But if not, the plans have to be revised and improved once again.</p>
<h2>Accommodating Change and Constant Reviewing</h2>
<p>A budget should always be reviewed on a regular basis as it informs planners of the effectiveness and feasibility of their applied budget. This can help in making changes much quicker as the financial market tends to shift very quickly.<img class="alignleft" title="Budget Development through Best Practices" src="http://www.restaurantdevelopmentsummit.com/wp-content/files_mf/cache/th_08606a43b4e40203e335ff98fcf3bfe4_budgetingplanningandprioritizingcapitalinvestments.jpg" alt="" width="147" height="110" /></p>
<p>A budget should be accommodating in the sense that it should have the capacity to put up with any kind of change taking place within the financial market and production competition. Enforcement of new rules and regulations that are put in effect immediately are more likely to disturb a budget’s fixed pattern. Therefore, the developed budget should be accommodating to house any minor or medium changes taking place in the fiscal policies.</p>
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		<title>Tasks of a Bank Compliance Officer</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/tasks-of-a-bank-compliance-officer/tasks-of-a-bank-compliance-officer-29092012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/tasks-of-a-bank-compliance-officer/tasks-of-a-bank-compliance-officer-29092012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Sep 2012 05:31:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tasks of a Bank Compliance Officer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2285</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Banking compliance refers to banks following the rules and regulations that have been laid out by the government. These laws are drafted for the purpose of safe banking within the country and abroad along with the protection of customer banking rights.
Basically, compliance with bank regulations means protecting the depositors from any risks that are likely [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Banking compliance refers to banks following the rules and regulations that have been laid out by the government. These laws are drafted for the purpose of safe banking within the country and abroad along with the protection of customer banking rights.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" title="Tasks of a Bank Compliance Officer" src="http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a06/9u/j7/bank-manager-job-description-800x800.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="116" />Basically, <a href="../compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/bank-compliance/">compliance with bank regulations</a> means protecting the depositors from any risks that are likely to occur. Though the financial damage of a bank may be overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be able to compromise on the facilities that are being provided to the customers.</p>
<p>Laundering of money and bank failures are something that a bank must avoid at all costs. Consumer and business partner confidentiality is also another important aspect of banking compliance. If a bank is unable to protect its consumers and partners in trade, not only will the bank plunge in failure itself, but it will also cause harm to the related investors. Bad compliance can also lead to unwanted business press publicity that would permanently damage the bank’s reputation leading to investors backing off.</p>
<p>Therefore, in order for banks to remain protected from hazards, a bank compliance officer is needed to keep things at pace. Following are the tasks assigned to a compliance officer in banks:</p>
<h2>A Cooperative Leader</h2>
<p>A bank compliance officer is obligated to leading the bank’s employees in a safer direction when it comes to auditing, accounting, and managing financial transactions. The officer is also responsible for working in cooperation with management seniors present within the bank.<img class="alignleft" title="Tasks of a Bank Compliance Officer" src="http://bankhr.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/banking-services-290x300.jpg" alt="" width="174" height="180" /></p>
<h2>Monitoring Developments</h2>
<p>Being in-charge of compliance means that the officer has to keep a strict eye on the developments taking place in the business world. The officer can then inform the workers of his bank about the changed policies of law affecting the banking personnel. Monitoring also includes the task of distributing relevant reading material containing the changes that have taken place within the bank and the financial world. This reading material is distributed either on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.</p>
<h2>Keeping a Check on the Software and Hardware</h2>
<p>A compliance officer is also responsible for keeping regular tabs on the devices and information software being used in the bank. This would include a review of all hardware like the proper functioning of desktops, copy machines, printers, and even the coffee machines.</p>
<p>The officer is also responsible for making sure that customer service is provided without any disruptions. The quality of service is also scrutinized to ensure that customers do not have any need for filing complaints.</p>
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		<title>Sections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/sections-of-the-sarbanes-oxley-act/sections-of-the-sarbanes-oxley-act-19092012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/sections-of-the-sarbanes-oxley-act/sections-of-the-sarbanes-oxley-act-19092012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:42:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2219</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Senator Paul Sarbanes and his co-conspirator Representative Michael G. Oxley had put forward the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Congress. It was specifically drafted to protect the rights and interests of publicly trading organizations and their investors. The act itself is spread over eleven topics that specify the directives and obligations that constitute fiscal coverage.
1. PCAOB
The [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" title="Sections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act" src="http://stopforeclosurefraud.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/THESARBANES-OXLEYACTOF20021.jpg" alt="" width="190" height="116" />Senator Paul Sarbanes and his co-conspirator Representative Michael G. Oxley had put forward the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Congress. It was specifically drafted to protect the rights and interests of publicly trading organizations and their investors. The act itself is spread over eleven topics that specify the directives and obligations that constitute fiscal coverage.</p>
<h2>1. PCAOB</h2>
<p>The first topic concerns itself with the establishment of the PCAOB i.e. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Based on 9 sections, this topic describes the agency as a prevailing body that looks over the procedural auditing plus accounting services provided by different public auditing firms. The PCAOB also ensures an organization’s compliance to quality, authority and regulatory controls established by federal law.</p>
<h2>2. Auditor Independence</h2>
<p>The second topic also consists of 9 sections specifying the rules for external audit procedures. This topic explains the rights and requirements for hiring a new auditor along with audits that are related to partner alternation. Auditing firms are also required to limit their services to audits and supervision refraining from offering consultation to the same applicant.</p>
<h2>3. Corporate Responsibility</h2>
<h2><img class="alignright" title="Sections of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act" src="http://rsm.aajassociates.com/images/service/Section%20Sarbanes-Oxley.jpg" alt="" width="144" height="109" /></h2>
<p>This topic has 8 sections which describe the responsibilities rested on managerial personnel shoulders. These personnel have to ensure the on-time delivery of financial documents and presentations to auditing firms.</p>
<h2>4. <a href="../compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/sarbanes-oxley-404-compliance-standards/">Enhanced Financial Disclosures</a></h2>
<p>The fourth topic presents improved coverage requisites for monetary transactions. This may include transactions conducted away from the balance sheet and stock markets and paper figures of business representatives.</p>
<h2>5. Analyst Conflicts of Interest</h2>
<p>Based on a single section, this topic contains information about restoring investor trust. The section also requires security analyst to disclose full information any visible conflicts that relate to interests.</p>
<h2>6. Commission Resources and Authority</h2>
<p>The sixth topic is based on the SEC’s rights to make sure that all company or managerial personnel who fail to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are expelled from the best practice services.</p>
<h2>7. Studies and Reports</h2>
<p>Spread over 5 sections, this topic makes performing studies and filing reports mandatory for the Securities and Exchange Commission including the United State’s Comptroller General.</p>
<h2>8. Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability</h2>
<p>This 7 sectioned topic contains information regarding the punishments and fines posted on companies and individuals who do wrong. Providing falsified information to auditing firms and assisting in such processes is considered one of the prime acts of criminality.</p>
<h2>9. White Collar Crime Penalty Enhancement</h2>
<p>All 6 sections of this topic are dedicated towards curbing the crimes and fraud activities of the white collar community.  It also provides the laws used for punishing such offenders.</p>
<h2>10. Corporate Tax Returns</h2>
<p>Constituted of a sole section, this topic explains the tax return policy responsibilities of CEO residing in a particular organization.</p>
<h2>11. Corporate Fraud Accountability</h2>
<p>This topic provides 7 seven sections of instructions regarding company criminal offenses. These may include the fiddling of financial files of an organization and the resulting penalties that the SEC can enforce.</p>
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		<title>Reviewing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/reviewing-the-sarbanes-oxley-act/reviewing-the-sarbanes-oxley-act-19092012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/reviewing-the-sarbanes-oxley-act/reviewing-the-sarbanes-oxley-act-19092012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:30:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reviewing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the year 2002, huge financial scandals involving renowned companies like Enron and the telephone giant WorldCom had created quit the hype within the business world. This established a definite need for controlling public trading in the United States. Therefore, US Senator Paul Sarbanes along with Representative Michael G. Oxley came up with a new [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the year 2002, huge financial scandals involving renowned companies like Enron and the telephone giant WorldCom had created quit the hype within the business world. This established a definite need for controlling public trading in the United States. Therefore, US Senator Paul Sarbanes along with Representative Michael G. Oxley came up with a new law termed as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="Reviewing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act" src="http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SOX.jpg" alt="" width="296" height="222" />Commonly known as the <a href="../compliance-best-practices/compliance-regulations/sox-compliance-compliance-regulations-compliance-best-practices/">SOX Compliance</a> in the business industry, this law presented new-fangled, exacting standards to be followed in coordination with best practices. Though these rules are not applicable for private companies, they provide a kind of security to all employees and investors working in the public trades sector.</p>
<p>The Act itself is overseen by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) which makes sure that all public companies are abiding the federal law’s rules and regulations along with firm compliance to best practices.</p>
<p>The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is also responsible for forming an agency known as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). This agency keeps a regular tab on accounting firms that carry out the auditing process for public companies. PCAOB makes sure that these firms are following rules established by the government overlooking and inspecting each and every move. It can be safely said that this agency is kind of a disciplinary authority that auditing firms are direly in need of.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" title="Reviewing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act" src="http://www.soxfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/iStock_000000183079Small[1].jpg" alt="" width="200" height="150" />A spread over sixty six page, this Act is designed to provide protection for investors who are investing billions of dollars in the public trade industry. It is also responsible for improving the precision and dependability of corporate revelations made compatible with the laws of security and other different purposes.</p>
<p>There have been several sore views about this Act implying that it was too strict and lavish for American companies putting them in distress. The Act has also been criticized for holding public companies back on an international trading level.</p>
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		<title>Saving Your Company from Monetary Defiance</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/saving-your-company-from-monetary-defiance/saving-your-company-from-monetary-defiance-29082012/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/saving-your-company-from-monetary-defiance/saving-your-company-from-monetary-defiance-29082012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 05:57:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Saving Your Company from Monetary Defiance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=2152</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Monetary value is what makes businesses and companies everywhere run at a substantial pace. Figures of fiscal worth determine the success or failure of a company or a business. Naturally, if a company or business doesn’t have adequate cash flow, it won’t be able to invest or take loans from the bank.
A bank will only [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Monetary value is what makes businesses and companies everywhere run at a substantial pace. Figures of fiscal worth determine the success or failure of a company or a business. Naturally, if a company or business doesn’t have adequate cash flow, it won’t be able to invest or take loans from the bank.<img class="alignleft" title="Saving Your Company" src="http://protect.digiprove.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Digiprove-Finance.jpg" alt="" width="176" height="176" /></p>
<p>A bank will only agree to provide you with a loan once it’s convinced that the money its investing is going to return with profits. This will only happen when the bank associated with a particular company or companies runs through their fiscal data of previous years. The bank will also have a look at the amount of borrowings taken by the company.</p>
<p>Banks have contributed hugely towards lessening the risk factor on a national as well as an international scale. Their conformity measures help regulate the income of the economy and <a href="../compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/bank-compliance/">control inflation</a>.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" title="Saving Your Company " src="http://www.a1sj.com/images/financial_001.jpg" alt="" width="182" height="136" />Investors too need surety that their money isn’t going to waste and that they will get their share of reward. Putting financial compliance in best practices helps guarantee a positive outcome to all investments.</p>
<p>Best practices involve companies having a huge workforce and offshore bank accounts need to keep their records clean for checks conducted by the FATAC (Foreign Account Tax Compliance). The Regulation CC also keeps a close eye on such companies.</p>
<p>Financial compliance also includes the on time implementation and effectiveness of value added tax (VAT) which has been termed as necessary by law.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" title="Saving Your Company " src="http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a06/qe/s7/aml-compliance-careers-1.1-800x800.jpg" alt="" width="119" height="108" />There are many positive sides to monetary conformity. It helps companies develop budgets that increase output and profits. Ways to decrease costs involved in the production process are introduced. A global monetary conformity makes companies and economies less liable to bankruptcy and workforce losses.</p>
<p>The law of economics clearly states that there are highs and lows in the market every now and then. Profits do not occur without losses and to save you from colossal losses, these regulations are ideal.</p>
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		<title>How to Balance a Budget</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/how-to-balance-a-budget/how-to-balance-a-budget-28102011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/how-to-balance-a-budget/how-to-balance-a-budget-28102011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:54:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[How to Balance a Budget]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=925</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Before proceeding with learning how to balance a budget it is important to understand what a Balanced Budget is. Both companies and the government require the best practice of balancing a budget.
Defining a Balanced Budged
A balanced budget is a situation in which the financial planning or budgeting process (which make up the total revenue) are [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Before proceeding with learning how to balance a budget it is important to understand what a Balanced Budget is. Both companies and the government require the best practice of balancing a budget.</p>
<h2>Defining a Balanced Budged</h2>
<p>A balanced budget is a situation in which the financial planning or budgeting process (which make up the total revenue) are either equal to, or greater than the total expenses. This is a situation which is realized at the end of a fiscal year after best practices have been implemented.</p>
<p>The term “Balanced Budget” is often used in reference to official government budgets for best practices. The government usually issues a press release stating its balanced budget for the upcoming year as a best practice. Similarly, politicians campaigning for elections also promise a balanced budget once in office. A balanced budget means a stronger economy which means best practices in governments.</p>
<h2>How the Government Balances a Budget?</h2>
<p>There are lots of best practices involved in planning a budget for the government. However, balancing a budget is not as difficult as it seems. According to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2YoxnZy2ZY">congressman Akin</a> the total spending of the government is what needs balancing for best practices in balancing a budget. The components of total spending at a state level include Mandatory Spending and Discretionary Spending.</p>
<p><strong>Mandatory spending</strong> means entitlements of people in a state or country. This involves best practices of spending on requirements like; farm commodity prices and income support programs. Other mandatory spending programs for best practices include, crop insurance, food stamps and child nutrition programs.</p>
<p><strong>Discretionary spending,</strong> on the other hand, means expenses of the government through an appropriations act. Compliance with this act is an important best practice. However, this spending is optional and is an annual spending according to decisions made by the congress.</p>
<p>Similarly there is non-discretionary spending which are also best practices. They include spending or expenses incurred by certain programs which are required by existing laws of the country e.g. entitlements.  Entitlements are programs like social security, Medicare or Medicaid and such services. Similarly, net interests on debts which come from loans people take from the government are also part of non discretionary spending. Other non discretionary expenses or debts which the government provides for its citizens as a best practice are also important.</p>
<p>To balance the budget for best practices, the government will need to cut discretionary and non discretionary expensed. This means ensuring that the federal expenses to zero. This means stopping all expenses on military, solders and defenses. In other words, cutting out all federal expenses will result in a government balanced budget.</p>
<p>In recent times, there is a lot of recession and this is why there is need to know <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2004/03federalbudget_rivlin/pb130.pdf">how to balance a budget</a> to ensure best practices.</p>
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		<title>Implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT)</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/implementation-of-value-added-tax-vat/implementation-of-value-added-tax-vat-11082011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/implementation-of-value-added-tax-vat/implementation-of-value-added-tax-vat-11082011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:10:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Risk Management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=685</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Value added tax (VAT) is a best understood as money spent on consumption of goods and services. That is to say, it is a Consumption Tax. Implementing VAT is a best practice which all business organizations must comply with according to tax laws.
There are two ways of looking at VAT; from the buyers’ perspective and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Value added tax (VAT) is a best understood as money spent on consumption of goods and services. That is to say, it is a Consumption Tax. Implementing VAT is a best practice which all business organizations must comply with according to tax laws.</p>
<p>There are two ways of looking at VAT; from the buyers’ perspective and from the sellers’ perspective. The buyer looks at VAT as an added price for purchasing the product while the seller considers it as a “value added” price to his product or service. At the end of the whole buying and selling process the government collects the added value while both the buyer and seller get their benefits. The buyer pays his tax and gets the benefits of using the product. At the same time the seller also ends up making a profit and paying his tax through returns from the sales in the form of VAT. Therefore, implementation of VAT is a best practice and all businesses must ensure compliance with it.</p>
<p>In the US it is also known as a Sales Tax but it is less visible as VAT on items purchased. The amount of implemented <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_8385826_calculate-pretax.html">VAT is calculated</a> as a pretax. VAT applies to individual business people, banks, organizations and companies as well. However VAT compliance laws vary country to country and can be as less as 5% to as much as 15%. This is why to ensure best practice in international businesses one needs to adapt according to the country’s laws. When it comes to partnership in business, it is a duty on every partner’s part to ensure compliance to avoid risks.</p>
<p>It is a best practice for businesses to submit purchase reports to the government, especially for import and export of products.VAT is applied on all imports which is why imported products attract higher cost. On the other hand exported goods do not carry VAT, which is why selling products within the home country is favored by most businesses.</p>
<p><strong>Compliance Issues with VAT</strong></p>
<p>There are some major setbacks faced by tax payers due to compliance issues. As VAT increases most businesses find it difficult to stick to best practices. The challenges faced include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>VAT Registration: </strong>There are some businesses which require registration to collect VAT while some don’t. If business do not register when they are supposed to, it can be taken as a <a href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/ContactOrDealWithHMRC/DG_10010579">tax fraud</a>. It could be a voluntary decision to register and such businesses must know what the advantages and disadvantages will be. The primary benefit of registering to pay VAT is that a business can then claim a credit for the amount of VAT it paid as an input credit. There are other benefits as well. Larger businesses calculate their input credits as a percentage of all cost which is a motivating factor. Similarly there are international or multinational businesses which sometimes find it difficult to decide which country they must register in. <strong></strong></li>
<li><strong>VAT collection:</strong> The main setback is that rates vary between countries. It becomes difficult to ensure compliance because of the huge differences in rates which may cause losses I some cases. Another major challenge for compliance with VAT collection is determining to which country the VAT is due. Generally, sales of services are taxed based on destination, but sales tax are based on the supplier’s location. Determining the location of supply across borders can be difficult. <strong></strong></li>
<li><strong>Tax Remittance, Return Filing and Refund Claims:</strong> In some countries electronic transfer has made it easier for tax payers to remit, file and claim VAT. This is commonly seen in European countries and few Asian countries. However, other countries may not have the technology or may not support electronic transfer for other reasons, especially in Africa. This usually becomes a major compliance issue for international business people.<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Implementation of VAT is an important best practice which businesses are encouraged to comply with.</p>
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		<title>The Need for Financial Compliance Software</title>
		<link>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/financial-compliance-software-financial-compliance-compliance-best-practices/the-need-for-financial-compliance-software-19042011/</link>
		<comments>http://www.best-practice.com/compliance-best-practices/financial-compliance/financial-compliance-software-financial-compliance-compliance-best-practices/the-need-for-financial-compliance-software-19042011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:54:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Matthew S.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Compliance Software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best Practices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Compliance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.best-practice.com/?p=552</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Financial industries keep facing the challenges of complying with governmental policies surrounding Financial Compliance. In order to make things easier and to ensure best practices, Financial Compliance Software applications have been designed as a tool to manage financial compliance. The objectives of these applications are to assist with keeping costs low, increasing profits, and to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Financial industries keep facing the challenges of complying with governmental policies surrounding Financial Compliance. In order to make things easier and to ensure best practices, Financial Compliance Software applications have been designed as a tool to manage financial compliance. The objectives of these applications are to assist with keeping costs low, increasing profits, and to facilitate coping with the competitive market.</p>
<p><strong>Reasons to Consider Software Applications:</strong></p>
<p>The government is always strict with finance industries, and the rules surrounding finance keep getting complicated. There are numerous bureaucracies being created by the government, to ensure that there is financial compliance and that institutions follow rules and regulations appropriately. To ensure this, as a best practice these finance institutions employ labor to keep track of transactions made and received. At the same time, these institutions require their employees to ensure compliance at every level and department. Subsequently there is the need to maintain employees and face expenses incurred as valuable resources get exhausted.</p>
<p>The best practice followed by these financial institutions is to look for options to reduce cost. They need to make some changes. They will have to consider hiring fewer sales people and fewer customer service agents. They will also have to charge their customers with higher prices. They will have to implement ways of maximizing the resources available by minimizing wastage. There will be the need to review major expenses and look for cheaper alternatives. The consequence of the failure to ensure these best practice changes will be the inability to expand the organization, and inability to create new jobs or enter into new markets.</p>
<p>All these can easily be handled within a short time and with the use of a software application. These applications are designed to reduce errors, which could be both human or technical. Human errors are very common and unavoidable. The software can handle reviewing a large number of transactions while you work. It can run in the background without affecting your work. You may consider employing a Chief Compliance Officer to ensure that the software works correctly.</p>
<p>The Financial compliance software makes financial compliance easy and effective. Businesses implementing this best practice have increased profits and have progressed a lot. All their transactions are error free and accurate reports are generated on time and in uniform format.  Therefore, financial institutions looking forward to compliance must use compliance software.</p>
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