The evolution of cybersecurity threats is increasing at a rapid pace and becoming more sophisticated as they leverage the same advanced technologies and methodologies as cyber defense tools. No longer are cyberattacks focused primarily on financial incentives, they are also aiming at maximizing operational disruption.
Retirement is supposed to be “our time”—when we’re no longer spending the better parts of our days building a career or raising kings (or both). But for a lot of women, that’s not how retirement plays out. Research reveals that women aren’t as confident about enjoying retirement as men. Part of that answer lies in financial education. With this guide by Baird, women can take control and achieve the retirement they want and teach their children about the importance of saving, wealth, compound interest, and more.
As companies and service organizations increasingly use third-party service for outsourced services, there is more demand for a detailed understanding of the processes and controls of these third-party service providers. To show they have the right processes and internal controls in place, it’s crucial to provide a System and Organization Controls (SOC) report.
Safety risk assessments are becoming a preferred regulatory tool around the world. Online safety laws in Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States will require a range of providers to evaluate the safety and user-generated content risks associated with their online services. While the specific assessment requirements vary across jurisdictions, the common thread is that providers will need to establish routine processes to assess, document, and mitigate safety risks.
With a focus on women business owners and decision makers, a survey of nearly 900 men and women was conducted to learn and understand what might be different in men and women’s approaches to managing their personal and business wealth. This report by BMO explains what the study uncovered, revealing some valuable insights into the financial attitudes and behaviors of high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and decision makers, and specifically women within these groups.
The federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is not the only legislation that became effective in 2024, requiring the disclosure of beneficial owners. On December 22, 2023, the New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLTA) was signed into law, aimed at pursuing unlawful activity, including wage theft and money laundering. Patterned after the CTA, the NYLTA uses the same definition of beneficial owners, contains the same 23 exemptions, and permits the disclosure to the New York Department of State of the initial report filed under the CTA.
With an unprecedented $80 billion additional funding allocated for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there will be an expected 3,700 new agents hired as part of ramping up audits of the largest and most complex partnership returns and other tax enforcement initiatives. There will also be more focus on high income individuals, foreign bank accounts, and the Employee Retention Credit as the IRS pursues its existing authorities.
For most of the period from the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 through the end of the COVID pandemic in 2022, the Federal Reserve held interest rates near zero. As post-pandemic inflation surged in early 2022, the Federal Reserve began a rapid rate-hike cycle that ended in July 2023 with the Federal Funds Rate at 5.25% - 5.50%. As noted in this Investment Report, the yields above 5% attracted investors to money market funds as total assets grew approximately 20% in 2023 to more than $6 trillion.
Many successful family-owned businesses are managing embedded family offices within their existing operations to maximize the benefits and opportunities gained from the unique structure. But in time, the needs of both the business and the family shift for various reasons that include the family growing and earlier generations transitioning out of the business. If you aim to run a best-in-class, well-functioning family office while also operating a family-owned business, consider these best practices and related emerging trends.
Tailored to the needs for risk leaders, this executive summary of the 2024 Global Risks Report highlights the key findings to support decision-makers in balancing current crises and longer-term priorities.