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In this special report, Northern Trust experts provide policy analysis for each potential United States election result—as well as steps that can be taken to prepare for all outcomes. Read the report for insights into planning for Divided Government, Unified Democratic, Unified Republican, and Delayed or Contested results. Along with having a goals-based framework approach for wealth planning, it allows investors and wealth advisors to evaluate tradeoffs and uncover new opportunities to take action with confidence in any environment.

For many business owners, their tax accountant has been with them for years, and therefore understands the business, along with some aspects of the industry, key employee roles, and family dynamics at play. In addition, a tax accountant who is viewed as a trusted advisor is in a key position to help a family-owned enterprise think through some of the most pertinent questions when it comes to succession planning.

Cyber threats are seen as the third most impactful risk to businesses over the next three years, after the cost of capital and economic downturns, respectively. Threat actors are not only deploying new tactics using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct more targeted and sophisticated attacks, but they are also advancing familiar threats like ransomware with increased severity. The evolving regulatory landscape and the increasing adoption of cloud software also pose new challenges for cyber leaders.

Although private equity (PE) has been grappling with high interest rates, PE funds and their portfolio companies are marching forward. With inflation moderating and expectations for a rate cut, there is growing cautious optimism for improved PE M&A activity. This Private Equity Survey by BDO polled 484 U.S. PE fund managers and operating partners and 208 CFOs of U.S. portfolio companies to uncover their strategies, concerns, and overall pulse.

Engaging and preparing the rising generation is often top of mind, as the wellbeing of future family leaders is of great concern. Setting out to understand the needs and wants of the rising generation, this research tapped into the wisdom and experience of 55 families, 28 future family leaders, and 38 family office executives.

Given how significant accounting processes and applications are prime targets for top business risks that include fraud and noncompliance, it’s important to take control and start your risk management analysis. Take an important step toward effective organizational risk management by using this fillable and interactive segregation of duties (SOD) matrix for cash disbursements, procurement, and payroll. After answering the questions, you’ll have a high-level view of functional areas that could pose increased risk for your organization.

Even the most enthusiastic and driven donors often become overwhelmed and anxious, causing them to put off, stall, or curtail their giving, which in turn, hinders impact and strips the joy out of philanthropy. In this report, we explore the behavioral science behind the ten most common barriers to giving—such as too many choices, fear of uncomfortable family dynamics, and lack of urgency—and provide effective and actionable ways for you to overcome those barriers.

If you’re philanthropically inclined, you can contribute your life insurance to a 501(c)(3) public charity, like a donor-advised fund. There are two primary methods to contribute life insurance to charity, and each one has different timing and tax benefits. Using a case study, the two options illustrate how donations can maximize the charitable impact.

The prominent role of passive strategies in the investment management industry raises the question of how to best utilize active and passive in portfolios. As the research shows in this paper, there are advantages with an investment strategy that combines both active and passive management in the portfolio construction process, while recognizing that each investor will approach investing with a unique set of risk and return goals. The combination strategy will also require strong manager due diligence, an understanding of when active vs.

Whether it’s for a yacht, aircraft, car collection, or artwork, successful individuals often seek guidance when it comes to financing, owning, and transferring their “toys.” Depending on what you purchase, you may have unique titling, tax, and insurance considerations. When you’ve had your fun and are ready to pass on your toys, be sure to include specifications in your estate plan.