Blogs

Five Ways To Unlock More Value From An Existing ERP System

By Bryan Besco posted 10-16-2025
Modern ERP systems are powerful platforms built to integrate data, streamline processes and enable better decisions across finance, operations, supply chain and beyond. Essentially, it's a business’s central nervous system. Unfortunately, many organizations only scratch the surface of what their ERP can deliver, often using it as a transactional system rather than a strategic advantage. It is possible to improve value without a significant investment. With targeted and intentional adjustments, your existing ERP system can enhance efficiency, provide better insights and support improved performance. Here are five general strategies to help increase the effectiveness ...

Deepfakes Are Attacking the Bottom Line: How Businesses Can Fight Back

By Bryan Besco posted 10-14-2025
A deepfake is AI-generated media (video, audio, or images) that convincingly represents someone’s face, voice, or actions to make them appear authentic, even though the subject was never actually involved. Below is an example of a deepfake scenario: A finance associate receives a late-afternoon telephone call. On the other end is their CEO, the voice unmistakable, the tone urgent. A critical payment must be wired within the hour to secure a major deal. The associate does not hesitate; after all, it sounds exactly like the boss. Only later did they discover the truth: the voice was never legitimate. The voice of the CEO was a deepfake engineered to exploit ...

Washington Issues New Sales Tax Guidance for Temporary Staffing Services

By Bryan Besco posted 10-02-2025
Effective October 1, 2025, ESSB 5814 reclassifies certain services as “retail sales,” [CC1] including “temporary staffing services.” These services will now be subject to retail sales tax and retailing B&O (Business and Occupation) tax, unless an exemption or exclusion applies when sold to a consumer. Previously, the tax treatment of temporary staffing services depended on the specific work performed by the worker. Definition of temporary staffing services Under ESSB 5814, “temporary staffing services” is defined as providing workers to other businesses, excluding licensed hospitals under chapters 70.41 or 71.12 RCW, for limited periods to supplement ...

IRS Announces New Effective Date for 401(k) Catch-Up Changes from SECURE 2.0 Act

By Bryan Besco posted 09-30-2025
On September 16, 2025, the IRS issued final regulations to a delayed provision that was initially enacted under the SECURE 2.0 Act back in 2023. This provision modifies the treatment of certain 401(k) catch-up contributions for high-income employees. When SECURE 2.0 first passed, the rule was set to take effect in January 2024. However, after significant pushback from plan recordkeepers citing administrative challenges, the IRS delayed implementation by two years. As a result, the rule will now go into effect for plan years beginning in 2026. Details of final guidance The SECURE 2.0 Act provision requires high-paid employees who wish to make catch-up contributions ...

Ready or Not? The Secret to Thriving Through Organizational Change

By Bryan Besco posted 09-25-2025
Change is exciting…until it isn’t. Every organization has bold plans, new tools, and big visions, but here’s the truth: success doesn’t depend on the strategy alone. It depends on readiness. As one insightful (though anonymous) commentator once observed: “Readiness is the litmus test of success. It tells you whether the road ahead is clear or if you’re driving into a storm.” So, what exactly is change readiness? It’s the degree to which your organization, and its people, are prepared, willing, and able to implement change. Think of it as the launchpad that determines whether your rocket takes off or sputters on the pad. The building blocks of readiness ...

Strategic Entity Planning Considerations for Staffing Firms Under the One Big Beautiful Bill

By Bryan Besco posted 09-23-2025
“One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) brings significant tax changes, and there are a few in particular that staffing firms and temporary staffing agencies need to understand. From securing significant deductions to altering international strategies, these changes could impact your bottom line and long-term planning. Our Staffing Practice has outlined the three biggest changes that will impact the staffing industry and its individual firms. Section 199A: 20% Deduction now permanent Section 199A allows eligible owners of pass-through businesses to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income (QBI) and was to expire at the end of 2025. It has ...

Rebalancing the Finance Talent Equation: From Crisis to Calibration

By Bryan Besco posted 09-04-2025
In recent years, the corporate accounting and finance (A&F) talent pipeline has been defined by scarcity, burnout, and fierce competition. A new study from the Controllers Council suggests a shift may be underway, one that signals not a resolution, but a recalibration. According to the survey, more than half of finance leaders (53%) report no talent shortages, while another 33% cite only minor gaps. This contrasts sharply with the dominant narrative of a sector in crisis. So, what’s really happening in the A&F talent landscape? A cooling market, not a cold one The data points to a cooling labor market, not a frozen one. Hiring increases have slowed ...

Adjustments to State and Local Tax Provisions in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

By Bryan Besco posted 09-02-2025
The signing of “One Big Beautiful Bill” brings various effects on state and local taxes (“SALT”). These can be seen on individuals making less than $500,000 with the increased SALT deduction cap as well as the preservation of pass-through entity tax workarounds. Temporary increase in SALT deduction limit Beginning with tax years after December 31, 2024, the individual SALT deduction cap has been increased to $40,000 from $10,000. The cap will further increase to $40,400 in 2026, then increase by 1 percent in 2027, 2028, and 2029. For taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (“MAGI”) greater than $500,000 in 2025, the deduction begins to phase ...

New Washington Sales Tax on Temporary Staffing Services Will Have Impact Beyond State Lines

By Bryan Besco posted 08-21-2025
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5814 added new business activities to the definition of retail sales that includes temporary staffing services. This means businesses must begin collecting sales tax on temporary staffing services on Oct. 1, 2025. Additionally, income derived from these activities is subject to the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax under the Retailing classification. Washington State requires retail sales tax on temporary staffing services Beginning October 1, 2025, Washington State will require businesses to collect retail sales tax on temporary staffing services. This change means that the taxability of temporary staffing ...

OBBB: Where to Start for Corporations

By Bryan Besco posted 08-12-2025
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has introduced several changes with important implications for businesses. While many believed that this bill was intended to be an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the final piece of legislation became much more than that. There are benefits that have been reinstated, revised, and also some new opportunities. Clocking in at nearly 900 pages, and touching on business verticals from EVs to retail, corporate financial teams—particularly CFOs—are still working to understand how the legislation will affect their organizations and what steps they can take to adjust their financial strategies accordingly. Below ...

Managing Technology Risk and Compliance for Business Success

By Bryan Besco posted 08-07-2025
Technology is at the heart of every successful business. It fuels efficiency, innovation, and growth. However, as organizations integrate more digital solutions, cloud services, and connected systems into their operations, they also take on new risks. From cyberattacks and system glitches to ever-changing regulations, these challenges can affect a company’s reputation, finances, and ability to stay ahead of the competition. Successfully handling technology risk and compliance is a key strategic strength. When businesses take a well-rounded approach, they can avoid costly problems, build trust with customers, and operate with confidence in regulated markets. ...

Tech Rich, Outcome Poor: Why Your Digital Tools Aren’t Delivering Results And How To Fix It

By Bryan Besco posted 08-05-2025
Despite IDC's forecast that worldwide spending on digital transformation would reach nearly $4 trillion in 2027, 70% of initiatives fail to meet their objectives. Many organizations view technology as a means to enhance operations and create synergies. So why do many companies feel their transformation efforts fall short of their goals? I believe the issue lies in the selection, implementation and integration of these tools into the organization. In this article, I will explore the common causes of poor information systems ROI, some key warning signs and, more importantly, strategic fixes. Oftentimes, organizations end up collecting technological tools as ...

3 Strategies for a Smooth, ROI-Driven ATS Implementation

By Stormie Haller posted 07-30-2025
Implementing a new ATS can feel like a lot. It’s a big investment, and if you’ve been burned by past rollouts, hesitation is understandable. But here’s the truth: a poorly implemented system costs more in lost productivity and frustrated teams than doing nothing at all. When done right, a modern ATS helps your recruiters move faster, cut manual admin, and increase margins. The difference lies in how you roll it out—and that’s where change management makes all the difference. Here are three practical strategies to help your next implementation land smoothly and deliver real ROI from day one . ...

Managing the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Deadline & Beyond

By Bryan Besco posted 07-22-2025
Employee benefit plan audits involve numerous moving parts that extend well beyond meeting filing deadlines, requiring coordinated efforts among HR, accounting, legal counsel and third-party administrators. The complexity of ensuring ERISA compliance and verifying participant eligibility demands that HR professionals often wear multiple hats throughout the process. Brittany Carrier of UHY Advisors outlines how human resources departments can contribute to more efficient audits through systematic preparation and post-audit process improvements. The initial deadline to complete an audit as required for the filing of the Form 5500 annual return/report of employee ...

Beyond the Basics: A Modern Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for Small and Midsize Businesses

By Bryan Besco posted 07-17-2025
For America’s small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), the digital landscape has become a high-stakes environment. The frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks are accelerating, with recent industry data showing that over 70 percent of ransomware attacks now target organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees. The primary attack vector remains troublingly simple: a single malicious email is the initial entry point in a vast number of breaches. The consequences are staggering. Beyond the initial ransom, the costs associated with operational downtime, regulatory fines, and reputational damage can cripple a growing business, with many failing to survive the ...

‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Heads to President’s Desk, Defining Tax Policy Beyond 2025

By Bryan Besco posted 07-15-2025
After months of deliberation and negotiation, Congress has passed the domestic policy mega bill that has been known as “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The final version will now be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. One Big Beautiful Bill represents one of the most significant U.S. tax code updates since the 2017 Tax Cuts in Jobs Act and has significant implications for the broader economy and business environment, and it will shape the U.S. tax landscape for the foreseeable future. One of the main components is the permanent renewal or revision of many 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions. The bill will also increase the federal budget that was set to run ...

AI and Business Transformation: Balancing Innovation and Control

By Bryan Besco posted 07-01-2025
AI is no longer just a concept or a futuristic tool. It’s here and it’s likely already integrated into many aspects of your business, potentially in ways you might not even realize. AI’s potential to transform how we operate, deliver services, and optimize workflows offers significant benefits, but it also comes with responsibilities — and risks. Amplifying the Power of Data A common misconception about AI is that it magically “sees” and predicts issues. For instance, there are AI systems in hospitals that monitor patient data to detect signs of specific illnesses. Many would assume the system is catching issues in real time, but that’s not how it works. ...

Unlocking the Potential of AI in Staffing

By Bryan Besco posted 06-26-2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just for tech giants; it’s becoming a powerful tool for staffing firms looking to hire smarter, faster, and more efficiently. In presentations to the California Staffing Association and Ohio Staffing Association, Managing Director Cory McNeley and Senior Manager Tim Shaw shared how AI is transforming the hiring process in ways that are both practical and immediate. Why AI matters in staffing AI has evolved rapidly in recent years. Once considered futuristic, today’s AI tools can understand language, sift through data, and even help write emails. Tools like ChatGPT are now being used to automate repetitive tasks ...

What Has Changed in Senate Finance Committee Version of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

By Bryan Besco posted 06-24-2025
Senate Republicans released their version of “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and as expected, changes were made from the version that was approved by the House just before Memorial Day. Leaders of our Tax Practice have reviewed the updates in the latest version of the bill and have outlined relevant items that have been altered from the House version. With all pending legislation, it is important to remember that any of the provisions within these bills may be changed or eliminated. In this case, the Senate would have to agree on its final version of the bill and send it back to the House for final approval, which could present another opportunity for opposition. ...