About Sheila Harms

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So far Sheila Harms has created 317 blog entries.

Fraud risk assessment: What auditors watch for

Auditing standards require auditors to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement due to fraud and to determine overall and specific responses to those risks. Here are some answers to questions about what auditors assess when interviewing company personnel to evaluate potential fraud risks. What’s on your auditor’s radar? When planning audit fieldwork, your [...]

2025-01-15T10:35:49-06:00January 15th, 2025|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Enhance financial reporting by forging a partnership between internal and external auditors

Many calendar-year entities are currently preparing for the start of audit fieldwork. One proactive way to facilitate your financial statement audit is to encourage teamwork between your internal audit department and external auditors. Consider the following four tips to foster a more collaborative relationship. 1. Reach out regularly By scheduling meetings between internal and external [...]

2025-01-08T12:52:19-06:00January 8th, 2025|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

5 reasons to outsource your bookkeeping

Running a closely held business is challenging. Owners usually prioritize core business operations — such as managing employees, serving customers and bringing in new sales — over tedious bookkeeping tasks. Plus, the accounting rules can be overwhelming. However, access to timely, accurate financial data is critical to your business’s success. Could outsourcing bookkeeping tasks to [...]

2024-11-27T09:58:59-06:00November 27th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

CFOs need more than accounting skills

Is your company planning to hire a new CFO? A recent survey found that hiring managers look for more than financial acumen when vetting CFO candidates. In fact, only 38.5% of CFOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies were licensed CPAs in 2023, according to executive recruiting firm Crist Kolder. What other skills may [...]

2024-10-24T11:47:59-05:00October 24th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Bookkeeping provides a solid foundation for financial reporting

There are currently more than 33 million small businesses in the United States, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To succeed in today’s competitive markets, it’s essential for your business organization to have accurate books and records.  Bookkeeping vs. accounting For starters, you should understand the distinction between bookkeeping and accounting. Bookkeeping refers to [...]

2024-10-09T12:19:18-05:00October 9th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Auditing warehouse operations

When you hear the word “audit,” you might automatically associate it with financial reporting or the IRS. But auditing warehouse operations might also be beneficial for some businesses, such as manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Awkward or repetitive movements by employees, oversized packages and disorganized layouts can slow down productivity and even lead to medical and [...]

2024-09-27T14:21:47-05:00September 27th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Auditing warehouse operations

When you hear the word “audit,” you might automatically associate it with financial reporting or the IRS. But auditing warehouse operations might also be beneficial for some businesses, such as manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Awkward or repetitive movements by employees, oversized packages and disorganized layouts can slow down productivity and even lead to medical and [...]

2024-09-11T12:32:27-05:00September 11th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Auditing warehouse operations

When you hear the word “audit,” you might automatically associate it with financial reporting or the IRS. But auditing warehouse operations might also be beneficial for some businesses, such as manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Awkward or repetitive movements by employees, oversized packages and disorganized layouts can slow down productivity and even lead to medical and [...]

2024-09-03T10:22:07-05:00September 3rd, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Best practices for expense reporting

Accurate bookkeeping is essential to operating a successful small business. The problems created by inadequate bookkeeping practices can have significant, long-lasting consequences. Here are four common pitfalls — and how to avoid them with the right knowledge and tools. 1. Commingled bank accounts It’s important to maintain a separate dedicated bank account for business transactions. [...]

2024-08-15T10:24:57-05:00August 15th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|

Best practices for expense reporting

It usually takes between two and six weeks for management to prepare financial statements that comply with the accounting rules. The process takes longer if an outside accountant reviews or audits your reports. Timely information is critical to making informed business decisions and pivoting as needed if results fall short of expectations. That’s why proactive [...]

2024-08-06T12:59:51-05:00August 6th, 2024|Accounting & Auditing Resources|
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