Articles
In this episode Director of Assurance and Advisory Services Whitney Schiffer shares the ways insurance audits can uncover underpayments and improve finances.
The past two years have marked significant changes in the way in which businesses and non-profit entities, including hospitals, report their financial performance. Under accounting standards codification 606 (ASC 606), these entities must adopt new methods for recognizing the timing, amount and uncertainty of revenue from and expenses related to contracts with customers. While healthcare […]
While the current administration failed in its attempts to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), it did secure under a package of tax reform the elimination of the health care law’s individual mandate beginning in 2019. Regardless of how all of this will play out, one consistent trend that continues to […]
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, employees with high-deductible health plans will be able to save an additional $100 annually in their health savings accounts (HSAs). These triple-tax-advantaged accounts can go a long way in helping you pay healthcare costs with tax-free dollars today and in retirement. 2026 HSA Contribution Limits The 2026 annual limit on HSA […]
The passage of the SECURE Act 2.0 in 2022 introduced sweeping changes to help enhance taxpayers’ retirement savings opportunities and improve the costs and managerial headaches employers face administering employee benefits plans, including 401(k)s, 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Since that time, employers of all sizes have gained expanded tax credits for establishing employee retirement savings […]
When small and mid-size businesses assess their existing accounting systems, the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” often comes to mind. After all, if employees are comfortable working with a solution that continues to function the way it is supposed to, why spend the dollars and resources to find and deploy a new […]
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning businesses nationwide from entering into noncompete agreements with most new employees beginning on Sept. 24, 2024, and nullifying the enforcement of existing noncompetition clauses in most employer/employee contracts. This rule, which is facing a mountain of lawsuits, will require buyers and […]
The IRS has released the inflation-adjusted limits that qualifying taxpayers may contribute to health savings accounts (HSAs) in 2025. These triple-tax-advantaged accounts can help participants afford the rising costs of healthcare today and save for even higher expenses during retirement. Background HSAs are powerful healthcare savings tools that provide participants with the following tax benefits: […]
The SECURE Act 2.0, passed into law in 2022, aims to reform the nation’s retirement savings system, making it easier for workers to save for their golden years and simplifying the rules employers must follow to administer retirement benefit plans for their employees. Following are some of the law’s provisions that take effect on Jan. […]
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), identity theft continues to be one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S., with more than 1.1 million cases reported in 2022. The repercussions of falling victim to this type of fraud can be overwhelming, but there are proactive steps you can take to mitigate the damage and […]
Recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will see a 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the benefits they receive in 2024. The increase, which translates to an additional $50 per month for senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities and special needs, pales in comparison to the 8.7 percent bump in benefits […]
Just as annual checkups help patients identify health issues before they become bigger problems, insurance claim audits can help medical practices detect potential revenue cycle problems before they result in significant financial losses. Declining commercial insurance rates and reimbursements have become persistent problems for physicians in private practice, who also face increasingly complex and costly […]
The passage of the Secure Act 2.0 at the end of 2022 ushered in significant changes for employers and how they must administer and annually report information about their employee benefit plans. These new provisions apply to employers’ 401(k) and 403(b) plans for tax years beginning in 2023. Although plans have until the last day […]
Participants in high-deductible health plans will be able to contribute a significantly higher amount to their health savings accounts (HSAs) in 2024 to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses. The IRS raised the HSA contribution limits for 2024 to $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families (up from $3,850 and $7,750, respectively, in 2023.) HSA owners aged […]
Whether you are an employer or employee, you recognize the benefits of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help pay for rising costs of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Nevertheless, how unused account balances are treated at the end of the plan year is often misunderstood and can be a source of pain for both employees and employers. […]
People
Maria Nacusse provides accounting and consulting services to clients in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, cryptocurrency, financial services, software and transportation. Dedicated to enhancing operational efficiencies for businesses, she manages the implementation of accounting software systems and internal controls to ensure clients receive precise financial records, reports and planning solutions. Her expertise spans […]
Samantha Figueroa provides auditing, accounting and business consulting services to companies in a wide range of industries. She specializes in conducting audits of privately held real estate investment companies. Figueroa has experience providing audit and accounting services to companies in the construction, hospitality, healthcare and real estate sectors.
Dylan Stone has more than 15 years of accounting experience providing business valuation services for minority oppression, divorce and litigation-related matters. Stone also specializes in forensic accounting services for family law disputes. His clients have major holdings in a wide range of industries, including construction, consumer products, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, private equity, real estate […]
For more than 20 years Brandon Bowers has served as an outsourced information technology resource to companies, growing firms and family offices. He and his team provide full-service help desk and technology consulting as well as cybersecurity and related IT support services to clients in the accounting, financial, government, healthcare and legal sectors. Bowers has […]
Nicholas Angarano has provided business and tax consulting services for nearly 10 years. He has experience in helping real estate, hospitality and healthcare companies with federal tax compliance, tax planning, cost-segregation implementation and business consulting.
Melissa Fleitas provides accounting, auditing and consulting services to a wide range of companies in the healthcare, manufacturing and distribution sectors. She also has specialized experience in providing audits of 401(k) and other employee benefit plans. Fleitas has nearly 20 years of experience providing accounting and consulting services for the healthcare industry. She has developed […]
Whitney Schiffer has provided auditing, accounting, business consulting and litigation support to clients in a variety of industries for more than 25 years. Leader of the firm’s healthcare group, Schiffer’s experience includes the annual audits of hospitals, medical centers, HMOs and third-party administrators. In addition, she conducts forensic investigations, internal audits, corporate retirement plan audits, […]
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Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Portland (OR) Many Portland and Oregon businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Providence (RI) Many Providence and Rhode Island businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Hartford (CT) Many Hartford and Connecticut businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Milwaukee (WI) Many Milwaukee and Wisconsin businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – St. Louis (MO) Many St. Louis and Missouri businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Phoenix (AZ) Many Phoenix and Arizona businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Fargo (ND) Many Fargo and North Dakota businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Buffalo (NY) Many Buffalo and New York businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Billings (MT) Many Billings and Montana businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Boston (MA) Many Boston and Massachusetts businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Boise (ID) Many Boise and Idaho businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. In […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Little Rock (AR) Many Little Rock and Arkansas businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Kansas City (MO) Many Kansas City and Missouri businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Baltimore (MD) Many Baltimore and Maryland businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Risk Assessments Cybersecurity – Omaha (NE) Many Omaha and Nebraska businesses face various challenges when managing cybersecurity programs. These include ever-evolving threats, human errors, misconfigurations, poor maintenance, and a lack of a formal cybersecurity plan. An organization is exposed to reputational damage, intellectual property theft, stolen data, and financial loss without adequate and updated protections. […]
Press Releases
July 13, 2023 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced the promotion of nine professionals to associate directors within the firm’s Tax Services and Assurance and Advisory Services practices. “Our firm was founded on the principle of creating a life-long learning environment, where every firm member receives the tools to cultivate knowledge, enhance […]
MIAMI, June 5, 2023 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs has announced the addition of Brandon Bowers as director of the new Managed Cyber Solutions practice. The Managed Cyber Solutions group will offer outsourced IT, help desk and security services, as well as scalable systems for reporting, tracking and monitoring. Bowers joins the firm […]
July 18, 2022 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced its founding executive chairman, Richard A. Berkowitz, JD, CPA, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Miami Cancer Institute, a leading cancer research and treatment center affiliated with Baptist Health South Florida. Berkowitz’s deep commitment to the South Florida community is […]
BOCA RATON, FL – May 15, 2022 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced that Jeff Stamm, CPA, has joined the firm as director of the Transaction Advisory Services practice. Stamm is joined by a team that will assist business owners, entrepreneurs and private equity firms with mergers and acquisitions. They primarily focus […]
MIAMI, October 1, 2020 – Chet Cotter has joined Berkowitz Pollack Brant as a director and leader of its Managed Solutions and Technology practice. The Managed Solutions and Technology team provides enterprise application recommendations and integration, full-service outsourced accounting solutions and systems management, and data analytics and e-discovery. Berkowitz Pollack Brant CEO Joseph L. Saka […]
MIAMI, August 29, 2016 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants, one of the largest firms in South Florida, was again included on Inside Public Accounting’s annual ranking of the top 100 largest firms in the US. “Our growth and position in the top 100 is a testament to the culture we nurture every […]
MIAMI, FL, August 24, 2016 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted six firm members to associate director level. Angie Adames, associate director of Tax Services, provides tax and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals, pass-through entities and businesses in the real estate and manufacturing industries. Laurence Bernstein, associate director of Tax Services, spearheads […]
MIAMI, Nov. 15, 2013 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants announced the promotion of Whitney Schiffer to the role of director in the Audit and Attest Services practice. An experienced auditor with more than 20 years of experience, Schiffer serves clients in the hospital, healthcare, non-profit and governmental sectors. “We are thrilled to promote […]