Risk Management

Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting: How to Stay Compliant

What the Corporate Transparency Act and its Recent Legal Developments Mean for Your Business What is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)? The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was a part of a much larger raft of bills that became law in 2021. As of January 1st, 2024, a vital component of the CTA became active, the […]

The Basics of Zero Trust Implementation

What is Zero Trust? Zero Trust is a cybersecurity model that keeps organizations’ data safe by requiring users to continuously verify and authenticate their identities. Analyst John Kindervag, formerly of technology research firm Forrester, first coined the term in 2010. But the concept also has roots in the “black core” architecture theory of the U.S. […]

A smiling female accountant sits at an office table with two clients.

Best Practices of Client Advisory Services

What are client advisory services? Accounting professionals are adapting to clients’ changing needs, which demand greater insight and value from their advisors. For many, managing a growing business can be daunting. Making wise financial decisions to help their companies grow requires understanding various investment options, tax laws, market trends, and cybersecurity.  CPAs providing advisory and […]

Combatting sexual assault in the workplace

Combating Sexual Assault in the Workplace

Research shows more than eight in ten women experience assault in the workplace within their lifetimes. The recent #MeToo movement has only made the issue more evident for employees and their employers, causing a spike in sexual harassment claims filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). With new cases being filed every year, […]

Cryptocurrency and Accounting: What Do You Need to Know?

Cryptocurrency has become a worldwide phenomenon since the first Bitcoin transaction in 2009. Today’s market is valued at more than $2 trillion, with recent advancements in crypto expanding how digital assets can be created, used, and transferred. However, the ever-changing scope of digital assets and introductions of new applications—such as the recent wave of NFTs—has […]

Keyboard and Lock representing cyber our security insurance overview

A Comprehensive Cyber Insurance Overview

According to a report from IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the average data breach cost for businesses with fewer than 500 employees is $2.98 million. The popular idea that cyberattacks target only large businesses has resulted in small to medium-sized companies across the globe being frequently at risk of a potentially crippling digital security breach. […]

McGowan professional lastpass security breaches

LastPass Security Breaches: Is It Time to Make a Change?

Almost three-quarters of Americans use handwritten notes or their own memory to store passwords. Unfortunately, relying on manual methods to remember codes is one of the leading causes of security breaches and identity theft. In fact, internet users that do not employ security safeguards such as a password management system are three times more likely […]

McGowanPro Blocking Ransomware Attacks with Updated Microsoft Security Features

Blocking Ransomware Attacks with Updated Microsoft Security Features

What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a form of malware (short for “malicious software”) in which a hacker gains control of a business’s critical systems or sensitive information. The cybercriminal will then ask for a ransom in exchange for access to the system under the threat of releasing sensitive data to the public or competitors. The […]

McGowanPro employee fraud

The inevitable rise of employee fraud and theft

In the past 24 months, 46% of organizations have experienced fraud, according to this year’s PwC Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey. This loss translates to $400 billion, or 6% of total annual revenue. Unfortunately, a significant contributor to fraud is dishonest employees. Employee theft is poised to increase in the aftermath of the pandemic […]

3 Ways to Minimize Risk When Outsourcing Accounting Services

During busy tax seasons, it’s common for accountants, CPAs, and professional service firms to outsource certain aspects of their work, including bookkeeping and certain audit tasks. When done right, outsourcing accounting services can result in faster service for clients, substantial time savings, and lower costs. However, understanding the risks of outsourcing is critical. Taking shortcuts […]