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I MISSED THE MEMO ON THE PROP 19 THING – WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME NOW ??

AKA Prop 19, “ The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire and Naturals Disasters Act”.By ARLENE K MOSE CPA – MAZE & ASSOCIATES Just in case you missed it, the property tax situation in California was dramatically altered by the recent passage of California Property 19. It was February 16,… [Read More]

GOVERNMENT INDUSTRY ALERT

The CalCPA Governmental Accounting & Auditing Committee and California Committee on Municipal Accounting (CCMA) Local Government Industry Alert on accounting for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds is HERE.  You will also see this same document posted in CalCPA, CalCities and CSMFO alerts soon. Some of the information in this Alert contradicts what… [Read More]

Advance Child Tax Credits: Spend it, save it, opt out?

By Arlene K. Mose, CPA/MS Taxation Maze & Associates Accounting Corporation The child tax credit is for any individual who claims a child as a dependent on their tax return. It reduces the tax liability by $2,000 and if the credit exceeds the tax owed, the excess is refunded up to $1,400 per qualifying child…. [Read More]

2021 Tax Season and COVID

To our valued Clients: As we can all attest to, 2020 presented serious and unique challenges not only to our business but to our entire mental framework for how we viewed our operations. Maze & Associates has always prided itself as a professional CPA firm who put their clients first, but never at the expense… [Read More]

Expanded Small Business Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp UPDATE: SBA has reached the spending limit for the first CARES ACT. Many banks are still accepting applications in hopes for additional funding to be approved. Funds are provided int the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent & utilities… [Read More]

COVID-19 and Taxes

Here is a broad look at some of the key provisions recently passed & FAQs about the tax deadline extension. Has the 2020 tax filing deadline been extended? Per IRS Notice IR-2020-58, the IRS has extended the FILING deadline.                                    Tax Day is now July 15: The tax balance due payment date has also been… [Read More]

Ransomware Risk Assessment

At Maze & Associates we strive to help our clients make the world more cyber-secure through prudent planning and awareness, arming our clients with the right tools to help mitigate and respond to potential threats in an ever-changing landscape of enterprise security. Local governments are at high risk for ransomware attack, and the Federal Government… [Read More]

Maze Live 2018 – Cyber Security Update for Local Governments

2018 update on cybersecurity for local governments. This year marks the rise of the new threat to Local Government from nation states and the new risks to local governments. Costs for suffering cyber-attacks can be crippling to local governments. In addition, 93% of incidents are directly related to the human vulnerability. Most importantly strengthening the… [Read More]

Maze Client Alert

There has been a recent increase in scams targeting finance, payroll and human resources departments of local governments. The scam involves emails that look like they are coming from the City Manager or equivalent to staff requesting either a wire transfer or employee W-2 information. At Maze Live, our recent client day of training, I… [Read More]

Fraud Alert IRS Scams

  In October 2015 the IRS released IRS Special Edition Tax Tip 2015-18, warning taxpayers of a growing trend in scammers pretending to be tax collectors from the IRS. Criminals will call taxpayers claiming the taxpayer owes a tax bill. They demand immediate payment and often threaten arrest if you do not make payment plans… [Read More]

Maze Live 2017 – Cyber Security Update for Local Governments

Is your organization doing enough to reduce the risk of cyber threats?  Cyber-security is more than compliance with credit card processing.  What risks does your organization have?  Cyber-security is a prime concern today and in this session we will cover what local governments can do to reduce risk.  Presenter Donald E. Hester, CISA, CISSP, Director… [Read More]

Maze Live 2017 – GASB Update

GASB Update – Are you wondering what is down the pike for GASB implementation?  In this session we will cover the new GASB pronouncements effective for fiscal year 2017 and the upcoming years. Handouts

Maze Live 2017 – GASB 74 and 75: Preparing for Implementation, Disclosure and the Audit

Preparing for Audit — OPEB and Pension Liabilities (or Assets?) – In this session, we will review the new accounting and reporting rules for Other Postemployment Benefit (OPEB) plans under GASB Statements 74 and 75, with an emphasis on Statement 75 which is in effective for employers beginning in fiscal year 2017/18.  Are you ready… [Read More]

Maze Live 2017 – Municipal Accounting Threats and Revenue Opportunities

Municipal Accounting Threats and Revenue Opportunities – Not only do good internal controls promote checks and balances in an organization, it can also reduce treats and increase revenue opportunities for a public agency.  In this session, the speaker shares his decades of experiences working in and consulting for public agencies and what he saw as… [Read More]

Maze Live 2017 – Getting Ready for GASB 74 and GASB 75 Implementation

Getting Ready for GASB 74 and GASB 75 Implementation   — In this session, we will go over the implementation of GASB Statements 74 and 75 from an actuary’s prospective.  Topics includes: How to choose the various dates (measurement, implementation, and valuation), actuarial issues that a public agency can face, and what to expect from… [Read More]

Maze Live 2017 – Single Audit Update and Common Findings

Single Audit Update and Common Findings –  In this session, we will go over the common findings auditors have come across in single audits under the new Uniform Guidance to Federal Awards.  This session will also cover the latest available draft of the Compliance Supplement. Handouts

Equifax Data Breach

It is still early in the investigation and new information continues to come to light, but it is clear that almost half of all Americans have been impacted by Equifax’s data breach. In light of this, it is hard not to rush impulsively to do something like click on a link to sign up for… [Read More]

Maze Live 2016 Fraud Environment

This session will provide information on some common fraud schemes relevant to most entities and provide examples of controls you can implement in your organization to decrease the risk of fraud. We will also provide an overview of the Internal Control Guidelines issued by the State Controller’s Office. Presenters David Alvey, CPA Audit Partner and… [Read More]

Maze Live 2016 Changes in Grant Management and How to Prepare for the Single Audit

Are you ready for the new Single Audit rules and requirements? In this session, we will go over the new Uniform Guidance to Federal Awards with a high level background and overview on the latest updates on the new single audit requirements. We will discuss how the Uniform Guidance will affect the planning considerations for… [Read More]

Maze Live 2016 GASB 68 and 71 Planning for the Second Year

How did your implementation go last year?  In this session, we will cover issues that we or our clients encountered during the implementation of GASB 68 and 71.  We will also cover anticipated challenges, new information from actuaries, as well as sample journal entries in this first year after implementation.  Presenter Amy Meyer, CPA, Audit… [Read More]

Maze Live 2016 Implementing GASB 72: Fair Value Measurement and Application

In this session, we identify the impacts of GASB 72 for financial statement presentation purposes and be exposed to updated footnote tables and other pertinent footnote disclosures.  Other topics include: valuation techniques, reporting requirements and definitions related to the Statement.  Presenters Cody Smith, CPA, Audit Supervisor and Amy Meyer, CPA, Audit Partner

Maze Live 2016 GASB Update

Are you wondering what is down the pike for GASB implementation?  In this session we will cover the new GASB pronouncements for the upcoming years, including those addressing tax abatement disclosures and retiree healthcare benefits.  Presenter David Alvey, CPA Audit Partner

Maze Live 2016 Cyber-security for Local Governments

Session description: Is your organization doing enough to reduce the risk of cyber threats?  Cyber-security is more than compliance with credit card processing.  What risks does your organization have?  Cyber-security is a prime concern today and in this session we will cover what local governments can do to reduce risk.  Presenter Donald E. Hester, CISA,… [Read More]

Why does our financial audit include an information system review ISR

How does the IT control environment relate to the risk of material misstatement (RMM) in financial reporting?  What is the best way to address the risk of material misstatement associated with the IT infrastructure and applications within an organization?  Learn the reasons behind Maze & Associates approach to determine the risk of material misstatement as… [Read More]

Single Audit Uniform Guidance – Session 2

Second of two sessions. We are in the business to help our clients succeed. In this class, we will go over how you can successfully prepare for the single audit and comply with the new Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.

Single Audit Uniform Guidance – Session 1

First of two sessions.  Are you ready for the new Single Audit rules and requirements? In this class, we will go over the new Uniform Guidance to Federal Awards with a high level background and overview on the latest updates on the new single audit requirements. We will discuss how the Uniform Guidance will affect… [Read More]

QuickBooks and Fraud

Moderators: Vikki Rodriguez (Partner) and David Alvey (Partner) Description: This session will provide information on some common fraud schemes relevant to entities that use Quickbooks, and provide examples of controls you can implement in your organization to decrease the risk of fraud.

Real Estate Wealth, Inheritance Planning that Works

This seminar covers estate planning and how you can limit taxes, avoid probate, and maximize inheritance by utilizing Revocable Living Trusts, Family LLC/LLP, Spousal Limited Access Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts.

IRA Tax Planning, De-fusing the tax time bomb

This seminar covers retirement and estate planning and how you can limit taxes, avoid probate, and maximize inheritance by utilizing reverse mortgages, conduit trusts, and investments.  What should you do with your required minimum distributions?  What strategies can you use for beneficiary designations?

Overview of GASB Statements 68 & 71 Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions 2015

Part 1 GASB Statements 68 & 71, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions, represent a major change to financial reporting for local governments.  In this session we will cover an overview of in GASB 68 and current developments related to the new pension reporting standards.  Topics will include: an overview of GASB 68, key terms… [Read More]

GASB Statements 68 & 71: Preparing the Financial Statements for Audit

In this session we will cover employer responsibilities for preparing the financial statements for audit, example journal entries, footnote disclosure required components, and employer auditor responsibilities.