Author: Crow Shields Bailey PC

Crow Shields Bailey PC hosted its two-day IMAGINE Leadership Conference to help students imagine and explore what their future career in public accounting might look like.

To help inspire them, we welcomed three guest speakers at our second annual conference, May 18-19, 2017, to present to 13 visiting sophomores and juniors from universities across the south.

Join us as we recognize and give thanks to our guest speakers.

IMAGINE Leadership Conference Speaker Spotlight: Scott Tindle, General Manager of Gulf Coast Ducks and Activation Management

Scott Tindle, a native of Mobile, Alabama, inspired students with his presentation on the leadership element “vision” at the IMAGINE Leadership Conference.

After receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education at Auburn University, Scott earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. Upon graduation, Scott entered into the private practice of law working at both a civil defense firm, and serving as in-house counsel and chief operating officer for an international security firm, before serving as a personal aide to President George W. Bush.

Scott has also served as the executive director of The Grounds. During Scott’s tenure, the organization was awarded “Community Partner of the Year” by the Mobile County Public School System and “Rebranding Campaign of the Year” by the American Advertising Federation for its transformation of the Greater Gulf States Fair into the “cleanest most family-friendly event in America.”

Currently, Scott serves as co-owner and general manager of Gulf Coast Ducks and Activation Management, where he seeks to continue growing tourism in Mobile. As a graduate of the Disney Institute, Scott focuses on using the fundamentals and effort-based techniques used by Disney Parks and Resorts in his businesses.

Scott and his wife, Beth, have three daughters Mary Scott, Julia, and Ann Gibson, and are active members of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church.

Thank you for joining us and sharing your story, Scott!

 

Crow Shields Bailey is proud to announce that our Ryan Damrich has been nominated for RSM US’ Partner Development Program (PDP). PDP is a program intended to transition professionals into the next generation of leaders by accelerating improvement in individual performance.

Members of our team played in Rotary International’s Inaugural Golf Classic on April 18, 2017. The event took place at TimberCreek Golf Club in Spanish Fort, Ala., and benefited Rotary Foundation Charities.  

 

 

 

Crow Shields Bailey PC is excited to announce that our clients can now pay their bills online using our secure checkout option through Authorize.Net.

To pay your bill online, simply locate the “Pay My Bill” button in the top right corner of our website. Clicking this button will lead you to our secure checkout page.

For questions regarding our new online checkout option, please contact Jenna Summersell.

Crow Shields Bailey PC will host it’s a two-day Imagine Leadership Conference May 18-19. The goal of the Imagine Leadership Conference is to help students imagine and explore what their future career in public accounting might look like. We want to help students recognize the benefits of working for a firm that is aligned with their values. In a workshop setting, we will help students clarify their vision, values and voice.

We are looking for sophomores and juniors who are interested in learning more about establishing their career foundation through a regional full-service accounting and consulting firm.

Applications are due Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Your application should include your cover letter (including your hometown), resume and responses to the following questions:

1. Crow Shields Bailey’s team is the heart of our firm. We value our professionals and interns and provide one-on-one mentoring opportunities at every career stage. Imagine your ideal accounting mentor and describe them to us.
2. CSB takes pride in our ability to support professional goals and passions by maintaining a flexible career path that balances family and work priorities. If you had an hour every day to pursue your dream hobby, what would it be?
3. CSB supports privately-held businesses, corporations, governmental entities, nonprofits and condominium associations through our accounting and consulting services. This includes our Businesses Getting Results program where we coach local small business owners and entrepreneurs on ways to work ON their businesses rather that working IN their businesses. Describe what you think would be an ideal client to work with in your future accounting career and why.

Meals and hotel accommodations will be provided. Please submit all application requirements to Deborah Fisher at [email protected].

Crow Shields Bailey Senior Accountant Hunter Young and Staff Accountant Blake LaMont have opted to be official ‘Shoe Guys’ at this year’s Wine, Women & Shoes event benefiting Camp Rap-A-Hope, a summer camp and program offering year-long activities for children diagnosed with cancer.

‘Shoe Guys’ Hunter and Blake will have many responsibilities leading up to and at the event, including a commitment to raise $10,000 dollars for Camp Rap-A-Hope and perform a choreographed dance.

Wine, Women & Shoes will take place at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center on March 30 and is the perfect girls’ night out. The event will feature a marketplace of some of the best boutiques in the area, excellent food and wine, silent auctions, raffles and much more.

To contribute to Camp-Rap-A-Hope, consider purchasing a ticket to Wine, Women & Shoes or donate to Hunter or Blake’s fundraising pages. Thank you for your generosity and we hope to see you there!

 

 

The 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law on December 13, 2016, exempts certain qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRA) from the $100 per day excise tax imposed by the IRS under the Affordable Care Act. The act is in effect as of January 1, 2017 and extends relief for 2015 and 2016. The 2015 and 2016 tax relief is only granted for reimbursed medical insurance premiums, no guidance has been released whether the reimbursement of other medical expenses will be exempt from the excise tax.

To be exempt from the excise tax, small employers must create a QSEHRA that meets the following requirements:

• Employers must have had, on average, less than 50 full-time or full-time equivalent employees in the prior calendar year. Aggregation rules of common owners and services apply.
• A group health plan cannot be offered to any employees.
• All employees must be eligible to participate. Employers can exclude employees who:
  • Have less than 90 days of service
  • Certain part-time and seasonal employees
  • Union employees
  • Employees under the age of 25
  • Non-resident aliens
• The arrangement must be solely funded by the employer, no employee contributions can be made to the QSEHRA.
• The arrangement must be offered to all eligible employees on the same terms. However, the reimbursement limit can vary based on the cost of health insurance. For example, older employees or family coverage can result in greater reimbursements.
• QSEHRAs can reimburse only qualified medical expenses that the employee provides documentation for:
  • Out-of-pocket medical costs
  • Employee premiums for individual health insurance policies
  • Medicare premiums
  • TRICARE expenses
  • Individual health insurance premiums for two percent shareholders of S Corporations
• The limits of annual reimbursements are $4,950 for individuals and $10,000 for families. Any employees in the QSEHRA for less than 12 months must have these amounts prorated. Employers can offer reimbursements for less than the maximum limits.
• Employers must provide 90 days of written notice before the beginning of the plan year to all eligible employees. This notice must include the dollar amount of reimbursements available. For 2017, employers have until March 13 to issue the notice. If notice is not issued employers may face a penalty of $50 per employee, up to $2,500 a year.
• The employer will report the reimbursements from the QSEHRA on the employee’s W-2. It will be listed as a non-taxable item unless the employee does not have minimum essential health coverage. Without the proper coverage, the reimbursements will be taxable.

It is to be noted that any employees who purchase healthcare through the Marketplace will receive a smaller premium tax credit due to their participation in the QSEHRA. The QSEHRA is not subject to COBRA rules, so they will lose their coverage in the arrangement upon termination of employment. Individual health insurance for premiums of two percent shareholders of S Corporations are also exempt from the excise tax under the law.

Should you have further questions regarding the QSEHRA please contact Nikki Allen at [email protected]. We can also assist you in providing notice to your employees regarding your QSEHRA.

Sources: RSM US, CCH Incorporated

Crow Shields Bailey PC announced three team member promotions and partner accolade in January 2017.

Colleen Dicks and Lori Blum were promoted to Supervisor, and Abby Roveda was promoted to Senior Accountant.

Colleen Dicks, CPA joined CSB in 2012 and is a member of the audit team. She is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor’s in Finance. Colleen specializes in review and compilation engagements, financial statement preparation, and audits of employee benefit plans.

Lori Blum, EA worked for McKean and Associates, PA for nine years and joined CSB when the firms merged in September of 2015. Lori is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. She is a member of the tax team and specializes in personal and business tax preparation, monthly and year-end small business write-ups, preparation of reviewed and compiled financial statements, and training and supporting clients on small business accounting software, specifically, QuickBooks and Sage 50.

Abby Roveda, CPA joined CSB in 2015 and is a member of the audit team. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting. Abby specializes in financial statement preparation and audits of wholesale distributors and employee benefit plans.

CSB Partner, Cindy Rathle, has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Society of CPAs.  Cindy has practiced public accounting for 30 years. She specializes in personal and business income tax, estate and gift tax returns, as well as small business accounting and consulting.