How To Prepare for a SOC 2 Audit
Preparing for a SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) audit is essential to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to information security, privacy and compliance with industry standards.
HORNE Seasons of Giving: $100,000 Donated to Local Charities
Five non-profits across the states of Mississippi, Hawaii, Louisiana and Florida will receive support for their community efforts thanks to HORNE’s Seasons of Giving initiative, powered by the HORNE Community Foundation.
HORNE Board of Directors admits Joe Green as director of assurance
HORNE’s Board of Directors recently appointed Public and Middle Market Partner, Joe Green, to serve as the next firmwide director of assurance. As he takes on this new role, he will also continue serving as the firm’s SEC director.
Are you considering cyber insurance to protect your business?
Cybersecurity and cyber insurance are a priority in today’s world, but in the past few years, these issues have become even more important for companies with employees working remotely. Working from home has multiplied the risks and occurrences of data breaches, and breach costs also have grown.
Jim Wadlington
Jim Wadlington is a senior manager in the managed accounting services group within public and middle market, focusing primarily on providing outsourced CFO services and various accounting solutions to small to mid-sized healthcare institutions and other entities.
The Secret to Having Hard Conversations
Many leaders approach hard conversations the wrong way. The two most common mistakes we see are (1) allowing your emotions to set the tone and (2) making judgments about a person.
Want to keep employees? Have “stay conversations”
Recently we helped a family-owned general contractor re-engage two key employees. One was a supervisor whose future was in question as a large job was winding down. The other was a back office team member who’d become demotivated. Both were valuable to the business. The owners wanted to know: How can we help them stay?
IRS Places Moratorium on the Processing of New ERC Filings
If you’re looking to file an Employee Retention Credit claim with the IRS, please note that there is a hold on processing of all new ERC filings until at least January 1, 2024 – according to the IRS.
Aubrey Leigh Goodwin
Aubrey Leigh is a senior manager within HORNE’s Public and Middle Market group where she works with the compliance and monitoring team. In this role, she develops strategies and solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs by leveraging her knowledge of regulatory frameworks and history of working with state and federal partners.
HORNE Board of Directors admits Monique Mahan as a director
Monique Mahan was admitted as a tax director, joining HORNE’s Public and Middle Market group, effective August 31.
Monique Mahan
Monique Mahan is a tax director for our Comprehensive Tax Solutions team within HORNE’s Public and Middle Market group. With a focus on ensuring that her clients receive the highest quality of tax deliverables, she leads her team in providing accurate and timely tax returns, adhering to industry standards.
HORNE ranked in Top 100 by INSIDE Public Accounting
INSIDE Public Accounting has ranked HORNE number 25 on the Top 500 Firms list for 2023.
One question to immediately improve your hiring process
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve hiring is to ask better interview questions. But what is a “better” or “worse” question? Today we’ll explain the anatomy of a better interview question and give one example that applies to any position.
How to set and achieve better goals
Let’s focus on goal setting. Take a moment to think about your goals. How confident are you that you can achieve them? How clear are they?
Kyle Skene
Kyle Skene is an assurance senior manager at HORNE. He is responsible for team leadership, review of audit test work and managing client relationships for publicly and privately held clients across a variety of industries including agribusiness, telecommunications and manufacturing.
HORNE Board of Directors Admits New Partner
Timothy Smith, who works in HORNE’s Public and Middle Market group, was admitted as a partner, effective July 1. Timothy specializes in serving state and local governments and shepherding them through grant implementation, management and compliance.
HORNE Earns C3PAO Designation
HORNE’s cyber team recently earned The Cyber AB Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) designation which allows HORNE to perform specific cyber security assessments for Organizations Seeking Compliance (OSC) through contractual agreements.
HORNE opens office in Metairie to benefit clients, team members
HORNE, a professional services firm, has opened an office in Metairie, Louisiana, to better serve clients in the area.
Matt Walker
Matt Walker is an assurance director for HORNE’s public and middle market group where he leads the assurance team. Additionally, Matt provides tax and business advisory serves, risk management, internal control and managed accounting services to a variety of small business clients.
From Baby Boomers to Gen Z: Can they actually work well together?
In today’s evolving workplaces, it’s common to see baby boomers to gen z working together in the same company. How can different generations work together with different value systems, approaches to work-life balance and skill sets?
A deeper look at the generations
The workplace is no stranger to diversity, including race, religion and culture. But in the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the diversity and differences in generations.
4 ways to build bridges with multiple generations in the workplace
Those in management positions or roles of influence should learn the best ways to connect and manage each generation in a way that encourages a strong sense of community.
Five ways your Due Diligence provider can deliver value
In the course of an acquisition, “due diligence” is often regarded as a built-in part of the process – a formality to be checked off once it’s completed. However, acquisitions that conduct thorough and competent due diligence have a greater chance of success because decision-makers have the quality of information they need to make a decision.
Randa Craig
Randa Craig is a senior manager at HORNE for publicly and privately held companies where she specializes in both internal and external audits in the oil and gas, regulatory, manufacturing and agriculture industries. She has significant experience in compliance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act for publicly traded clients as well as supervising various engagements.
How companies combat software insecurities
In most companies, developers are focused on meeting project deadlines, and that often leads to applications that are insecurely coded. Custom development can multiply vulnerabilities. Some 48 percent of developers think they leave vulnerabilities in their code, according to the State of Developer-Driven Security Survey 2022 from Secure Code Warrior.
Mary Margaret White
Mary Margaret White is a senior manager at HORNE where she serves publicly and privately held companies. She specializes in tax return compliance, accounting for income taxes under ASC 740 and tax consulting for public and large, privately-owned clients.
Debt, regulations, inflation drive mergers and acquisitions
Events during the past few years have changed merger and acquisition deal volumes, a trend we expect to continue, including large numbers of transactions driven by the amount of debt and equity capital available. We see this in all deal sizes and across all industries.
Companies must adjust to handle growth and disruptions
In the past few years, many of HORNE’s clients saw tremendous growth, while others struggled to stay afloat. The good news is that both have opportunities for success now and in the future.
HORNE Makes Moves to Meet Client Needs in Changing Business Climate
In order to better serve clients in today’s challenging business environment, HORNE has named Bryan McDonald managing partner of the firm’s Healthcare division, and Kathy Watts as partner of accounting, advisory and tax services.
Essentials for growth: Culture, leadership development, planning
When it comes to sustaining or growing a business today, the status quo isn’t good enough anymore. We are in exponential times where the change around us is no longer incremental and we must anticipate the opportunities and challenges facing us in the future.
Fueling business growth through strategic planning
Exponential times have raised the bar for us to sustain business growth today. We are experiencing fast-moving change in so many facets of our businesses. Incremental thinking will only put us further behind so an effective strategic plan must be a priority.
Challenges to growth: Leadership Development
A critical challenge facing businesses today is leadership development. Opportunities for exponential growth and succession of various leadership roles require companies to plan and be intentional to develop the leaders to secure a bright and growing future.
Want growth for your business? Create a culture of belonging.
Large and small businesses have gone through massive changes in the past few years. Many saw their profits fall; they lost employees and suffered from supply chain issues.
Hire, Develop & Retain – Prioritize people and achieve growth.
The global pandemic reshaped the way we work. Not only did it expedite the shift to remote teams, it also highlighted the importance of work-life balance and allowed many workers to re-think their personal and career goals.
Cybersecurity: Protecting your Growth
Cybersecurity risks challenge your business development. You need to address the bad risks so you can take the good risks that let you grow and maneuver to stay ahead of your competition. You also need expert insights into cyber risk and how you must defend your organization and protect your growth.
Using technology to process and fuel growth
Technology’s power to disrupt is undeniable. One of the clearest examples rests in our pockets and purses. Decades ago, one would need a camcorder, gaming system, computer, stereo and encyclopedia – as well as a telephone – to replace just one of our mobile devices.
Unlocking the Power of Your Data
Since the early 1700s, when the first insurance companies were formed, organizations have sought to leverage data. What’s unique about now is the sheer amount of data available, thanks to how fast it’s generated.
Strategic Planning: Grow your company by planning ahead
If you don’t know your organization’s strategy, there’s a good chance company progress can be derailed. Change that equation with a dynamic and effective strategic plan.
Strategic Planning: Implementation and Accountability
Good preparation is crucial to good strategic planning – but you can’t finish without a robust strategic implementation program
MDOR issues guidance on income tax treatment of ERC
The Mississippi Department of Revenue communicated the following information regarding Employee Retention Credits to members of the Mississippi Society of CPAs:
Inflation Reduction Act gives funds to IRS, taxes some corporations
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate each have passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a $430 billion package that includes several changes to tax laws. President Biden signed the bill into law on August 16
2022 Industry Growth Forecast
The pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for American businesses and local governments. As our nation heads toward a post-Covid environment, equally unique opportunities are taking shape. What does this mean for you?
Elizabeth Ford
Elizabeth Ford serves as an assurance director for HORNE where she serves publicly and privately held companies. She provides assurance and internal audit services to a number of publicly and privately held companies, including companies in the retail, pharmaceutical, and agriculture industries.
Sales Tax Collections Increased at Record Rates During the Pandemic
Increased consumer spending during the pandemic and rising inflation has also resulted in higher tax revenues for nearly all states.
Justin Poole
Justin Poole is a senior manager in the comprehensive tax solutions group at HORNE. He oversees the client advisory services team which offers outsourced accounting solutions to privately held companies.
Are You Leaving Money On The Table? Claiming Mississippi Tax Incentives
Mississippi offers manufacturers many tax incentives that enable companies to prosper and grow. But are you taking advantage of all the opportunities you qualify for?
Strategic Consulting (Public)
HORNE can provide objective insights into the potential pitfalls, innovative solutions or best practices that help you make smarter, data-driven business decisions. Our strong analytical skills bring a fresh perspective to key areas of your business.
Opportunity Zones: What Are They and How Do They Work?
One of the most intriguing and discussed elements of recent tax reform is the creation of Qualified Opportunity Zones, which are economically-distressed communities where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. The tax benefits offered by investment in Qualified Opportunity Zones are meant to encourage economic development in these communities, which are officially designated at the state level.
Managed Accounting Services
PRIVATE companies Managed Accounting Services In running a business, focus is everything. If routine financial tasks and back-office functions are diverting your attention from more pressing priorities, HORNE can help. We offer a full array of managed accounting...Mergers & Acquisitions
Are you interested in selling your business, identifying a potential target for acquisition or merging with an organization that has complementary strengths? HORNE can help you position your company for success by assisting you with the extensive array of details involved with M&A opportunities.
Tax Compliance & Planning
We help you find ways to ensure that you are fulfilling your tax obligations without leaving money on the table, whether it’s identifying opportunities for tax credits, recovering past overpayments or discovering missed deductions.
Risk Management
Today, it’s not enough to simply know your business. Complex risk, regulations and reporting requirements mean that you and your executive team must have access to a balance of financial, legal and business expertise. HORNE helps you build leadership structures that establish the skills, expertise and diversity needed to meet the demands and expectations of today’s business environment.
Strategic Consulting (Private)
We bring together industry, economic and business expertise to give you a complete sense of the opportunities and challenges you can expect on the road ahead.
Audit & Assurance
To stay prepared for opportunities, you need sound financial information and controls that ensure compliance and manage risk. Monitoring each potential source of risk can be time consuming and create uncertainties, whether it’s internal components, like technology, or the impact of evolving industry regulations.
Maximize Your Covid Relief
In this live webinar, our Public & Middle Market team members discussed PPP2 updates, Employee Retention Credit, tax changes and more.
Amy Wilson Smith
Amy Wilson Smith is a senior manager at HORNE where she provides various tax services for multi-state business entities, financial institutions, fiduciary entities, as well as nonprofit organizations. She primarily assists large, privately-owned corporate and flow-through clients with their tax compliance and consulting needs.
Megan Toles
Megan Toles is a senior manager for privately and publicly held companies. She serves primarily in the external audit capacities in a variety of industries including manufacturing, oil and gas, food services and digital interactive media. She specializes in performing reviews of high-risk areas, being a technical resource and ensuring the team meets its deadlines.
Neal Stephens
Neal Stephens is a transaction advisory director for HORNE Capital Strategies at HORNE LLP. He works with business owners, strategic corporate buyers, and private equity investors to advise and manage the sale and purchase process for transacting parties.
Timothy Smith
Timothy Smith is a partner at HORNE where he serves both private industry and public entities. He focuses on developing relationships with decision-makers across state and local government and the private sector, and shepherding them through decision-making regarding grant implementation, management and compliance.
Angela Phyfer
Angela Phyfer serves as a tax services director for HORNE. Angela primarily works with business entities in the areas of real estate, agribusiness, food services, manufacturing, cost segregation and 179D energy efficiency.
Alison McLendon
Alison McLendon is a director in HORNE’s public and middle market practice where she serves in both internal and external audit capacities in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, food services, motion picture production and digital interactive media and software.
Jon Legner
Jon is a data analytics senior manager at HORNE. He serves private and public companies by collaborating with them to use their data to solve problems and achieve their strategic objectives.
Ashley Swain
Ashley Swain serves as director of compliance on HORNE’s ARPA projects in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. She previously provided eligibility and compliance expertise on CARES Act and CRF projects in Florida, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee and Texas.
Mary Kathryn Allen
Mary Kathryn Allen is a partner at HORNE. She specializes in tax compliance and business consulting for publicly and privately held clients as well as state and local tax compliance.
Tax
Tax rules get more complex every year. Every decision you make impacts your tax situation. HORNE knows the vital impact of proactive tax planning.
Risk Management
Risk management involves every facet of your organization, regardless of your industry. We help transform risk into opportunity to give you peace of mind.
Katherine G. Watts
As partner for accounting, advisory and tax services, Kathy’s focus is on managed accounting and tax services designed to help various industries achieve their financial goals. She has collaborated with hundreds of business owners and leaders, providing strategic counsel and assistance ranging from initial startup to succession plans.
Robert Miller
Robert Miller is a senior director at HORNE where he leads the public & middle market tax team, and also serves as HORNE’s firmwide director of tax. He specializes in helping businesses navigate the complex tax environment.
Joe Green
Companies that are looking to expand through an equity raise, merger, or organic growth face unique challenges and urgency. HORNE’s Joe Green works alongside clients to manage deadlines and stressful situations for them, so they can focus on their future.
Patrick C. Gough
Public and middle market companies face unique challenges, often dependent upon their industry or company goals. HORNE’s Patrick Gough provides a quick, expert response and accurate, quality work to address critical issues and keep our clients safe and successful.
Josh Edwards
Josh Edwards is a public and middle market partner for HORNE and a member of HORNE’s Board of Directors.
Rusty Butcher
For middle market and public companies, opportunities often come with a host of complexities. HORNE’s Rusty Butcher is here to help anticipate market factors and internal challenges so you are well informed and ready to take control of your future.
Cybersecurity
Reduce exposure to cybersecurity threats. Stay ahead of the ever-changing regulatory requirements and strengthen your cybersecurity posture.
Audit & Compliance
HORNE’s audit and compliance services provide a strategy to institute controls and manage risk and compliance to keep you prepared for opportunity.
SBA 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Assistance
Many companies and individuals have applied for funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) Relief Loans Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Our previous communication addresses the recent suspension of the PPP due to inadequate funding. For our clients that did not receive funds or approval prior to the suspension, we will continue to work on completing applications and submitting to lenders in anticipation of additional funds being made available under the PPP.
Funding & Forgiveness: Exploring the CARES Act & Mississippi State Tax Incentives
Businesses today have to make tough decisions and search for funds to keep doors open and employees paid. Many applied for the SBA’s PPP loan to offset losses during the COVID-19 shutdown. The loan offers short-term relief, but there may be another opportunity for businesses to find additional monies in the form of unclaimed Mississippi state tax incentives.
Beware: Phishing Emails Target COVID-19 Small Business Loans
It has come to our attention that a new email phishing or “spoofing” scheme is being sent to businesses seeking financial assistance due to COVID-19. The emails are an attempt to scam business owners that have applied, or are considering applying, for Paycheck Protection Program loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. These emails may look legitimate and appear to come from your bank.