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Melissa Motley, CPA

Melissa Motley has worked in the field of accounting for more than 25 years. She specializes in audit and accounting work with an emphasis in governmental audit.

Recent Posts

FASB Approves Updated Rules for Disclosing Income Taxes

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Oct 05, 2023

On August 30, 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) unanimously voted to finalize its proposed improvements to the disclosure rules for income taxes. Here’s what’s changing and when those changes are effective.

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Posted in Audit & Assurance

Optimizing the Internal Audit Process for Greater Efficiency

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on May 11, 2023

In the current economic environment, companies are looking for ways to gain efficiencies within their Internal Audit processes and procedures. The use of Technology and Data Analytics have transformed the Internal Audit function by enabling:

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Posted in Audit & Assurance

Changes in Sec. 174 Makes It a Good Time to Review the R&E Strategy of Your Business

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Mar 22, 2023

It’s been years since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was signed into law, but it’s still having an impact. Several provisions in the law have expired or will expire in the next few years. One provision that took effect last year was the end of current deductibility for research and experimental (R&E) expenses.

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Posted in Tax Planning

What to Do if Your CFO or Controller Leaves

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Dec 07, 2022

A leadership departure in your accounting department can create turmoil, at least temporarily. However, it also provides an opportunity to assess the department’s performance and create a vision for its future performance. Here are four questions to address if your CFO or controller leaves.

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Posted in Accounting & Outsourcing

Are Your Risk-Management Practices Keeping Up With the Times

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Sep 15, 2022

Risks abound in today’s uncertain marketplace. Nearly two-thirds of senior finance leaders said that the volume and complexity of corporate risks have changed “mostly” or “extensively” in the past five years, according to a new report published by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and North Carolina State University.

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Posted in Business Advisory

Evaluating "Going Concern" Concerns

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Aug 01, 2022

Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial statements are normally prepared based on the assumption that the company will continue normal business operations into the future. When liquidation is imminent, the liquidation basis of accounting may be used instead.

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Posted in Audit & Assurance

Last Call for Lease Accounting

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Jul 13, 2022

The updated lease accounting standard is currently in effect for private companies. After several postponements during the pandemic, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) voted unanimously to move forward with the changes. That means private companies and private, not-for-profit entities that follow U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) must adopt the new standard for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Surprisingly, some organizations still haven’t completed the implementation process, however. (Note: The updated accounting rules for long-term leases took effect for public companies in 2019.)

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Posted in Business Tax

Partners May Have to Report More Income on Tax Returns Than They Receive in Cash

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on May 24, 2022

Are you a partner in a business? You may have come across a situation that’s puzzling. In a given year, you may be taxed on more partnership income than was distributed to you from the partnership in which you’re a partner.

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Posted in Business Tax

Leveraging Internal Audits

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Apr 27, 2022

Many companies have an internal audit department that tests whether the organization is accurately reporting financial results and complying with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). But it’s important for internal auditors to think beyond compliance.

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Data Privacy in 2022: What You Need to Know

Posted by Melissa Motley, CPA on Mar 07, 2022

Millions of people are unaware of how their personal data is being collected, used, or shared in our increasingly digital society. As a business, it’s more important than ever to have a data privacy strategy to protect customers and employees and remain compliant with applicable regulations.

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Posted in Business Advisory

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