Journal Article

Protecting Trade Secrets in a Remote Work Environment

As more companies offer hybrid or fully remote work environments, the effort to protect trade secrets will grow as a concern. Since March 2020, legions of employees have been working from home with nearly unfettered access to company information. Some of that information may be regarded as trade secrets. Much has been written about the general cybersecurity threat remote work creates, but the exposure of trade secrets and other strategic company information poses an equally serious threat.

Identifying and Communicating Reportable Findings

Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 136, Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements of Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA, requires auditors to communicate in writing reportable findings from audit procedures to management or those charged with governance on a timely basis. Prior to SAS 136, these items may have been communicated verbally or in a separate report discussing internal control related matters.

Pennsylvania Local Tax Implications of Remote Work

Remote work arrangements are becoming increasingly commonplace. What began as a COVID-19 necessity has come to be seen as an employee benefit. However, widespread remote work could expose businesses to additional tax risks and filing obligations.

Avoiding Errors in Establishing Basis in Business Interests

Busy tax practitioners often focus on issues of immediate urgency, which can sometimes leave them susceptible to making errors when determining the tax basis of interests in business entities, including C corporations, S corporations, and partnerships. (References to corporations and partnerships include limited liability companies treated as such for tax purposes.)