Showing posts with label small businesses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small businesses. Show all posts

Sunday, February 1, 2026

What is an Installation Floater? In Plain English for Marine Inland Insurance Policy

What Is an Installation Floater? (Inland Marine Insurance Explained for the Wedding Industry)

If you run a wedding business that moves décor, rentals, or structures from venue to venue, an installation floater can be one of the most important—and most misunderstood—insurance coverages you have.

Quick Definition (Plain English)

An installation floater is a type of inland marine insurance that covers your wedding-related property while it is:

  • In transit to or from a wedding venue
  • Temporarily stored at the venue
  • Waiting to be installed or set up
  • Partially installed or staged
  • Being set up before the event

Coverage generally lasts until the installation is complete and the event occurs. Think of it as: insurance for your wedding assets while they are on the way to becoming part of the event.

What “Inland Marine” Means (and Why Wedding Businesses Need It)

Despite the name, inland marine insurance has nothing to do with boats. It’s designed to insure mobile business property—items that regularly move between locations.

Common Wedding Industry Examples

  • Arches and ceremony backdrops
  • Floral installations and structures
  • Tables, chairs, linens, and décor
  • Custom signage and displays
  • Tents and temporary structures

Where Property Policies Fall Short

  • Usually only cover items at your shop or warehouse
  • Limited or no coverage while items are off-site
  • Do not address venue setup risk

What an Installation Floater Typically Covers

While coverage varies by insurer, an installation floater often protects wedding businesses from:

Often Covered (Policy-Specific)

  • Theft from a venue or job site
  • Fire or smoke damage
  • Vandalism
  • Accidental breakage during setup
  • Damage during transit
  • Weather-related loss (depending on policy)

Common Exclusions

  • Poor workmanship or improper setup
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Mechanical or structural failure
  • Earthquake (unless added)
  • Flood (often separate)


Real-World Wedding Scenarios

Installation floaters matter most during the riskiest moments of a wedding setup, such as:

  • Floral arches delivered and stored overnight at a venue
  • Rental furniture staged before the ceremony
  • Décor installed the day before a wedding
  • Tents or structures partially assembled prior to the event

How Installation Floaters Are Usually Structured

Installation floaters are commonly written as:

  • Per-event or per-job limits (example: $50,000 per wedding)
  • Total aggregate limits across all active events
  • Requirements to itemize high-value décor or structures above a certain dollar amount

Tip: Custom floral structures, arches, or specialty rentals are often best scheduled individually.


Quick Comparison: Wedding Insurance Coverages

Coverage Best For What It Protects
General Liability Events & venues Injuries or damage to others
Property Policy Your shop or warehouse Décor and inventory at your location
Inland Marine / Installation Floater Transport & setup Wedding assets while moving or being installed

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Broker

  • Do we have inland marine coverage for décor and rentals off-site?
  • Does our policy include an installation floater for setup before the event?
  • What are the per-event and aggregate limits?
  • Do we need to itemize items over a certain value?
  • Are earthquake and flood excluded unless added?

Bottom line: An installation floater protects your wedding décor, rentals, and structures while they’re in transit, staged at a venue, or being installed—before the event is complete.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Coverage needs vary by business. Please consult a licensed insurance broker or agent to determine the appropriate coverage for your specific situation.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Explore 2026 Tax Advantages and Financial Power of the Public Sector

Introduction to financial resource management in sport, tourism, and leisure service organizations.

Approaches to financial resource management in sport, tourism, and leisure service organizations vary widely based on organizational mandate, goals, and political context. Despite this variation, nearly all such organizations fall into one of three categories: public sector, private nonprofit, or commercial enterprise. Each sector exhibits distinctive financial characteristics that directly influence budgeting, revenue generation, accountability, and long-term planning.

While differences among these sectors are important, it is equally critical to recognize the shared financial principles and management competencies that apply across all sport, tourism, and leisure organizations.

Public Sector Sport, Tourism, and Leisure Enterprises

Public sector sport, tourism, and leisure organizations typically operate as extensions of government and carry a broad mandate to serve the entire community. Their primary purpose is to enhance quality of life, provide equitable access to services, and address social needs rather than generate profit.

  • Operate at municipal, state, or federal levels (e.g., parks departments, public universities, convention and visitors bureaus)
  • Emphasize nondiscriminatory service delivery and universal access
  • Rely primarily on public funding rather than earned revenue

Legislative and Legal Foundations

A defining feature of public sector organizations is their legally granted authority to collect and allocate public funds. This authority is grounded in constitutional and statutory frameworks.

  • Federal authority to tax and fund programs is established by the U.S. Constitution
  • State governments must include taxation and public funding provisions in their constitutions
  • Local governments may only fund sport, tourism, and leisure services when enabled by state legislation

Quote by Adam Smith (1723–1790)

“The expense of institutions for the education of youth, and for the instruction of people of all ages, is no doubt beneficial to the whole society, and may therefore, without injustice, be defrayed by the general contribution of the whole society.”
— The Wealth of Nations

Reddit post: "A man must always live by his work. . . Adam Smith, quoted from
his work "The Wealth of Nations," C. 1776.
"

Social Roles and Public Expectations

Public sport, tourism, and leisure organizations exist to meet collective social needs. Taxpayers expect these organizations to use public funds to support community well-being and social equity.

  • Provision of low-cost or fully subsidized services is widely expected
  • Facilities such as neighborhood parks are viewed as essential public goods
  • Programs often function as tools of social policy and community development

Market Management Philosophy

Unlike commercial enterprises, public organizations prioritize need-based service delivery rather than profit potential. Marketing and distribution strategies are designed to maximize access rather than revenue.

  • Market segmentation is based on community need, not financial return
  • Pricing strategies emphasize affordability and inclusion
  • Public agencies may withdraw from markets once private providers can meet needs without tax support

John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946)

“The important thing for government is not to do things which individuals are doing already, but to do those things which at present are not done at all.”

Photo: John Maynard Keynes

Indicators of Financial Success

Financial success in the public sector is measured by effectiveness and accountability rather than profit.

  • Achievement of targeted revenue and expenditure levels
  • Efficient use of public funds
  • Demonstrable social and economic benefits to the community

Tax Advantages and Financial Power of the Public Sector

One of the most significant financial advantages enjoyed by public sector sport, tourism, and leisure organizations is their tax-related status and fiscal authority.

  • Tax exemption: Public agencies are generally exempt from sales and intergovernmental taxes, increasing their purchasing power
  • Taxing authority: Governments can compel revenue collection through taxation rather than relying solely on market demand
  • Low-cost borrowing: Public entities are considered low-risk borrowers due to their ability to use future tax revenues as collateral
  • Volunteer labor: Public goodwill often translates into volunteer support, reducing labor costs

Financial Management Challenges

These advantages are balanced by substantial challenges that shape public sector financial management.

  • High levels of public and legislative scrutiny
  • Extensive reporting and compliance requirements
  • Sensitivity to shifting political priorities and leadership changes

Quote by Mariana Mazzucato (economist, 2010s–present)

“Public value is not a byproduct of private profit—it is something governments actively create.”

Competition and Perception Issues

The public sector’s taxing power and tax-exempt status can create competitive imbalances with private and nonprofit providers.

  • Private organizations often view public agencies as unfair competitors
  • Public organizations are frequently perceived as having “deep pockets”
  • These perceptions contribute to ongoing tension between public and private sector service providers

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Pros and Cons of Starting a Cat Café

Thinking about opening a cat café? It’s a unique blend of cozy coffee culture and animal adoption advocacy—but it comes with both charm and challenges. Here's what to consider before diving in.


Pros and Cons to Consider Before Starting a Cat Cafe
Top Things to Consider

Legal & Health Regulations

  • Local health codes often require complete separation between food and animal areas.
  • You'll need food handling permits and possibly animal care licenses.
  • Check zoning restrictions for animal-related businesses.

Animal Care Responsibilities

  • Daily feeding, litter box cleaning, enrichment, and basic medical care are essential.
  • Staff must be trained to handle cats safely and recognize signs of illness or stress.
  • You’ll need a relationship with a local vet and shelter.

Startup & Operating Costs

  • Buildout costs, equipment, furniture, HVAC upgrades, and pet-proofing add up fast.
  • Ongoing costs include food, litter, vet bills, staff wages, coffee supplies, and rent.

Customer Experience

  • Customers expect a calm, clean environment—and good coffee!
  • Cat temperament, cleanliness, and ambiance impact customer retention and reviews.

Rescue Partnerships

  • Working with a rescue helps supply adoptable cats and medical support.
  • Have agreements in place for adoptions, liability, and ongoing animal care.

Coffee Service Quality

  • Don’t neglect the café! Invest in good beans, trained baristas, and tasty snacks.
  • Offer options like oat milk, vegan pastries, or gluten-free snacks to reach more people.


Pros

✅ Pro Why It Matters
Unique Concept Stands out, draws media attention, and builds buzz easily.
Supports Animal Welfare Helps find homes for shelter cats and spreads awareness.
Community Builder Becomes a beloved local hangout for cat lovers.
Highly Visual Generates organic social media content—Instagram gold!
Diverse Revenue Streams Earn through entry fees, drinks, merch, classes, and events.
Meaningful Work Perfect for passionate cat lovers who want to make a difference.

Cons

❌ Con Why It’s Challenging
High Maintenance Requires constant cleaning and odor control.
Animal Risk Cats may bite, scratch, hide, or get sick—risk of injury or liability.
Expensive Setup Renovation, pet-proofing, and dual-layout costs are significant.
Regulatory Hurdles Complying with dual health codes (animals + food) can be tricky.
Time-Intensive Requires juggling hospitality and animal care daily.
Limited Audience Not everyone loves cats—some may have allergies or fears.

Final Tip

Before you invest, visit other cat cafés, speak with owners, and volunteer with a local rescue to understand the daily operations. A cat café can be a dream come true—but only if you’re ready to balance the business, the fur, and the fun!

Saturday, July 12, 2025

YouTube Channel Layout Pro: How to Customize and Organize Your Channel

How to Customize and Organize Your YouTube Channel Layout Like a Pro

Rearranging your YouTube channel layout helps highlight your best content and improve viewer engagement. Here’s how you can easily organize your YouTube video page using the built-in customization tools.

✅ Step-by-Step: Rearranging Your Channel Homepage

  1. Go to Your YouTube Channel:
    • Log in to your account.
    • Click your profile icon (top right) → Select "Your Channel".
  2. Click "Customize Channel":
    • This opens YouTube Studio and the "Layout" tab for editing.
  3. Edit Your Channel Layout:
    • Add or rearrange sections such as:
      • Uploads
      • Popular uploads
      • Shorts
      • Playlists (single or groups)
      • Live streams
    • Click + Add Section to include more.
    • Use the drag-and-drop icon (≡) to reorder them.
  4. Feature a Channel Trailer or Video:
    • Add a channel trailer for new visitors.
    • Set a featured video for returning subscribers.
  5. Save and Preview:
    • Click "Publish" (top right).
    • View your channel to see the changes live.


🔄 Reorder Videos Within a Playlist

  1. Go to YouTube Studio → Content → Playlists
  2. Select the playlist you want to edit.
  3. Drag and drop videos to change their order manually.

💡 Pro Tips:

  • Put your most valuable or popular content at the top.
  • Use custom section titles for clarity (e.g., "Wireless Mic Demos").
  • Limit to 4–6 key sections for a clean, scrollable layout.





Monday, June 30, 2025

Side Hustle Alert - Turn Your Expertise Into Income Coaching or Consulting:

If you've recently lost your job, need extra income in this economy, or you're a stay-at-home parent looking to work from home—this is for you. Want to get paid for what you already know?

Learn how to turn your experience into a profitable coaching or consulting business. Whether you're starting a side hustle or building a full-time income, I’ll walk you through how to launch online and the legal steps to protect yourself.

Step one: Pick your niche.

  1. What do people already come to you for?
  2. Health, mindset, parenting, career, or finances—choose who you help and how.



Step two: Create a simple offer to showcase the service that you offer.

  1. Start with one-on-one Zoom sessions, a 30-day accountability program, or a power hour call.
  2. Add worksheets, email check-ins, or a welcome guide to increase the value.

Step three: Set up the basics.

Use Calendly to schedule calls, PayPal or Stripe for payments, and a simple landing page or LinkedIn profile to show your credibility.


Photo: Calendly schedule a session example.


Step four: Promote it.

Post helpful tips online, ask your network for referrals, and offer a few discounted or free sessions in exchange for testimonials.

Now, let’s cover the legal basics.

  1. First, choose and register your business name Make sure it’s unique in your state and available online.
  2. Second, register your business—you can start as a sole proprietor or create an LLC for legal protection.
  3. Third get an EIN from the IRS website. It’s free and useful for taxes and banking. Here is a link to the SBA's website (Small Business Asscoiation) for more info on Getting federal and state tax ID numbers.
  4. Fourth, open a business bank account and use a proper payment system like PayPal Business or Stripe.
  5. Fifth, create a client agreement. Even for small coaching packages, you want clear terms, payment info, and disclaimers if you’re not licensed in medical or financial fields.

If you plan to coach in regulated areas like health or finance, be careful—use disclaimers and stay within your expertise.

And finally, consider getting business insurance to protect yourself professionally.

You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be a few steps ahead of your ideal client and show up consistently.

Start today and build as you go.

Check out some other great ideas about trending side hustles:

  1. 23 Legit Ways to Make Extra Money by Finance Buzz
  2. 25 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline and at Home in 2025 by NerdWallet
  3. 20 Side Jobs You Can Do While Also Working Full Time by Indeed


Thursday, June 15, 2023

Four main business theories that help us make sense of business cycle theories.

 One way to understand the fluctuations in the economy is through the lens of business cycle theories.

There are four main theories that help us make sense of business cycle theories.
1. The Keynesians believe that government intervention is necessary to stabilize the economy during times of recession.
2. The monetarists emphasize the role of money supply and monetary policy in driving economic growth and stability.
3. The real business cycle theory posits that economic fluctuations are driven by changes in technology and productivity
4. The Austrians attribute economic cycles to the natural ebb and flow of markets.
Overall each theory offers a unique perspective on the factors that shape the economy, making them essential tools for policymakers and economists alike.

I believe that Keynesian economic theory embodies the most effective approach to managing an economy. At the heart of the Keynesian theory is the belief that government intervention is necessary to stabilize an economy and promote growth. This differs from more conservative economic theories that advocate for a free-market system devoid of government control. 

Photo: Keynesian economics by Investopedia

"Government can use fiscal and monetary policy to control aggregate demand and thereby promote economic stability." (Great Debates in Economics: Keynes versus Hayek. Par. 9) However, through its emphasis on stimulating consumer demand and using fiscal and monetary policies to manage economic cycles, the Keynesian approach provides a more comprehensive and realistic framework for economic management. Ultimately, the Keynesian theory offers a sensible solution to ensuring that an economy remains vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive.

It seems like almost every theory has its strengths and weaknesses, there is no perfect solution for a super complicated problem (our economy). Based on the two videos it seems like a select party and people pick the best of the theories and then work with them while adding tidbits of other theories to supplemental missing parts that are needed to solve problems.

Politicians tend to favor Keynesian economics because it has played a pivotal role in shaping modern macroeconomic theory. Its focus on government intervention to stimulate demand during economic downturns has been influential in economic policy-making around the world. However, it's important to acknowledge that there are limitations to the Keynesian approach. Critics argue that the Keynesian approach may overlook the importance of supply-side factors, such as technological advancements, and that excessive government spending can lead to inflation. 

"Within the Keynesian framework, it is essentially assumed that political decision-makers will implement policies in a proper manner." (Great Debates in Economics: Keynes versus Hayek. Par. 27) Despite its limitations, Keynesian economics remains an essential tool and tends to be favored by politicians for policymakers in addressing economic instability. By continuously evaluating and adapting the Keynesian model, we can strive toward a more stable and prosperous global economy.

Sources:

Marginal Revolution University. "Game of Theories: The Keynesians" YouTube. Nov 7, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYNVB5iqydk&t=327s

James A. Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, Russell S. Sobel, & David A. Macpherson. "Great Debates in Economics: Keynes versus Hayek" Reprinted with permission, Cengage 2015. From: Economics: Private and Public Choice Fifteenth Edition https://cabrillo.instructure.com/courses/31208/pages/great-debates-in-economics-keynes-versus-hayek

Emergent Order. "Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek - Economics Rap Battle Round Two." Apr 27, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTQnarzmTOc

Achuthan, Lakshman. "Business Cycle: What It Is, How to Measure It, the 4 Phases."  June 15, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/businesscycle.asp  


Sunday, October 16, 2022

How to Identify Important Payroll procedures and Pay Cycles

 Identify Important Payroll procedures and Pay Cycles 

  1. EIN = employer documentation needed before any employees are hired 
  2. FLSA = requires certain info in every employee file
  3. US DOL = requires the following to be included in employee files
  4. Full name as shown on the SSN card
  5. Full address, with zip code
  6. DOB if younger than 19
  7. Sex and occupation type
  8. Employee's workweek = time and day that the workweek begins
  9. Hours = worked each day & worked each workweek
  10. Employee's wages = basis on how they are paid
  11. Hourly pay rate = regular rate
  12. Straight-time earnings = total daily/weekly
  13. Overtime = total workweek earnings
  14. Additions & deductions = all taken or added to employee's wages
  15. Pay period = total wages paid
  16. Date of payment
  17. Pay period covered by the payment
There is a wide range of questions that a company needs to ask itself prior to hiring employees. 
  • How are new hires handled
  • Employee files maintenance and security
  • Employee termination and transfer procedures
  • Government compliance as related to employee hiring and files record keeping
  • Time and attendance tracking
  • Employee record-keeping SOPs
  • Where will mandatory posters be hung?
Payroll documentation regulations

  • Protect employees
  • Regulations keep employers in compliance with tax regulations
  • Doc requirements provide an audit trail for government bodies
  • Employee files are maintained by HR
  • Employee info form is maintained by the payroll dept (some FLSA elements may not appear on the form)
New hire reporting ensures that new employees pay 
  • Child support
  • Garnishments

EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
  • Accurate and correctly maintained payroll records are important
  • They reflect the treatment of the employees
  • These records are private (i.e. not available to the employee) except in Illinois

Pay cycles/pay periods = how often should a company pay its employees?
  • Daily payroll = usually related to daily labor often 1099.365/366 pay periods in a year.
  • Weekly: 5-day workweek, usually paid every Friday (grocery/construction/prof offices). 52 pay periods in a year.
  • Biweekly: 2-week period (26/sometimes 27 pay periods)
  • Semimonthly: Paid twice per month. Not the same as bi-weekly. (24 pay periods per year)
  • Monthly: Less freq used. Payroll paid once per month with occasional sem-monthly access to funds for employees. (12 payroll cycles).

Prepare Required Employee Documentation 

Employees vs Independent Contractors
Definition of employee:
  • Employer directs worker’s performance
  • Provides primary tools to complete assigned work
  • Material contribution = The work employee completes involves effort 
  • Employer provides benefits
  • Employer includes worker on gov reports
  • Employer withholds payroll taxes

Definition of Independent Contractor:
  • Employer does not direct the worker’s specific actions
  • Employer does not provide tools to complete work
  • Independent Contractor is responsible for their own payroll taxes
  • Do not receive OT
Statutory employees
Norm classified as an independent contractor, if specific situations are at hand they need to be included as an employee and not an independent contractor. Here is a summary of this.
  • (Statutory employee rule) Certain driver positions are not eligible to be an independent contractor
  • (Statutory employee rule) FT life insurance agents
  • (Statutory employee rule) some at home workers that develop materials at home then return them to the employer
  • (Statutory employee rule) FT traveling salesperson who works on a single company's behalf (other rules apply) 
  • Other situations applicable per the IRS current regulations
The IRS uses three common tests to clarify if a worker is an employee or an Independent Contractor.  
    • 1) Behavioral control: the extent that the employer has the right to control and direct worker actions
      • 2) Financial Control: guidelines on how a worker is paid (reimbursements, tools, payments)
        • 3) Relationship of the parties: work-related contract info between the employer and the worker; benefits, how long this is expected to last, and the business operations summary.
        IRS
        • Firm/employer may request info from IRS on how to file
        • Info can be found in IRS publication 1779
        • Definition of Independent Contractor: = IRS Form SS-8
        • Form W-4 file each January
        Reporting new employees to the IRS
        • Why is reporting imperative? immigration, registry monitoring, court- ordered applications, ethical violations, COBRA & child support
        • Minimum doc allowed is: W2 and I-9 Forms 
        • W2: helps employers determine the correct amount of federal income taxes to withhold from the employee’s payroll
        • I-9: eligibility to work on the US and all new hires be reported within 3 days of their start date 
        • Employer/payroll accountant must maintain W4 and I9 in permanent employee file
        Reporting new employees to the State Offices
        • Immigration Reform and Control Act mandates that employers notify state offices within 20 days of an employee’s start date 
        • Fines for not reporting new employees: $25 per unreported employee & $500 for intentional nonreporting 
        • Reporting new hires is complex/a lot of room for errors
        • Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has a multi-state form to help (OMB Control No 0970-0166)
        Foriegn workers
        • Hiring foreign workers has additional challenges
        • I-9, sometimes additional paperwork is needed
        • Visa is needed or other immigration paperwork
        • Employer will be fined if the correct paperwork is not submitted ($500 - $5,000)
        • Employer must file IRS form 1042

        Differentiations Between Exempt and Nonexempt Workers 

        • Nonexempt and exempt details are mained in payroll records
        • Diff types of workers can be either exempt or nonexempt
        • Exempt worker = Highly skilled workers (managers/salaried workers etc
        • Nonexempt worker =
        • US DOL = issues guidelines for exempt/nonexempt employee guidelines

        Exempt workers
        • Generally salaried employees (do not receive OT for work over 40-hours)
        • Not all salaried employees are classified as exmept
        • Exempt from FLSA provisions
        • Not subject to the FLSA wage and hour provisions
        • To be marked as exempt, employee must meet all of the "Executive Exemption" requirements (salary, work type, knowledge)
        Nonexempt workers
        • Receive OT pay for work over 40-hours
        • Wage and hour laws pertain to  
        • To be exempt, must meet the following guidelines
        Leased and Temp Employees
        • Temp employee = employee of an employment agency
        • Leased employee = leased from recipient company, FT work, directed by the recipient company
        • IRS code 414 has guidelines on the diff between an employee and a leased employees
        • No more than 20% of a company's employees may be leased/temps
        • Tax cuts: PEO (Proff Employer Org)= deductions may apply via sections 199A (temp or PT)
        Pay records and employee file maintenance
        • Payroll private personal records are the responsibility of the company's chosen payroll dept
        • Most important part of a payroll dept is the maintenance dept
        • Physical records of pay advice, time off, tardiness and OT
        • Digital record keeping recommended 
        • Pay records = payroll freq, income tax schedules (IRS Pub 15-T)
        • Internal controls are critical in insure the payroll system (time records are confidential)
        • Strategics payroll system design should be completed prior to setting up payroll
        • Set up scheduled payroll SOP review times
        • File maintenance = Per the Int. Rev. Code record labeling and backup copies are required
        • Maintenance procedures are regulated by the IRS Proc. 98-25
        • FLSA = has min 3-year and 2 year record retainment standards
        • Electronic records = record and safeguarding procedures
        Pay rates
        • Pay rate = Min wage rates + other wages
        • Living wage calculator = http://livingwage.mit.edu 
        • OT rates are calculated by FLSA (CA OT is 8+ hours per day)
        • Commissions = receiving a % of sales
        • Piece rate compensation = connects employee compensation with the sale of a good or service that they prepared via work. CA has specific guidelines relating to piece rate time regarding back pay.
        How an employee enters their workweek hours
        • Web based applications (TimeStation, ClockShark, TImeDock) IPs and GPS locations
        • Companies will need to set up with a precise way to track employee hours
        • Time cards must be verified for accuracy by someone that knows the company's needs and the employee's sched (underpayment/overpayment issues)
        • OT approval 
        Employee termination and documentation Procedures
        • Keep records
        • When an employee leaves a company the payroll dept needs to accomplish a few tasks related to the company's policies
        • This includes the final paycheck with vacation or sick time and benefit info
        • Severance packages are generally not-mandated (states have more info on this)
        • DOL has guidelines on dates and procedures (CA w/i 72 hrs)
        • Paper doc destruction  = incineration or shredding
        • Digital doc destruction (electronic accounting records) = follow cyber security procedures (DoD 5220.22-M
        • Separate employee documentation into three separate privacy paper files for privacy requirements )private personal, Empl benefits, Investigative legal)
        Other important payroll considerations
        • Know your local and federal laws regarding OT pay, sick pay
        • Prior approval for Leave of absence & time off (Keep a paper trail of requests for tracking)
        • File security = all payroll files must be kept secure
        • Regulation E = Electronic Funds Transfer Act, regulates paycard related fees & other paycard related info
        • Payroll as a non-solo record/have multiple eyes on the payroll procedures and dept
        • Sep of duties also applies to payroll accounting
        • Data breach issues = ACT QUICKLY (fol the taxadmin.org procedures)
        • If an employee is terminated (keep records for a min of 3 years), 6 years for empl benefits, 4 years for W4s and local tax, 3-5 years for payroll
        • Even if a company outsources their payroll the company is still responsible for accurate reporting and payroll procedures
        Summary
        1. Plan your payroll procedures wisely
        2. Plan with growth in mind
        3. Plan with payroll record security parameter safeguarding
        4. Plan based on your company's own limitations and strengths
        5. Consider record keeping and maintenance requirements (retention and destruction)
        6. Payroll is only as accurate as the info provided