A major part of doing business is networking. We can’t even tell you how much time we’ve spent on the golf course over the years – all for the sake of business development, of course. So when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was released late last year, there were a lot of business owners scratching their heads about how to handle their entertainment expenses going forward. It is pretty clear that expenses related to entertainment, amusement, or recreation were no longer deductible, but what abo...
Oct 15, 2018•26 min•Ep. 155
We’ve all heard how important it is to put some money away for a rainy day – and this practice is especially important for non-profit organizations. In the nonprofit world, this type of rainy day fund is called an operating reserve and it can help sustain the organization when times get tough. Ben Antonelli, a principal on our assurance team, works closely with the not-for-profit industry on a variety of projects. He is oftentimes pulled in to consult on topics related to operating reserves, fin...
Oct 08, 2018•22 min•Ep. 154
If you are listening to this show or reading this blog, then I’m willing to bet that you already know a little bit about Rea, and you might have already checked out some of our articles and videos to learn a little bit more about the topics we’ve covered. While it might not sound like a lot at first, when you sit and think about it, it’s pretty cool that one podcast has done so much – especially when you think about how it has helped tie together our other marketing efforts. Thousands of compani...
Oct 01, 2018•24 min•Ep. 153
More often than not, we go through our day-to-day work not really thinking about the steps we take to do simple tasks or how those simple tasks ultimately make up the major projects we complete as a team. But what happens when somebody on your team is sick or leaves the company? Will somebody be able to pick up the slack right away or will productivity slow down? Just like that, those little involuntary steps become incredibly important because they symbolize continuity and productivity. Rea’s r...
Sep 24, 2018•24 min•Ep. 152
What would you do if you had $80 million? Maybe you’d buy a few houses, a big boat, go on some trips… you know, splurge on some luxuries and experiences you can enjoy right now. After that, you will probably start thinking about its long-term value and the impact you can have after you’ve passed away – but if you don’t leave it in writing, you could be leaving a mess for the people you leave behind. Well, after the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin died in August 2018, it was revealed that she left ...
Sep 17, 2018•23 min•Ep. 151
In an effort to adopt new methods of automation, most manufacturers have embraced robotics as a more cost-effective and efficient solution, and the results have been great. But just as it takes some time to get used to the new technology on the line or in your warehouses, it’s going to take some time to make the necessary adjustments in your accounting department as well. Tom Scharf, a principal in Rea’s Cleveland office, has worked with a lot of manufacturing companies over the years and, in th...
Sep 10, 2018•26 min•Ep. 150
Back in 2016, more than $1 billion was extorted from individuals and organizations by cybercriminals. When you factor in costs associated with cybercrime, including remediation, lost productivity, consulting, legal, etc., the cost balloons to an estimated $50 billion! While we may not have the numbers for 2018, we can tell that online criminal activity is still going strong. After all, with cybercrime being the leading generator of revenue for criminals – so we don’t see them hanging up their ha...
Sep 03, 2018•25 min•Ep. 149
In this line of work, the term “trusted advisor” is thrown around a lot... but what does it actually mean? Furthermore, what should business owners look for to determine the overall quality and effectiveness of their existing advisory relationships? We’re going to get a little introspective on today’s show but, fortunately, we have some great guests to guide us on our journey. Marc Rosen and Judy Bodenhamer are the founders of the Client Experience Institute , a Cleveland-based firm that helps p...
Aug 27, 2018•28 min•Ep. 148
Businesses need to be extra vigilant these days. From fraud and sexual harassment issues to compliance and safety concerns, there are so many reasons for a business owner to lay awake at night. Today’s guest is Ray Dunkle, president of Red Flag Reporting , a hotline provider based out of the Akron/Canton area. Hotlines are reportedly the most effective way to deter fraud and other types of unethical behavior in the workplace. And with the #MeToo movement continuing to bring awareness to a widesp...
Aug 20, 2018•26 min•Ep. 147
By 2025, the millennial generation will make up about 75 percent of the workforce. And, if you haven’t noticed, this segment of the population does things a little differently than their predecessors. Adam McCampbell is a millennial leadership consultant who has worked with companies nationwide to help identify and develop top talent. He is passionate about creating organizations where everyone can thrive and, in this episode, he shares what every organization needs to know about today’s changin...
Aug 13, 2018•24 min•Ep. 146
We all know how important it is to save for retirement. (And if you don’t already know that, please go back and listen to some of our past episodes!) But when you do finally make it to your Golden Years, how do you know if you actually saved enough money? Without actually knowing when you are going to die, financial planning and budgeting in retirement can get pretty tricky. Good thing Doug Feller, a principal and financial advisor with Investment Partners, is here to help us understand where th...
Aug 06, 2018•24 min•Ep. 145
Opioid use has drastically increased in recent years and its impact is felt on families, in communities, and on the economy. While it may be easy to stereotype what an opioid addict looks like, the truth is, if you really want to know what an opioid addict looks like, all you have to do is look around you. Opioids don’t discriminate. On this episode, Renee West, Rea’s HR manager, joins us to talk about Ohio’s opioid epidemic and what employers can do to help combat this growing problem in our wo...
Jul 30, 2018•24 min•Ep. 144
Last time we talked about State and Local Taxes, Joe Popp and Scott Zielaskiewicz were our guests and we were waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on the monumental South Dakota v. Wayfair case. Well, in case you haven’t heard, the decision has been made and South Dakota came up victorious. Joe Popp, Rea’s SALTiest Tax Ninja, is back with host, Dave Cain to talk about what this means for your business and what you need to do today to prepare for the massive changes that are about to take place ...
Jul 23, 2018•26 min•Ep. 143
In the last episode, we talked about innovative leadership and why it’s absolutely necessary to become an innovative leader at the risk of becoming obsolete. We’re thrilled to have Maureen Metcalf, CEO of Metcalf & Associates , back with Dave Cain on this episode of unsuitable on Rea Radio to tell us how we can actually become an innovative leader – despite being pulled in a million other different directions. Get Started Today If you want to assess your own leadership capabilities and kicks...
Jul 16, 2018•18 min•Ep. 142
Right now, the American workforce is undergoing a pretty massive change. Those who have been at the helms of our companies for so long are finally on their way out and a vastly different generation is moving in to take their places – and the customers these businesses are serving are changing too. Maureen Metcalf, CEO of Metcalf & Associates , joins Dave Cain on unsuitable on Rea Radio again to talk about the importance of innovation and what that looks like in terms of leadership. Given thi...
Jul 09, 2018•23 min•Ep. 141
It’s the first week of July, and that means we’re celebrating America’s Independence Day. This year’s Fourth of July celebration is particularly special for today’s guest, as this will be her very first Independence Day as an American citizen. Nouiy Kline, a staff accountant at Rea, came to the U.S. from Thailand in 2008 as a live-in nanny. It wasn’t long before she set out to see what else America had to offer, and on Valentine’s Day this year, Nouiy became a United States citizen. We’re going ...
Jul 02, 2018•22 min•Ep. 140
In the last episode, we were joined by Dr. Anonymous, a cryptocurrency miner who explained what cryptocurrency is, how it’s mined, and how it’s valued. In this episode, we’re going to talk about another important aspect of cryptocurrency: how the IRS is looking at it and how it’s taxed. Because, as you know, if there is money to be made, there are taxes to be paid. Melane Howell and Tim Dimitroff, accountants here at Rea, have invested some serious time and energy into researching cryptocurrency...
Jun 25, 2018•27 min•Ep. 139
Everything’s digital these days and even if it’s not digital, there are digital measures in place to protect our tangible assets. Additionally, it seems like every day there is something new to learn and new terms being coined, which brings us to today’s topic – Cryptocurrency. Professional crypto miner, Dr. Anonymous, joins unsuitable to shine some light on the subject. We will talk about how mining is actually done, what security measures should be in place to protect your cryptocurrency, and ...
Jun 18, 2018•24 min•Ep. 138
Remember when Schoolhouse Rock! taught us how a bill becomes law? They did it in such a fun and whimsical way, but – let’s face it – there’s really nothing whimsical about some of the legislation being discussed on Capitol Hill these days. Take, for example, the Wayfair v. South Dakota case. It’s all about sales taxes and nexus and… well it seems a little boring in comparison. That is, until you really get into the details of the case and what the implications are for businesses nationwide. Rea’...
Jun 11, 2018•26 min•Ep. 137
We hear a lot of talk about the different generations of people today, but one thing is certain – each generation is unique, and their financial and tax goals are as well. Cindy Kula , tax planning virtuoso in Rea’s Cleveland office, joins unsuitable again to talk about tax planning strategies for different generations and why financial and tax planning strategies are essential, particularly among the younger generations. Children Learn What They Live In every aspect of life, children learn what...
Jun 04, 2018•23 min•Ep. 136
Ever since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became the law of the land, it seems to be all anybody can talk about. That being said, we would be amiss not to touch on the importance of municipal taxes. After all, they can be just as complex as their federal counterparts. Dan Bialek, a municipal tax ninja in our Northeast Ohio Region, joins unsuitable to talk about the Ohio Business Gateway (OBG) , the elimination of the throwback rule, the 20-day rule, and more. What is Ohio Business Gateway? The theme ...
May 28, 2018•25 min•Ep. 135
The weather is getting nicer, which means more people are headed outside before work, after work, and over their lunch breaks – but it may not be a coincidence that we are seeing more of our co-workers outdoors. Over the last decade or so, many businesses have begun embracing a range or workforce development initiatives, including corporate wellness. Our guest has a lot to say on the topic of workforce development, and the role corporate wellness plays into the larger picture. Jeremiah Gracia is...
May 21, 2018•24 min•Ep. 134
As a business owner, how many hats do you wear on a daily basis? You have HR considerations to tend to, marketing initiatives to deploy, accounts payable to manage… and that’s not even taking into consideration why you got into business in the first place. Our guest Amy Smith, a small business owner herself, knows all about the struggle. Amy is also a QuickBooks ProAdvisor here at Rea (just another hat she manages to balance), and on this episode of unsuitable , she shares some of the common pit...
May 14, 2018•22 min•Ep. 133
Most of us approach every task with the intention of giving it our best ... But what happens when our best isn’t good enough? Jeff Semple, president of the Canton and Mid-Ohio region of FocusCFO , joins us on this episode of unsuitable to weigh in on why, in today’s market, good just isn’t good enough anymore – and what business owners can do to get out of the weeds and back on the track towards greatness. Information is King Financial information is important, but it’s not enough. You need to b...
May 07, 2018•22 min•Ep. 132
It doesn’t matter if your company’s purpose is to serve individuals or other businesses – really, it doesn’t even matter if you’re in the business of producing goods rather than services – to truly enhance your company’s bottom line, you have to start paying attention to the customer experience. Nick Glimsdahl, client enablement director at VDS , is here to tell us more about what “customer experience” is, why it matters, and what we can do to improve the customer experience in our own businesse...
Apr 30, 2018•21 min•Ep. 131
In the previous episode , Dave Phillips joined us to share his recent Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) experience. In today’s episode, we look at the technical side of the process – without getting too far into the weeds. Joining us again on unsuitable is Tim McDaniel, a principal and director of valuation services here at Rea, who explains why ESOPs are growing in popularity, how they compare with other succession plan options, and what goes into implementation. Succession Planning: Die at ...
Apr 23, 2018•23 min•Ep. 130
With a variety of benefits for business owners and their employees alike, it’s really no wonder why Employee Stock Ownership Plans (or ESOPs) continue to grow in popularity. However, it’s one thing to read about the pros and cons of this type of succession plan in the latest business journal and another thing entirely to embark on your own ESOP journey. That’s why Dave Phillips, President and CEO of Architectural Systems Incorporated , joins this episode of unsuitable to share his first-hand exp...
Apr 16, 2018•20 min•Ep. 129
As a leader in your organization, community, and industry, developing meaningful relationships with others in your circle – and beyond – is critical. But networking and developing these types of relationships doesn’t come easy, for many of us. Natalie Siston, Founder of Small Town Leadership , is a networking, relationship-building, and professional development coach. She joins this episode of unsuitable to talk about what makes her networking approach different and how, with the right tools and...
Apr 09, 2018•23 min•Ep. 128
After weeks (or even months) of looking for the right candidate, you finally identified “The One.” But, several weeks of onboarding later, it’s clear that you were mistaken. You could always fire them, but that brings up a litany of other concerns. You could try working with them again, but that may put an unnecessary strain on your company’s valuable resources, with no guarantee that it’s going to make any difference... So, what’s the ideal solution? Derek Conrad, a senior manager on Rea’s gove...
Apr 02, 2018•20 min•Ep. 127
It’s 2018, and anybody who’s anybody has a website. It’s no longer something that’s just nice to have – it’s a marketing necessity. Your website is a place to tell your story, outline your products or services, highlight your brand, and – ultimately – secure sales. But it’s not enough to build a nice piece of virtual real estate, set it, and forget it. You have to do more if you want a return on your investment. Brad Circone, President and Chief Brand Officer at Circone + Associates, joins unsui...
Mar 26, 2018•23 min•Ep. 126
