Switzerland is well-known around the world for a number of things. Swiss watches are routinely regarded as being among the best in the global market. Swiss chocolate garners a fair amount of international attention. And the tradition of Swiss neutrality also contributes toward the country’s public
Basic Facts of Cost Segregation
Cost segregation is a process which involves separating personal property assets from real property assets for the purpose of shortening the time of depreciation and reducing tax liability. In a cost segregation study, assets are classed together according to their depreciation period. Cost
What is Commercial Paper?
There is a variety of means companies can utilize in order to generate capital. Companies employ certain means rather than others depending on what specific needs they have to fulfill. Commercial paper is an unsecured promissory note which is typically used to fund short-term company projects. Since
A Primer on New York’s Mobility Tax
In May of 2009, the governor of New York signed into effect the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax (also referred to as simply the “mobility tax”). The MCTMT imposes a tax on both businesses and self-employed individuals provided they meet certain income thresholds. The MCTMT was
Tulip Mania: An Old Presage of Modern Economic Bubbles
The term “tulip mania” refers to the period during the Dutch Golden Age when the Netherlands saw an incredible rise in the popularity and sale of tulips. Tulips were first introduced to Europe when they were brought from the Ottoman Empire in 1554. They were initially brought to Vienna but made
The Beginning and End of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange
Long before the New York Stock Exchange was even a dim possibility, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange reigned as the world’s leading market for the trading of securities. Though stock transactions took place elsewhere prior to its creation, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange was the first financial institution
The Basics of Balance Sheets
The world of finance can be a bit complicated at times, in part because financial professionals often have an interest in portraying matters to be more complex than they actually are. However, one of the more straightforward items in finance is the balance sheet. Put simply, a balance sheet is a
What is Mark-to-Market Accounting?
Mark-to-market accounting – also referred to as “fair value accounting” by some – is a type of accounting which attempts to reflect the market price of assets and liabilities. In mark-to-market, the value of assets and liabilities may change in tandem with market fluctuations. The rationale of