New Mandatory Requirement For Cyber Insurance
Oct 19, 2021
During the past year, ransomware attacks and other cyber breaches have skyrocketed leading to significant changes in the cyber insurance marketplace. Historically, obtaining cyber insurance was simple and renewals were a matter of updates based on major changes within an organization. Fast forward to now and notable shifts in insurance policies and regulations are taking shape. Underwriters are now asking for more information related to cyber controls and IT risk management.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentical (MFA) is now a minimum requirement for cyber insurance through most carriers. The message, if you have not incorporated MFA into your current IT environment, your organization may be considered a high risk which would disqualify you from coverage.
MFA provides an additional layer of security above and beyond your traditional password protection. It requires users to validate their identity with additional credentials. These credentials could be the answer to a security question, the click of a button in an app for approvals, or even a biometric identifier such as a fingerprint. This extra layer of protection stops attackers as they won’t be able to access an account without all required credentials, even if they have stolen a password. The additional proof points confirm the person attempting to enter the system is truly who they say they are.
According to both Microsoft, ‘up to 99% of cyber identity attacks can be prevented with MFA’. Google has also supported this with their research ‘which shows that simply adding a recovery phone number to your Google Account can block up to 100% of automated bots, 99% of bulk phishing attacks, and 66% of targeted attacks.’
If you already have cyber insurance you more than likely will find stricter requirements during your renewal. If you are in the market for cyber insurance, you will need to incorporate MFA before you seek coverage. Carrier data proves those without MFA are at a much higher risk for extortion and therefore coverage is not obtainable.
Our WVC Technologies team can assist with your MFA initiatives to help you: one, qualify for cyber insurance quotes from multiple carriers, and two, help reduce your claims activity which can improve your insurance pricing.
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Greg Gomach, WVC Technologies Senior Client Rep.
Categories: Risk Services
Fueling Growth With A JobsOhio Inclusion Grant
Jul 09, 2021
The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant program was established in 2020 with the goal of providing financial support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state, including minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses.
Locally, the Toledo Regional Growth Partnership and William Vaughan Company have assisted qualifying organizations in receiving upwards of $25,000 to help facilitate growth.
How do I qualify?
To qualify for the Inclusion Grant, a company must:
- Meet one of the 2 criteria – 1.) Be owned by an underrepresented population – which includes race, ethnicity, gender, veterans, and those with disabilities, or 2.) located in a qualified distressed community as defined by the Economic Innovation Group.
- Be a targeted industry including Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Aviation, Automotive, Energy and Chemicals, Financial Services, Healthcare, Food and Agribusiness, Logistics and Distribution, Technology, Military, and Federal.
- Ineligible companies include retail or operations that include point-of-final-purchase transactions at a facility open to the public or other population-driven businesses that derive most of their sales from in-person delivery of services or products. For example, restaurants, hair salons, physician’s offices, retail stores, daycares, etc. For a full list of ineligible businesses, visit the JobsOhio website.
- Additionally, companies must have been in operation for at least one (1) year and be able to demonstrate $100,000 in annual revenues.
What can the grant fund be used for?
Funds may be put towards eligible costs including fixed-asset investment in machinery and equipment, real estate investments, and training costs, among other items including:
- Land
- Building
- Leasehold improvements
- Machinery and equipment
- Moving and relocation costs of machinery and equipment related to the project
- Infrastructure
- Site development
- Revitalization costs including demolition, renovation, and environmental remediation
- Fees and material costs related to planning and feasibility studies
- Engineering services
- Employee training costs
- Information technology including hardware and industry-specific software.
A full list of eligible costs can be found on the website noted below.
What should I do next?
Visit the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant Program website. Ensure you meet the criteria to be eligible. The Grant is reimbursement-based and requires supporting documentation including proof of payment.
Contact your William Vaughan Company representative or call our office number below to receive assistance in applying for this useful grant.
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wvco.com | 419.891.1040
Categories: COVID-19, Other Resources
Tax-Free Employer Contribution to Student Loan Debt Incentive
Mar 23, 2021
Statistics show that a mere 8% of employers offer some kind of student loan repayment option. While this is not a new phenomenon, bigger corporations like Google and Hulu recognize the value-add of such offering to attract and retain top talent. Recent changes to a CARES Act provision providing employers tax incentives if they offer student loan repayments has been making news. Similar to employer-sponsored retirement and health care plans, employers can contribute up to $5,250 toward an employee’s student loan balance (principal or interest) and the payment will be free from payroll and income tax under Section 2206 of the CARES Act. This temporary tax-free provision has now been extended for at least five years, and employers are starting to take notice.
Due to the pandemic, many employers are focusing efforts on employee wellbeing and financial stability. This opportunity benefits both sides: the employee doesn’t have to pay income tax on the $5,250 and the employer gets a tax deduction. Some employers have evaluated the benefit of providing annual raises or offering a contribution to student loan debt. Given the economic impact of the pandemic, some may prefer the latter. Especially with student loan interest suspended until September of this year.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this tax-free provision, employers who already maintain an educational assistance program will need to amend their program, and employers who do not already maintain such a program will need to adopt one. Developing a written plan that outlines: 1) how to notify employees of the program, 2) eligibility and, 3) benefits is a good place to start. If you have questions, please contact your William Vaughan Company advisor today.
Categories: COVID-19, Tax Planning
COVID-Related Fraud Risk on the Rise
Feb 19, 2021
Many small business owners do not believe their businesses can or will fall victim to occupational fraud. Due to this belief and budget restrictions, many small businesses do not make this a priority, which leaves them vulnerable.
According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2020 Report, financial statement fraud is the costliest type of occupational fraud affecting organizations. Financial statement fraud is not only costly from a fiscal standpoint, but it also impacts trust within the organization, the community, and with investors.
The rapid advance of COVID-19 has placed a significant strain on organizations and individuals alike. Donald R. Cressey’s fraud triangle theory includes the three major factors that are commonly present when financial statement fraud occurs: Pressure, Opportunity, and Rationalization.
Here is how COVID-19 has impacted these factors:
Pressure – Organizations are facing challenges never experienced before. COVID-19 has left many facing revenue loss, supply chain disruptions, and employee wellness concerns. All these factors, and more, are causing undue pressure to meet financial expectations.
Opportunity – While organizations are receiving state and federal funding to cope with the financial impact of COVID-19 disruption, there are dramatic shifts in operations with remote working and a reduction of in-office staff. This means internal controls are reduced and accessibility increased. These become prime opportunities for fraud.
Rationalization – Mounting stress impacts individual decision-making skills, leading people to rationalize actions they would otherwise regard unacceptable or illegal. Employees may rationalize they are “owed” financial support because of the work they do.
Some potential areas to consider when thinking about your organization include:
- Revenue recognition – The timing and amount of revenues recognized.
- Allowances and reserves – Changes in methodology and unusual adjustments.
- Valuations – Significant estimates used in projections, declining cash flows, and idle assets.
- Treatment of expenses – Expenses are recorded in the proper period.
- Disclosures – The adequacy and sufficiency of disclosures.
- Margins – Reasonableness of margins given the current year operations.
- Internal control – Opportunity for control override.
These are just a few of the common ways for financial statement fraud to occur. While we all work diligently to recover from the COVID-19 disruption, we need to be aware of the heightened risks and adjust our processes and tasks to monitor for this risk.
If your company needs assistance, William Vaughan is here to assist you.
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Juli Seiwert, CPA
419.891.1040 | juli.seiwert@wvco.com
Categories: Audit & Accounting, COVID-19
Ohio Court Sides with Restaurant Group in Business Interruption Insurance Lawsuit
Feb 15, 2021
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio recently ruled in the case of Henderson Road Restaurant Systems, Inc. vs. Zurich American Insurance Company, that the restaurant group is entitled to business interruption insurance coverage due to lost sales and increasing expenditures as a result of a government-ordered shutdown. Business interruption insurance has been widely disputed during the COVID-19 pandemic as many business owners have sought compensation for losses incurred during government-imposed shutdowns and curfews. The court ruled in favor of the restaurant group claiming it had a valid claim even though a provision within the policy denied coverage for any shutdowns caused by a microorganism. The Court argued the government orders were what caused the shutdown, not the actual novel coronavirus. Thus, the microorganism provision does not prevent the repayment.
In its defense, the insurer argued the restaurant group did not satisfy the requirement within the policy stating business income loss must be tied to “a direct physical loss of or damage to”. However, the court agreed with the restaurant group noting it lost its ability to use the insured properties for their intended purpose. The judge maintained the temporary state and local closure orders led to the restaurant group to suffer a covered loss because the orders prohibited them from allowing in-person dining, which was the foundation of their business model.
The case has been certified for an immediate appeal. If the court’s decision survives the appeal, all businesses in Ohio closed due to shutdown orders may be entitled to recover some form of their losses from their insurer. Policyholders and insurers in Ohio await a resolution of these key issues and will look for clarification of the policy interpretation rules by the Sixth Circuit or the Ohio Supreme Court.
For more information on our restaurant practice and the services we offer, please connect with our practice leader below:
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Kristin Metzger, CPA
Restaurant Practice Leader
Categories: COVID-19, Restaurant & Hospitality