The web has catered to many needs of the modern consumer. Whether shopping for apparel or ordering a pizza, the web has revolutionized how markets and consumers think. While it has integrated so well into modern society, some precautions must be taken to enjoy and reap the benefits of this blessing.

The cyber world can be dark, and one can easily fall prey to being a victim of privacy violations. Protect your privacy online by never giving out highly volatile and essential information like credit card details, cell numbers, and social security numbers, among many others. These may be used against your will or in malicious activities.

Here are five simple ways to protect your privacy online so you can experience the World Wide Web in a more wholesome capacity without worrying about bad situations.

Never Give Out Full Information

Protect your privacy online because you never know who’s watching your profile. Rest assured, various ways exist to hide or even go invisible on many social media websites. It’s only fair to think that others would use such features if you can do it.

Exposing oneself to the unknown may have compromising consequences, so taking precautions is always advised. Be careful about what information you put out there, such as your phone number and address. 

Social Security is Yours Alone

Some websites may ask for social security numbers, for instance, a doctor’s office. Or when people get official-looking emails that request them to share their number for so and so reason. Protect your privacy online, and beware.

Never give out social security numbers because the cyber domain is not always secure. It is acceptable to be present at a doctor’s office to schedule an appointment where they ask you for the number, but giving it out online is a definite and huge “NO”!

Know your Computer When Issuing a Transaction

Use your computer at home whenever you undergo or issue a transaction. You are less exposed to threats when you know the hardware is secure and that none of your vital information is being shared. Protect your privacy online by using only trusted computers.

Using internet cafes for financial transactions or information transmission can be compromised, as the systems could have keyboard tap software that records every tap on the logged and stored keyboard.

Use the Browser to Your Advantage

Surfing online is fun, but it becomes traceless with the private browsing feature. This tool is highly recommended if you are using a shared computer. Also, protect your privacy online if you are worried about someone going through your email or other private stuff without you knowing.

Change Passwords

Changing all passwords often is strongly advised. Thus, the chances of an account being compromised are dim. Never click yes when the operating system asks you to save your password along with your username on the computer, as this would allow anyone access simply by clicking on “OK.” 

A secure way to create a password is to use caps on the first letter, a digit, a symbol, and small letters. Protect your online privacy by always using a new password and avoid repeating it on different websites. Following these five simple tips will help protect your online privacy and allow you to enjoy the cyber world without concern of being compromised.

Conclusion

When we are in our homes or offices, we expect privacy. The same should be expected when we are online. Using these strategies will help you keep your online activity private. The desire to protect online privacy is about keeping information and ourselves physically safe and secure.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Wouldn’t it be awesome always to have enough cash to buy whatever you wanted? Few have the liberty and liquidity to turn this into reality with their efficient use of credit. If used wisely, credit can alter your life in ways you can’t even imagine by allowing you to afford the lifestyle of your choice. It can fund your dream house or help you buy that dream car. You can further renovate your home and spend quality time with friends and family. The possibilities are endless, provided you make wise credit decisions.

Why Efficient Use of Credit is a Very Good Thing

People use credit for different purposes depending on their preferences. The purpose is to fill the affordability gap, ultimately allowing you to live blissfully. Using credit efficiently has far-reaching benefits other than just affordability. A responsible use of credit establishes a positive credit history, contributing to suitable credit scores reflected on your credit report.

A good credit score means you will automatically qualify for better insurance rates, open up mobile accounts with smaller security deposits, and help you secure loans for your business or personal use. The responsible use of credit also shows your credibility to your employer, which eventually translates into career growth.

Understanding How Credit Works

Whether it’s a loan or a credit card, asking for credit means that a lender will look at your credit report for information about managing your finances. Even if you want to do business with some other company, they will look at your credit report for clues, along with your bookkeeping records. Your credit report includes your financial history and previous use of credit. Your creditworthiness is determined by your credit report by anyone lending you a loan or looking to do business with you.

Your credit history translates into credit scores, which go up and down depending on your financial decisions. Any missing loan or credit card payment will result in deductions from your credit scores, while timely payments will improve your scores. The scores precisely measure your likelihood of paying back a loan. Therefore, lenders rely on them heavily.

Certain types of credits are revolving, such as credit card payments, and there is no fixed end date for repayment. A credit limit is set for using credit, and you can borrow up to that limit and then pay part of it back every month. A particular interest rate and the payments accrued each month must be paid.

How to Improve Your Use of Credit

Because all financial decisions are converted into scores, all types of credit impact them. Making responsible financial decisions in the early stages of your life will have fruitful consequences in your future. Don’t waste credit on things you can live without; always repay your debt in time. Once you build up a solid credit history, you will have plenty of opportunities to do what you desire.

To ensure that your use of credit is handled responsibly, review your credit reports and scores regularly. Keeping track of your report will allow you to make informed decisions about your financial life. Here are some ways to build up your credit.

Paying off your utility bills and similar payments on time each month can significantly amplify your creditworthiness. Set up automatic payments for these types so you don’t miss them.

Ensure your credit card debts and other revolving loans are regularly paid off. Keeping low credit card balances is always a good idea because unsecured credits are more expensive than secured ones.

Pay attention to your credit use for all types. This shows the lender that you can manage different credit types efficiently, creating a responsible image.

An intelligent use of credit will elevate the standard of your life in every way, and taking steps to improve your credit only leads to improving the quality of your life.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Email has become one of the most powerful channels to reach consumers. It has the highest rate of return among digital marketing channels. It’s also the channel that consumers prefer the most for brand communications. This is because emails are no longer solely text-based.

With HTML and CSS, they can have colors, buttons, images, and more. Today, email marketing is more powerful than ever and is the most effective platform for brands to distribute middle and bottom-of-the-funnel content. Here are some tips for effectively distributing your content via email and refining your B2B (Business-to-business) email performance:

Provide Frequency Options

Your subscribers represent individual people – people with different needs, wants, and expectations. By providing different subscription options, potential subscribers will feel more in control of the emails they’ll receive and are more likely to sign up.

Offer Content Options

One way to provide subscribers with relevant content and inspire potential subscribers to sign up for your emails is by offering several content options. For example, if someone only wants to receive communications about email design techniques but not email marketing strategies, they can subscribe to a niche newsletter that focuses on their interests.

Send an Engaging welcome Email

Please don’t make your subscribers wait for your following newsletter or campaign after they opt in. Onboard your subscribers or send them a welcome email thanking them for subscribing, and include some of your best evergreen content. By immediately demonstrating the value of your emails, you’ll excite your subscribers for future sends.

Keep it Valuable, Not Promotional

When writing your email copy, put yourself in your subscribers’ shoes and ask, “What’s in it for me?” Don’t focus on your wants and needs. Focus on theirs.

Optimize Your Inbox View

Before your subscribers can read the content in your email, they must first decide to open the campaign. This decision to open occurs in the inbox, where the subscriber will frequently see a few critical pieces of influential information – you’re from the name, subject line, and (sometimes) preview text.

Share Third-party Articles

Your subscribers crave education and motivation. However, producing great content is complex and time-consuming. So, instead, look to others in your industry for helpful, actionable content and curate those articles in your emails. You’ll be sharing great content and building trust with your subscribers, and it’s minimal work for you. Plus, sharing content with your partners can help strengthen those relationships.

Utilize Brand Partnerships

Utilize your brand partnerships to expand your content’s reach. For example, work with others on content initiatives, like webinars, eBooks, and blog posts. Then, when it’s time for the campaign, you can leverage your email subscribers to reach a superior audience.

Make it Easily Shareable

Send great content that your subscribers will want to share. Use your current subscribers as an avenue to reach new ones. By encouraging your subscribers to forward and share your emails, you’re meaningfully expanding the reach of your content and increasing the possibility of additional subscribers.

Measure and Improve

If it’s not measurable, it’s not worth doing; even email isn’t an exception to that rule. There are plenty of different analytics that you can measure with email distribution platforms that will give you insights into your database’s health. When measuring the efficiency of your content via email as a distribution channel, the three key metrics you should keep an eye on include Click-through Rate (CTR), Open Rate, and Unsubscribes.

Conclusion

Email is the perfect medium to distribute your content initiatives. Since email is a permission-based marketing channel, those signing up to receive your emails explicitly request more information. Your campaigns on your valuable content can help them do just that. If you’re segmenting when distributing content and executing campaigns, your content will be far more successful in moving your leads through the buyer’s journey.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Agricultural Risk Management: Strategic Protection for Modern Farming Operations

Agricultural risk management encompasses the systematic identification, assessment, and mitigation of threats that impact farm profitability—from weather volatility and market price swings to equipment failures and regulatory changes.

Over my 20+ years as CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve worked with agricultural businesses across the spectrum, from small family farms to large commercial operations. The farms that thrive share one critical trait: they treat risk management as seriously as they treat planting and harvesting. This guide provides the comprehensive framework you need to protect your agricultural investment, covering everything from diversification strategies and insurance optimization to technology integration and climate resilience planning.

What is agricultural risk management?

• Agricultural risk management is the systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and implementing strategies to minimize threats to farm operations and profitability
• Core risk categories include production risks (weather, pests), financial risks (interest rates, cash flow), market risks (price volatility), legal risks (regulations), and human risks (labor, safety)
• Modern farms face unprecedented climate challenges, with extreme weather events increasing in frequency and severity
• Effective risk management preserves farm equity, ensures business continuity, and provides stability for long-term planning
• Comprehensive strategies can reduce income variability by 30-50% while improving credit access and lowering insurance premiums

Understanding the Five Core Categories of Agricultural Risk

Modern agricultural operations face interconnected risks threatening both immediate profitability and long-term sustainability. Farm risk assessment begins with recognizing five fundamental categories every agricultural enterprise must address. Production risks encompass biological and environmental factors directly affecting crop yields and livestock productivity, including weather extremes, pest infestations, plant diseases, and equipment failures during critical farming periods.

Financial risks represent threats to economic stability, involving interest rate fluctuations, credit availability changes, unexpected capital expenses, and cash flow disruptions when income and expense timing don’t align. Market risks emerge from volatile agricultural commodity pricing, where global supply and demand dynamics, trade policies, and consumer preference shifts dramatically impact revenue even when production remains stable.

Production risk factors and their impact

Agricultural risk analysis reveals that production risks often create the most immediate threats to farm operations. Weather-related challenges have intensified significantly, with drought conditions affecting over 40% of agricultural regions annually and extreme precipitation events causing billions in crop losses. Modern farms contend with evolving pest pressures as climate change alters insect life cycles and disease patterns, while equipment reliability becomes increasingly critical as machinery complexity grows.

The global Agriculture Risk Management Market was valued at billions in 2024 and is projected to expand at a significant compound annual growth rate through 2032, driven by increasing need for effective risk mitigation strategies to maintain financial stability and ensure consistent crop yields.

Financial risk components in modern agriculture

The financial landscape for agriculture has become increasingly complex, requiring sophisticated risk mitigation strategies to maintain operational stability. Interest rate fluctuations significantly impact seasonal operating loan costs and equipment financing, while credit availability often tightens during economic downturns precisely when farms need additional liquidity support. Cash flow management presents ongoing challenges as agricultural income remains seasonal while expenses occur throughout the year.

Market risk dynamics and price volatility

Managing agricultural risks in today’s global marketplace requires understanding interconnected factors driving commodity price movements. Supply chain disruptions have impacted over 45% of global agribusinesses, highlighting vulnerabilities in traditional market relationships and distribution channels. Currency fluctuations, trade agreements, and geopolitical tensions rapidly alter export opportunities and domestic pricing structures.

Diversification as the Foundation of Risk Reduction

Sustainable farming practices built around diversification principles provide robust protection against agricultural uncertainties. Enterprise diversification operates on the fundamental premise that income streams from different crops and livestock activities rarely move in perfect correlation, creating natural hedges that stabilize overall farm revenue when individual components face challenges.

Crop diversification strategies extend beyond planting multiple varieties to include temporal diversification through staggered planting dates, spatial diversification across different soil types and microclimates, and genetic diversification using varieties with varying maturity dates and stress tolerances. Successful diversification incorporates livestock integration, where cattle, poultry, or other animals utilize crop residues while providing additional income sources and nutrient cycling benefits, enhancing soil health.

Geographic and temporal diversification strategies

Risk management tools for farmers include sophisticated approaches to spreading production across different geographic areas and time periods, minimizing concentrated exposure to localized weather events or market disruptions. Farmers operating across multiple counties or states reduce vulnerability to regional droughts, floods, or pest outbreaks that might devastate single locations.

Value-added enterprises and income stream expansion

Modern agricultural operations increasingly incorporate processing, direct marketing, and agritourism activities creating multiple revenue streams operating independently of commodity market fluctuations. Value-added enterprises such as on-farm processing, farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, and educational activities provide premium pricing and direct customer relationships buffering against wholesale market volatility.

Comprehensive Insurance and Financial Protection Strategies

Agricultural insurance serves as a critical safety net transferring significant production and revenue risks to specialized insurance providers. The federal crop insurance program covers nearly 380 million acres across the United States, with government subsidies averaging 62% of premium costs making coverage accessible to producers of all sizes. Modern insurance options have evolved beyond basic yield protection to include revenue insurance, margin protection, and area-based coverage providing payments even when individual farm yields remain acceptable but regional conditions trigger coverage.

Only about 13% of U.S. farms participated in Federal crop insurance programs in 2022, with small family farms accounting for 54% of participants but receiving only 12% of insurance payments. Midsize and large-scale family farms represented 42% of participants but received 80% of payments.

Crop insurance products offer multiple coverage levels ranging from catastrophic protection at 50% yield loss thresholds to comprehensive coverage protecting against losses exceeding 15-20% of expected production. Revenue protection insurance provides broader coverage insuring against both yield shortfalls and price declines, offering farmers protection against dual threats devastating farm income in single seasons.

Livestock insurance and specialty coverage options

Livestock insurance programs have expanded significantly addressing unique risks facing animal agriculture operations, including mortality coverage, Livestock Gross Margin protection for feeders, and Livestock Risk Protection for price volatility. Specialty insurance products cover aquaculture operations, organic certification losses, and whole-farm revenue insurance encompassing diverse agricultural enterprises under single policies.

Farm financial stability through strategic insurance planning

Building farm financial stability requires coordinating insurance coverage with broader financial management strategies ensuring adequate protection without overinsuring and wasting premium dollars. Effective insurance planning considers the farm’s overall risk tolerance, cash flow requirements, and debt service obligations determining optimal coverage levels and deductible amounts.

During the 1980s farm crisis, farm debt doubled between 1978 and 1984. Farmland values in Iowa increased 431% from $319 in 1970 to $1,694 in 1982, then dropped 62% by 1987 to $652, leading to record foreclosures and agricultural bank failures.

Technology Integration for Smart Risk Management

Risk management tools for farmers have been revolutionized by precision agriculture technologies providing real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making capabilities. Satellite-based crop monitoring systems detect stress conditions, pest infestations, and disease outbreaks days or weeks before becoming visible through traditional scouting methods, enabling proactive interventions preventing small problems from becoming major losses.

Weather monitoring and forecasting technologies provide hyperlocal predictions helping farmers make critical timing decisions for planting, spraying, harvesting, and livestock management activities. Advanced weather stations combined with predictive modeling forecast frost events, precipitation patterns, and growing degree day accumulations with unprecedented accuracy, allowing farmers to optimize input applications and protective measures.

Parker Farms in Iowa integrated drone spraying technology into their 3,000-acre operation in 2023, achieving 28% reduction in herbicide use, 22% decrease in labor costs, 8% yield increase from timely applications, with ROI in just 16 months.

Digital financial management and risk assessment tools

Modern farms utilize sophisticated software platforms integrating production records, financial data, and market information providing comprehensive risk analysis and scenario planning capabilities. These systems model financial impacts of various production scenarios, market price movements, and policy changes helping farmers make informed decisions about crop selection, marketing strategies, and capital investments.

Cybersecurity considerations for agricultural technology

As farms become increasingly dependent on digital technologies and data-driven decision making, agricultural risk analysis must include cybersecurity threats compromising sensitive business information, disrupting automated systems, and exposing farms to financial fraud. Protecting agricultural data requires implementing authentication protocols, encryption systems, and backup procedures ensuring business continuity when technology systems face security breaches.

Climate Resilience and Sustainable Risk Mitigation

Sustainable farming practices designed building climate resilience represent proactive approaches to managing agricultural risks in an era of increasing weather volatility and environmental uncertainty. Climate-smart agriculture techniques focus on building soil health, conserving water resources, and enhancing biodiversity creating farming systems better withstanding extreme weather events while maintaining productivity.

Climate change could reduce global food production capacity by 120 calories per person per day for every 1-degree Celsius temperature increase, equaling about 4.4% of daily consumption. Even with adaptation measures, average global yields of six staple crops could fall over 11% under moderate warming by century’s end.

Soil health initiatives including cover cropping, reduced tillage, and integrated pest management create resilient production systems requiring fewer external inputs while providing better drought tolerance, improved nutrient cycling, and enhanced carbon sequestration. Water conservation strategies encompass precision irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and drought-resistant crop varieties maintaining production capability during extended dry periods.

Carbon markets and climate risk opportunities

Forward-thinking agricultural operations discover climate risk mitigation strategies generating new revenue streams through carbon credit markets, conservation program payments, and sustainability premium pricing. Carbon sequestration through improved soil management, methane reduction in livestock operations, and renewable energy adoption provides additional income while reducing environmental risks.

Business continuity and emergency preparedness

Comprehensive agricultural risk management includes detailed emergency preparedness and business continuity planning addressing both natural disasters and human-caused disruptions threatening farm operations. Emergency planning encompasses immediate response procedures for severe weather events, equipment failures, and health emergencies, while business continuity planning focuses on maintaining critical operations and recovering quickly from various disruptions.

Farm financial stability during crisis situations depends heavily on adequate insurance coverage, emergency cash reserves, and predetermined agreements with neighbors and service providers for mutual assistance during disasters. Successful emergency planning requires regular training for farm personnel, maintained inventories of critical supplies, and documented procedures protecting livestock, equipment, and stored commodities during various emergency scenarios.

Conclusion

Effective agricultural risk management stands as a necessity for sustainable farming operations in our increasingly volatile world. Throughout my career working with agricultural businesses, I’ve witnessed how farms that proactively identify risks, implement comprehensive mitigation strategies, and continuously adapt their approaches consistently outperform those taking reactive approaches. From diversification and insurance to technology integration and emergency preparedness, successful risk management requires a holistic approach addressing all aspects of agricultural uncertainty.

The investment in comprehensive risk management pays dividends not only during crisis situations but also through improved credit access, lower insurance costs, and enhanced profitability from more stable operations. At Complete Controller, we specialize in developing financial management systems and planning tools supporting effective risk management strategies. Contact our team at Complete Controller to learn how our specialized agricultural accounting and financial planning services can strengthen your farm’s risk management foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Agricultural Risk Management

What are the five main types of agricultural risks?

The five core categories of agricultural risk include production risks (weather, pests, disease), financial risks (interest rates, cash flow), market risks (price volatility), legal and regulatory risks (liability, compliance), and human risks (labor, health, safety issues).

How much can effective risk management reduce farm income volatility?

Comprehensive risk management strategies typically reduce farm income volatility by 30-50% while improving access to credit and potentially lowering insurance premiums through demonstrated risk mitigation efforts.

What is the most cost-effective agricultural insurance for small farms?

Catastrophic (CAT) coverage provides basic protection at minimal cost, covering losses exceeding 50% of expected yields. However, higher coverage levels often provide better protection relative to premium costs, especially with federal subsidies averaging 62% of premium expenses.

How do climate change impacts affect agricultural risk management strategies?

Climate change intensifies weather-related risks and creates new challenges requiring adaptive strategies including drought-resistant varieties, improved water management, diversified cropping systems, and enhanced weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

What role does technology play in modern agricultural risk management?

Technology enables real-time monitoring of crop health, precise weather forecasting, automated record-keeping, predictive analytics for decision-making, and improved efficiency implementing risk mitigation strategies while also creating new cybersecurity risks requiring management.

Sources

• AgTech Folio3. (2024). “Effective Farm Risk Management Plan for Every Operation.” Folio3 AgTech Blog. agtech.folio3.com/blogs/effective-farm-risk-management-plan/
• Agriculture Canada. (2024). “How Business Risk Management Programs Can Help You.” Government of Canada. agriculture.canada.ca/en
• Avary Drone. (2025). “The Economics of Drone Spraying: ROI for Farmers in 2025.” Avary Drone Blog.
• Carbon Brief. (2025). “Staple crops yields face ‘substantial losses’ in warming world – even with adaptation.” Viglione, Giuliana.
• Farmonaut. (2024). “Agribusiness Risk Management: 7 Powerful Strategies For 2025.” Farmonaut Blog. farmonaut.com/blogs/agribusiness-risk-management-7-powerful-strategies-for-2025
• Farmonaut. (2024). “Farm Risk Management: 7 Shocking Secrets For Success.” Farmonaut Blog. farmonaut.com/blogs/farm-risk-management-7-shocking-secrets-for-success
• FDIC. (1990). “Chapter 8 – Banking and the Agricultural Problems of the 1980s.” FDIC History of the Eighties.
• Future Data Stats. (2024). “Agriculture Risk Management Market Size & Industry Growth 2030.”
• USDA Economic Research Service. (2024). “Crop insurance payments to farmers vary by farm type.” Lacy, Katherine and Katherine Lim.
• USDA Economic Research Service. “Risk Management Strategies.” ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices-management/risk-management/risk-management-strategies
• World Bank. (2016). “Agricultural Sector Risk Assessment: Methodological Guidance for Practitioners.” documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/586561467994685817/pdf/100320-WP-P147595-Box394840B-PUBLIC-01132016.pdf

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a law that ensures the protection of patient data. Institutions that use patient information must ensure the complete security of medical information about a patient. The HIPAA is placed to ensure complete data privacy; the act enforces companies to take safety measures for protected health information (PHI) and abide by HIPAA compliance.

HIPAA compliance is for every institution that provides treatment, including payments and performing different functions associated with healthcare. It includes businesses directly involved in dealing with patient information, including the fees mentioned in bookkeeping, patient history, and treatment information, which all must be under HIPAA compliance.

HIPAA Privacy and Security

HIPAA, known as the Standards for Privacy for Individually Identifiable Health Information, establishes national standards for protecting certain health information. Similarly, the Security Rule maintains a specific set of standards associated with health information transferred in electronic form. The rule addresses the technical and non-technical safeguards institutions must implement to secure all electronic information about a patient.

The Office of Civil Rights within HHS is responsible for ensuring the data protection of a medical organization. The OCR officer enforces institutions to comply with the Privacy and Security Rules with voluntary compliance, including civil monetary penalties.

Why do Companies Need HIPAA Compliance?

Healthcare institutions and other companies working with Protected Health Information usually move their database from a traditional system to an online-computerized system. An online system includes a computerized physician order entity (CPOE), an electronic health record or EHR, laboratory systems, radiology, and pharmacy.

Today, with so many data breaches by hackers worldwide, compliance with HIPAA is necessary. Medical information is crucial for hospitals and laboratories, but patient information is also helpful for health insurance companies. These companies pay for treatments based on a patient’s health plan. Self-service applications and healthcare management companies must adhere to the HIPAA law; non-compliance with the act would lead to penalties and hefty fines for any data breach.

The Security Rule under the HIPAA policy protects every piece of information about a patient around the U.S. The Security Rule protects patient data while allowing companies to use new and improved technologies to improve patient treatment efficiency. The Security Rule is flexible, allowing an institution or a business to implement different procedures, technologies, and policies to ensure compliance with The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

HIPAA Compliance with Physical, Technical Safeguards and Policies

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has specific requirements about HIPAA compliance with physical and technical aspects for companies responsible for holding and maintaining sensitive patient information. Some of the physical safeguards associated with compliance with HIPAA are:

• Limited control in handling patient information with authorized access to concerned personnel only
• The organization must implement strict policies to control access to workstations and other computerized information.
• Transferring, disposing of, re-using electronic information, and removing protected health information is restricted.
• Must use unique user IDS, with access codes for emergency access; the database and computers must have an automatic log-off
• Electronic devices must have effective encryption and decryption systems installed.
• Monitoring systems for recording activity on hardware and software are mandatory.
• Auditing reports and tackling logs of every computer system within the institution

Data Protection for Healthcare Institutions and HIPAA

Healthcare organizations must undertake strict safety measures to ensure data security for every patient. Institutions today use high-quality healthcare management systems that meet the demand to meet all security measures The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) puts forward. The rules enforce healthcare organizations to ensure:

• Availability and security of protected health information (PHI) maintain the trust of patients and health care professionals.
• Must maintain HIPAA regulations associated with access, integrity controls, and audits
• Secure data transmissions and device security must be ensured.
• Maintain greater control and visibility of sensitive data in the organization.
• Must guarantee to offer the best security measures to prevent a data breach
• Any structured or unstructured data, including emails, files, reports, and scans, must be protected from cyber-attacks.
• If sharing data with another organization is necessary, both parties must ensure proper security measures before transferring protected patient information.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) helps maintain a secure way to handle crucial patient information; in case of a data breach by internal or external sources, the organization is investigated thoroughly to protect patient information.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A chief accountant most often controls accounting; there is usually an assistant chief accountant and other ordinary accountants. Others, such as an accountant-auditor and accountant-cashier, can supplement these posts depending on the organization’s size and workflow, 

Certified public accounting has generated an interesting, creative, and well-paid profession. In most medium-sized organizations, the accounting system is the most important and is mainly divided into bookkeepers and accountants responsible for maintaining detailed operational registers.

A certified public accountant of the highest qualification can decide how the courses should be reported, composed, and interpreted. A CPA is responsible for preparing a special assessment, developing and managing traffic information systems, and ensuring accuracy. Independent accountants and auditors evaluate the accounting records of many organizations. CPAs use bookkeeping to keep detailed accounting records.

What You Should Pay Attention to in the Accounting Profession

A certified public accountant must be able to make decisions independently, have management experience, and maintain an accounting record following the criteria of the national legislature and corporate requirements. They should also work with tax consultants and external audit counselors, interact with the business’s management to solve tasks, and be much more.

What Does a CPA do?

After becoming a Certified Public Accountant, an accountant is given a higher privilege in the eyes of expert peers, regulators, business contacts, and potential clients. Because a CPA has met the requirements of education and has passed a very tough exam, the designation of a CPA comes under one of the most versatile and highly sought-after accounting and finance qualifications.

What Can a CPA do?

Public accounting consists of extensive auditing, tax, and accounting. In addition to this, it also involves consulting tasks for small businesses, government organizations, and individuals. A proficient public accountant is capable of doing all of these tasks. Moreover, a CPA can perform two functions that an ordinary accountant without a CPA license cannot:

• A professional CPA can prepare reviewed or audited economic statements and file a report with the Commission of Securities and Exchange. Public organizations must file a reviewed and audited economic statement with the SEC.
• An expert CPA can represent their clients before the Internal Revenue Service. However, an ordinary accountant who is a lawyer, an enrolled agent, or a registered agent for a retirement plan can also represent clients.

CPA Firms

A certified public accountant (CPA) at a CPA firm works in one of the following three areas:

Tax Services

Tax services are filling and preparing state, federal, and local tax revenues and working with individuals and companies during the year to minimize tax obligations. A CPA organization can represent its customers in the case of an IRS audit or investigation by country or local tax authorities.

Auditing Services

Auditing services are independent expert services that help improve the context and quality of non-financial and financial data, especially for decision-makers. The audit objectively assesses economic and financial data to ensure accuracy and meets criteria—for example, GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles).

Management Services

Management services can provide complete guidance and assistance for managing and supervising the day-to-day activity of an individual or organization. Management services also provide strategic and long-term planning. These services might include budgeting, managing cash, and economic planning, including preparing financial statements, risk and insurance management, and investment guidance.

Most businesses, giant corporations, also seek the help of CPAs to fill accounting positions, especially management and other higher-level positions.

CPA’s are Experts in the Following Areas

• Financial reporting and accounting
• Management Accounting
• Internal audits
• Tax accounting

Additionally, CPAs can work for the government by performing financial tasks and audits of government agencies. Moreover, another job opportunity for a CPA is with law enforcement organizations, helping investigate financial offenses or other crimes that leave an economic trail.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

In the bustling marketplace of ideas, theories, and concepts, one particularly intriguing subject that stands out for its applicability to everyday economic interactions is Transaction Cost Economics (TCE). This fascinating theory, which may sound complex at first glance, can be distilled into simple, digestible terms. So, buckle up as we embark on a fun and enlightening journey through the world of TCE, exploring its nuances, applications, and the myriad ways it impacts our daily decisions.

The Essence of Transaction Cost Economics

Imagine you’re at your favorite coffee shop, about to buy a cup of coffee. Seems straightforward, right? But beneath this simple transaction lies a complex web of decisions and costs that Transaction Cost Economics seeks to explain. At its core, TCE is the study of the costs associated with making an exchange or a transaction. These costs aren’t just about the price of the coffee but include the time you spent deciding which coffee shop to visit, the effort to understand the menu, and even the fuel costs of driving there.

Developed by economist Ronald Coase in the 1930s and later expanded upon by Oliver Williamson in the 1970s, TCE delves into why companies and individuals organize in specific ways to minimize these transaction costs. It’s not just about the money; it’s about efficiency, trust, and reducing the friction in making a deal.

The Components of Transaction Costs

Transaction costs can be broadly categorized into three main types: search and information costs, bargaining and decision costs, and policing and enforcement costs.

Search and information costs

These are the costs involved in finding the right product, service, or partner. For instance, researching the best coffee shop in town involves time and perhaps even the cost of using data on your mobile phone.

Bargaining and decision costs

These costs arise during the negotiation of the terms of a transaction. If you’re haggling over the price of a bulk coffee order for your office, this negotiation process is a part of the transaction cost.

Policing and enforcement costs

After the deal is done, ensuring each party sticks to their end of the bargain incurs costs. If the coffee shop promises to deliver 100 cups of coffee for an event and fails, resolving this breach would involve policing and enforcement costs.

Application and Best Practices

Understanding TCE is more than an academic exercise; it has practical applications across businesses and everyday life. Companies utilize TCE principles to decide whether to produce a component in-house or outsource it to a supplier. This decision hinges on which option offers lower transaction costs while maintaining quality and efficiency.

For example, a car manufacturer might find it cheaper to produce batteries in-house to avoid the high costs of negotiating and enforcing contracts with an external supplier. This decision-making process, influenced by TCE, directly impacts the company’s bottom line and operational efficiency.

Real-Life Implications

Beyond business decisions, TCE can shed light on why certain market structures exist. For instance, why do franchises thrive? A franchise model reduces the search and information costs for consumers by providing a consistent product or service quality across different locations. Similarly, the existence of long-term contracts and vertical integration (where a company owns its supply chain) can often be explained through the lens of transaction cost economics.

Accounting Facts and Statistics

Supporting TCE, numerous studies have provided insights into the significant impact of transaction costs on the economy. For instance, research indicates that transaction costs can account for a substantial portion of the gross domestic product (GDP) in developed economies. A study by the World Bank highlighted that improving the efficiency of transaction costs could significantly boost economic growth, particularly in developing countries where these costs tend to be higher due to regulatory and infrastructural inefficiencies.

Conclusion

Transaction Cost Economics offers a powerful lens through which to view and analyze the economic world around us. By understanding the various types of transaction costs and how they influence decision-making, businesses and individuals can optimize their operations and interactions to save time, effort, and money. Whether it’s deciding to make coffee at home to avoid the costs of going out or a multinational corporation choosing to vertically integrate its supply chain, TCE principles are at play, shaping our economic landscape in profound ways.

So, the next time you’re about to make a purchase or a business decision, take a moment to consider the transaction costs involved. You might just find that this simple yet powerful concept can lead to more informed, efficient, and economically sound choices.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Business owners starting an online business in the retail industry must consider many aspects before their start-up takes off. Capital, marketing expenses, financial expenses, branding, logistics, operations, and customer service are just a few of the critical components of a business. Entrepreneurs must also determine whether or not they need a business license before they launch their online store.

Licensing Depends on Location

Having to obtain a business license for an online store to sell your product online depends on which state you are in. Every state in the US has different rules and regulations related to an online start-up. Before investing your precious capital in your business, check with the local authorities about the permits and licenses needed for your business operations. Having licenses and permits will avoid future hassles for your business.

The licensing rules for starting an online business vary from state to state and city to city in the US. Let us take the example of Los Angeles, California. The law in Los Angeles requires online start-ups to file for a Doing Business As (DBA). The second requirement is that the company must have a resale permit. Businesses in Los Angeles must announce their DBA in newspapers at least four weeks before selling any products.

If you happen to move your business from LA to another county in California, the address must be changed accordingly. The company must send new details and taxes to the state once all the details are provided. The new county will contact you and request you file a license for your company.

Collect Information about Requirements of State or County

A business license for an online store will facilitate the start-up owners. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a comprehensive list that includes state license offices. The offices will guide business owners about the licenses and permits an online retailer would need.

The following licenses are commonly required for online retailing in the US.

• A license for sales tax registration
• Zoning permits
• Federal licensing
• Professional licensing (if your online licensing offers specialized services like dentistry, doctors, hairstylists, vets, and equipment repair)
• Health inspection license
• Home occupation license (for consultants)

Licenses and Permits Needed for a Home-Based or Online Business

An Online business from a home or office located on a residential block must have a “home occupation permit.” The permits are shaped to prevent enterprises from adding noise, disturbance, littering, dust, and odors.

Business License for Online Store

Almost all businesses in the US are required to obtain a business license for an online store. A business license is required for home-based businesses. If your company does not have regular deliveries or pickups and does not rely on maintaining a more extensive inventory daily, it will be easier to get a license.

More extensive online stores are required to submit detailed transactions. For more prominent online retailers, zoning department permits could be applicable. It could be essential if delivery and pickup trucks show up at the location more frequently.

Every state in the US requires a business license for an online store. The permits and registration documents allow the government to track the necessary taxes. The tax requirement is a must for any business. It’s always essential to keep your license updated when it is about to expire to avoid legal issues.

Registration with the Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment Department

The permits and regulations above apply to online businesses. For example, an online company that will hire employees must register the business with the Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Departments. Zoning permits are probably not applicable to online businesses, but they could be required if shipments move to and from a residential home.

The sales tax rules are somewhat complex when designed for an online business. The sales tax on online sales is not clear. The classification of sales tax on online transactions requires information collection and discussion with an accountant or bookkeeper.

When starting an online business, it is always important to check with local authorities about the permits needed to conduct your business. Ultimately, these licenses will allow you to run your business without worrying about a shutdown. Getting a business license for your online store is essential, even if your state and county jurisdictions do not require it. A proper permit and license for your company will make it legitimate and completely safe.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

“According to folklore, this has been a terrible generation for manufacturing and those who move goods,” says Center of Business and Economic Research’s Director Michael Hicks. He made this bold statement about the general public’s opinions, which are, in fact, contrary. He further added, “That isn’t what the data says. Indeed, 2015 was a record manufacturing production year in inflation-adjusted dollars. While 2016 fell just short with some weakness in the first and second quarter, 2017 looks like a new record year.” Manufacturing logistics are set to mark 2017 and 2018 as record years with renewed hope for more chances of trade and economic bliss. 

Hicks’ comments don’t come as a surprise with growth that is monitored and, above all, viable for safely suggesting that over the past generation, we are experiencing more growth than we have in the last 100 years. From 2000-2003, production grew by a steady 11 percent each year due to the evolution of the web and internet. But then came the downfall in 2007’s global recession, which was a massive blow to global economies and businesses everywhere, according to a leading manufacturing logistics report, Manufacturing and Logistics: A Generation of Volatility & Growth, released by Ball State’s CBER and Conexus Indiana.

Evolution & Manufacturing Logistics

Over the past 100 years, in every aspect of human evolution, from science and technology to arts and design, humanity has made progress beyond its capacity and resource limitations. And, with a generation of progress, employment comes galore. The good thing about development is the abundant chances of opportunity that it brings along, as Hicks pointed out. He also states with considerable confidence that manufacturing logistics has been safe for years, and all this misconception is due to the rising levels of unemployment.

He also reiterates his positivity by saying that manufacturers have become leaner and more versatile, covering more industries than ever. The growth in productivity means greater demands that are being met with satisfaction; in this generation, robotics and other automation have contributed to fewer people being employed. Some particular factors pointed out aided the decay of employment. It revealed that if the worker is well educated and skilled, it raises overall productivity. This means that manufacturing logistics professionals with higher qualifications and credentials play a significant role in development and ensure a higher ability to cope with business demands.

The report also explains that mechanization has evacuated staff off the job. This automation has gained considerable negativity because downsizing and other corporation cut-offs in this generation increase unemployment unless the worker is shifted or relocated. Productivity does increase but at the expense of using fewer workers to improve a system. Emphasis is also laid on improving processes or mechanisms such as ISO certification. For manufacturing logistics, this certification ensures that the process and practices deployed offer optimum efficiency while maintaining a standard and that techniques are used to ensure amplified industrial production.

Other Management Methods

Other management methods like Lean Six Sigma help manufacturers implement a methodology that requires a combined team effort to develop performance levels by analytically eradicating wastage and decreasing discrepancies. The methods used in this generation are a mark of quality and assured reliability. This leads to better monitoring and evaluations of the workforce, which is manageable and supported by standards that set quality assurance ideals.

Since peaking in 1979, manufacturing logistics employment levels have misplaced around 8 million jobs. This is due to mechanization and other developmental processes that are enhancements that come with time. But, at the loss of eight million jobs, another 9 million have been created in various disciplines that support manufacturing and logistics like vocation, shipping, and services.

Unlike our predecessors who didn’t happen to live in the age of the information highway, our generation enjoys the bounties of science and technology that stir up markets by creating jobs and opportunities for businesses such as e-marketing, e-commerce, and web development. Such companies have spawned industries that completely support manufacturing logistic activities.

Hicks elucidates, “Trade and productivity growth shift job opportunities to other places and other sectors even as employment grows. We are at peak US employment right now.” That means with the modernization of markets, corporations, and businesses, the US is at an all-time high in employment related to trade and growth in its productivity levels, further ensuring the future of many professionals of this generation.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.