Bad debt is a reality for businesses that provide credit to customers, such as banks and insurance companies. Planning ahead for this possibility by estimating the amount of uncollectible loans is called bad debt provision and can enable companies to measure, communicate, and prepare for financial losses. Here’s how to account for doubtful and bad debt on financial statements, along with a primer on bad debt provision and why it’s important today. [...]

If your business rents its assets or leases from others, you need to track the financial impact those activities have on your business’s financial health. This is called lease accounting and, in addition to being legally required, can help you run an organized, successful business. [...]

Arbitrage is an alternative investment strategy that can prove exceptionally profitable when leveraged by a sophisticated investor. Here's an overview of arbitrage, including a look at three types you should know: pure arbitrage, merger arbitrage, and convertible arbitrage. [...]

One type of alternative investment that presents ample opportunity for returns is private equity. There are three key types of private equity strategies: venture capital, growth equity, and buyouts. Here’s a closer look at each so you can have the full picture when building portfolios. [...]

If you’re interested in learning how to weave alternative investments into your client investment strategy, it’s important to build the skills needed to succeed. Here are three alternative investment skills you should develop. [...]