By Gerald L. Kestenbaum

A number of expert presenters recently treated small business owners and CPAs to an in-depth discussion of several different workplace issues, ranging from payroll filing requirements to the outsourcing of human resources functions, during a well-attended technical session given by the New York State Society of CPAs’ Cooperation with Community Businesses Committee.

Moderated by committee Chair Arthur Koplowitz, CPA, the Jan. 21 event at the Society’s offices in midtown Manhattan featured five different speakers, whose comments elicited numerous questions and a good deal of audience participation.

Marc Passman, CPA, of Weinick Sanders Leventhal & Co. LLP, spoke of the complex nature of payroll filing and payment requirements and the problems these items present to many small businesses.

Craig Liss, president of Airmont Business Systems Inc., walked the participants through the workings of a payroll service bureau. He explained how the bureau makes life simple by preparing, reconciling, filing and escrow paying payroll taxes.
John Hohman, of Gevity HR, spoke about the use of professional employer organizations to outsource employee management and administer compliance regulations. He noted how small businesses also could enjoy the economy of scale usually reserved for only the largest employers.

Peter Schneider, Esq., of Kaufman, Schneider & Bianco, LLP, demonstrated how vulnerable small businesses are to discrimination and harassment problems. Using a 10-point list, he identified ways to protect against adverse employee lawsuits.

In addition to moderating, Koplowitz also spoke on employee-or-independent-contractor issues, touching on the many pitfalls encountered because of conflicting jurisdictions and the variety of regulatory departments.

The Cooperation with Community Businesses Committee would like to thank the presenters for sharing their knowledge with members of the business community and participating CPAs.