FP&A

A Plain-Language Guide to the Black-Scholes Model: Option Pricing for Non-Finance Employees
As option pricing and related stock pricing become increasingly rigorous, many employees wonder how 'that number' is derived. This article aims to provide a non-technical explanation of the Black-Scholes model for employees without a technical background, emphasizing the importance of understanding the 'why' and pointing out that the model is often misunderstood as a 'magic eight ball.'

Zero-Based Budgeting in Nonprofit Organizations: Practical Pathways and Volunteer Collaboration Strategies
Based on the author's practical experience in multiple nonprofit organizations, this article analyzes the challenges of budget preparation in cash-oriented institutions and invites peers to share application cases of zero-based budgeting (ZBB) and volunteer collaboration suggestions.

Key Points on Tax and Compliance for Setting Up a Virtual Office in Singapore
Companies planning to set up a virtual office without employees in Singapore need to understand local company registration, tax filing, accounting records, and compliance requirements. Based on available information, this article summarizes key considerations and advises consulting professional advisors.

How to Evaluate the Value of Cause Marketing Campaigns?
This article raises questions about how businesses can quantify the benefits gained from partnering with charitable organizations in cause marketing and seeks standardized evaluation methods. The issues involve the marketing effectiveness of donation commitments, the impact of charity awareness and cause type, the role of company size, and how to determine reasonable fees paid to charitable organizations. The author emphasizes that the goal is not to maximize shareholder returns, but rather to advocate for greater philanthropic investment by understanding actual benefits and to help charitable organizations set pricing standards for partnerships.

When an employee reimburses rent on behalf of the company, is a 1099 form required to be issued to the landlord?
An employee rents a property for business travel and pays the rent in advance, and the company reimburses the employee through a reimbursable expense plan. In this case, does the company need to issue a 1099 form to the actual payee (the landlord)? This article provides compliance recommendations based on tax rules and QuickBooks Online operations.

Asset-Backed Debt Financing for Startup Portfolios: An Analysis of the Most Competitive Non-Bank Financing Channels
Most banks lack the capability or willingness to assess the equity collateral value of startup portfolios, making such financing more likely to come from non-traditional and non-bank channels. Based on existing industry practices, this article analyzes the competitiveness of channels such as venture debt funds, specialized asset-backed lenders, private credit platforms, and family offices, and highlights key considerations.

Discussion on Accounting Treatment of R&D Equipment Leases
This paper raises questions about the accounting treatment of R&D equipment leases: R&D expenditures are typically expensed, but does leasing R&D equipment still require lease recognition and classification under FAS 13? The article outlines relevant considerations.

Accounting Treatment in Collaborative R&D Agreements: Revenue Recognition or Expense Reimbursement?
Addressing the situation where large pharmaceutical companies pay R&D expenses, this article explores whether the accounting treatment should recognize them as revenue, expense reimbursement, or other forms, and provides key criteria for judgment.

Forbes: EBITDA is a "fake profit" metric
In 2014, Brent Beshore wrote in Forbes, bluntly calling EBITDA "BS earnings." He believed that this metric is often misused and cannot truly reflect a company's cash flow and profitability, and investment masters like Buffett hold similar views.

Purchase Order Mandatory Threshold: When Must a PO Be Generated?
This article discusses the mandatory generation threshold for purchase orders (POs). The author, based on the background of their company's annual expenditures (excluding labor) of approximately 10 to 12 million US dollars, proposes that AP staff want all purchases to require POs, but in practice, costs and efficiency need to be balanced. The article invites readers to share their companies' PO threshold settings and reasons, aiming to seek best practices.