North Bay Business Journal

In stressed economy, planners see perks for succession planning

NORTH BAY — While orchestrating a graceful transfer of a company’s assets to its new owner is only one part of a comprehensive succession strategy, business succession experts in the North Bay said that their clients are finding ways to do so smoothly and profitably despite the turmoil of the recession.

Two-year window in estate-tax increase good time to plan

NORTH BAY – Estate tax and law experts are telling clients that the time to plan is now, while there is some clarity on a long-contentious issue that could easily change again in the not-so-distant future.

April 28 Journal wine conference to focus on M&A, sales

The business of making ultrapremium and luxury wine may be reaching a turning point after almost three years of heavy competition for consumer dollars.

Business cluster sets investor summit

ROHNERT PARK – High-end cabernet and cars will be sideshows at the second North Bay Investor Summit, an event its sponsors hope will attract capital to aspiring startups in the area.

Bankers, accountants see pluses, minuses in small business act

NORTH BAY – The passage of HR 5297, the Small Business Jobs Act, established in the Treasury the Small Business Lending Fund of $30 billion and $12 billion in tax incentives intended to spur lending and get small businesses back on their feet.

North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum set for Wednesday

SANTA ROSA – Entrepreneurs will gather on Oct. 20 as the North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum presents its ninth session since its first event in 2006.

CPA examination set to change

NORTH BAY — The examination to become a Certified Public Accountant, the CBT-e, is changing dramatically starting January of 2011, creating a push for candidates to take the test before the end of the year.

Experts fret over estate tax void; ‘like being a counselor’

NORTH BAY — Financial planning and wealth management is still up in the air due to the lack of new rules on estate taxes and lack of knowledge of where they will go.

2010 Forty Under 40: The winners

The winners of the Business Journal’s fourth-annual Forty under 40 awards were selected from more than 75 nominees and represent new honorees not previously chosen in 2007, 2008 or 2009.

Banking & Accounting: Experts tell businesses to adjust to new reality

Don’t look for things to return to old ways; talking to the customer.

Impact Marin speakers’ presentations posted

To view the presentations given by speakers at the Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin Conference on March 11, go to the Resources page. The first panel addressed “The economy, your business and government fiscal crises,” and the second panel presented both sides of the issue “Is Marin Clean Energy right for Marin County?”

Banking, business strategy, fiscal crisis, energy plan at March 11 event

MARIN COUNTY – The North Bay Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin conference from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 11 at the Embassy Suites is packed with information designed to help businesses navigate the economy and come to a decision on what is arguably the most important issue facing the area, Marin Clean Energy.

To attend, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com. Tickets are $39 per person or $390 for a table of 10 and include continental breakfast.

Marin event registration closes next week

MARIN COUNTY – The hotly debated issue of Community Choice Aggregation will be closely studied from two different perspectives at the Business Journal’s 2010 Impact Marin Conference on Thursday, March 11 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Rafael. This will be a unique opportunity for the public to ask questions of both sides in a neutral forum. In addition, a panel discussion will look at the state of the local budget and its impact on businesses and examine practical strategies that can be effective in the current economic environment.

Registration closes next Friday, March 5. To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com, or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com. Tickets are $39 per person or $390 for a table of 10 and include continental breakfast.

Speakers to face off on Marin Clean Energy plan

MARIN COUNTY — Supporters and opponents of the controversial Marin Energy Authority Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA, proposal will face off at the fourth-annual Impact Marin conference sponsored by the Business Journal March 11.

Big benefit in loss deductions

NORTH BAY – With tax season upon us, it is time to think about this year’s filings as well as how to take advantage of opportunities for 2011, tax experts say.

Business Journal conference March 11 to focus on Marin issues

Impact Marin 2010 topics: * Navigating your company through 2010. * The ongoing state and local fiscal crisis. * And, the big issue: Marin Clean Energy: Right direction, wrong direction?

Accounting: Napa’s G&J Seiberlich splits, expands

Also: New hires at Moss Adams, partners at BPM

To get to recovery, pay attention to fundamentals

There is an ever-present silver lining in the clouds that have been hovering over the economy for the past several months. That is, business owners are figuring out how to survive and succeed in the current environment.

Moss Adams, Demeter launch benchmark effort; seek 1,000 surveys

SANTA ROSA — An accounting firm and an investment bank are starting what they hope will be a biennial benchmark of vintner and grower finances and operations in the Pacific Northwest.

Local institutions, vision keys to challenging times

NORTH BAY – Keeping money and resources in the community was the underlying theme of Impact Marin, the third-annual issues-centered conference sponsored by the Business Journal and focused on Marin County.