Your Home CNY Realty opens in Baldwinsville

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

BALDWINSVILLE — A new residential real-estate agency, called Your Home CNY Realty, recently opened at 7 Salina St. in the village of Baldwinsville. Owner and real-estate broker Erin VanBuren says she started the independent agency in January after a 14-year career as a licensed real-estate agent, working for other firms. For the last four years, […]

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

BALDWINSVILLE — A new residential real-estate agency, called Your Home CNY Realty, recently opened at 7 Salina St. in the village of Baldwinsville.

Owner and real-estate broker Erin VanBuren says she started the independent agency in January after a 14-year career as a licensed real-estate agent, working for other firms. For the last four years, she had served as brokerage office manager at TJMG Properties, a property management company based in the village of Liverpool. Before that, she spent 10 years at Coldwell Banker Prime Properties.

“I needed a little more creative freedom to develop my own brand,” VanBuren tells CNYBJ, when asked why she decided to strike out on her own.

Your Home CNY Realty currently has seven agents including VanBuren.

She says 98 percent of the firm’s business is residential. “We do have a rare, random commercial transaction” here and there, she adds.

VanBuren says she leases about two-thirds of the one-story, 2,400-square-foot building in which her firm is located. The building owner/landlord is Brian Kalfass of 7-9 Salina St., LLC. Another business is getting ready to lease the other portion of the building, says VanBuren, but she referred questions about that to Kalfass.

The 7 Salina St. building had been vacant for a while. It was previously home to a Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse bottle and can redemption center. Before that, a Byrne Dairy store was situated there. Kalfass purchased the 0.64-acre property in April, 2018 for $155,000 from Sonbyrne Sales Inc., the convenience store division of Byrne Dairy.

When asked how business is going so far for her new agency, VanBuren says, “We’ve been well-received. We’re coming on really strong, as long as this virus situation doesn’t get really crazy.” She spoke with CNYBJ on March 17.

So far, she and her agents are still out showing properties to buyers on individual appointments. “I haven’t had a seller yet not want to show their property,” VanBuren says. “But I certainly wouldn’t recommend a seller hold an open house right now, and have masses of people traipsing through their home.”

Your Home CNY Realty sells homes all over Onondaga County, Oswego County, and parts of Madison County, she says. The company website lists Camillus, Cato, Cicero, Clay, DeWitt, Elbridge, Fabius, Fulton, Geddes, Ira, Lysander, Salina, Schroeppel, Syracuse, and Van Buren as featured communities.

New York manufacturing index posts largest drop ever in March to lowest level since 2009

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

The findings of a new monthly survey appear to indicate the first signs that New York manufacturing activity is getting hit hard by the impact of the global concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index fell 34 points to -21.5 in March, “its largest point drop on record” and “its

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

The findings of a new monthly survey appear to indicate the first signs that New York manufacturing activity is getting hit hard by the impact of the global concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index fell 34 points to -21.5 in March, “its largest point drop on record” and “its lowest level since 2009,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its March 16 survey report.

Economists had expected a reading of 4.8, MarketWatch reported, citing a survey by Econoday.

The Empire State general business-conditions index had climbed 8 points to 12.9 in February, its highest level in nine months. That was before the coronavirus crisis fully erupted.

The March negative reading, based on firms responding to the survey, indicates business activity fell in New York. A negative index number indicates a decline in the sector, while a positive reading shows expansion or growth in manufacturing activity.

The survey found 20 percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 42 percent said that conditions had worsened, the New York Fed said.

Survey details

The new-orders index turned negative, falling 31 points to -9.3, indicating that orders fell. The shipments index moved down to -1.7, indicating that shipments were little changed. Delivery times were slightly longer and inventories were somewhat higher.

The index for number of employees slipped 8 points to -1.5, indicating that employment levels were little changed over the month.

The average workweek fell to -10.6, a sign that the average workweek “was shorter,” the New York Fed said. The prices-paid index held steady at 24.5, suggesting that input prices increased at the same pace as last month. The prices-received index slipped 7 points to 10.1, pointing to a “deceleration in selling price increases.”

Firms no longer expect general business conditions to be better over the next six months.

The index for future business conditions declined 22 points to 1.2, its lowest level since 2009. The indexes for future new orders and future shipments fell, but “remained firmly positive,” suggesting that firms expect orders and shipments to be higher compared with this month’s levels.

The capital-expenditures index dipped 3 points to 18.7, and the technology-spending index fell 7 points to 14.4.

The New York Fed distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.

Drive-thru coronavirus testing arrives in CNY

Health Care, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — When Onondaga County announced its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta was asked about the testing process during a March 16 news conference. “When we get notification from the New York State Department of Health lab, electronic surveillance lab, we go through the information and contact

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

“When we get notification from the New York State Department of Health lab, electronic surveillance lab, we go through the information and contact the doctor … where this test was done. We have to back track the path of this individual,” Gupta told reporters.

During the interview, health-care workers pursue details such as where the patients have been; any travel history and what their social interactions were; if they saw any other doctors or any other friends; and what kind of social gathering in which they may have participated.

“We have to back track and collect all that information by interviewing. [Health-care workers also] make sure to advise them to self-quarantine, depending on what kind of interactions they had,” said Gupta.

Syracuse test site

The Syracuse Community Health Center (SCHC) at 819 S. Salina St. opened a drive-thru test site on March 16 where people can get gets swabs taken through their car window to be tested for the coronavirus, or what’s also known as COVID-19.

Chicago, Illinois–based Hill-Rom and the Allyn Foundation donated the necessary equipment so the site would be prepared for operations.

The Syracuse Community Health Center, [emergency rescue service] AMR, and the City of Syracuse developed the plans to operationalize the site. AMR, short for American Medical Response, is a Colorado–based ambulance service with Syracuse operations.

People who are having coronavirus symptoms need to call their doctor, who will coordinate any necessary testing. For people who don’t have a primary-care physician, they can call Upstate Medical University at (315) 464-3979.

Elsewhere in Central New York, Rome Memorial Hospital has opened a temporary COVID-19 test-collection station at Chestnut Commons, 109 E. Chestnut St., Rome (see photo, page 1). The site will be open by appointment only. To obtain an appointment, people need to call their doctor. Physician offices will contact the Oneida County Health Department with referrals for patients who meet the CDC’s guidance for testing. The county will contact the hospital to schedule patients for testing.

Mohawk Valley Health System also has a testing site up and running.

CNY unemployment rates were mixed to begin 2020

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Subscriber Only

Syracuse gained but most regions lost jobs in past year Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, and Ithaca regions fell in January compared to a year ago. At the same time, the jobless rates in the Watertown–Fort Drum and Elmira areas rose compared to January 2019. The rate in the Binghamton region remained

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Syracuse gained but most regions lost jobs in past year

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, and Ithaca regions fell in January compared to a year ago.

At the same time, the jobless rates in the Watertown–Fort Drum and Elmira areas rose compared to January 2019. The rate in the Binghamton region remained unchanged. The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released March 17.

On the job-growth front, the Syracuse area gained jobs between January 2019 and this past January.

At the same time, the Utica–Rome, Binghamton, Watertown–Fort Drum, Ithaca, and Elmira regions lost jobs in the same period. That’s according to the latest monthly employment report that the New York State Department of Labor issued March 12.

Both the unemployment rate and job-growth numbers reflect conditions before the coronavirus pandemic slammed the New York and nationwide economies.

Regional unemployment rates

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 4.9 percent in January, down from 5 percent in January 2019.

The Utica–Rome region’s rate fell to 5.2 percent, from 5.4 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum area’s number increased to 7.5 percent from 7.1 percent; the Binghamton region was unchanged at 5.6 percent unemployment; the Ithaca area’s jobless rate fell to 3.8 percent from 4 percent; and the Elmira region’s rate increased to 5 percent from 4.7 percent in the same month a year ago.

The local unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires.

The unemployment rates were calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.

State unemployment rate

New York state’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in January, “a new record monthly low,” the department said, down from 3.9 percent in December and 4 percent in January 2019.

The federal government calculates New York’s jobless rate partly based upon the results of a monthly telephone survey of 3,100 state households that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conducts.

January jobs data

The Syracuse region gained 1,900 jobs from January 2019 to January 2020, a 0.6 percent rise.

The Utica–Rome metro area lost 1,300 jobs, a decrease of 0.1 percent; the Watertown–Fort Drum area shed 100 jobs, a 0.3 percent dip; the Binghamton region lost 400 jobs, a decrease of 0.4 percent; the Ithaca area lost 200 jobs, a decrease of 0.3 percent; and the Elmira region shed 500 jobs, a decline of 1.4 percent, per state Labor Department data.

New York state as a whole gained nearly 85,000 jobs, an increase of 0.9 percent, in that 12-month period. The state economy gained nearly 34,000 jobs, a 0.3 percent rise, from December 2019 to January 2020, the labor department said.

Cuomo, state leaders agree on paid sick-leave bill amid coronavirus crisis

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 17 announced a three-way agreement with the state legislature on a bill seeking to guarantee job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19 pandemic. The program bill also includes the permanent comprehensive paid sick-leave policy first advanced

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

The program bill also includes the permanent comprehensive paid sick-leave policy first advanced in Cuomo’s fiscal year 2021 state budget proposal.

It follows Cuomo’s announcement during the prior week that the state will guarantee two full weeks of paid leave for all state workers who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine as a result of the novel coronavirus.

“The single most effective way to contain the spread of this virus is to ensure people who may have come into contact with it do not interact with others. [During the week of March 9,] I said we would lead by example by guaranteeing two weeks’ pay for state workers who have been quarantined as a result of COVID-19,” Cuomo said. “The paid sick leave measure we’ve agreed to today expands those protections to all New Yorkers — because no New Yorker should lose their job or income for following a critical public health order.”

The proposal will address the “immediate need” of employees affected by COVID-19 who are subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation.

For example, employers with 10 or fewer workers — and a net income less than $1 million — will have to provide job protection for the duration of the quarantine order and guarantee their workers access to paid family leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine, including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000, per Cuomo’s office.

Additionally, employers with between 11 and 99 employees — and employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million — will be required to provide at least 5 days of paid sick leave; job protection for the duration of the quarantine order; and guarantee their workers access to paid family leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000.

The proposal will also have employers with 100 or more employees, as well as all public employers (regardless of number of employees), provide at least 14 days of paid sick leave and guarantee job protection for the duration of the quarantine order.

The provisions of the quarantine legislation are set to take effect immediately upon passage, “ensuring” that New York workers will be able to take advantage of these benefits. As of press time, it is not known when state lawmakers planned to approve the proposal.

“Comprehensive” paid sick leave

The proposed measure also includes the “comprehensive” paid sick leave proposal that Cuomo announced as part of his State of the State address and state budget proposal. It will be effective 180 days after enactment.

That proposed bill says that employers with four or fewer employees — and a net income less than $1 million — have to provide at least five days of unpaid sick leave each year.

It also says that companies with between five and 99 employees — and employers with four or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million — will provide at least five days of paid sick leave each year.

Additionally, the proposal says employers with 100 or more employees need to provide at least seven days of paid sick leave each year.

Audit: hotels owe Onondaga County more than $318K in room-occupancy taxes

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Some hotels and motels owe Onondaga County more than $318,000 in room-occupancy taxes. Onondaga County Comptroller Martin Masterpole on March 10 released the findings of an audit on Onondaga County’s hotel/motel room occupancy tax. The report covered 46 hotels and motels for the period of 2017 through 2018 and found Onondaga County is

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE — Some hotels and motels owe Onondaga County more than $318,000 in room-occupancy taxes.

Onondaga County Comptroller Martin Masterpole on March 10 released the findings of an audit on Onondaga County’s hotel/motel room occupancy tax.

The report covered 46 hotels and motels for the period of 2017 through 2018 and found Onondaga County is due $318,047 in underreported revenue.

The figure includes $223,346.56 in taxes, $60,961.71 in penalties and $33,739.64 in interest, per the report.

Of the hotels and motels audited, 36 were not in compliance with the auditing criteria, the audit report said.

Onondaga County’s law on hotel room occupancy tax (ROT) permits the county to collect a 5 percent room-rental tax on the per-diem rental charge, Masterpole’s office said. In 2017, Onondaga County collected ROT of $6.6 million and in 2018, collected $7.1 million from 114 operators.

The objective of the ROT audits is to determine if the operators are accurately reporting all required room occupancy taxes to the commissioner, the report said. Any difference between the amount required to be collected by the operators during the audit period and the amounts they actually reported are identified and reported to the commissioner.

“It is our department’s responsibility to ensure hotel/motel operators are in compliance with accurately reporting all required ROT to the commissioner of finance,” Masterpole said. “The numerous audits performed by my staff continue to find underreported revenue for the benefit of Onondaga County taxpayers. I appreciate the efforts of my team and the assistance of the county finance department.”

Criteria for each ROT audit includes all relevant laws, regulations, contracts, standards, measures, expected performance, defined business practices, and benchmarks against which performance is compared or evaluated.

Finding and recommendations

Of the 46 ROT audits conducted during the audit period, 10 hotel/motel operators were in compliance with the criteria, and 36 operators were not in compliance with the criteria.

Of the operators that were not in compliance, one underpaid due to adding the same guests more than one time to taxable revenue.

The audit also found 17 did not retain proper tax-exempt documentation to support quarterly ROT returns; three did not file and pay room occupancy taxes when they were due; and 31 were using incorrect figures to determine their room occupancy taxes.

Several operators had multiple compliance issues and the findings were discussed with the management for the individual hotel/motel operators, according to the audit report.

The law

The Onondaga County law requires the hotel and motel operators to pay the room occupancy taxes collected to the commissioner of finance quarterly, which is recorded within the county general fund, per the report.

Onondaga County collected room occupancy taxes of $6.6 million in 2017; $7.1 million in 2018; and $7.1 million in 2019 from about 114 operators. The number of operators “fluctuates” from year to year. During the audited time period, the top 10 hotels and motels contributed about 36 percent of the revenue collected.

The county comptroller maintains a two-year rotating ROT audit schedule for the operators located in Onondaga County.

Onondaga County on Dec. 1, 1975 adopted the hotel room occupancy tax, which permitted the county to collect a 2 percent room-rental tax on the per-diem rental charge. This local law was amended in 1983, increasing the room-rental tax from 2 percent to 3 percent, and then from 3 percent to 5 percent in 1991, per the county comptroller’s report.

Empowerment Zones: Federal Tax Credits Business Owners May Be Overlooking

Business Mentors, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

As business owners prepare to submit their 2019 tax forms, it’s important to explore every option that could potentially put money back into their wallets, and into the economy. Many people aren’t aware that included in the budget extenders of December 2019, is an extension of the federal Empowerment Zone tax incentives, allowing certain areas

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

These government-designated zones are considered economically stressed regions and are provided aid to stimulate the local economy by creating jobs and incentivizing businesses. In New York state, these zones can be found in New York City, Syracuse, and Yonkers.

Empowerment Zones have been around since the early 2000s and had, in fact, expired as of Dec. 31, 2017, but were retroactively restored and extended through 2020. These zones offer tax benefits for business that operate in certain distressed areas for making investments and for employing individuals who also live in these zones. Not to be confused with an Opportunity Zone which was created with the passage of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, claiming benefits for the Empowerment Zone program can be done in addition to any other incentives for which a taxpayer may be eligible, including Opportunity Zones, or Section 1202 stock.

While New York City, Syracuse, and Yonkers are the only New York state cities that have designated Empowerment Zones and qualify for these incentives, there are a significant number of Empowerment Zones throughout the nation.

Many benefits are offered through this incentive; however arguably, the most substantial benefit is the employment credit. The Empowerment Zone employment credit is equal to 20 percent of wages paid to eligible employees per year, up to $15,000 in wages, or $3,000 of credit, annually, per eligible employee. To be eligible, the business must simply be located within an Empowerment Zone and the employee must also live within Empowerment Zone limits. So long as these two requirements are met, the credit can be claimed on Form 8844, with no pre-registration or certification necessary.

Because the eligibility of the New York State zones is based on the demographics of each zone in the 1990 Census, qualifications for the credit may come as a surprise. For example, in the Syracuse zone, a University Hill area employer of a medical technician who lives downtown, or perhaps a Destiny USA mall retailer whose employee lives in Franklin Square, would most likely be eligible for the credit.

If a business is found eligible, it should be kept top-of-mind as information is collected for 2019 tax returns. In addition, amending the 2018 tax return to claim this credit can also be done and could lead to significant tax savings. Eligibility information can be found on an employee’s W-2 and a link to a map of the zones can be found on the New York State Development Website to determine the address of both the employer and the employee are within zone limits.

Additional incentives covered in this program include:

• Increased ability to expense assets under Section 179

• The ability to offer tax exempt bonds for purchases/improvements to an empowerment zone business

• The potential to defer capital gain recognition on sales of some assets in the empowerment zone business if the proceeds are reinvested in the business

As business owners collect their information and prepare to submit for their 2019 tax returns, it’s important to note what is commonly overlooked, such as these federal Empowerment Zones. Working closely with a financial advisor and becoming educated on federal, state and local legislation and extenders could change the amount seen on tax returns drastically.

Chris Anderson is a partner and tax team leader in the Bonadio Group’s Syracuse office. He has more than 36 years of experience providing a wide range of special tax services including consolidated tax return planning, mergers and acquisitions, and estate planning. Contact him at canderson@bonadio.com. Matthew Dabrowski started at the Bonadio Group in 2016 as a tax intern and is now the in-charge accountant for the Syracuse tax team. Contact him at mdabrowski@bonadio.com.

Hancock Estabrook expands Ithaca office with addition of new attorney

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Regional News, Subscriber Only

ITHACA — Hancock Estabrook, LLP says attorney Jacob McNamara recently joined the firm in its Ithaca office. McNamara came aboard as an associate in the litigation, corporate and trusts & estates practices, the firm announced. He joined Hancock Estabrook on Jan. 6 of this year, Renee Benda, the firm’s marketing director, tells CNYBJ in an

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Employers

Business Mentors, Subscriber Only

The COVID-19 pandemic has already caused severe disruption to many businesses across the country. Employers will be required to continue to monitor developments and adjust to changing circumstances in the coming weeks and possibly months. We provide the following recommendations for employers in dealing with the many employment-related issues that will inevitably arise. 1. Communicate with

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

1. Communicate with employees

Transparency is key during the COVID-19 pandemic, and informing employees of what senior leadership in your company is doing and thinking is an important step in easing minds and allaying employee concerns. Your communications should be updated regularly so that employees have the most recent information available. Employers should consider creating an internal web page dedicated to COVID-19 so that all communications can be accessed easily. Here are some suggestions about what to include in your communications:

• Remind employees of good hygiene practices;

• Encourage employees to stay home if they feel sick;

• Inform employees of what steps are being taken to clean the work environment;

• Identify your applicable policies regarding sick time, paid time off, and employer-sponsored travel;

• Identify a core group or committee of senior leadership responsible for keeping up with public-health alerts and to whom questions can be directed; and

• Explain plans in place or under consideration in the event of a business closure or for alternative work arrangements.

2. Review policies and collective-bargaining agreements

Employers should make sure to review their policies and any applicable collective-bargaining agreements to comply with any obligations they may have to provide paid time off or continuation of payment during a possible business closure.

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Wage and Hour Division has issued some guidance for employers regarding how COVID-19 might impact their obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the FLSA and New York law, non-exempt employees generally do not have to be paid during a closure if no work is performed, but exempt employees generally must be paid their full weekly salary for any week in which they perform some work. An employer can require an employee to use vacation time or paid time off in order to cover wages during a closure, as long as such a requirement is not contrary to the employer’s paid time off policies or the provisions of a collective-bargaining agreement. So, it is important to review policies and collective-bargaining agreements.

3. Ensure compliance with FMLA and PFL obligations

The USDOL has issued guidance for employers regarding their Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, COVID-19 will be considered a serious health condition that will qualify employees for FMLA leave if they have the disease or if they are needed to care for a family member that has the disease. In addition, employees in New York may be eligible for paid family leave in order to care for a family member who has COVID-19.

4. Follow OSHA guidance

Employers have a general duty under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to provide their employees with a workplace that is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 to assist employers in complying with this general duty. Employers should familiarize themselves with the OSHA guidance and follow OSHA’s recommendations.

5. Consider travel restrictions or warnings

Many business are prohibiting non-essential business travel, both international and domestic. Employers should consider what travel is actually necessary, and restrict any business travel that is not considered necessary.

Employers should also consider warning employees about the possible effects of personal travel and requiring that employees who travel outside a specific geographical region inform senior leadership or human resources of where they intend to travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a web page (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html) to provide information regarding the potential risks of travel to various countries and regions.

6. Be aware of the EEOC’s guidance on pandemics

In general, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from making disability-related inquiries and requiring medical examinations of employees, except under certain limited circumstances. In 2009, during the H1N1 pandemic, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance regarding compliance with these legal requirements that can be a useful tool for employers to consult during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the EEOC’s guidance, employers may send an employee home if the employee displays symptoms at work. Employers may also ask employees who report feeling ill at work or who call in sick whether they are experiencing symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19. If so, they should be directed to remain out of work until they provide a medical clearance to return.

7. Plan for alternative work arrangements

One of the key recommendations from the CDC is “social distancing” during a pandemic. If it is practical for an employer to have some or all of its workforce work from home, those possibilities should be explored. Employers should make sure to provide a way for non-exempt employees who are expected to work from home to report their work hours so that their straight time and overtime pay can be properly computed. Similarly, non-exempt employees in New York should be directed to take their 30-minute meal period each day if they work a shift of more than six hours.

Monica C. Barrett is a member (partner) in the New York City office of Syracuse–based law firm Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC and Subhash Viswanathan is a member in the Syracuse office. This viewpoint article is drawn from a March 17 memo the firm posted to its website. Contact Barrett at mbarrett@bsk.com and contact Viswanathan at suba@bsk.com.

Bonadio survey: over half of compliance officers don’t have necessary resources

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

A few survey from the Bonadio Group found that 57 percent of responding compliance officers feel they do not have the resources to adequately carry out the compliance function. That’s compared to 54 percent in the firm’s surveys conducted in both 2014 and 2016. The Bonadio Group conducted its third survey of compliance officers “to provide

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

A few survey from the Bonadio Group found that 57 percent of responding compliance officers feel they do not have the resources to adequately carry out the compliance function.

That’s compared to 54 percent in the firm’s surveys conducted in both 2014 and 2016.

The Bonadio Group conducted its third survey of compliance officers “to provide useful benchmarking information to organizations as they look to develop or enhance an effective compliance program,” the firm said in its survey report.

The Bonadio Group — headquartered in Rochester with an office in Syracuse — describes itself as a “nationally ranked Top 50 CPA firm.”

In related data points, one in five respondents indicated that their organization does not perform an annual organization-wide risk assessment. At the same time, 31 percent said their auditing and monitoring process is “insufficient” for an effective compliance program, though the figure has improved from 42 percent in 2016, the accounting firm said.

Compliance is “increasingly viewed as a valuable component, although there is still room for improvement in elevating the compliance officer role,” Bonadio said.

The survey found 80 percent of compliance officers said they are part of the senior leadership of their organization, and 76 percent said they are involved in organizational strategic planning.

Additionally, 78 percent of compliance officers surveyed reported that they have been working in the compliance field for more than four years, up from 71 percent in 2016, “demonstrating the maturation of the compliance field and the experience level of compliance officers.”

At the same time, 65 percent of compliance officers reported that their organization does not have a succession plan in place for the compliance function.

“The roles and responsibilities of compliance officers are growing each year as risk factors increase and the regulatory landscape shifts,” Paul Mayer, executive VP at the Bonadio Group, said in the report. “While we’re encouraged to see most compliance officers are considered strategic partners by their organizations, there are significant opportunities for organizations to fortify their risk assessment and management strategy.”

The survey, which was conducted between October and December 2019, had 139 responses, the firm tells CNYBJ. It was sent to organizations across the country, Bonadio added.

About the firm

Founded in 1978, the Bonadio Group offers accounting, tax, and consulting services to clients of all sizes. The firm says it is the “largest independent provider” of accounting, tax, and consulting services in upstate New York — with offices in Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Batavia, Buffalo, East Aurora, and New York City.

The Bonadio Group also has offices in Rutland, Vermont and Dallas, Texas.

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Get our email updates

What's New

Upcoming Events

CenterState CEO Speed Networking

2026 Greater Binghamton Chamber Annual Economic Forecast & Building BC Awards

Tioga County Economic Strategy 2026

CNYBJ Job Board

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get our email updates