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AI makes zero-based budgeting a practical finance tool

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AI makes zero-based budgeting a practical finance tool

Experts in the pursuit of harnessing nuclear fusion will assure you that the technology is coming — just 30 years away, according to their projections.

The joke is that if you wait three decades and ask them where it is— they’ll say the same thing.

In finance and procurement, the concept of zero-based budgeting has long been a bit like the pursuit of fusion power: more of an aspiration rather than something any real-world corporation can actually implement today. 

Which is unfortunate. Like the idea of the world utilizing the free, non-polluting energy that a fusion plant would offer, on paper ZBB promises objective, data-based baselines for every budgeting phase that would allow decision-makers to only work with what’s real and current, not what happened last year, or even farther back.

The proposal with ZBB is that by mandating a comprehensive justification and validation of each expense, rather than relying on historical spending patterns, organizations can remove possible blockers within their procurement processes. This approach aims to ensure that what you’re doing is the numerically provable best case for the specific circumstances at hand.

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This approach certainly holds immense appeal, so much so that Jimmy Carter tried and failed to make federal government adhere to this discipline in the second half of the 1970s. However, ZBB never really gained traction or widespread adoption, and so its aspirations were largely relegated to the realm of “theory taught in business schools but lacking practical viability.”

The factors putting ZBB back on the table

History and controversy aside, the core idea of ZBB is clear — it presents CFOs with an approach that mandated comprehensive justification and explicit approval for all expenditures during each new budgetary cycle, typically at the outset of the financial year. This process ostensibly offered CFOs a way to make relevant decisions against a true picture of the company’s cash flow.

But ZBB never truly went away. In fact, it is experiencing a resurgence. Consulting firms like McKinsey have reminded us that if we could weigh the value of every dollar and start afresh with every budget cycle we could mitigate the risks associated with operating on outdated information and boost overall performance outcomes.

ZBB idealism is also happening at the micro-level, with social media influencers hopping on the ZBB bandwagon. Influencers like Beth Fuller have attributed their ability to pay off credit card debts to following online content creators who advocate for ZBB principles.

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The question then becomes how would we make ZBB, long an ideal but one that proved too difficult to implement, work at the enterprise level? It turns out, a viable way exists, or at least we can start the process to get there. 

And you won’t be surprised to learn that the game-changer here is AI.

A way to open the door to ZBB

Currently, the spotlight within the artificial intelligence domain is on finding use cases for AI to solve real business problems. Organizations have been at the forefront of this endeavor for several years through an approach we term “autonomous sourcing.”

Specifically, organizations using an autonomous spend management approach source can purchase as many new services and vendors as they need within a given budgetary cycle. However, this process is underpinned by not just genuine and up-to-date market data, but also with the benefit of a corporate knowledge bank.  This knowledge base facilitates multidimensional comparisons, enabling organizations to evaluate purchases not only longitudinally (against previous periods) but also orthogonally, meaning across different business units within the enterprise. 

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This may not be the precise dictionary definition of ZBB. But it represents a radical change from the lack of data and visibility CFOs have struggled with and a way to open the door to the underlying vision of ZBB: data-driven financial accuracy.

This autonomous spend management approach resonates with organizations seeking to rationalize and optimize their budgeting processes, often commencing with their procurement operations. These forward-thinking entities inherently grasp the transformative potential of leveraging machine learning and generative AI capabilities to tackle the sourcing problem.

And the convergence of machine learning, generative AI and autonomous sourcing platforms presents organizations with the ability to realize approximately 90% of the ZBB ideal in the present day. That’s happening via organizations using autonomous sourcing to consciously and strictly seek to rationalize every purchase and make data-driven decisions on every vendor relationship.

The commitment to data-driven evaluation of vendor relationships is actually super-important on the path to any form of zero-based decision-making basis. Why? Because it’s your best way of ensuring that you’re not locked into any partnerships or contractual arrangements that aren’t continuing to add value.

Even starting to explore this area of spend with proper data and analytical tools can move organizations off the proverbial sandbar of inefficiency. Last year, for instance, the Mays Business School published research that concluded the simple act of tracking a single category of expenditure can catalyze a reduction in overall spending.

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The exciting prospect lies in the potential for modern businesses with diverse spending categories like marketing, HR, sales, IT, finance, and others to capitalize on significant cost-saving opportunities through AI-powered procurement solutions, e.g., accurate supplier sourcing and matching, e-negotiation and automated awarding capabilities.

ZBB’s future is now, not 30 years off

President Carter’s administration wanted to achieve such objectives and possibly on paper could have done — if they had all the time in the world, and exclusive access to the entire computing power of the United States at the time.

But even under those circumstances ZBB might not have worked — as without the efficiencies afforded by AI, ZBB would require manual sourcing, selecting, bidding, negotiating and awarding for every single purchase and vendor relationship in the business. 

The truth is, fulfilling every aspect of ZBB manually, as envisioned by its originator, Pete Phyrr, is an insurmountable task for humans. However, using the power of AI to automate numerous processes, alongside giving  individual business units the autonomy to source and complete their own purchases through autonomous sourcing, means ZBB becomes not just practicable, but essential in today’s dynamic business landscape.

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Weighing it all up, maybe we can retire the notion that ZBB is the accounting industry’s version of fusion.

Instead, we can use the power of autonomous sourcing to perform the equivalent of fusion in the back office.

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G20 finance chiefs seek early signing of digital service tax treaty

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G20 finance chiefs seek early signing of digital service tax treaty

The finance chiefs of the Group of 20 economies agreed Friday to aim for the signing “as soon as possible” of a tax treaty that would target digital giants and multinationals, underscoring the need for a fairer and progressive taxation system with the super-rich also in mind.

Wrapping up two days of talks in Rio de Janeiro, the G20 economies also reiterated their commitment to ensuring stability in the foreign exchange market, on the view that excessive and disorderly fluctuations would negatively impact their financial systems at a time of a strong dollar.

Many countries are currently engaged in finalizing the text of a digital service tax treaty for fairer taxation. The objective is to require companies to pay a fair share of tax in countries where they do not have a physical presence but generate profits by offering services.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks at a press conference after a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors wrapped up in Rio de Janeiro on July 26, 2024. (Kyodo)

Brazil, chair of the G20 this year, has placed importance on addressing inequality and proposed taxing the super-rich as part of the efforts to make taxation fairer.

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“It is important for all taxpayers, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, to contribute their fair share in taxes,” the G20 said in its outcome document on international tax cooperation.

“Aggressive tax avoidance or tax evasion of ultra-high-net-worth individuals can undermine the fairness of tax systems, which comes along with a reduced effectiveness of progressive taxation,” it said.

The signing of the treaty has faced hurdles, with the most recent goal of June missed. Critics blame the likes of Apple Inc., Google LLC and other global tech giants for failing to shoulder their fair share of tax.

“We think highly of the joint document on international tax cooperation, the first of its kind for the G20,” Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told a press conference after the meeting.

The G20 took up a range of issues affecting the global economy, including the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine and geopolitical risks.

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The finance ministers and central bank governors took note of the increasing likelihood of a “soft landing” for the global economy, adding that upside and downside risks are balanced.

“Well-calibrated” monetary policy has helped ease inflation, and central banks will adjust their policies in a “data-dependent” manner, they said in a joint communique.

The ministerial talks coincided with a sharp rise of the yen against the dollar, with some market players betting the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates next week, a positive factor for the Japanese currency.

U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has recently singled out the yen and Chinese yuan in taking issue with the dollar’s strength. Market expectations that Trump, viewed as pro-business and pro-tax cuts, will return to the White House have sent share prices higher.

During the meeting, Japan expressed its “concern” about excessive volatility in the currency market, according to Masato Kanda, the country’s top currency diplomat.

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Aggressive interest rate hikes in the United States have strengthened the dollar against other currencies, which in turn has raised concern among some emerging economies about the depreciation of their own currencies and capital flight.

Despite the release of the outcome documents, the G20, which also includes China and Russia, failed to bridge rifts over certain issues like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.

“Some members and other participants considered that these issues have an impact on the global economy and should be treated in the G20, while others do not believe that the G20 is a forum to discuss these issues,” Brazil said in its chair’s summary.

The gap between Western nations that have condemned Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and imposed sanctions, and others like Russia and China has prevented the G20 from issuing consensus documents after meetings in recent years.

The G20 includes the Group of Seven — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union — as well as Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and South Africa among others.

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Related coverage:

G7 finance chiefs say excessive forex moves bad for global economy

G20 finance chiefs fail to issue joint statement amid war in Ukraine


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Barksdale Announces Closing of Private Placement Financing

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Barksdale Announces Closing of Private Placement Financing

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – July 26, 2024) – Barksdale Resources Corp. (TSXV: BRO) (“Barksdale” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the closing of the second and final tranche (“Final Tranche“) of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (“Offering“) of units of the Company (“Units“) with the issuance of 14,674,683 Units for gross proceeds of $2,201,202.45. The first tranche (“First Tranche“) of the non-brokered private placement offering comprising 27,325,317 Units for gross proceeds of $4,098,798 closed on June 27, 2024 (see news release dated June 27, 2024). The Units sold in respect of the First Tranche and Final Tranche, together, total 42,000,000 for gross proceeds of $6,300,000.

Each Unit consists of one common share of Barksdale (a “Common Share“) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant“), whereby each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.23 for a period of three years from the date of issuance.

Proceeds of the Offering will be used to finance exploration activities at the Company’s properties in Arizona as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the closing of the Offering, the Company paid an aggregate of (i) $199,516.60 in cash finder’s fees and issued an aggregate of 1,330,111 finder’s warrants to eligible finders in connection with the First Tranche, and (ii) $64,396.49 in cash finder’s fees and issued an aggregate of 429,309 finder’s warrants to eligible finders in connection with the Final Tranche. The finder’s fees in respect of the Offering, therefore, total $263,913.09 and 1,759,420 finder’s warrants. Each finder’s warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.23 until June 27, 2027 (First Tranche) or July 27, 2027 (Final Tranche).

All securities issued pursuant to the (i) First Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period expiring October 28, 2027, and (ii) Final Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period expiring November 27, 2027; each expiration date being the date that is four months and one day from the date of issuance. The Offering remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange final acceptance.

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act“), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any securities in the United States.

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Related Party Participation in the Offering

Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Offering. For details of insider participation in the First Tranche, please see news release dated June 27, 2024. In connection with the Final Tranche, Crescat Portfolio Management LLC, an insider of the Company as it has ownership of, or control or direction over, directly or indirectly, securities of Barksdale carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all the Company’s outstanding voting securities, purchased 6,666,667 Units. In addition, Rick Trotman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Barksdale, purchased 118,317 Units. The participation by insiders in the Offering constitutes a “related party transaction” as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities purchased by insiders, nor the consideration for the securities paid by such insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of either the First Tranche or the Final Tranche, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering in an expeditious manner. The Offering was unanimously approved by the Company’s board of directors.

Barksdale Resources Corp., a 2023 OTCQX BEST 50 Company, is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver project in the Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, which hosts several significant porphyry copper deposits as well as the adjoining world-class Hermosa carbonate-replacement lead-zinc-silver deposit which is under construction by a major mining company.

ON BEHALF OF BARKSDALE RESOURCES CORP

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Rick Trotman
President, CEO and Director
Rick@barksdaleresources.com

Terri Anne Welyki
Vice President of Communications
778-238-2333
TerriAnne@barksdaleresources.com

For more information please phone 778-558-7145, email info@barksdaleresources.com or visit www.BarksdaleResources.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could”, or” should” occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to TSX Venture Exchange approval and the use of proceeds from the Offering are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Barksdale, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to obtain necessary approvals, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Barksdale does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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// NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES //

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/218027

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I’m a Financial Advisor: 6 Year-End Tax Moves My Wealthy Clients Make

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I’m a Financial Advisor: 6 Year-End Tax Moves My Wealthy Clients Make

Vasyl Dolmatov / Getty Images

The dog days of summer might seem like a strange time to start thinking about the right year-end tax moves. After all, you still have to go through spooky season and the holidays well before the taxman comes a callin’. Yet planning your tax moves well in advance can help you preserve more of your wealth long before you have to sign those forms.

Find Out: Should Trump Eliminate Income Taxes? Here’s What Tax Experts Say

For You: 7 Reasons You Should Consider a Financial Advisor — Even If You’re Not Wealthy

As the founder and CEO of 11 Financial, Taylor Kovar, CFP, has experience in helping wealthier clients make those savvy tax moves. GOBankingRates connected with Kovar to get his insights about what people with higher incomes can do to get their taxes in order as the end of the year approaches (it’ll be here sooner than you know).

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Contribute to Tax-Advantaged Retirement Accounts

One of Kovar’s first big pieces of advice for wealthy clients is to ensure that they’re maximizing contribution to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, like 401(k)s, IRAs and Roth IRAs.

“For 2024, the contribution limits are $22,500 for 401(k)s ($30,000 if over age 50) and $6,500 for IRAs ($7,500 if over age 50),” he said. “Making these contributions can reduce taxable income and boost long-term savings.”

Read Next: This Is the One Type of Debt That ‘Terrifies’ Dave Ramsey

Focus on Charitable Giving

Giving money to causes that inspire you doesn’t just do your heart and soul some good, it can also have great benefits for your bottom line. Kovar recommends that his clients consider making donations to qualified charities before the year’s end to help save on taxes.

“Additionally, they can donate appreciated assets such as stocks or real estate to avoid capital gains taxes and receive a charitable deduction,” he added. “For those 70 and a half and older, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs can be a tax-efficient way to give.”

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Explore Tax-Loss Harvesting

While the word harvesting conjures images of plucking fresh fruits and vegetables out of the ground, tax-loss harvesting can help you generate more green. As Kovar explained it, tax-loss harvesting involves selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains and reduce taxable income.

“Investors should review their portfolios to identify underperforming assets that can be sold to realize losses and minimize their tax liability,” he said.

Make Annual Gifts

Kovar also recommends that his wealthy clients make annual gifts to reduce their estate size and potentially avoid estate taxes. Even better? They get to see the recipient enjoy their gift. For 2024, the annual gift tax exclusion is $17,000 per recipient.

“Reviewing and updating estate planning documents and strategies can ensure that their estate plan is aligned with current laws and personal goals,” he added.

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Convert to a Roth IRA

If you’re expecting your income to increase in the future, you might consider converting traditional IRAs or other tax-deferred accounts to Roth IRAs.

Kovar shared that Roth conversions can be taxed in the year of conversion. However, they provide tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement.

Take RMDs

New Year’s Eve should be more than your last chance to party before the end of the year, it’s also the last day of the year you can take required minimum distributions (RMDs) to avoid penalties.

“Investors who turn 72 this year need to start taking RMDs, and those already taking them should verify they have met the requirements,” said Kovar.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Financial Advisor: 6 Year-End Tax Moves My Wealthy Clients Make

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