Selecting the right CPA can significantly impact the financial health and wellness of your business and personal net wealth. Featured in as a contributor in this recent Forbes article, Michael outlines the necessity of having clear goals and intentions about what you want to accomplish with a CPA in order to maximize the opportunity and point you in the best direction for net growth.

Last week, Michael attended Lion Street's annual Indaba meeting, a concept stemming from the South African roots that refers to a 'community, or gathering within a community to discuss business matters.' This meeting was full of fellow Lion Street owners, relevant industry updates, and value-adding presenters within a group of some of the top producers in the country. Michael is seen presenting here with Glen Blauch of Naples, Florida.

Last week Michael and Iris were invited to the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, NJ as guests of Dave Blowers, President of Wealth Management at Northern Trust. This PGA event was full of sunshine, a beautiful course, and an enjoyable time expanding relationships with friends and colleagues, including John Popa of Northern Trust in New York.

Bringing over 25 years of highly specialized industry experience, we are incredibly pleased to announce that Frank Pragosa will be joining the Vérité team as Director of Case Design. With his most recent role as Premium Finance Resource Center Director with Crump Insurance Services over the past 16 years, Frank comes well equipped with expertise in case design, sales strategy, and execution for premium finance transactions.

Every privately-held business owner can relate to the concept of not having enough hours in the day to conquer every single task or request that comes their way. From leveraging technology to automate tasks to simply putting in the overtime hours to accomplish what is needed to get done, these 10 Forbes Finance Council members, including Michael S. Seltzer, provide input and insight to the proven methods that help keep their business finances organized.

Last weekend we celebrated the union of Michael Seltzer's son, Jarrett, and his new wife Aly. Not only was this a beautiful wedding celebration, but a fun time to make memories with close family and friends.

A big thank you to Eric Stiba and Ernie Stiba of Stiba Financial Services for hosting Nick Bowman of Vérité Group and Michael Fontanini of Lion Street at their annual event. What a fun way to share industry updates and practice some skeet shooting!

Although coastal elites may be the major-league players in the credit-funded world, there is still a thriving opportunity for any business who understands and uses financing to transact. We recently teamed up with Dave and Matt Halvorson of Halvorson Company in Fargo, North Dakota, and found that while many local, privately held businesses in the Midwest not only operate using leverage, quite often to make large purchases, they don't always insure the individuals who help make the businesses run. With an understanding of the ebb and flow of financing to transact, locally owned business owners may be more open to the concept of leverage and arbitrage to enhance life insurance planning options.

Forbes Finance Council selected 12 members to provide insight on how to avoid costly mistakes which could affect how your money is managed and grown over time. Michael Seltzer explains the importance of coordinated goals and focusing on net returns when looking at overall wealth - both now, and for the future.

Every business owner should make financial literacy a part of their continuing education. Forbes Finance Council has organized an article featuring Michael's response to how business owners can enhance their knowledge and understanding of their finances and communicate transparently with a solid advisory team.