Understanding Cost of Goods Manufactured, What is Cost of Goods Manufactured, what is COGM
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IRS Could Owe You Money, COVID Court Ruling
4 min read
Businesses are moving beyond basic automation into a new era of intelligent, self-directed systems. While automation helps with streamlining repetitive tasks, agentic AI workflows enable systems to make decisions, take action, and continuously improve with minimal human oversight.
Most businesses adopting agentic AI have no structured way to prove it is working. Although they can feel the difference, they can’t measure it. Without measurement, return on investment (ROI) conversations stall, budgets get cut, and genuinely transformative tools get shelved.
What Makes Agentic AI Workflows Different
Agentic AI workflows are designed to operate with a degree of independence. Unlike traditional automation, which follows predefined rules, agentic systems are goal-oriented.
Once given an objective, they plan, execute, adjust, and complete tasks across multiple steps, tools, and decisions without requiring human intervention. For example, an agentic workflow may pull data from multiple systems, analyze it, draft a report, flag anomalies, and email a summary.
Another example is a supply chain AI agent that not only highlights anomalies but can also reorder stock, renegotiate pricing thresholds, and even reroute logistics as these actions fall within predefined objectives.
Agentic AI can also improve efficiency and productivity by identifying inefficiencies in workflows and adjusting them in real time.
For businesses facing rising labor costs and increasing demand for speed and personalization, this evolution is more than a technological advancement. It offers a strategic advantage.
Why ROI Measurement Is Different for Agentic AI
Traditional ROI models are rather straightforward as they compare the cost of a system to the output generated. ROI on projects using traditional models is measured based on cost savings, headcount reduction and cycle-time compression. However, agentic AI is more dynamic because the systems improve over time. This means the output isn’t static – rather, it compounds. These systems also reduce the need for ongoing supervision, operate continuously, and often uncover efficiencies that were not initially anticipated.
As a result, the ROI of agentic AI is not just immediate cost savings but also includes long-term gains. These gains include improved decision-making, faster execution, higher productivity, strategic agility and the ability to scale operations without a proportional increase in cost. Measuring this kind of value requires a broader, more forward-looking approach.
Key ROI Drivers of Agentic AI workflows
- Operational efficiency – unlike conventional automation that is vulnerable to dynamic environments due to fixed rules, agentic AI responds to changes automatically. These systems continuously learn and optimize, delivering ongoing improvements without additional manual effort.
- Real-time responsiveness – customers expect real-time interaction. Agentic workflows enable this through systems that are always on and context-aware.
- Scalability – businesses can handle increased demand without a corresponding increase in operational costs or headcount, allowing more efficient growth.
- Cross-departmental reach – Agentic AI agents can seamlessly connect workflows across different departments like HR, IT, and finance. This reduces operational friction between teams and enhances overall efficiency.
- Productivity gains – Agentic AI can operate 24/7, completing tasks faster and with greater consistency than human teams. This allows employees to focus on higher-value work, increasing overall organizational productivity.
- Cost reduction – by automating complex workflows, businesses can reduce reliance on manual labor, minimize errors, and eliminate inefficiencies. This can translate into significant savings.
- Revenue growth – Agentic AI enables faster go-to-market strategies and more personalized customer experiences. This can directly impact conversion rates and revenue.
- Improved decision quality – With access to real-time data and advanced analytics, agentic AI systems can make quick, informed decisions. This reduces human bias and enhances accuracy in areas like forecasting, inventory management, and customer engagement.
Strategies for Evaluating Agentic AI ROI
To measure agentic AI ROI, businesses need a structured approach that connects AI deployment to business outcomes.
- Identify high-impact workflows – repetitive, resource-heavy processes like IT support, sales operations, or compliance.
- Establish baseline measurements by documenting current costs, completion times, error rates, and headcount before deployment.
- Compare pre- and post-implementation performance by checking utilization rates, tasks completed, and infrastructure costs to confirm operational sustainability.
- Estimate agentic impact by projecting improvements in speed, cost, throughput, and quality.
- If implementing agentic AI in phases, use control groups to isolate its impact from other organizational changes.
- Measure real business outcomes, including cost reductions, revenue growth, and productivity gains.
Conclusion
Traditional automation delivered value by reducing manual effort. Agentic AI, on the other hand, reduces decision latency, operational friction, and coordination costs. Therefore, AI agents’ ROI is not defined by savings alone. Its real value lies in the ability to generate compounding returns across multiple dimensions of a business. By adopting a broader view of ROI, organizations can better assess impact, build stronger adoption cases, and identify new opportunities for optimization.
3 min read
It might be hard to believe, but yes, it’s almost the middle of the year and the perfect time to take a look at how you’re doing financially: are you fiscally fit or do you need a few adjustments? Whether it’s saving more, paying down debt, or prepping for retirement, you still have time to effect change. Here are a few ways to get started.
Review Your 2026 Financial Goals
Kind of a no-brainer, but ask yourself:
- Have I saved as much as I planned?
- How’s my progress at paying off debt?
- Have my priorities changed since the new year?
In addition to these things, other important goals might include building your emergency fund (broken dishwasher, for instance); saving for a vacation; and finally, the certainty no one can escape – tax preparation.
Go Over Your budget and Spending
Your habits might have shifted over the past few months, so places to put a lens on might be:
- Where have I increased spending?
- Do I really need all those subscriptions?
- Can I pay a little more on debt?
In the second half of the year, other things to consider include insurance renewals, back-to-school expenses, and year-end medical costs.
Revisit Your Retirement Contributions
This might be far away or near soon. No matter, it’s critical to keep an eye on the following things:
- Your 401(k) or employer retirement plan contributions
- Employer match opportunities
- IRA contributions
If you can increase funding for any of these, now’s the time to do so. Retirement comes along more quickly than you think.
Give Your Employee Benefits a Looksee
Take time to go over:
- HSA or FSA contributions
- Health insurance
- Life insurance and disability coverage
You might have other benefits, of course, to review. And while many people wait until open enrollment to give these a think, you don’t have to be one of them. Take action now to amend them so you’ll be better prepared for the rest of the year.
Start Your Taxes for Next Year
Between now and July, you can get a jumpstart by planning ahead – and you won’t be stressed when it’s actually tax time. Taking a look now can help you:
- Estimate your taxes
- Find ways to reduce your taxable income
- Plan retirement contributions before year-end.
Recalibrate Your Plan for the Rest of 2026
So now that you’ve taken inventory of your finances, you can adjust for the remaining months. Your new plan might include:
- Setting up an automatic transfer to savings – it’s so easy, and you’ll never miss it
- Increase retirement contributions – even 2 percent makes a difference
- Concentrate on one debt to pay off.
The idea is not to change everything all at once. Your goal should be to take small steps so you can move forward with confidence and finish the year strong. All it takes is a little time. And as we know, time is money. Make the last six months of 2026 count!
Sources
https://www.benefitandfinancial.com/blog/mid-year-financial-review-are-you-on-track-for-2026
4 min read
If the IRS sends notice that you’re being audited, you’re likely to become anxious. However, not all audits mean you did something wrong. In most cases, it is simply a matter of verifying information on a tax return or perhaps correcting a minor error. Knowing what to expect – and how to respond – can help alleviate stress and make the audit more manageable.
An IRS audit (also referred to as an examination) is a review of your records to confirm that the information on your tax return was reported accurately and follows tax law. The best way to prepare for an audit is to respond on time, present organized and complete records, be cooperative, and communicate professionally.
Technically, most audits are triggered via an automated scoring system referred to as the DIF, which stands for Discriminant Information Function. The system flags something on your tax return that stood out. This could be inconsistencies, missing income, unusually high deductions, or inputs that don’t match information the IRS already has. Here are three key facts about IRS timing for audits:
- The IRS generally looks back three years based on the statute of limitations
- Most audits are related to returns filed within the past two years
- In cases of substantial errors, audits can extend up to the last six years, especially in cases where it is believed that more than 25 percent of gross income was omitted from the filing
- There is no statute of limitations in cases of fraud or failure to file
The Audit Process
Almost all IRS audits start with a letter stating that your return has been selected for examination. This notice will be sent by mail – not a phone call, text, or email. The letter will include the name of your assigned reviewer, his or her IRS identification number, and phone number. You should call the IRS directly to verify this information, as scammers are known to impersonate the IRS to steal money or personal data.
You may be asked to provide a variety of specific documents based on what issue(s) triggered the audit. Be sure to provide copies, not originals. Depending on your situation, the requested documents could include:
- Income records
- Investment statements
- Bank forms
- Receipts and bills
- Canceled checks
- Legal documents (such as divorce or custody agreements)
- Loan agreements and settlement statements
- Travel logs, diaries, or ticket stubs
- Medical and dental records
- Theft or loss of documentation (insurance claims, photos, police reports)
- Employment records
- Schedule K-1 forms for partnerships or S corporations
The following are the three types of IRS Audits:
Correspondence Audit – These are the least complex and are conducted entirely by mail. Sometimes the IRS simply identifies a math error or missing income and asks for payment or clarification. You can either pay the amount due or respond with documentation if you believe the IRS is incorrect.
Office Audit – An office audit requires you to visit an IRS office with the requested records. You will receive an Information Document Request (IDR) form detailing what to bring. Showing up with organized records can help resolve these audits quickly.
Field Audit – The field audit is the most extensive. An IRS agent will come to your home or business to review records. Although you will receive an IDR in advance, the agent may decide to escalate the review if he notices any “large, unusual or questionable” (LUQ) items.
The key points to remember are that poor recordkeeping and/or lack of cooperation tend to trigger a more detailed and time-consuming audit.
Once the Audit Is Complete
After the audit, the IRS will issue a report describing its findings. It may determine that no changes are necessary to your return; that you owe additional tax; or that you may be owed a refund. Should you disagree with the findings, you have options:
- Request to meet with an IRS manager
- Use mediation or alternative dispute resolution
- File an appeal with the IRS
- Take the case to court if necessary
If you agree with the audit findings, you’ll need to sign the examination report and choose from various payment options if you owe any taxes.