Small businesses are the backbone of America's economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the nation's 23 million small businesses account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales and 64 percent of all net new jobs.

So say you want to pass your assets on to your daughter at your death, but she is married to a gentleman you generally consider to be a louse.

The Pennsylvania Senate will vote today on whether to change the requirements to become a certified public accountant to allow for a broader base of experience.

It's the perfect time to evaluate your personal financial plan and identify the areas where your strategy is doing well and where it may need some change. A strong personal financial plan is an important part of developing and maintaining your long-term financial security.

Businesses featured this week: Waddell & Reed Inc., Pa. Department of State, Walz Deihm Geisenberger Bucklen and Tennis PC, Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges,Pennsylvania Retailers' Association, Bon Ton Stores Inc., World Cup Ski and Cycle, Cabela's, Goodwill Keystone Area, West York Police Department, Fastsigns International, Oil & Gas Awards Ltd., ARM Group Inc., Pittsburgh-based K&L Gates LLP

The Community First Forum will hold a forum next week on new markets tax credits for developers and economic development professionals.

The economy might be improving, but research shows employees are not confident about their own financial situations.

With the U.S. stock market surging to all-time highs, do you know how often it has registered a steep decline? Every 20 years? Every 10?

Riverview Financial Corp. last week renewed its stock repurchase program.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced recently that it would be increasing lending activity to veterans by 5 percent annually over the next five years.

Pennsylvania's banks earned $385 million in the first quarter of 2013, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. numbers released Wednesday.

Businesses featured this week: Metro Bank, Union Community Bank

Twenty-four percent of U.S. accounting firms participating in a recent survey said their business clients are not fully aware of the relevant penalties in the aspects of health care reform beginning in 2014, according to Thomson Reuters.