Professional Issues
The Texas Society of CPAs released the results of its national annual survey of small firms. CPAs can compare their firms with similar-size firms—those that are average and those that are the most successful—in areas such as fees, salaries and market segments.
Assurance Services
This is the third in a series of four articles that highlight findings and suggestions from the report of the special committee on assurance services. This article explores the factors to consider when choosing among new services to develop in your firm. The full report is at www.aicpa.org/assurance/scas/index.htm.
Tax Research
The World Wide Web is a great place to find complete, up-to-the-minute tax information—if you know where to look. Here are some of the best tax-related Web sites and some tips for novices on how to get the most out of the Web.
Financial Reporting
To make the earnings per share computation easier, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement no. 128. At the same time, it issued Statement no. 129, which covers disclosure of capital structure information. The International Accounting Standards Committee has issued similar statements.
Business / Industry
A study sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants details the activities and responsibilities of CPAs in business and industry. The analysis also indicates which tasks will grow in importance in the next few years and highlights the gaps between what CPAs learn in college and what they need to know once on the job.
The Small Practitioner
Tax research and practice development performed on the Internet have been the keys to success for one sole practitioner.
Technology
New, "fast" modems (56 kilobits per second) are reaching the market, but do they really operate at their claimed speed? It turns out they come close in some geographic locations but not in all. Read this article to find out whether you should invest in the new equipment and what other options you have.