Professional Issues
Olivia F. Kirtley becomes AICPA chairwoman at a time of accelerating change. As the Uniform Accountancy Act begins to transform how accountants practice, the pressures of a global economy grow and the Institute takes the first steps to make the Vision reality, Kirtley will use her leadership skills to navigate this uncharted territory.
Technology
Technology is both a gift and a challenge. Planned correctly, it can provide the tools to make work fast, effective and efficient. But if it's implemented without foresight, it will turn your office into a quagmire.
Tax Planning
When a closely held business is part of a divorce settlement, the couple — and their CPA — must plan stock redemptions carefully to avoid unexpected tax consequences.
The Vision Process
Over the course of a year, the accounting profession came together to identify the role it wants to play in the future. CPAs from every segment of practice examined what is important to them as professionals and how they can build on these values to prosper in the next century. CPAs can use the report of their efforts, CPA Vision 2011 and Beyond: Focus on the Horizon, as a tool to determine how they will fit into this expanded role.
Software / Technology Workshop
The Excel PivotTable function is a powerful tool that can help financial analysts spot trends quickly — turning a bewildering array of spreadsheet numbers into a coherent business strategy. This tutorial shows how PivotTable can be helpful.
Education
Experts agree that CPE does little to enhance CPAs' professional development, yet what are the alternatives? A proposed solution is the new competency-based CPE model. Using this model, CPAs will embark on a journey of lifelong learning.
Financial Reporting
Both FASB and AcSEC have issued standards that require companies to make disclosures about accounting measurement uncertainties. These rules are sometimes at odds with each other, resulting in financial statements that are confusing to users, preparers and attestors.