April 2007

Practice Development

Build, Buy (or Sell)?

For CPAs considering growth or succession options, a broker examines what the market looks like to potential buyers and sellers of CPA firms and provides points to consider about whether to build a practice or buy one. Key factors are sometimes not just about business but also about personal goals and ambitions.

Practice Development

Structuring for Growth

The JofA asked CPA consultants, managing partners and professional administrators what the managing partner of a small firm should do to help the firm grow, keep its focus, reinforce the firm culture and avoid burnout. Here are their answers.

Practice Management / Technology

Talent-Tempting Web Sites

Sure, your firm has a Web site. Who doesn’t these days? But is it making full use of the Internet’s potential—especially in the perennially vexing area of recruiting? Young CPAs-to-be expect more from their Internet experience than a bland introduction to the place where they’re considering whether to invest their talent and hard work. See how some firms are beckoning them with inviting and informative content.

Compensation / Financial Reporting

A Road Map for Share-Based Compensation

As they implement the provisions of FASB Statement no. 123(R), companies should take a fresh look at their share-based employee compensation practices and the valuation requirements for various awards for financial reporting purposes.

Financial Reporting / COMPENSATION

Frontline Reaction to FASB 123(R)

A survey on how companies are changing their compensation practices—particularly their use of stock options—in the wake of FASB Statement no. 123(R) shows U.S. businesses haven’t yet hit on a definitive solution for minimizing the impact of the new rules.

Professional Issues

Barriers to Mobility: A Crisis for Many CPAs

The chair of the AICPA’s Special Committee on Mobility outlines the Institute’s recommended solution for removing interstate barriers that hinder CPAs.

Business & Industry / Tax

S Corporation Update

As Subchapter S approaches its golden anniversary, businesses are finding that life with the popular corporate structure can still be a rewarding—and invariably a learning—experience.

Technology Workshop

Surf Safely

Although the Internet is a great source of information, users must be careful: Hidden in some of those innocent-looking Web sites are dangerous traps that can steal or destroy your confidential data. In this article we detail ways to surf the Web with relative safety.

Technology Workshop

Spyware Protection

All computers are vulnerable to spyware—surreptitiously embedded programs that can steal data from your machine or just cause a nuisance. Many special programs—some free—are available to identify and destroy them.