Office technology products are getting more powerful and easier to use, providing accountants with the opportunity to work smarter and faster. Listed here are many products that can make CPAs’ work more efficient and effective. DESKTOP COMPUTERS New computer technology has made enormous leaps in the past year. The top
April 1998 - Journal of Accountancy
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Thriving On Change
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AS MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS REDUCE the number of commercial banks, internal auditors who work for these institutions can make contributions to ease these transactions by providing management with vital information about the company being acquired and the merger process. WHEN NATIONSBANK MERGED WITH BOATMEN’S Bank in 1997, NationsBank’s
INTERNATIONAL
The Truth About Customs
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BECAUSE MORE TAX DIRECTORS AND CPAs are handling the customs and international traffic work for global companies, they must be better informed of customs and international trade practices. This includes controllers, tax directors, CFOs, internal and independent auditors and management and customs consultants. CPAs CAN HELP COMPANIES OR
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
The Partner Alternative
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TRADITIONALLY, ALL CPAs in public accounting aspired to be partners. The partner title was the key measure of success and firms operated on an up-or-out model. TODAY, HOWEVER, HARD-to-find specialists and a new generation wanting more personal time are unable or unwilling to do what is necessary to
AUDITING
The Electronic Auditor
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE AICPA COMPUTER AUDITING SUBCOMMITTEE of the ASB identified 11 key technologies that affect audit engagements. SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVE GUARDING databases, for example, against intentional or unintentional modifications. Erroneous transactions can result in material errors in the financial statements. COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES REVOLVE around the gradual disappearance of the
THE VISION PROCESS
Shifting Harley Into High Gear
Donna Zarcone speaks and acts quickly. When conversation turns to motorcycles—like her own Harley 1340cc Dyna Low Rider—or another one of her favorite topics, she smiles easily and words fly from her mouth at a staccato pace. As the CFO of Eaglemark Financial Services, the financial arm of legendary motorcycle
CORPORATE TAX
Accounting Method Changes
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE IRS ISSUED PROCEDURES, TERMS and conditions for obtaining the IRSs consent to an accounting method change. Many of the previous complex rules have been eliminated. USUALLY, AN ENTITY FILES FORM 3115 in the year of change. Under the old procedure, the time for filing was the first