The URL I gave you in May 2003 (page 73) for guidance in using the Ruler in Word has since evaporated into the Internet ether, and reader George Salley, a retired CPA, suggests this one: http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/. Also in the May issue, I gave you a tip (page 72) for shutting
Advertisement
The magazines
FYI
The SEC publishes a collection of 33 frequently asked questions and answers, prepared by its staff, on the use of non-GAAP financial measures ( www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/faqs/nongaapfaq.htm ). Topics discussed include transition issues, business combination transactions, item 10(e) of regulation S-K, EBIT and EBITDA, segment information, item 12 of Form 8-K, foreign
International
The international auditing and assurance standards board (IAASB) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) issues an exposure draft (ED) containing a proposed international standard, Quality Control for Audit, Assurance and Related Services Practices, and a proposed revised international standard on auditing, Quality Control for Audit Engagements. The proposals clarify
Revisiting Temporary CFOs
I read with interest “ CFOs for Hire ” ( JofA , Apr.03, page 35). The article pointed out that consulting engagements can lead to permanent positions for CFO candidates, depending on the business model of the placement company. It implied that “about half” of Robert Half Management Resources’ assignments
Online CPE—Getting Easier All the Time.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE NUMBER OF VENDORS offering online courses to CPAs has grown considerably since 1998 when the JofA first reported on the subject. THE NUMBER OF ONLINE COURSES reported in a survey of CPE providers grew sixtyfold to more than 3,000. EMPLOYEES AND CPAs WHO STUDY online spend less
Accounting
For news from the AICPA and state societies, visit www.cpa2biz.com , which also offers online CPE, AICPA professional literature, practice management aids and links to state society Web sites. FASB issues Statement no. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity (available for download
Meyners Pays for Performance
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MEYNERS INSTITUTED A PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE system to get employees involved in the firm’s growth efforts. It includes an annual salary increase that reflects a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and three bonus pools related to three areas: core values, core competencies and meeting goals. EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND WHAT’S EXPECTED of them and
Divorce Decree No Substitute for Form 8332
TAX BRIEF Generally, IRC section 151(c)(1) allows taxpayers an exemption for dependent children. In the case of divorced parents, the custodial parent gets the exemption. That parent, however, may release his or her claim to the exemption, allowing the noncustodial parent to claim the deduction. The custodial parent does this
JofA Recognizes Top Authors, Including 2002’s Best.
Joseph T. Wells, CPA, CFE , received from AICPA President and CEO Barry C. Melancon, CPA, the Journal of Accountancy’ s 2002 Lawler Award for the year’s best article. In “ Occupational Fraud: The Audit as Deterrent ” ( JofA , Apr.02, page 24), Wells used actual case studies to
Help Middle-Market Companies Get Funding
Lenders continue to tighten the requirements for making loans to businesses with annual sales of $50 million to $500 million. CPAs should advise such middle-market clients or employers to take a two-pronged approach in their search for credit: Don’t rely solely on existing banking relationships; instead, consider investor equity or
Privacy
The AICPA issues an exposure draft of the privacy framework it developed with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. The framework includes privacy standards designed to help organizations better manage their clients’ and customers’ personal information and mitigate associated risks. The ED is available at www.aicpa.org . Comments are due
Active Management vs. Indexing
The article “ Fear, Greed and the Madness of Markets ” ( JofA , Apr.03, page 79) was well-done, up to a point. The commentary about emotions driving many investors’ decisions was right on. Buying high and selling low is the norm for many, including most of the highly paid
Montoya Recognized for Volunteer Work
Mary Montoya, CPA, received the 2003 AICPA Public Service Award in Washington, D.C., at the spring meeting of the Institute’s governing council. A partner of Klanderud, Montoya, Wuebben & Feehan, PC, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Montoya has prepared tax returns, provided financial advice and performed a wide variety of
Technology
Beginning July 1, accountants and other professionals who had registered a trademark or service mark before September 30, 2002, can secure a .pro domain name, or Internet address suffix, that exactly matches their registered mark. For example, a firm with a trademark such as Smith & Jones, CPAs, would qualify
Fraud
The AICPA publishes a series of actual case studies involving poor judgment or illegal accounting practices. In them, managers face a variety of ethical dilemmas. The cases cover accounting and auditing, as well as professional ethics, corporate leadership and regulatory, legal and financial analysis. The series, which the AICPA developed
Enter Data Into Scattered Cells
Q.How do I copy the same information into many different Excel cells when the cells aren’t contiguous? A. Think of the Ctrl key as the repeat key. For example, to easily move a bunch of noncontiguous files in Explorer, hold down the Ctrl key and then select each file. When
Government Accounting
The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) issues an exposure draft, Accounting for Fiduciary Activities ( www.fasab.gov/pdf/trustf1.pdf ). The proposed standard shows how to distinguish, in a federal context, fiduciary activity from program activity that, in many cases, is called “trust fund” activity but actually represents taxes or other resources
Holder Cited as Outstanding Educator
William W. Holder, CPA, DBA, accepted the AICPA 2003 Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award at the spring council meeting. He has received numerous accolades for his educational and professional achievements, and in 2001 and 2002 Accounting Today named him one of the 100 most influential people in the accounting
Private Companies React to Sarbanes-Oxley
Source: Robert Half Management Resources, www.roberthalfmr.com , 2003.
Deductibility of Business Aircraft
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, BUSINESSES HAVE INCREASED their use of company-owned aircraft for employee travel. To successfully defend the cost of this travel as a business expense, it must be ordinary, necessary, reasonable and not lavish. UNDER IRC SECTION 162(a), COMPANIES CAN DEDUCT travel expenses while employees are away
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Building a better CPA firm: Stepping up service offerings
A key step in business model modernization is determining how to implement services that satisfy clients and employees.
From The Tax Adviser
August 30, 2025
2025 tax software survey
July 31, 2025
