May 2009 - Journal of Accountancy

Many traditional defined benefit pension plans are underfunded due to market declines. As a result, barring congressional action, they could face future excise taxes ranging from 10% to 100% of the underfunded amounts as mandated by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). Funding liabilities are especially difficult for smaller

Recessions—roughly two per decade—have occurred quite regularly since World War II. Most last less than four quarters, according to International Monetary Fund data. But the depth and breadth of recessions are notoriously difficult to predict. This article focuses on what CPA financial executives have experienced in the current recession, using

As the economy struggles, businesses and individuals are hanging on to their money more tightly than ever. With fewer resources available and reserves dwindling, becoming a victim of fraud during a recession could prove financially disastrous. However, a little awareness can go a long way in protecting hard-earned assets from

The current economic environment has presented unprecedented circumstances for members of the business valuation profession. Those who perform valuations for financial reporting are grappling with issues surrounding impairment, market capitalization versus fair value determinations, reasonable rates of return, and active versus distressed and inactive markets, to name a few. The

Editor’s note: G. William Graham is the AICPA Peer Review Board chair.   The effects of the newly revised AICPA Standards on Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews (Standards) will be far-reaching. They directly impact more than 30,000 firms enrolled in the AICPA’s practice-monitoring program. In addition, the revised standards

In a typical home or small office the traditional wired phone line has undergone many changes. High-speed Internet service and advances in voice and data compression have improved voice quality tremendously, making conversations possible without a telephone network while significantly lowering communications costs. Larger organizations have been using VoIP (Voice

The first-time homebuyer credit, introduced by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, PL 110-289 (the 2008 act), has been substantially modified and clarified by two developments this year: the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, PL 111-5 (the 2009 act), and the issuance of

Editor’s note: This is a sidebar to “Valuations for Financial Reporting in Today’s Market,” May 09.   At its April 2 meeting, FASB voted to release three new pieces of guidance to address concerns over the application of fair value accounting standards in current market conditions. As a result, FASB

Editor’s note: This is a sidebar to “Valuations for Financial Reporting in Today’s Market,” May 09.   Having never done a valuation, I have an alternative view from the valuation panel participants since I am from the audit and accounting side. I have been working with Dixon Hughes PLLC’s valuation

A fundamental requirement for every qualified retirement plan is that the benefits or contributions be provided in a manner that does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees (HCEs). The IRC requires a qualified plan to demonstrate its compliance with this nondiscrimination requirement by satisfying a particular test. Some