January 2015 - Journal of Accountancy

The 2015 tax filing season could be delayed and features several new health carerelated provisions for 2014 returns. Plus: The JofA’s annual Quick Guide, a printable card that contains dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions to keep at your fingertips during tax season.

U.S. public accounting firms are making greater use of technologies including cloud-based software and video conferencing, according to the 2014 Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey from the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) and the Texas Society of CPAs (TSCPA). The biennial study also unveils trends in fees, billing rates, compensation, and types of services and benefits offered.

The Middle East offers foreign companies many lucrative business opportunities, but, to gain access, suitors must first be considered culturally acceptable by their Middle Eastern counterparts.

Small firms can bolster their client relationships and generate additional revenue through one- or two-hour microengagements.

GASB Statements No. 67 and No. 68 have created significant changes in pension accounting for state and local governments that affect financial statement preparers and auditors.

Timely communication between pension plans, government employers, and their auditors is essential in implementing the new standards.

CPAs must properly secure any patient health care data that may come into their possession, to avoid potentially severe civil and criminal penalties.

Whether as bullion, coins, funds, stocks, or derivatives, gold holds an age-old fascination. Smart investing takes into account how gains are taxed.

Perch provides bird’s-eye view of the competition…Listen to the best articles with Umano

CPAs who provide tax planning services may be well-positioned to provide clients with PPACA-related advice regarding the tax and cost issues associated with selecting health insurance plans. But other matters go beyond the scope of the CPA’s expertise.