Audit & assurance

Many prepackaged computer training programs fail to discriminate between what trainees already know and what they need to learn. Following are guidelines for making such technology training useful: Ask trainees whether they would rather attend group classes, have one-on-one sessions or do self-training with audio tapes or manuals. Most people

Top Ten Golf Digest picks the country’s best links. 1. Pine Valley Pine Valley, N.J. 2. Augusta National Augusta, Ga. 3. Shinnecock Hills Southampton, N.Y. 4. Cypress Point Club Pebble Beach, Calif. 5. Oakmont Country Club Oakmont, Pa. 6. Pebble Beach Golf Links Pebble Beach, Calif. 7. Merion Ardmore, Pa.

As Quoted   “ Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. ” —Bill Gates, in his book Business @ The Speed of Thought

GOLDEN BUSINESS IDEAS After a company has invested in training them, many employees leave for better-paying jobs. In some respects, employers create the problem when they place more emphasis on hiring candidates based on their skills rather than on their history of loyalty. A history of frequent job-switching is likely

The Ultimate Accountants’ Reference: Including GAAP, IRS & SEC Regulations, Leases, and More By Steven M. Bragg 774 pages; hardcover John Wiley; Hoboken, N.J. 2004 I n this one-volume desk reference, CPAs can find concise answers to important issues that arise during a typical business day.

SURVEY SAVVY   Source: Survey of 1,400 CFOs of companies with 20 or more employees, Accountemps, Menlo Park, Calif., www.accountemps.com , 2004.

TOP TEN The most important factors in growing and retaining leaders over the next 10 years will be 1. A formal leadership development strategy. 2. The support of top management. 3. A formal succession planning process. 4. Recognizing that leaders must develop other leaders. 5. A big enough budget. 6.

SIGN OF THE TIMES A s family members from New Orleans settled safely into his Houston home, CPA Richard Forrest was approached by a friend who wasn’t so lucky; he had lost touch with his 80-year-old parents as Hurricane Katrina battered the city. So like any good neighbor, Forrest fueled

NUMEROLOGY Your credit card bill arrives in the mail and you spot what might be a fraudulent charge—an item purchased in a place you’ve never been or something you know you didn’t buy. How do you correct the error? STEP 1. Call the credit card company immediately to inform them

NUMEROLOGY When asked what they would do if money was no object and they had young children, 53% of executives said they would continue to work, but at a reduced load. 39% said they would devote themselves full-time to the family, opting to become stay-at-home parents. 9% said they’d continue

HOME FRONT Redoing your home can be exciting, but it also takes careful planning. Here’s some advice to keep you on track. Organize. Keep copies of all contracts, change orders, invoices, receipts and permits in a three-ring binder or expandable file folder, so all your important documents and good ideas

ON THE RECORD On the difficulty of developing international standards: “ We are under enormous pressure from all sides. I rarely address an audience that isn’t at least 50% hostile. Whatever we do, half the world wants it and half the world hates it. ” —Tom Jones, vice-chairman, International Accounting

NUMEROLOGY FASB 123(R) is causing companies to move away from stock options. Incentives offered Companies under FASB 123(R) Companies not under FASB 123(R) Stock options 83% 93% Performance awards 71 55 Stock appreciation rights 10 1 Source: Survey of the 250 largest companies, Frederic W. Cook & Company Inc., New