Controllers hoping to make the move to CFO must be willing to add new words to their vocabulary. The focus on numbers, while important, has to change from lookback mode to look-ahead. Concerns about month-end close should not be forgotten, but they should be accompanied by thoughts such as, “How
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Professional development
CPA mobility law takes effect in Washington
A new District of Columbia law makes it easier for CPAs from other jurisdictions to practice in the nation’s capital. The Accountant Mobility Act of 2011, which took effect on Monday, grants CPAs with valid licenses in U.S. states the ability to practice in the city without obtaining a reciprocal
Commission issues seven recommendations for bolstering the future of accounting education
Integrating accounting education, practice, and research in new teaching models and curricula is among the recommendations from the Pathways Commission’s final report now being implemented. The report on the future of higher education in accounting, released July 31, culminated two years of study and insights from teams representing diverse viewpoints
From practice to the classroom
At some point in their careers, many CPA practitioners have said, “I wonder what it would be like to teach.” The traditional path to a teaching or research appointment as a tenure-track faculty member (academically qualified, or AQ, faculty) usually involves obtaining a Ph.D. Another path, professionally qualified, or PQ,
The Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program: A status report
The Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program is the largest investment ever made by the accounting profession to advance accounting education. The program represents the most significant cooperative initiative undertaken jointly by the accounting educational community and the accounting profession. The unprecedented effort to increase the number of doctoral candidates studying tax
U.S. starting salaries in accounting and finance appear headed for an increase in 2013
U.S. accounting and finance starting salaries will rise in 2013 despite an uncertain economy, according to a recently published salary guide. Average starting salaries for corporate accounting employees in the United States are projected to increase between 2.7% and 4.5% compared with 2012, depending on the position and the size
From CGMA Magazine: New skills for an evolving profession
The corporate finance professionals who climb the value chain will be interpreters and collaborators, able to leverage data as a strategic asset while working across functions to solve problems and innovate. As the volume of information increases, they will play a critical role in determining the integrity of information and
Pathways Commission releases final report; three-year implementation begins
Culminating two years of study and insights from teams representing diverse viewpoints in practice and academia, the Pathways Commission released its final report Tuesday on the future of higher education in accounting. The report, titled “Charting a National Strategy for the Next Generation of Accountants,” is available on the commission’s
Employers hiring managers from outside more often than promoting from within
Management job seekers in accounting and finance may need to get away from their current employers to get ahead in their careers. CFOs are filling management roles in their departments with candidates from outside the company far more often than they are promoting internal candidates, according to a new survey
Institute recognizes CPA exam’s top scorers for 2010 and 2011
The AICPA announced the winners of the 2010 and 2011 Elijah Watt Sells Awards, which are presented annually to the candidates earning the highest cumulative scores on the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. The award was created in 1923 to honor Sells, one of the country’s first CPAs
Charlie Mierswa, CPA
Although I have been a fan of the Nets since probably seventh grade, I didn’t get here because of my focus on sports. I was brought here because of my focus on entertainment. When you look at what’s happening on the court, essentially they’re just creating entertainment for a crowd.
Employers worry about top employees taking their talent elsewhere
Employers in some industries are having a hard time finding the right people to fill vacancies. Increasingly, they’re fretting about keeping the key talent they have. As the economy improves, organizations that are looking to grow or restock their ranks will compete aggressively for top-notch employees—and that could prove costly
Best practices for promotion of diversity in the accounting profession
At various summits over the past couple of years, leaders dedicated to the advancement of African Americans in accounting have proposed various strategies to promote diversity within the accounting profession. The most recent and extensive summit took place in December 2010, when four dozen accounting profession leaders and stakeholders met
In pursuit of inclusion: New initiative will focus on racial diversity
Even as Ken Bouyer looks with pride at the progress Ernst & Young LLP has made in recruiting minority candidates over the past 20 years, he realizes that his profession’s work to promote ethnic and racial diversity is far from over. Bouyer, E&Y’s Americas director of Inclusiveness Recruiting, said that
Panel: Leveraging data, collaborating across business units critical skills for corporate finance leaders
The corporate finance professionals who climb the value chain will be interpreters and collaborators able to leverage data as a strategic asset while working across functional areas to solve problems and innovate, according to executives speaking Friday at the AICPA’s Council meeting in Washington. “Information is the new currency,” said
New CPE offerings target specific areas of practice
The Institute is now offering targeted continuing professional education study programs through its online learning library, CPExpress. CPAs who want to concentrate on specific areas of expertise can visit specialty libraries in accounting and auditing, business and industry, government and not-for-profit, and taxation. The collections range from 65 to 175
Revision of CPE standards completed
CPE programs for the accounting profession will have enhanced opportunities to use group Internet-based formats, outcome-based learning and other innovative techniques under newly completed revisions announced Tuesday. The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) announced the final approval of proposed revisions to the Statement on
CPA exam prep innovator Newton D. Becker dies at 83
Newton D. Becker, whose preparatory course led to CPA exam success for hundreds of thousands of accountants, died Monday in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness. He was 83. Becker was the founder and driving force behind Becker CPA Review, which he started in his hometown of Cleveland and grew
Survey: CFOs Anticipate Hiring in Accounting and Finance
CFOs expected to hire more accountants and other finance professionals early next year. But many were having a hard time finding skilled professionals to fill the positions, according to a survey by staffing services firm Robert Half International. Twenty percent of 1,408 CFOs at U.S. companies said they expected to
Leisha John, CPA
I grew up in Montana and moved to Alaska when I first got out of college and joined Ernst & Young. Being rooted in these majestic environments and surrounded by the very best of Mother Nature, it hit home with me that we need to take care of our depleting
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Data governance: How finance builds trust in data
Learn how finance can use data governance to improve data quality, strengthen internal controls, and build trust in business data.
From The Tax Adviser
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Current developments in S corporations
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