Editor’s note: This article is part of a series that samples accounting research and distills key findings for busy practitioners and preparers. The summaries explain the implications of a wide range of research and give CPAs an opportunity to apply results to their day-to-day activities. Readers interested in more detail
Advertisement
TOPICS
Management accounting
Bridging the ethical divide: Survey finds firms lagging
More organizations are voicing a commitment to ethical performance, but their proclamations do not appear to be matched by action—a disconnect that is emerging as financial professionals are facing more pressure to act unethically. That ethical divide was among the key findings of Managing Responsible Business: A Global Survey on
Updated COSO framework will help audit committees comply with SOX
The compliance revolution after the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was accomplished in large part with the help of the internal control framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). COSO’s framework became part of a worldwide movement to enhance periodic accounting and
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
GASB vote places unfunded pension liabilities on government balance sheets
Unfunded pension liabilities will begin appearing on the balance sheets of U.S. state and local governments that provide defined benefit pensions under provisions of two GASB standards approved Monday. GASB on Monday approved Statement No. 67, Financial Reporting for Pension Plans, and Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for
What to expect from the Supreme Court ruling on health care reform
In the coming days, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), P.L. 111-148. Whatever the justices conclude—whether they uphold the law, rule that Congress doesn’t have the power to require citizens and legal residents to
COSO sheds light on managing cloud risks
Management should begin control-related activities before an organization contracts with a cloud-computing service provider (CSP), according to guidance provided in a new thought paper released Wednesday by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The paper, Enterprise Risk Management for Cloud Computing, provides a thorough examination of
SEC requires listing standards for compensation committees, advisers
National securities exchanges have been directed to adopt listing standards for public company boards of directors and compensation advisers under a rule approved Wednesday by the SEC. The rule is required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, P.L. 111-203. For listed companies to continue having their
Execs less optimistic about hiring, U.S. economy, AICPA survey shows
Lower hiring expectations and a steep drop in optimism about the U.S. economy summed up the uncertain mood of CPA financial executives who took part in the AICPA’s Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2012. Optimism about the U.S. economy dropped significantly after rising for
The CPA’s role in restoring fiscal sanity
CPAs are uniquely positioned to enhance public understanding of government spending—and advocate for transparency, accountability, and improvements to government financial reporting.
CFO round table: Managing uncertainty
Three CFOs from three very different industries offer insight into the fickle global marketplace—and how their roles are changing because of it.
CFOs report difficulty finding accounting and finance talent
Staffing levels in corporate accounting and finance are expected to remain stable in the third quarter, according to a recent survey of CFOs. But the same executives increasingly are reporting difficulty finding qualified professionals. Sixty-nine percent of U.S. CFOs surveyed for the staffing services firm Robert Half’s Professional Employment Report
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
Data breaches emerge as tech sector’s fastest-rising risk factor
Concerns over technology breaches and data security are soaring among the largest U.S. tech companies, according to a new report from accounting and consulting firm BDO. An examination of the most recent SEC 10-K filings for the 100 biggest publicly traded technology companies found that 71% listed data-security breaches as
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
Eight steps for implementing a technological overhaul
Author, venture partner, and consultant Geoffrey Moore made a pitch for a technological revolution Friday afternoon in the closing speech at the AICPA’s spring Council meeting. Consumer-facing business processes in professional services need to be re-engineered to accommodate the digital needs of clients and employees who already are using consumer
Finance and accounting workers feel secure in jobs, according to survey
Workers in finance and accounting feel secure in their jobs, but more than half say the economy has hurt their careers and nearly half plan to explore other positions when the job market opens up, according to a new survey. Finance and accounting employees are among the least likely professionals
Entrepreneur brings attitude to economic discussion
When panelists at the AICPA’s spring Council meeting in Washington were asked Wednesday how to fix the economy, business leaders and politicians talked about familiar themes: balancing the federal budget and avoiding deficit spending. They said complex regulations are crippling some businesses. But Traci Lynn, CEO and founder of Traci
Going concern evaluations, auditor’s reporting model on the week’s agenda
Auditors’ going concern evaluations and the auditor’s reporting model project will be among the topics discussed Thursday at a meeting of the PCAOB’s Standing Advisory Group (SAG). Established in 2003 to advise the PCAOB on the development of standards, the SAG includes auditors, investors, public company executives, and others. The
To prevent fraud, offer a hotline, train employees on fraud prevention, report says
Providing individuals a means to report suspicious activity and conducting targeted fraud awareness training for employees and managers are two key elements in detecting and preventing fraud, a new report says. Fraud is most commonly detected through employee tips, and organizations that have anti-fraud training programs for employees, managers, and
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Right-sizing risk management
Sole practitioner or small firm? Risk management doesn’t have to be “one size fits all.” Learn how to help protect your practice without adding unnecessary admin time.
From The Tax Adviser
July 31, 2026
Current developments in S corporations
July 31, 2026
