Firm operations

TOPICS / FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

February 1, 2023

How the FTC Safeguards Rule may affect your CPA firm

Federal Trade Commission guidelines intended to help protect financial institution customer information may apply to CPAs.

January 1, 2023

Client breakups can create malpractice risk

When clients divorce, CPAs should take steps to avoid getting caught up in their dispute.

December 1, 2022

Do I really need a new engagement letter for that?

A dually signed engagement letter is always the best way to document agreed-upon services, especially if a disagreement arises.

November 1, 2022

Ask the Expert: The rise of contactless tax services

John Sapp is the chief revenue officer at Drake Software, one of the largest professional tax software companies in the nation. As a certified public accountant since 1987, he has considerable experience in public and private accounting for the technology industry.

November 1, 2022

Working with third-party experts

When a CPA firm engages a third party to help a client with an issue that requires special expertise, the firm may still be held liable for deficiencies in the third-party expert’s work. Professional standards outline steps a firm can take to mitigate this risk.

October 27, 2022

Q&A: The 2 most prevalent cyberthreats for CPA firms

The co-author of the JofA’s Professional Liability Spotlight column discusses common strategies used by cybercriminals and how they can be mitigated.

September 1, 2022

Cybersecurity risk: Constant vigilance required

These tips can help diminish the likelihood and
impact of a cyberattack.

August 1, 2022

2022 tax software survey

CPAs assess how their return preparation products performed.

August 1, 2022

Malpractice claims in 2021 and future predictions

A look at claims against CPA firms in 2021 reveals some changes from prior years and points to future trends in this area.

July 1, 2022

Kovel agreement basics for you and your client

Kovel agreements, where an attorney, rather than the client, engages a CPA, may provide the client greater protection by extending attorney-client and attorney work product privileges to the CPA.

June 1, 2022

Rogue behavior: Risks your CPA firm should avoid

Claim experience of the AICPA Professional Liability Insurance Program has demonstrated that rogue behavior, especially at the partner level, can lead to professional liability claims.

June 1, 2022

Is it time to rethink your firm’s physical footprint?

The rise of remote work is an opportunity to
evaluate where work gets done.

May 17, 2022

Why a busy-season debrief has value, and why it’s not just for tax teams

Three CPAs discuss the importance of planning to have a debrief after an intense period of work, whether tax season or a busy sales cycle, in this podcast with transcript.

May 9, 2022

US sanctions ban provision of accounting, consulting services to Russia

Sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine include a ban on accounting and management consulting services, according to government statements issued Monday.

May 1, 2022

Small actions, big fallout: Lessons from large claims

Even small decisions or quick conversations may have significant, and expensive, consequences.

March 31, 2022

FP&A: A new niche — and an expanded definition

An ENGAGE speaker shares six core principles for business and why the abbreviation FP&A means multiple things to him in this podcast episode with transcript.

March 24, 2022

New strategies to grow the profession’s pipeline

Organizations seeking to identify and hire finance talent can follow the advice in a recent article or further explore a new apprenticeship program detailed in this podcast with transcript.

March 1, 2022

Tread carefully when using noncompete agreements

Noncompete agreements should be reasonable in scope and narrowly drafted to protect a legitimate business need.

February 22, 2022

Firm ownership can be intimidating; here’s how to overcome those fears

A CPA firm owner shares some of the fears she overcame, advice to those thinking of opening a firm, and the ways she takes mental breaks in this podcast with transcript.

February 1, 2022

Unresponsive clients pose a professional liability risk

In addition to creating unnecessary stress for CPAs, clients who fail to respond timely increase a CPA firm’s professional liability risk.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Want to thrive in an AI world? Power up your people skills

Learn how CPAs can strengthen their human relationships by developing their communication, curiosity, and self-awareness. Artificial intelligence can’t replicate these people skills.