Today’s CPAs come from very diverse backgrounds and have very different expectations from the employees of a generation past. Students and new hires in the accounting profession have made it very clear they value balance in their lives—and workplace flexibility is a necessary component. Workplace flexibility, once considered a female
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TOPICS / FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Human capital
Making Flextime Work
Susan Coffey and Arleen Thomas, the first women to be promoted to senior vice-president at the AICPA, both make use of flexible work arrangements (FWA). With two young children each, Coffey and Thomas have used the AICPA’s telecommuting program and work two days a week from their home offices. Using
Ready to Move Ahead?
Present a positive role model. Take a good look at the image you project. Recognize the value of the whole person. There’s more to success than the number of hours billed or promotions earned. Balance your professional and personal goals. Take advantage of flexible work arrangements that allow you to
Flextime to the Nth Degree
After her twin boys were born in February 2004, Ann Donaghey decided to take an extended period of time off from her job as senior manager in the tax practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Chicago office. Although she had been on a successful flexible work arrangement and had been
The Proof Is in the Payback
W e hear a lot in business about the importance of the tone at the top in motivating people to do the right thing. What leaders do (not just say) is a defining factor in how the rest of the organization behaves. The right tone is essential not only in
Color Barriers
A two-part survey—conducted by Catalyst in 1998 and again in 2001—of African American, Hispanic and Asian American women in corporate management, including accounting firms, revealed both positive and negative trends. On the positive side, respondents said they Experienced positive career growth. Employed several key strategies to succeed—with great emphasis on
“Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall: Have I Got My Priorities Straight?”
Burned out—or balancing tasks well? Are you juggling multiple tasks every day and exhausted from the demands of your personal and professional life? Perhaps it’s time for a schedule that provides more opportunity for work/life balance. There may be times in your career when an alternative schedule provides the support
How to Keep Them Once You’ve Got Them
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A REGIONAL FIRM, PLANTE & MORAN (P&M), developed and implemented a strategy called “rerecruiting,” an ongoing program based on staff recognition and appreciation, to maximize staff retention. Its turnover rate for the past decade ranks between 8% and 15% annually—well below industry standards. MANAGEMENT-CREATED WORKSHOPS explain the value
Tips for the Sarbanes-Oxley Learning Curve
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT HAS HAD a far-reaching impact on CPA firms, whether large, midsize or small. Firms that audit public companies have been working out strategies for coping successfully in their internal operations as well as in their relations with clients and prospects. THE STEPPED UP INTERNAL AUDIT
Help Companies Assess Their Internal Audit Needs
Now that the SEC has approved the November 2003 New York Stock Exchange rule that listed companies must have an internal audit function, clients and employers are asking their CPAs how it might affect their businesses and exactly what it requires. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions and responses
The Best-Laid Plans
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DISASTER ARE UNPREDICTABLE , and one disruption may cause others, so a firm should test its preparedness plan to make sure it will do what it’s supposed to: locate the firm’s people, obtain equipment and support, access job-file and system backups and put staff to work in an
Tool Facilitates Course Design
In November the AICPA launched its Educational Competency Assessment Web site ( www.aicpa-eca.org ), a resource accounting educators will find useful for designing courses that help students develop the skills-based competencies entry-level accountants need.
MAP Survey Highlights Staffing Worries
The AICPA management of an accounting practice (MAP) committee released in October the results of its nationwide poll of CPA firms of all sizes ( www.aicpa.org/download/news/map_top_five_2003_release.pdf ). More than 1,000 practitioners participated. For the sixth consecutive year, finding and retaining qualified staff was respondents’ top concern. Other issues they identified
Calling Aspiring Committee Members
The Institute is accepting applications for the October 2004–2005 committee year. Members interested in contributing to the profession and networking with peers have until May 1 to file an application at http://volunteers.aicpa.org/apply . Additional information is available from David Ray by phone at 212-596-6030 or e-mail at committee@aicpa.org .
CPA2Biz Financial Results Improve
At the fall council meeting, CPA2Biz reported that for the year ended July 31, 2003, its operating loss narrowed 90.5% to $3.2 million from $33.8 million ( www.cpa2biz.com/Corp/Press+Releases/ ). In addition, based on revenues of more than $14 million, CPA2Biz projects a break-even cash flow for the year ending July
Three Enter Business & Industry Hall of Fame
The AICPA and Ajilon Finance, which provides accounting and financial staffing services, inducted three CPAs into the Institute’s Business & Industry Hall of Fame in October. John Morrow, AICPA vice-president for new finance; award winners Glen M. Elias and Hubert C. Maddy III; and Neil Lebovits, Ajilon president and chief
TTA Now on CD
For the first time, the AICPA tax section’s annual Tax Practice Guides & Checklists CD will contain a full year’s worth of The Tax Adviser (TTA) . The CD, which is sent automatically to tax section members each year, will include the January–December 2003 issues of TTA in Adobe Acrobat
Institute Honors Kessler
Stuart Kessler, CPA, a partner of Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP and former AICPA chairman, receives the 2003 Gold Medal for Distinguished Service—the Institute’s highest award—from AICPA President and CEO Barry C. Melancon (right) and past chairman William F. Ezzell during the fall council meeting. Kessler also performed many other activities
Working With a Solicitor to Get New Business
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT HAS HAD a far-reaching impact on CPA firms, whether large, midsize or small. Firms that audit public companies have been working out strategies for coping successfully in their internal operations as well as in their relations with clients and prospects. THE STEPPED UP INTERNAL AUDIT
Features
SPONSORED REPORT
Preparing clients for new provisions next tax season
As the 2025 filing season approaches, H.R. 1 introduces significant tax reforms that CPAs must be prepared to navigate. These legislative changes represent some of the most comprehensive tax updates in recent years, affecting both individual and corporate taxpayers. This report provides in-depth analysis and guidance on H.R. 1.
From The Tax Adviser
November 30, 2025
Digital asset transactions: Broker reporting, amount realized, and basis
October 31, 2025
Recent developments in estate planning
October 31, 2025
