Robert Bunting became president of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) in November, beginning a two-year term. Prior to this, he was deputy president of IFAC for two years and has been a member of the IFAC Board since 2005. Bunting is a partner in Seattle-based Moss Adams LLP, where
Advertisement
TOPICS
Firm practice management
The Virtues and Challenges of a Long Break
Some people do solo retreats for personal development. Others provide volunteer services. One CPA firm partner took his two adopted children back to their homelands—Korea and Vietnam—where his 21-year-old son was reunited with his birth mother, brother and sister after 14 years, and discovered he had six nieces and nephews.
Right Track Your CPA Career
Careers aimed toward excellence start with the recognition that every CPA is truly running his or her own personal firm. Whether they are in public accounting, government or private industry, everyone must make investments into their company to be successful. These investments provide extraordinary returns for the individual CPA as
Using IFRS to Drive Business Development
Inside the growing footprint of IFRS lies something many small and midsize CPA firms may be overlooking—rich opportunities for business development. IFRS-related work in the United States has largely been the domain of major accounting firms thus far. While national firms are filling many of the needs, there’s a large
Economic Crisis Resource Center Launched
The AICPA launched the Economic Crisis Resource Center, a Web site for CPAs that offers resources on navigating challenging economic times. The site (www.aicpa.org/economy) features more than 200 items, including articles on strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting; webcasts on credit and financing impacts; tools for minimizing the effects of a
New Statement on Quality Control Standards Effective as of Jan. 1
Statement on Quality Control Standards (SQCS) no. 7, A Firm’s System of Quality Control, applies as of Jan. 1, 2009, to a CPA firm’s system of quality control for its accounting and auditing practice. The statement describes elements of quality control and other matters essential to the effective design and
Info Security Leads Tech List
The message of the AICPA’s 20th Annual Top Technology Initiatives Survey is clear—CPAs are placing great importance on information security. Security-related matters dominated the top three spots in the ranking of initiatives affecting IT strategy, investment and implementation. Information security management was voted the most important initiative for the
Small Business
The Small Business Administration created an online course to help small businesses explore exporting opportunities in international markets. Global Enterprise: A Primer on Exporting is a free, self-paced course that provides practical guidance on exploring international markets. The course illustrates how to identify international markets, develop an export strategy, make
Recruiting for Small Firms
The war for talent continues, and it’s up to each small firm to create opportunities to find talented employees who will appreciate a small firm environment and prosper in it. It’s often difficult for small firms to find the resources necessary to fuel a recruiting system that will fit their
On the Verge of an Academic Revolution
For those charged with educating the next generation of accountants, the expected shift from U.S. GAAP to IFRS stirs up a host of potentially thorny issues. Professors and college administrators are dealing with questions about the timing of the curriculum expansion and the resources needed to handle IFRS. They are
The Firm of the Future
To a large extent, your company is being managed right now by a small coterie of long-departed theorists and practitioners who invented the rules and conventions of “modern” management back in the early years of the 20th century. Management is out of date. Like the combustion engine, it’s a technology
Auditing Advisory Committee Approves Recommendations
The Department of the Treasury’s Advisory Committee on the Auditing Profession voted to approve a slate of more than 30 recommendations for enhancing the profession’s sustainability. The committee’s work marked the first major study of the public company auditing profession since the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002. AICPA
Building an Effective Whistleblower Program
One of the most effective and inexpensive methods of monitoring the pulse of a business is to create a confidential whistleblower hotline. According to the 2008 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud & Abuse, tips have historically been the most common means of fraud
Investments in Diversity Pay Off
You heard it straight from the recruiter’s mouth: Companies with diversity programs enjoy a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting top talent. An overwhelming majority—nearly nine out of 10 executive recruiters—thought effective diversity programs provide a more robust talent pool. According to Korn/Ferry International’s
Succession Plans Simmer on the Back Burner
According to the AICPA’s 2008 PCPS Succession Survey, almost 70% of multi-owner firms and more than 50% of sole proprietors (sole owner firms and sole practitioners) believe succession planning will be a significant issue for them in the near future. But only 35% of multi-owner
Suggested Guidelines for How to Implement SSVS1 in Your BV Practice
Follow these 10 recommendations to integrate Statement on Standards for Valuation Services no. 1, Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security, or Intangible Asset, into your business valuation practice. These guidelines are presented as optional suggestions to members to facilitate the adoption of the SSVS1 professional
Hiring Forensic IT Specialists: Ask the Right Questions
Understanding forensic IT specialists’ capabilities and defining their roles is critical to a successful engagement. Take these steps to ensure the candidate you’re considering is right for the assignment. R Determine if the engagement will be a matter of information preservation, financial or economic analysis, a review for relevant data
Managing Intellectual Property
It would be inexcusable for a company to have no idea of the value of its inventory or plant and equipment. But, in fact, many companies know neither the full extent of intellectual (intangible) properties they own nor what they are worth. Many specific responsibilities for
Make the Most of Mentoring
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The definition of mentoring is expanding to include the concept of coaching, which is focused on helping others learn job-related skills for growth. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, young accountants appear to learn more quickly and thoroughly through on-the-job training. Firms with strong cultures that facilitate continual
Developing a CRM Strategy in Your Firm
Jump to Web exclusives: Is CRM Worthwhile? Assess Your Customer Relationship Management Readiness EXECUTIVE SUMMARY When a customer relationship management (CRM) strategy is integrated with a firm’s overall strategic plan, it helps the firm perceive and respond to business and economic trends. CRM strategy starts with an understanding of a
Features
SPONSORED REPORT
How to find the right CAS clients
The key to success with CAS is selecting the best clients. Tools like ideal client profiles (ICPs), buyer personas, and even artificial intelligence can help identify the businesses that best fit each CAS practice.
From The Tax Adviser
March 6, 2026
Navigating the Form 1099-DA reporting maze
February 28, 2026
CPA firm M&A tax issues
February 18, 2026
Why LIFO, why now?
February 10, 2026
