EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Clients who want their beneficiaries to avoid probate often place assets in trust. Many CPAs are reluctant to take on being a trustee, which is a time-consuming responsibility. An alternative is to be a third-party “trust protector” alongside a professional trustee. CPAs are highly
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Firm practice management
School Your Clients to Stop Theft
Maybe it’s only human nature, but all too often businesses stung by embezzlement first blame their outside CPA instead of assessing controls of their own that might have prevented the theft in the first place. These suggestions can help you teach small to midsize businesses and nonprofit
Help Clients Get Government Contracts
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. government is the biggest buyer in the world. CPAs can help clients build business by learning the federal procurement process and advising on how to compete successfully for a share of government business. Companies first must obtain a data universal number (DUNS)
Highlights
The PCAOB proposed a standard, An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting That Is Integrated With an Audit of Financial Statements, to replace PCAOB Audit Standard no. 2 (AS2). The proposal is designed to focus audits on the matters most significant to internal control, eliminate unnecessary
Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS The SEC enhanced the Internet-based search capability of its EDGAR database of company filings. Users now can search the contents of disclosure documents with a full-text search tool. The newly searchable information includes registration statements, annual and quarterly reports and other filings by companies and
Sell Financial Products Wisely
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Many CPA firms now provide insurance and investment services to their clients in addition to core services. This can be an attractive avenue to growth that increases client retention and firm revenues, but it carries certain reputational, legal and economic risks. To limit liability
Smart Stops on the Web
THE INTERNET Smart Stops on the Web PFP SITES Onward and Upward www.mynextphase.com Here CPAs and financial advisers can get a free trial membership and explore some of the nonfinancial considerations of retirement, such as how to handle change and revisit past interests as future
Weather Any Storm
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sound contingency plans can prevent or minimize damage in a crisis. Although natural disasters are the most obvious and dramatic, firms also should be prepared to resume business after a fire or theft, or the loss of a key firm member. Business continuation insurance can pay for time
Liability for Someone Else’s Sins: The Risks of Accounting Firm Alliances.
ccounting firms worldwide have for many years formed alliances, and there are good reasons to do so. A network of firms can capture marketing and promotional synergies and offer a broader range of accounting services to clients by expanding the availability of resources, expertise and geographic coverage. Moreover, with the
Be an HR Resource for Your Clients
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A company’s staff positions involve many human resources (HR) functions that CPA firms can provide relatively easily. Many firms already assist in traditional areas such as payroll and benefits administration. The profession’s roots in recordkeeping, tabulation and financial reporting give CPAs insight into organizations’ operational needs such
Understanding the Best and Brightest
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To find out what promising young accounting professionals want from employers, the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) conducted a new “Top Talent Study.” CPA firm partners asked their most highly valued nonpartner employees about their hopes for growth opportunities, job benefits and firm culture, and how
First Form a Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The most valuable service trusted CPA investment advisers bring to clients is a clear direction. A business plan helps provide a road map—a sound investment approach based on the tenets of prudent investing—and the discipline to stay the course. A PFP-niche business plan should contain a mission
Bridging a Breakup
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY More family law attorneys are recommending their divorce clients hire a single, neutral CPA to help handle the transition from their shared financial life to their new independent lives. Using a neutral CPA often keeps the divorcing parties out of court. A neutral accountant gathers documents, makes
Smart Stops on the Web
TAX SITES Community Service www.taxalmanac.org CPAs looking for discussions on recent IRS rules and regulations dealing with employee plans, exempt organizations, employment and estate and excise taxes can find them at this Web portal. Content is contributed by visitors who add advice and tax tips to the site’s discussion threads.
The Work/Life Balance Sheet So Far
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Studies show work/life balance programs go a long way to help CPA firms of all sizes attract and retain high-quality professionals and are a key factor in employee satisfaction. Successful programs address elder-care as well as child-care needs. The growing demand for attending to parents is one
The Small Firm Advantage
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Despite their modest size, local practices have many real advantages that give them a competitive edge in recruiting, retention, client service and other vital business areas. PCPS is undertaking many new efforts to support its small firm members, and is rededicating itself to initiatives and publications that highlight
Smart Stops on the Web
RETIREMENT PLANNING SITES Green Golden Years http://retireplan.about.com CPA/PFSs can find retirement planning advice here, including information on rolling over qualified plans, an IRA fact sheet and five reasons to open a 401(k) plan. Take a quiz to see how much you know about the basics of retirement planning, calculate 401(k)
Katrina’s Harsh Lessons.
Those of us who lived through Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in the Gulf states also experienced countless acts of kindness. We want to acknowledge that tremendous outpouring of support. We regret we don’t have the space to recognize individually the thousands of stories of helpfulness and courage. —Grady Hazel, executive director,
Get Close to Your Clients
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Customer relationship management (CRM) is about organizing client information so you can readily use it in appropriate, thoughtful communication and actions that strengthen the bond between the firm and the client. There are a variety of software packages to help manage a CRM program. Software can be hosted
Recruiting Made Easy
A talented recruit may be your next partner. You never know. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Porter Keadle Moore LLP established a comprehensive campus recruiting presence on eight college campuses to recruit hires directly from schools. That way it can train staff in its unique processes from the very beginning. A first step
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
December 31, 2025
Practical tax advice for businesses as a result of the OBBBA
November 30, 2025
Digital asset transactions: Broker reporting, amount realized, and basis
October 31, 2025
