Firm practice management

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.

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

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 .

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

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

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

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

Thomas J. Purcell III, CPA, became the first educator selected as the tax executive committee’s vice-chairman. He is an associate professor of accounting and a professor of law at Creighton University, where he has been a faculty member since 1979. Those holding this post generally become chairman the following October.

The Institute invites state CPA societies and individuals to nominate accounting educators for the 2004 AICPA Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award, which recognizes full-time college accounting educators who excel in teaching and are nationally prominent in the profession. Nominations are due February 1. More information on eligibility requirements and