When I started with computers in the 1980s, we had those 5 inch floppy disks—and they really were floppy. Then PCs and DOS came along with three-inch disks (and although they were still called floppies, there were no longer floppy). Now my new computer doesn’t even have a floppy slot.
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TOPICS
Information management and technology assurance
Privacy
The IRS issued proposed regulations on the disclosure and use of tax-return information by return preparers. While a related IRS press release describes how the regulations will affect the offshoring of tax returns or tax-return information, they have broader implications for tax practitioners. Generally, the regulations revise the manner and
See Double on Command
I frequently need to view two Internet browser windows at the same time—for example, when I’m comparing results on two financial sites. Is there a way to do this? Indeed there is. The technique, called tiling, can be done with any screen image, whether it’s from a browser or an
It’s no joke, you can edit documents with your mouse
I was watching one of my colleagues edit a document with her mouse. She just dragged words and whole paragraphs to different locations and even copied sections. When I tried it, nothing happened. She told me she spent weeks training her smart mouse. She was kidding me—right? Well, she was
Auditing
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB) issued Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) no. 102, Defining Professional Requirements in Statements on Auditing Standards, and Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) no. 13, Defining Professional Requirements in Statements on Attestation Engagements, which apply to audit and attestation engagements performed for nonissuers
Ethics
The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) adopted two ethics rulings that provide guidance on how members’ offer or acceptance of gifts or entertainment to or from clients, customers or vendors of their employer affects the members’ independence and objectivity ( www.aicpa.org/download/ethics/ ). The ethics rulings under Rule 101, “Independence,”
Jenkins Hailed for His Effect on the Profession
Edmund L. Jenkins, CPA, FASB chairman from 1997 through 2004, received the Institute’s 2005 Special Recognition Award from AICPA Chair Leslie Murphy at the AICPA National Conference on Current SEC and PCAOB Developments in December. The award honors those who have significantly influenced the profession. Jenkins chaired the AICPA Special
International
The European Commission (EC) adopted a regulation endorsing the amended International Accounting Standard (IAS) no. 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, also known as the fair value option ( http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/accounting/ias_en.htm ). The regulation endorses the fair value option, which previously had been carved out of the EC’s endorsement of IAS
FYI
Following the resignation of William J. McDonough, the SEC appointed William D. Gradison Jr. acting chair of the PCAOB and adopted new procedures for SEC Chairman Christopher Cox to use in filling the position. Gradison is a founding member of the PCAOB. The PCAOB selected Thomas Ray to succeed Douglas
Accounting
FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) FIN 45-3, Application of FASB Interpretation No. 45 to Minimum Revenue Guarantees Granted to a Business or Its Owners, which amends Interpretation no. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others ( www.fasb.org/fasb_staff_positions/fsp_fin45-3.pdf ). The FSP clarifies that
AICPA Financial Literacy Campaign Adds to Its Laurels
The Institute’s 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program garnered a 2005 Platinum Award from the League of American Communications Professionals and was on the organization’s list of Top 50 Communications Materials for 2005. The campaign also won a Financial Planning Award of Excellence from CPA Wealth Provider magazine and a
Overcome Excel’s Sort Function Shortcoming
I have a spreadsheet that lists products with identifiers that go from C1 up to C1267. Since they are all unsorted, I tried to use Excel’s Sort function to put them in order, but then I ended up with C1, C10, C100, etc. What am I doing wrong? What you
Meyners Does a Reality Check
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Four years ago Meyners + Co. began an intensive business development initiative to align staff performance and compensation with its core values and competencies to better prepare employees to handle additional work. Difficulty in executing the plan surfaced over time. The core of Meyners’s training is developing demonstrable
Keep Your Laptop Battery Meter Accurate
Since I use a laptop as my main computer, I keep it plugged in 24/7. But when I take it on the road, I notice that my battery meter shows nearly empty even when it still has loads of power. Can that be fixed? I’d guess it’s a NiCadmium (NiCad)
AICPA Enters Marketing Agreement on Rivet XBRL Software
The Institute agreed to promote Rivet Software’s Dragon Tag and Dragon View XBRL products. AICPA members can order them by e-mail ( aicpa@rivetsoftware.com ) or from Rivet’s Web site ( www.rivetsoftware.com ). The Institute is using Rivet’s products because they enable CPAs to easily create, send, receive and view XBRL
Out, Out and Stay Out, Reviewing Toolbar
What is it about Excel’s Reviewing toolbar? It seems to have a mind of its own. It turns up intermittently—usually when I don’t want it—and each time I have to go to the toolbar menu and unclick it. Is there some way to stop it? I don’t know if it’s
Institute to Relocate Certain Operations
The AICPA Council approved the Institute’s recommendation to transfer selected operations from Jersey City, N.J., and New York City to Durham, N.C. The decision to relocate was based on the continuing rise of labor costs in the New York metropolitan area and unused space in the Jersey City office. The
Antifraud Sponsors Sought
The Institute for Fraud Prevention (IFP), a consortium of organizations and companies that was cofounded by the AICPA, is offering academic grants for the study of various aspects of fraud. The IFP aims to improve the ability of businesses and governments to fight fraud and to educate the public on
When the Boss Trumps Internal Controls
hen a college was so broke it couldn’t even afford copy paper, toner and other inexpensive supplies, it took some sleuthing to find the reason. This article summarizes the heroic efforts of one CPA, without pay or outside staff (or experience in fraud detection), who helped bring down a powerful
IRS Commends AICPA for Service to Small Businesses
The Institute received an IRS citation of excellence for helping small business taxpayers. At the National CPA/IRS Tax Issues Meeting in November, AICPA Tax Division technical manager Benson Goldstein accepted the award from Kevin Brown, commissioner of the IRS’s Small Business/Self-Employed Operating Division. The IRS applauded the Institute’s “outstanding team
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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.
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