The independence of CPAs is the hallmark of the profession. As such, accountants put forth significant focus and effort to comply with independence requirements related to everything from investments to business and employment relationships to services delivered to clients. But being what accountants call independent in “fact” isn’t enough. CPAs
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Information management and technology assurance
Five iPhone tips
1. Magnify. To magnify the iPhone’s screen to improve readability and view image details, enable screen zooming by double-tapping the screen with three fingers. You can then pan the screen image by dragging with three fingers. To use this feature, you must first turn it on by selecting Settings, General,
Trigger happy
Q: I use my client’s GoToMyPC connection once a month to log in to her Windows 7 system to inspect her bookkeeping system and financial reports, and this application is not used for any other purpose. My client does not like having this application up and running on her computer
Seven ways to address IT vulnerability
When Mike Foster hears from CFOs about IT security issues, he gets the sense they’re focusing on a single hacking event here or there, instead of viewing IT security as a project that needs constant management and attention. What Foster tells the CFOs is this: “We don’t want to fight
Data, security take top two spots in AICPA technology priorities survey
On the surface, the results of the 2013 North America Top Technology Initiatives survey, released Wednesday by the AICPA and CPA Canada, show that “managing and retaining data” nudged past “securing the IT environment” to become the top technology priority cited by the nearly 2,000 accounting professionals polled. Dig a
Good vibrations
Q: Most of the decent portable speakers available in stores are too bulky to carry as portable speakers, and the few small ones I’ve tried aren’t loud enough. Can you recommend a small portable speaker that actually works well? A: As a CPE presenter, I typically play a few video
Top concern of FVS practitioners: Business development
The top priorities of forensic and valuation services (FVS) accountants have changed drastically over the past few years, with business development concerns outpacing technical issues, according to a new AICPA study. The 2013 FVS Membership Top Issues Survey found that “bringing in new clients,” the classic business development imperative, ranked
Assurance opportunities broaden
Editor’s note: Beth Schneider is the chair of the AICPA Sustainability Task Force under the Auditing Standards Board. Corporate and public interest in sustainability and climate change issues, and voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions information, has grown significantly in the United States during the last decade. Companies have
Restore Windows 8 Start button
Q: I recently upgraded my computer to a Windows 8 system, and so far I like the new operating system. As suggested by many articles, I find that I can do most everything on Windows 8 without the old Start button, but I still would like to have the Windows
Preparing for disaster
One CPA firm is still recovering from a “superstorm” that damaged nine of its 14 offices. Another has constructed a safe room in its new office, which was built after a tornado destroyed its previous office. A third firm is adjusting to the “new normal” in a city forever changed
Use Excel 2013 this instance!
Q: When I open two Excel files in two instances of Excel and display them on two monitors, I find that I cannot then copy formulas back and forth between the files—only the formula’s calculated value is pasted to the other instance of Excel. What’s happening here, and what can
Five iPad questions
1. Print Screen on an iPad Q: I know how to create an image of my computer screen simply by pressing the PrintScreen button, but is there a way to do this on my iPad or iPhone? A: Holding down the Home button and pressing the Power button will create
Time to stock up
Q: Can you tell me where to find good, free internet-based resources and information that will help me analyze my stock portfolio? A: A plethora of web-based resources is available to help you analyze investments and investment options, and I am certainly not familiar with them all. However, over the
Time to recruit talent
Millions of Baby Boomers will leave their jobs in the next 10 to 12 years. This exodus of talent will place extraordinary pressure on every U.S. organization’s talent recruitment and retention efforts. Consider these strategies to help your organization compete in an unprecedented people cycle: Ensure your HR leadership
Defending third-party audit claims
Early in the 20th century, audits of company financial statements served merely as verification for management that a company was productive and efficient. After the 1929 stock market crash, the role of the auditor evolved. The Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 established requirements for
Baker Tilly to merge with New York firm Holtz Rubenstein Reminick
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, one of the 20 largest U.S. accounting firms, is merging with Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP in a deal that will give Chicago-based Baker Tilly a significant foothold in New York City. The merger announced Wednesday is scheduled to take effect June 1. It will create
Microsoft Office 2013
An essential tool for many CPAs is a dependable computer running Microsoft Office. Accordingly, CPAs have more than a passing interest when Microsoft releases new editions every three years or so. This year should be no exception. With Office 2013, Microsoft has made major modifications related to new touchscreen capabilities,
Can I Drop(box) QuickBooks?
Q: We use a multiuser version of QuickBooks, and our remote satellite office personnel log in to my computer remotely using LogMeIn to access the system—which means that only one of us can access QuickBooks at the same time. This also means that when others access QuickBooks in this manner,
Tech talk: What CPAs need to know
Tax Code modifications and new FASB rules aren’t the only changes that CPAs have to concern themselves with these days. Whether it’s the security of clients’ data, the implications of migrating to the cloud, or the uncertain future of the once-venerable desktop, rapid technological transformation continues to generate new challenges
Smart tech tips
Technology mistakes can cause higher expenses and lost revenue opportunities. During a session at the AICPA Advanced Personal Financial Planning Conference in January, Advisor Products President and CEO Andrew Gluck shared tips on how to avoid the biggest technology mistakes. The tips could prove useful for accounting firms and small
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