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
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Information management and technology assurance
High-Tech Fraud Prevention
Even small businesses that have been victims of employee fraud are failing to put proper systems in place to prevent future occurrences, according to a Sage Software survey conducted by M/A/R/C Research. The findings suggest proper use of accounting software may be a valuable weapon in a company’s fraud-prevention arsenal.
XBRL Around the World
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY While the United States and Asia focus on XBRL for use in capital markets, Europe has developed an eye-opening array of governmentwide and cross-border applications that can share consistently structured XBRL data for both public and private companies. In Asia, as in the U.S., XBRL is being used
Staying with XP? Keep it in tiptop shape
You’re not alone in deciding to stay with XP. Because we don’t know how long it will take before Windows 7 (Microsoft’s code name for the anticipated next version) will appear, you’re wise in seeking ways to keep your XP from developing geriatric aches and pains. Here are several things
Smart Stops on the Web
TAX A TAX TOOLBOXwww.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=118004,00.htmlThis Smart Stop from the IRS provides a host of basic tools for tax professionals, handily compiled onto one page for easy access. The information ranges from recent tax law changes to standards of practice and Circular 230 information to the contact info for the Taxpayer Advocacy
A Better Idea
A BETTER IDEAAn article in the June column suggested a fast way to create an e-mail distribution list in Outlook from a column of addresses in a spreadsheet. Bryan Caston, an Exchange engineer with AT&T who reads the technology section of his CPA wife’s copy of the JofA, suggests a
Hiding cells in Excel—just one or two or even 100 at a time
You’re right, Excel does not excel when it comes to hiding individual cells, and Excel 2007 is no better than 2003. While there are several ways to do it, all require multiple steps and are not flexible. The major tool to use is Format. It’s good at hiding whole columns
Highlights
FASB issued a revised exposure draft of a Proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, Earnings per Share—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 128. The proposed statement is intended to improve financial reporting by clarifying and simplifying the method of calculating earnings per share. As part of international convergence efforts, the
Block editing a memo’s text so only Track Changes comments can be added
Follow the same steps listed in August’s item—only this time, in the dropdown list under Editing Restrictions, select Comments (see screenshot at right) and you’ve created an effective barrier. ©2008 AICPA
Accelerate a Slow-Opening Massive Excel File
There is no compacting function in Excel 2003 or its earlier versions. But Excel 2007, with the new .xlsx file extension, uses file compression, which shrinks spreadsheet files up to 75% of their girth in the earlier .xls format. Of course, that does you no good if you’re not planning
Smart Stops On the Web
FRAUD / FORENSIC ACCOUNTING HAVE FRAUD FEARS?http://fvs.aicpa.org/Resources/Antifraud+Forensic+AccountingSearch no further than the AICPA’s offering of antifraud and forensic accounting resources. Click “Tools and Aids” to download Managing the Business Risk of Fraud: A Practical Guide, which outlines principles for establishing effective fraud risk management. The paper was released jointly by the
Remove Errant Paper-Clip Icons from E-mail Messages
No, you’re not being hacked; and it’s not a joke. More likely it’s a bug. There are at least two possible causes for the appearance of the icon. If your e-mail software gives you the option of receiving mail in plain text rather than the more graphical HTML, switching the
Ready of Not, Here Comes XBRL
Despite the SEC-proposed mandate that all public companies adopt XBRL by 2011, a Compliance Week survey found that few are prepared for implementation. Of the 236 publicly held companies surveyed, nearly 80% said no member of their staff is well-versed in XBRL, and 15% said they had no knowledge of
E-Filing Lags behind Mandate
IRS estimates indicate about 60% of all tax forms will be electronically filed during 2008, far short of a 1998 congressional mandate of 80% by 2007. For a second year, the Service’s Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee recommended that Congress authorize the IRS to require e-filing by paid tax preparers
Quick Way to Arrange Multiple Windows on Your Screen
There is a neat way, and it works in both Windows XP and Vista. You can also add Word or screens of other files or Web sites to the mix. Begin by initially loading the files you want displayed and then minimizing them so the icons are in the taskbar.
Managing Multiple Identities
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Identity management addresses the difficulties encountered when one physical user has separate user IDs and passwords on multiple systems and applications. Access management addresses the challenges associated with the specific access rights and permissions of multiple user IDs. Large, complex organizations have the greatest potential to benefit from
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
Shortcuts
Word: Alt+Ctrl+R produces the trademark symbol ®. But if you want it to be properly superscripted, ®, use the next shortcut. Word: Ctrl+Shift ++ (that’s Ctrl and Shift and two clicks on the plus sign above the equal sign) toggles between superscript and normal (Stanley or Stanley). Excel: Ctrl+F4 closes
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
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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.
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Current developments in taxation of individuals: Part 1
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