California CPA articles from May 2002

California CPA archives from May 2002

CalCPA scholarship program receives national honor. (CalCPA News).(California certified public accountants)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... CalCPA earned a membership in the American Society of Association Executives' 2002 honor roll--a national awards competition recognizing associations for innovation, citizenship and community service. "[The CalCPA scholarship] program is a...

Don't snooze--the news is dues. (CalCPA News).(California certified public accountants membership)
May 1, 2002... If you haven't already renewed your CalCPA membership--which was due May 1--now is the perfect time to renew and take advantage of the many resources and benefits CalCPA offers. CalCPA continually assists thousands of members in solving...

Using pro forma? get guidance. (Industry Issues).(financial reporting)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Financial Executives International and the National Investor Relations Institute have issued broad guidelines for earnings press releases. The guidelines are designed to improve consistency among companies for the presentation and analysis of...

Women-owned business in California, 1997-2002.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... women - owned Businesses in California, 1997-2002 No. of No. of Businesses Employment Businesses With Employees (*) Women-owned businesses 1997 700,513 ...

Companies curb expansion plans due to uncertain economy. (Industry Issues).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... Market conditions may deter companies from expanding operations but not from rolling out new products according to a new Robert Half survey. The survey asked 1,400 CFOs which initiatives they would put on hold in an uncertain economy....

Speakout! (News & Trends).
May 1, 2002... ANDERSEN ALUM FEELS DRAWN INTO THE SPOTLIGHT'S GLARE As a former Arthur Andersen alumni, I feel drawn into the spotlight--but not as the shining star! In the past, we were the shining stars. During my four years at Andersen, I was taught...

The lessons of Enron. (News & Trends).(accounting)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... the lessons of Enron A recent nationwide poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that the Enron collapse has left Americans feeling the following: Retirement accounts less safe 58% CEOs too profit-oriented 47%...

Send a student here for BizzFun and information. (AICPA News).(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The AICPA is out to capture the imaginations of would-be accountants in high schools throughout the country via a new outreach campaign "Start Here. Go Places." The campaign features print ads and a Web site with an interactive business...

AICPA issues exposure draft for proposed SAS on fraud. (AICPA News).(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Statement on Auditing Standards)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The AICPA is seeking comments on an exposure draft concerning a proposed Statement on Auditing Standards that establishes standards and provides guidance to auditors in fulfilling their responsibility as it relates to fraud in an audit of...

No state contract with CPA2Biz. (AICPA News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Shared Services Network Inc. was unable to reach an agreement with CPA2Biz and there will be no further negotiations. The announcement was made in March at the AICPA regional council meeting in Los Angeles. As of May 31, the state...

New publication makes deductions easier. (IRS News).(Internal Revenue Service)
May 1, 2002... The IRS has issued a new publication to help taxpayers and charities understand the rules for documenting the charitable deductions claimed on federal tax returns. IRS Publication 1771, Charitable Contributions--Substantiation and...

State committee Web sites--new and improved! (CalCPA Online WebFocus).(California Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... CalCPA members and staff have been busily creating or updating state committee Web sites. For a list of links to each site go to www.calcpa.org/members/committees. Here you'll also find links to state committee descriptions, applications and...

Announcements. (Member Milestones).(accounting appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Patricia J. O'Connell has been promoted to partner in the tax practice of Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP's West Los Angeles office... Carolyn Amster and Scott Taylor have been promoted to partner with Burr, Pilger & Mayer's Palo Alto Office...

J.H. Cohn LLP has merged with San Diego-based Harlan & Boettger LLP. (Firm News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... J.H. Cohn LLP has merged with San Diego-based Harlan & Boettger LLP. Existing members of J.H. Cohn's San Diego office have joined the firm at its present location on Oberlin Drive. Founding partners, James C. Harlan III William C. Boettger, and...

PricewaterhouseCoopers. (Firm News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... PricewaterhouseCoopers has launched a marketing campaign targeting U.S. college students. The focus of the communications effort includes a new, interactive college recruiting Web site, www.pwcglobal.com/lookhere, and a series of creative print...

Achievements. (Member Milestones).(accountants)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Los Angeles-based CPA Nancy A. Kearson has achieved the AICPA's Accredited in Business Valuation designation... Best Software, Inc. presented Laguna Hills-based Blytheco Inc. with the "Circle of Excellence" award for the fifth consecutive year...

In memory. (Member Milestones).(Obituary)
May 1, 2002... Doris Harriet Cole, 64, passed away March 13 at her home in Encino following a battle with ovarian cancer. Cole earned her bachelor's degree in education from Northwestern University and taught in the Chicago public schools. She continued...

Ready, set, depreciate: Highlights from the 2002 tax act.(accounting)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... On March 9, President Bush signed the 2002 Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act into law. Following are selected highlights: Special Depreciation Allowance for Certain Property The new law allows an additional depreciation deduction...

Haggle like a pro. (Business 101).(accounting management)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Your new hire just stormed into your office demanding a raise. Your lease is almost up and the landlord insists on renewal terms you can't possibly meet. Your best client is being audited and the IRS agent assigned to the case makes Scrooge...

Discounts for CalCPA members. (Affinity Programs).(California)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Daily, CalCPA receives inquiries from companies that are willing, even eager, to pay for the privilege of being identified with CalCPA. But not just any company makes the cut to be a CalCPA affinity partner. Potential partners must meet certain...

FLP audit triggers: Family limited partnerships raise red flags at IRS.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The application of gift and estate tax laws to family limited partnerships is in many ways unclear, admits Charles Morris, IRS Western Estate and Gift Tax Territory Manager. Morris discussed the IRS perspective on FLPs at a recent Los Angeles...

California's proposals: Flurry of legislation to "reform" the CPA profession. (Government Relations).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... California legislators and regulators have introduced a flurry of proposals focused on "reforming" the CPA profession in light of the Enron bankruptcy. While not all of the proposals have been fleshed out, at least five new pieces of...

You're in control. (From the CEO).(accounting standards)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... When I joined CalCPA nearly two years ago, members urgently expressed the need to enhance the profession's image. You told me that the public doesn't understand the scope of services CPAs provide to their clients and, therefore, the public...

Sell Yourself: Mid-career CPAs tackle job search challenges.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2002... Perception is reality. For the experienced CPA, that can mean the difference between landing a key position or getting stuck in job-search oblivion. Today, many CPAs find that to switch industries or land a new job after a lengthy stay...

Reform should pass the public interest test. (From the Chair).(accounting)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Our profession is in the midst of a crisis. The turmoil isn't likely to go away soon, but as media hoopla and emotional energy surrounding the Enron collapse subside, we will enter a new phase that will require leadership from all of those who...

No mystery here: ElderCare Services Play to CPA strengths.
May 1, 2002... The facts point to CPA ElderCare Services as a logical next step for CPAs in public practice. But when I've posed the idea to CPAs across California and the nation, I often hear, "Will I have to provide transportation?" "Do I have to empty...

From where he sits: Congressman Brad Sherman takes on Enron from a CPA's vantage point. (Q & A).(Interview)
May 1, 2002... Congressman Brad Sherman enjoys a bird's eye view of the Enron hearings. As the sole CPA on the House Committee on Financial Services, Sherman, a Democrat from Southern California, serves as a key player in the investigation into Enron's...

Hold everything? (Loss Prevention).(accounting)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... This one's not too hard to pinpoint. The California Board of Accountancy recently proposed Business and Professions Code Sec. 5064. Designed to replace Rule 68.1,the proposal specifically defines workpapers and -sets a seven-year minimum for...

XBRL: The teenage years. (New Technologies).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... XBRL is moving rapidly from its infancy into adolescence. The XBRL consortium now has more than 170 member organizations worldwide. In fact, says Rob Adler, president of Corporate Communications Broadcast Network, which manages and hosts...

E-job hunting: following new rules in an old game. (Career Advancement).(using the Web for your job search)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Kiss your paper resume goodbye. If you are looking for a job--create a top-notch e-resume. While basic job-hunting steps remain unchanged, technology has accelerated the pace and improved the efficiency of the overall process. For a CPA...

Lacerte. (Tax).
May 1, 2002... Take your productivity to the next level-with Lacerte. For over 20 years, Lacerte has enjoyed its reputation as the premier professional tax software line that greatly simplifies preparing Individual, Business, Partnership, Fiduciary, Estate,...

PASSOnline.com. (Education).(accounting continuing education courses)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... CPE Your Way PASSOnline offers an extensive selection of continuing education courses from renowned authors, Topics, ranging from accounting to web training, include an ethics course that is approved by the California State Board to...

SuperForm. (Tax).(government approved forms)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The most trusted forms service on CD-ROM and the Internet Welcome to quality. SuperForm combines the largest library of current forms with the fastest, easiest user interface in the business. All forms are government approved and linked...

Videoconferencing: not yet ready for prime time. (Remote Meeting).(cost and equipment required)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Remember the Dick Tracy movies and comic books? Our hero could talk directly to headquarters, not via phone or radio, but by a wristwatch with video and audio. Well, some 70 years after Dick Tracy's debut we're not much closer to mass...

Creative Solutions Practice[TM]. (Practice Management).(accounting firm software)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Practice Dexter, Mt 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: starting at $2,200 Creative Solutions Practice[TM] (CSP)--a fully integrated family of practice management products to help...

Depreciation Solution[R]. (Fixed Assets).(fixed asset management software by Creative Solutions Practice)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: starting at $1,100 Depreciation Solution[R]--a comprehensive fixed-asset management program with tremendous flexibility that offers such...

FileCabinet Solution[R]. (Electronic Document Storage).(document management software by Creative Solutions Practice)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: starting at $250 FileCabinet Solution[R]--an advanced document management system that enables you to store financial reports, invoices,...

Payroll Solution[R]. (Payroll).(Creative Solutions Practice)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: starting at $1,000 Payroll Solution[R]--an advanced payroll system that is extremely simple and profitable to use. Payroll Solution...

UltraTax[R] UltraTax Planner[TM]. (Tax).(tax software by Creative Solutions Practice)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: UltraTax starting at $1,800 UltraTax Planner Federal $500, State $100 UltraTax[R] and UltraTax Planner[TM]--UltraTax is the emerging...

NetClient[TM]. (Web).(portal software by Creative Solutions Practice)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: Call for information NetClient[TM]--NetClient personal, private client portals offer an ultra-convenient and secure means for your...

Write-Up Solution[R]. (Client Write-Up).
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: starting at $1,800 Write-Up So1ution[R]--a powerful write-up tool that takes your practice to the next level of speed, productivity, and...

GoSystem[R] Audit. (Audit).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Dexter, MI 800-968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com tech support: 800-968-0600 Price: starting at $1,395 GoSystem[R] Audit--GoSystem Audit streamlines virtually every aspect of your engagement efforts. From setting up...

Creating excellent e-newsletters: it's so easy, you'll wonder why you didn't try it earlier. (Push Technology).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Leveraging a premier vehicle for online communication and advertising seems intimidating, but it's not. Creating an excellent e-newsletter couldn't be easier. CONTENT RULES Excellent e-newsletters grab your readers' attention as soon...

UniLink. (Accounting Software, Practice Management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Software You Can Count On UNITY*32 Windows programs are designed to increase productivity and profitability. Developed for accounting professionals and their clients, UniLink's growing suite of practice management and accounting products...

PPC's Personal Financial Center[TM]. (Financial Planning).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Now advisors and clients can connect, communicate and collaborate--online, anytime--with shared data, complete security and the most powerful financial solutions software available anywhere. * Retirement Planning Software with Monte Carlo...

ExacTax Package EX. (Tax).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2002... Navigate the twists and turns of tax season with ExacTax. ExacTax Package EX professional tax software is designed to help you chart the best course for your tax practice. Package EX allows you to easily prepare Individual, Partnership,...

Sell more: get a handle on contact management; contact management software helps increase efficiency. (Contact Management Software).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Hmm, 3,000 Post-it Notes or a streamlined contact management system? Don't allow your selling function to become a casualty of clutter or a busy schedule. Contact management software helps businesses and individuals manage sales by offering...

Live your life: set goals and make plans that allow you to survive a crisis. (Financial Planning).(risk management and portfolios)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... After Alice fell down the rabbit hole, one of her first questions was, "Which way shall I go?" The Cheshire Cat wisely answered, "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to." Similarly, planning after a crisis must take direction from...

Hitting the mark: online advertising tactics that work. (Internet Advertising).(analysis)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Think Internet advertising just doesn't work? Think again. Sixty-two percent of respondents to a recent Research.net survey report that online advertising helps them make buying decisions. Today's savvy Internet advertisers have embraced the...

Financial Navigator[R]. (Accounting Software, Financial Planning).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Cutting-Edge Asset Management & Accounting Software Financial Navigator Int'l (FNI) specializes in powerful financial management software and computer services for financial professionals and high net-worth individuals. The Financial...

The system of the pros.(ProSystem fx Office, tax preparation software by CCH Inc.)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
May 1, 2002... CCH Incorporated Tax Compliance Group The ProSystem fx Office is comprised of the industry's most powerful tax preparation and accounting software products, fully integrated to deliver ultimate office productivity! ProSystemfx fx...

CCH Incorporated. (Financial Planning, Tax).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
May 1, 2002... 2700 Lake Cook Road Riverwoods, IL 60015 CCH INCORPORATED is a leading provider of tax information and software for tax research, planning and compliance. CCH develops and markets software for accounting professionals. The company currently...

CPA Software. (Practice Management).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Visual Practice Management More than time & billing, Visual Practice Management (VPM) by CPASoftware offers on-screen billing with flexible invoicing and contact management with on-screen look-up of client information. Project Management...

CPA Software. (Client Write-Up).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Visual Client Write-up A full-featured, multi-client accounting software package, Visual Client Write (VCW) by CPASoftware is designed to be used by accountants and their clients. Financial statements can easily be created from scratch in...

Financial planning software.
May 1, 2002... How can you possibly find time to evaluate the more than 100 financial planning software packages on the market? The real answer is, you can't. You probably can discount some immediately because they are too costly--to the tune of several...

Specialized accounting. (Accounting Software, Practice Management).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Solutions by DATAFACTION for Entertainment and Sports Business Managers and CPA's, High Net-Worth Individuals, Family Offices and Production Companies. Celebrating 26 years of service. * All modules are fully integrated. *...

CPEasy power suites. (Education).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... [C] Bisk Education, Inc. Eight separate packages, each providing users with access to hundreds of CPE credit hours spanning 26 accounting related programs. Features include keyword search, automatic CPE quizzer grading and a CPE Auditor,...

Watching you secrets windows tells.(snoopware)
May 1, 2002... More than 75 percent of U.S. firms monitor their employees' phone calls, e-mails, Internet activities and computer files. This is according to a 2001 survey by the American Management Association. How do they do it? (Or, how can you do it?)...

TPS time and billing. (Practice Management).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Designed Exclusively for Public Accountants Our extensive client profile links directly into Microsoft Outlook 98/2000/XP. Invoices are created with MS Word to match your requirements. Simple Time Entry--Powerful Features. TPS provides...

Ready, set, go! Tools you need to telecommute. (Your Portable Office).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... You look at your watch and wonder how you are going to finish a project at the office and be home in time to meet the plumber. Or, maybe you're stuck in an airport with hours to kill and a deadline looming back at the office. You can easily...

Greatland software. (Accounting Software, Tax).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Quickly generate all types of W-2 and 1099 forms, federal quarterly reports and wage forms for 44 states, plus correction and transmittal forms. WinFiler makes it easy to manage information with flexible data entry, printing formats and...

TaxInterest[TM]. (Tax).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... From TimeValue Software--Makers of Tvalue Now you can advise your clients on penalty and interest strategies. Just enter tax and payment amounts and let TaxInterest do the rest. With TaxInterest you can: * Check an IRS notice in...

A universe is waiting: access estate planning knowledge and resources online. (Estate Planning).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... With the click of a button you can have instant access to a universe of knowledge and resources that is integral to your work as a tax and estate planning practitioner. However, accessing this universe can be daunting because of its magnitude...