Catalyst (Dublin, Ohio) articles from January 2004

Catalyst (Dublin, Ohio) archives from January 2004

Keeping the momentum of success.(A message From The Chair)
January 1, 2004... The Ohio Society of CPAs recently kicked off a new initiative and with that celebrated an overwhelming success for the CPA profession. As you may have read in the Ohio e-CPA Weekly, the Society held a press conference in November releasing the...

Wilkins named Ohio Tax Commissioner.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... William W. Wilkins has been appointed Ohio Tax Commissioner by Gov. Taft. Wilkins, 59, will start his job on Jan. 19, 2004. Wilkins is currently president and CEO of Global Health Solutions, a consulting and government relations firm that...

Ohio House & Senate approve tax changes; S-Corps and sourcing of sales tax addressed.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... The Ohio General Assembly quickly responded to complaints by Ohio CPAs and businesses by delaying implementation of the sourcing change for sales tax collection to Jan. 1, 2005. In addition to the sales tax collection delay, House Bill 127,...

U.S. Senate stalls Internet tax ban.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... Unable to reach a compromise before the winter recess, the U.S. Senate will consider legislation to extend the moratorium on the taxation of Internet access early this year. Originally enacted in 1998, the moratorium expired Nov. 1, 2003. ...

Ohio tax plans would lessen burden on veterans, businesses.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation earlier last year to lessen the property tax burden for veterans, and is now set to consider legislation that would provide state income tax credits to those called into active duty, and to...

2003 tax planning speech and PowerPoint available.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... A speech and PowerPoint covering the new tax law and tax planning tips for this year as well as next is available for members. The speech and PowerPoint presentation entitled, Navigating the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of...

Tis the tax season for extra help; students are the way to go.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... Looking for a skilled helping hand during tax season? Have you thought about hiring a student intern, but don't know where to go to find available qualified accounting students? The best place to locate student interns is a mouse click...

Spring 2004 BWC training schedule.(Ohio)
January 1, 2004... The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Division of Safety & Hygiene Training Center offers occupational safety, health, and ergonomic courses in ten locations across the state. All courses are offered at no additional cost to Ohio...

NASBA unveils plans for nationwide licensee database.(National)
January 1, 2004... Initial plans for a database that will validate the current licensing status of CPAs throughout the country were unveiled recently at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy's (NASBA) Annual Meeting. The licensee database...

Tax pros gain access with IRS's new online business tools.(National)
January 1, 2004... The IRS has launched the first of a suite of Internet-based business tools that give tax professionals and financial institutions easier access to client information. Known collectively as e-services, the suite of products provides tax...

IRS issues new guides for charitable organizations.(National)
January 1, 2004... The IRS has published two new brochures to help charities understand the tax laws concerning tax-exempt status. * IRS Publication 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status * Publication 4221, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3)...

2003 MAP survey reveals CPA firms growing despite sluggish economy.(National)
January 1, 2004... The results have been tabulated for the 2003 PCPS/TSCPA National MAP Survey--and despite the down economy--15 percent of all respondent firms had more than a 20 percent increase in fee income. Nationally, the average gross fees earned for a...

IRS helps military personnel.(National)
January 1, 2004... The IRS is helping taxpayers use a new law providing income exclusions for death benefit payments and certain home sales. Both provisions are retroactive, so some qualifying taxpayers must file amended returns to claim these tax breaks. ...

AICPA publishes audit committee guidelines.(National)
January 1, 2004... The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has published a "how-to" guide for audit committees--the AICPA Audit Committee Toolkit--to help audit committees meet the responsibilities mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of...

High-tech meets high-standards: Sarbanes-Oxley and technology.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... Like a 10-ton gorilla dropped smack dab in the middle of a five-by-five foot monkey cage, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) is putting the squeeze on the accounting profession. While some argue SOX is a strong effort to bring back the...

Understanding nonattest services independence rules related to information systems.
January 1, 2004... The past several months have brought a series of actions by the AICPA designed to help clarify many questions related to independence including: * An omnibus proposal dated March 19, 2003, in which the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive...

Mostly Sunny forecast: The Ohio Society's State of Ohio'Business Poll.
January 1, 2004... As millions of Ohioans flocked to the polls Nov. 4 to pick mayors, judges and council members across the state, The Ohio Society of CPAs kicked off an election of its own. The first-ever State of Ohio Business Poll surveyed hundreds of CPA...

Workers' compensation offers programs for Ohio's small business.
January 1, 2004... To save money on workers' compensation premiums, businesses are required to create and maintain a safe workplace environment. This is imperative for reducing costs, but is sometimes easier said than done. Fortunately, the Ohio Bureau of...

May I see your driver's license? Guard yourself against identity theft.
January 1, 2004... For the 9.9 million Americans who were victims of identity theft in 2002, they should have answered that question with a resounding--NO! As it was, nothing seemed out of the norm as they paid their grocery store cashier with a personal check....

How safe is a broadband Internet connection?
January 1, 2004... Many of us have upgraded, or are thinking about upgrading from 56K dial-up Internet access to DSL, cable, satellite, or some other kind of broadband Internet connection. When compared to dial-up access, the price of cable or DSL service can be...

Self-assessment exam: Catalyst--January/February 2004.
January 1, 2004... The self-assessment exam is provided as a convenient method for CPAs to earn CPE credit by reading Catalyst: The Leading Edge of Ohio Business. The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions covering information included in articles and...

Technology tools to make life easier.
January 1, 2004... Improving efficiency is a common objective among dedicated professionals today. Whether at work or play, professionals want to get the most out of their time. ********** Resources are available to meet these goals. Here we have two new...

The importance of good relationship--a message from Ohio Senate President Doug White.(capitol Access)
January 1, 2004... I have always believed that honesty, integrity and trust are at the core of every good relationship. These values are not only the keys to successful living, they are also essential to fostering a productive business climate in our state. In...

A look back: Tom Zaino leaves Ohio Department of Taxation.
January 1, 2004... After a successful four-year stint at the helm of the Ohio Department of Taxation, Tom Zaino departed the post Oct. 31 to return to the private sector. Zaino, a CPA and attorney, was appointed Ohio tax commissioner in 1999 at the beginning...

Tools for strategic planning.(Business Bytes)
January 1, 2004... The U.S. SBA (Small Business Administration) defines strategic planning as follows: Strategic planning is matching the strengths of your business to available opportunities. To do this effectively, you need to collect, screen...

Office 2003: is it worth the upgrade?(Gadgets & Gizmos)
January 1, 2004... Microsoft's Office 2003 released late this fall offers great improvements in e-mail management and great new tools for workgroup collaboration. However, these many improvements may not be reason enough to upgrade if Office 2000 or Office XP is...

Eight months and counting.(member initiatives)
January 1, 2004... It has been 33 weeks since the first Ohio Society chapter voted to migrate its activities to the Member Initiatives model. In that time, over 50 programs have been held throughout the state under the new member initiatives umbrella. Some...

Computerized CPA exam fast approaching: how students, educators and employers can prepare.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... With the premier of the computerized Uniform CPA Examination just three months away, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is taking steps to ensure that students, educators and employers are informed and ready for the new format. ...

Cracking the glass ceiling: profiles of female managing partners in Ohio.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... In the past couple of years the "men only" sign has been taken down from management doors at firms across Ohio. This new wave of managing partners has been led by some of the best CPAs in the state, who just happen to be women. Until recently,...

What you don't know could hurt you--the ABO's new ethics requirement.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... While the new ethics requirement instituted by the Accountancy Board of Ohio (ABO) may appear as a reactionary measure to corporate scandals, quite the contrary is true. Long before Enron and WorldCom, the AB0 and The Ohio Society of CPAs...

Oxley confident accounting reforms are working.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... The financial markets are recovering and financial confidence is rising, due in part to adoption of the legislation bearing his name, Congressman Michael G. Oxley said at a Society presentation Dec. 18 in Findlay. ********** The...

The End of an era: no more pen & paper CPA exams.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... November 2003 marks the final time a CPA candidate put pencil to paper to become a Certified Public Accountant. A new computerized version of the CPA Examination will be rolled out in April 2004, marking the end of a long and storied history....

The next wave of leaders: the 2003 graduates of The Center for Leadership.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... "Choosing to be a leader is about choosing personal growth and development over comfort," according to Steven E. Frohman, president of Applied Synergistics and principal developer of The Center for Leadership. The Center for Leadership was...

AICPA ethics enforcement proposals pass by 7:1 margin.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Members of the American Institute of CPAs showed strong support for two bylaws amendments to enhance the timeliness and transparency of the ethics enforcement process. By a seven to one margin, AICPA members voted in favor of two proposed...

Tax practice aids.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... To assist you in the upcoming tax season, The Ohio Society of CPAs will again be updating the tax practice aids that are currently available on the Society's Web site. The practice aids include: * Business Organizations Handbook * 2004...

Leadership conference.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Photo was taken during leadership conference for state societies sponsored by CPA/SEA and AICPA. Tucker joined incoming leaders of other state societies for two days of discussion about issues facing the profession, trends affecting the...

CPA and soldier: one CPAs account from the Iraqi desert.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... While CPAs across the nation dealt with the verbal assault of continuous coverage of accounting scandals and rapid-fire commentary from media pundits, Captain David M. Mitchell, CPA, was evading actual enemy fire over the skies of Iraq. ...

Expertise is only a call away.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Have you ever been faced with a technical question that falls outside your normal practice area? If so, the CPA to CPA program sponsored by The Ohio Society of CPAs could be just the answer. This program puts members in contact with other...

New program offers not-for-profit organizations a look at Sarbanes-Oxley.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Over 50 not-for-profit leaders gathered in Toledo on Nov. 17 to take advantage of a new program designed to help their organizations understand the effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. Timothy Novotny and Donna Sciarappa, members of The...

Record number of CPAs head back to the classroom for Accounting for Kids Day 2003.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... How to you expose students to the accounting profession while promoting the importance of financial literacy? You sponsor Accounting for Kids Day. On Wednesday, Nov. 12, over 700 CPAs, business professionals and college accounting students...

Autumn town halls open dialogue between members, leaders.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Members across the state shared their views and discussed the latest issues impacting the profession during the 2004 Autumn Town Hall Meetings. Society leaders were on hand to inform and educate participants on the latest developments. Topics...

Spring 2004 BWC training schedule.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Division of Safety & Hygiene Training Center offers occupational safety, health, and ergonomic courses in ten locations across the state. All courses are offered at no additional cost to Ohio...

Ohio Society to publish ABO disciplinary actions.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Beginning in 2004, The Ohio Society will publish online and in Catalyst the list of disciplinary actions taken by the Accountancy Board of Ohio (ABO) at its most recent board meeting. The following details will be included with each action: ...

National leader joins Ohio tax forum.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Brigadier General James M. Abraham, P.E., representative to the national Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, joined Ohio's IRS Tax Liaison Forum's November meeting to exchange ideas and hear opinions. Abraham is one of only two Ohio representatives to...

Looking to increase your client base?(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Look no further than The Ohio Society of CPAs Client Referral program. As a member benefit and public service, the Society refers individuals seeking the assistance of CPAs to firms that are looking to grow their practice. Individuals are...

Take a walk on the lighter side.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Coming in March/April Catalyst will be introducing a new column called "Off the Beaten Path." This new column will focus on the latter part of the work/life equation. Tentative ideas for this section include ideas for relaxing during tax season...

In memoriam.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... In memory of our friends and colleagues: Samuel H. Axelrod, CPA Silver Spring, MD James S. Curtin, CPA Columbus, OH William L. Gans, CPA Dayton, OH Richard E. Goettke, CPA Cincinnati, OH Scott Gregg ...

Answers--self-assessment exam.(Members Only)
January 1, 2004... Catalyst: The Learning Edge of Ohio Business--January-February, 2003 1. d 2. a 3. b 4. c 5. c 6. d 7. a 8. d 9. b 10. c 11. b 12. d 13. a 14. d 15. c 16. d 17. c...

Skoda, Minotti & Co.(Akron/Canton)
January 1, 2004... Sandy Allen, CPA has joined Skoda, Minotti & Co. as a senior staff member.

Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Company.(Akron/Canton)
January 1, 2004... Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Company announces several promotions: Mike Moldvay, CPA was named manager, Grant Deprey, CPA, supervisor, Michelle DeGordon, CPA, CIT, supervisor, Andrea Gaulding, supervisor, Lisa Stemple, CPA, senior associate,...

Savings Bank & Trust.(Akron/Canton)
January 1, 2004... Robert M. Bishop, CPA has been named senior vice president and chief loan officer of Savings Bank & Trust.

Howard, Wershbale & Co.(Cleveland)
January 1, 2004... Marie A. Shaver has joined the tax services group at Howard, Wershbale & Co.

Cohen & Company.(Cleveland)
January 1, 2004... Annette L. Stevenson, CPA has been promoted to partner at Cohen & Company.

Barnes Wendling CPAs Inc.(Cleveland)
January 1, 2004... James Swanhart, CPA, MT, has joined Barnes Wendling CPAs Inc. as a senior tax manager in the Cleveland office and Scott Bruno has joined as a manager in the Sheffield Village office.

Ciuni & Panichi, Inc.(Cleveland)
January 1, 2004... Jeremy Harrison has joined Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. as a staff accountant.

Ciuni & Panichi, Inc.(Cleveland)
January 1, 2004... Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. has promoted Lisa Andreani and Adam Dible, CPA, to senior accountant.

Meaden & Moore.(Cleveland)
January 1, 2004... Meaden & Moore has promoted the following individuals: Michelle H. Buckley, CPA, vice president; Catherine J. Shaw, CPA, director of the firms' state and local tax practice; Karen M. Clotts, CPA, Jennifer A. Myers, CPA and Brian C. Tracy, CPA,...

Nipps, Andreas, Brown & Leppert.(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Alex W. Miller, CPA, CMA of Nipps, Andreas, Brown & Leppert, CPA's has become a Certified Quickbooks[R] ProAdvisorSM.

Whalen & Company.(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Patrick McClary, CPA, has joined Whalen & Company CPAs as tax manager.

Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Crowe Chizek and Company LLC has promoted the following individuals: Jennifer Allen, CPA, qualified plans manager, benefit plan services group; Justin Mohler, CPA, senior engagement manager, commercial services group; Stephen Bedell, CPA,...

AICPAs National Accreditation Commission (NAC).(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Ken Dodson, CPA was recently appointed to a two-year term on the AICPAs National Accreditation Commission (NAC).

Fentress, Brown, CPAs & Associates, LLC.(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Deborah Balduff, CPA, MT has joined Fentress, Brown, CPAs & Associates, LLC.

GBQ Partners LLC.(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Jenny Harmon, CPA has joined GBQ Partners LLC as a tax and consulting senior manager in the physician practice group.

Ohio Business Gateway.(Columbus)
January 1, 2004... Daniel Navin, managing director of legislative affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and J. Matthew Yuskewich, CPA an accountant with Winterset CPA Group Inc. were appointed to the steering committee for the Ohio Business Gateway, a Web site...

Thorn, Lewis & Duncan, Inc.(Dayton)
January 1, 2004... William D. Duncan, CPA, a partner with Thorn, Lewis & Duncan, Inc. was elected to Oakwood City Council in November 2003.

Schroedel, Sculling & Bestic.(Mahoning Valley)
January 1, 2004... Chris P. Pascarella and Tony Mancini have joined the staff of Schroedel, Sculling & Bestic, CPAs.

Schroedel, Sculling & Bestic.(Mahoning Valley)
January 1, 2004... Schroedel, Sculling & Bestic, CPAs announces the promotion of three team members: Janice T. Jasinski, CPA, manager, Pamela J. Mihalik, CPA, senior team accountant, Tracie L. Stephens, CPA, senior team accountant.

Rea & Associates, Inc.(North Central)
January 1, 2004... Lesley Mast (Raff) and Susan Neuenschwander have joined Rea & Associates, Inc., as client service representatives.

Steyer, Huber & Associates.(Toledo)
January 1, 2004... Tony Gericke, CPA has been named a partner and director of Steyer, Huber & Associates, CPAs tax department.