Catalyst (Dublin, Ohio) articles from March 2004

Catalyst (Dublin, Ohio) archives from March 2004

Are there problems in the peer review process?(A message FROM THE CHAIR)
March 1, 2004... The accounting profession has seen sweeping changes to the audit over the last couple of years. The spotlight has now shifted and is beginning to focus on peer review. Could peer review be subject to an increase in regulation? Whether or...

The Ohio Society Town Hall series 2004.
March 1, 2004... Located in six cities across the state, the 2004 Town Hall Meetings will offer members a chance to share their opinions and concerns about current topics and issues facing the profession. Join local leaders as they bring you up-to-date...

Ohio public company going private to avoid SOX?(Ohio)
March 1, 2004... Ohio-based Waxman Industries is exploring going private in order to avoid the costs of compliance associated with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), according to an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The added costs of compliance associated with SOX...

Computer-based CPA exam pilot completed.(Ohio)
March 1, 2004... The pilot version of the computer-based Uniform CPA examination was successfully completed, as reported by the AICPA, NASBA, and Thomson Prometric. Beginning April 5, 2004, Prometric will offer the computerized exams in 300 testing labs across...

Ohio's highest court rules third-party employers must pay sales tax.(Ohio)
March 1, 2004... The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that companies acting as third-party employers of record for businesses that do not want to operate their own human resources departments are required to pay state sales tax. Employees assigned to clients on a...

Ohio Supreme Court issues additional uninsured motorists rulings.(Ohio)
March 1, 2004... Following-up on the November decision to restrict automobile liability coverage under corporate insurance policies, the Ohio Supreme Court voted 4-3 to reverse appeals court decisions from Stark and Clermont counties dealing with related cases....

IRS launches web section on abusive tax shelter schemes involving employee retirement plans.(National)
March 1, 2004... As part of its effort to combat abusive tax shelter schemes and transactions, the IRS launched a new section on IRS.gov containing important information about abusive schemes involving employee retirement plans. The site is intended to warn...

Bush budget seeks more money for SEC, GSE regulator.(National)
March 1, 2004... President Bush has allocated substantial increases in federal funding to the SEC and GSE regulators, as a sign of his commitment to combating corporate fraud and tightening the reins on government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). In his budget,...

IRS to toughen-up on tax credits.(National)
March 1, 2004... The IRS will conduct an in-depth review of returns on which taxpayers claim Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and Health Coverage Tax Credits (HCTC). Last year, only a fraction of the 20 million Americans who filed for tax credits were found to...

IRS, states move forward in fight against abusive tax avoidance.(National)
March 1, 2004... The IRS has started sharing leads on more than 20,000 taxpayers engaged in abusive tax avoidance with tax agencies in 45 states, the District of Columbia and New York City. The sharing of leads was the first large transfer of information...

Alternative Minimum Tax tops list of taxpayer problems.(National)
March 1, 2004... The National Taxpayer Advocate's Annual Report identified the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) as the number one problem faced by taxpayers. The annual report is required by law and contains a list of the most serious problems encountered by...

Tax profession must lead compliance efforts, says Senate Finance Chair.(National)
March 1, 2004... Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) holds tax professionals responsible for ensuring that our nation's tax system remains above board, according to a recent speech given to the Tax Council Policy Institute. "While the...

SECPS reorganized as the Center for Public Company Audit Firms.(National)
March 1, 2004... Stemming from a decision made at the Fall AICPA Council meeting, the former SEC Practice Section has been reorganized as the Center for Public Company Audit Firms. As a voluntary membership center, it will support member firms that audit...

New financial literacy tools available online.(National)
March 1, 2004... The AICPA has created a new financial literacy Web page in response to the resurgence of attention to financial literacy. Because financial requirements shift according to life events, such as having children or retiring from work, CPAs are the...

Robert H. Attmore elected GASB Chairman.(National)
March 1, 2004... Robert H. Attmore has been elected chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), effective July 1, 2004. Attmore--a former Deputy State Comptroller with the New York State Comptroller's Office--will succeed Tom L Allen, who...

EU considers auditor rotation rule, following Sarbanes-Oxley example.(International)
March 1, 2004... The European Union (EU) is considering rules that would require publicly listed companies to rotate auditors every seven years or to change the senior partner in charge of the audit every five years. The rotation is part of the EU's effort to...

Summing up: technology and the workplace.(Newsflash)
March 1, 2004... * 46% of all e-mail sent is spam (Source: Marketing Sherpa) * 75% of surveyed CIO's said their organization supports wireless technology (Source: CIO.com) * 49% of professionals surveyed received between 10-50 spams each day at work...

A frank look at peer review.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... Since its beginning, peer review has had its supporters. At the same time, there have been some CPAs who question the need for it, as well as some who loathe its very existence. Those that support peer review value it as an educational process...

Ohio: the comeback state? More evidence points to 2004 economic rebound in Ohio, but challenges remain.
March 1, 2004... Fueled by a rise in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a stock market recovery, stronger employment figures and an encouraging holiday spending spree, economists and other prognosticators are betting on a brighter economic outlook for 2004. A...

The future of the small business audit: new regulations, new perspectives.
March 1, 2004... Although the economy seems to be on the rebound, businesses of all shapes, sizes and geographic diversity still feel the need to hold back in this age of instability--everyone feels a need to assess the practicability of each situation or...

A new alpha order: AICPA specialty credentials get extended lease on life.
March 1, 2004... The continuing debate over the value of specialization by CPAs is at a critical juncture. The AICPA has repositioned its three specialty credentials to generate increased interest and participation, while setting clear goals and deadlines each...

Internal fraud: offense can be the best defense.
March 1, 2004... You're busy. You need another employee quickly to help with what has become an overwhelming amount of work. You don't even have time to advertise for a new employee, so you spread the word among friends and colleagues. You quickly learn through...

Underfunded defined benefit pension plans: recent professional and legislative developments.
March 1, 2004... For nearly twenty years, Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) Nos. 87, 88 and 132 have been applied by accounting professionals to detail the economic impact of defined benefit pension plans within corporate financial reports. During the latter...

(Relatively) plain English guide to how the Internet works.
March 1, 2004... Ever find yourself confused by the "alphabet soup" of acronyms that techies throw around? Are you even more confused once they tell you what the acronyms mean? If so, this primer, intended to be readable by nontechies, is for you. Yes, this...

Standing out in the crowd: perspectives on student recruiting from both sides of the fence.
March 1, 2004... The tide has turned in accounting enrollment. The low tide of the 1990s has swelled with a new batch of students pursuing the accounting profession. With the increased numbers comes increased pressure to stand out in the crowd. It is just as...

Self-assessment exam.
March 1, 2004... Catalyst -- March/April 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...

A quick guide to the 2003 FASB survey.
March 1, 2004... Perhaps at no other time in the history of the accounting profession has its members seen so many changes in the regulatory guidance provided by standard-setting bodies. One of the organizations continuously setting the course for the future is...

Office politics: why governmental affairs is important; What you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask.(Capitol Access)
March 1, 2004... When you hear people talk about "office politics," governmental affairs and political action committees are not usually the first things to come to mind. Yet in the current legislative and regulatory environment, the politics of accounting have...

2003 Ohio CPA/PAC contributors.
March 1, 2004... $500 OR MORE Allyn R. Adams Berea Charles H. Bauer Hamilton Linda M. Black Kurek Dayton Theodore F. Bluey Cincinnati David A. Brockman Fairlawn John G. Chapman Cleveland Janice L....

Switching to the latest Smartphone technology.(Gadgets & Gizmos)
March 1, 2004... Gone are the days of bulky phones combining the features of a PDA with a cell phone. Gone also are the days of being bound to a provider in order to keep the same cell phone number. Here is the knowledge needed to take advantage of these new...

Taming the media: how one CPA turns media savvy into business opportunities.(Steal this Idea)
March 1, 2004... Looking for ways to raise your professional profile? Trying to highlight your business expertise in order to attract new clients? Ohio Society member Crystal Faulkner answers both questions with solid media relations. Creativity,...

The Ohio Society of CPAs 2004-2005 conference calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... May 20 Not-for-Profit Conference Columbus, Ohio May 26-27 Ohio Accounting Show Dayton, Ohio June 15 2004 Members Summit & Annual Meeting Columbus, Ohio...

Managing stress in your practice.(Off the Beaten Path)
March 1, 2004... There are so many causes of stress in our lives. Just being a tax practitioner has its own built-in set of stressors, ranging from challenging deadlines and client expectations to work volume and practice growth. If that's not enough, the U.S....

Janice Culver, CPA nominated as 2004-2005 Society chair-elect.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... Janice L. Culver, CPA, is recommended by the Nominating Committee as the candidate for 2004-2005 chair-elect of the Society's Executive Board. The official induction will take place at the Society's Annual Meeting at the Columbus Convention...

Look before you leap into using ancillary services provided by Web sites.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... The pitch is simple: "Become a business consultant to your clients and change the way they see you forever. Besides being the trusted advisor they use to prepare their year-end taxes, provide them with 50 state incorporation and LLC formation...

Four Ohioan's make list of most influential in accounting.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... Ohioans are among the country's leaders in the accounting field. Accounting Today has once again published their list of the "Top 100 Most Influential People" in the profession. The 10-year-old list is compiled through reader suggestions and...

Accountancy board of Ohio disciplinary actions.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... The following are the disciplinary actions taken by the Accountancy Board of Ohio (ABO) at its Jan. 30, 2004 Board meeting. Please note these actions are current as of press time. NAME BOARD...

PCAOB chairman shares perspectives on business--to be featured at members conference.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... William McDonough, chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), will be the featured speaker at this year's Members Summit June 15, 2003. In January, McDonough spoke with the editorial staff at USA Today on a variety of...

Dialing for dollar: Ohio Society members take "Call 4" tax questions.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... Just seconds after the phone number flashed across their television screens, viewers flooded the switchboards of NBC News Channel 4 in Columbus seeking free tax tips from Ohio Society members. Eight CPAs fielded nearly 250 calls between 4...

Online networking--the Ohio Society's special interest sections.(Members Only)
March 1, 2004... On your way into work this morning, how many people did you pass that were also conducting conversations via cell phone? Last week at your daughter's basketball game, wasn't there at least one distracted parent frantically replying to an e-mail...

The Ohio CPA/PAC's Silent Auction right around the corner--it's never too early to pledge your support!
March 1, 2004... The 2004 Ohio CPA/PAC Silent Auction is coming up sooner than you think, and now is the time to start planning how you can again help make this event another huge success. The silent auction is the second-largest fundraiser for the PAC, raising...

Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor.(Members In Motion)
March 1, 2004... Crowe Chizek was honored by Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor as top M & A accounting firm at the 2003 Academy Awards of Middle Market Mergers and Acquisitions.

Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic.(Members In Motion)
March 1, 2004... Joseph C. Marks, II, CPA, has joined Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic CPAs as manager.

Cohen & Company.(Akron/Canton)
March 1, 2004... Danielle Kimmell, CPA, has been promoted to the level of senior manager in the accounting & auditing department of Cohen & Company.

Rea & Associates, Inc.(Akron/Canton)
March 1, 2004... Rea & Associates, Inc. announces the following promotions: Daniel Toussant to director and Paul McEwan, CPA, to share-holder.

Barnes, Dennig & Company, Ltd.(Cincinnati)
March 1, 2004... James A. Donnellon, CPA, of Barnes, Dennig & Company, Ltd., has been selected as chair of the PKF North American Network Construction Committee for 2004.

Cohen & Company.(Cleveland)
March 1, 2004... Cohen & Company has announced the following promotions: Marlene Bruns, CPA, to senior manager in the accounting & auditing department, Kevin Noss, CPA, to senior manager in the tax department, and Jim Stobe, CPA, to controller.

Meaden & Moore.(Cleveland)
March 1, 2004... James P. Carulas, CPA, president of Meaden & Moore, has earned the designation Certified in Mergers & Acquisitions (CM & A) from the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AMAA).

GBQ Partners LLC.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Robert S. Stillman, CPA, has become a director with GBQ Partners LLC. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Zonia Horn has joined Crowe Chizek and Company LLC as tax staff associate.

Holbrook & Manter.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Brian D. Bornino, CPA/ABV, CFA, CBA has joined Holbrook & Manter, CPAs as director of business valuation services.

Cohen & Company.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Jami Blake, CPA has been promoted to the level of senior manager in the accounting & auditing department of Cohen & Company.

Rea & Associates, Inc.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Robin Retzler, CPA, has been promoted to director with Rea & Associates, Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Automation Tooling Systems.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Brian Bleichrodt, CPA (inactive) has joined Automation Tooling Systems as controller.

Ferguson Consulting, LLC.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... Heather M. Deskins, CPA, partner with Ferguson Consulting, LLC, has earned the designation Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA).

National City Corporation.(Columbus)
March 1, 2004... National City Corporation announces Roger Lossing, CPA, as vice president and relationship manager.

Brady Ware.(Dayton)
March 1, 2004... Elizabeth Goeckel and Lisa Arlt have joined the accounting team at Brady Ware.

Cohen & Company.(Firelands)
March 1, 2004... Steve Piatak, CPA, has joined Cohen & Company as a manager in the litigation services department.

Rohrkemper & Osege, Ltd.(Miami Valley)
March 1, 2004... Michael R. Combs, CPA has been named a partner with Rohrkemper & Osege, Ltd. The firm has also changed its name to Rohrkemper Ossege & Combs, Ltd.

Rea & Associates, Inc.(North Central)
March 1, 2004... Christopher Roush, CPA, has been promoted to director/office manager Rea & Associates, Inc. * The Ohio Society welcomes submissions to the Members in Motion column. Send photos and accomplishments to the Editor at catalyst@ohio-cpa.com....

Ohio CPA online resource collection.
March 1, 2004... Where can you find an online community with resources tailored to your needs as an Ohio CPA? Like a fine art collection, we've gathered everything you need to excel, and you can find it all in one place at www.ohioscpa.com. The Member...

Gain an edge: educational opportunites.(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... Registration Fees * Member -- This fee applies to Ohio Society member and affiliates, or members of other state societies. * Non-member -- All individuals who qualify for membership in The Ohio Society and choose not to be...