Accounting Today articles from December 2003

Accounting Today archives from December 2003

Tax shelters come under Senate's harsh scrutiny.(Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession)
December 15, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Stung by accusations that they promoted abusive tax shelters that drained billions of dollars from the federal treasury, representatives of three of the Big Four accounting firms told Congress that their respective organizations...

Dixon Hughes merger marks rise of a super-regional firm.(Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession)(Dixon Odom and Crisp Hughes Evans L.L.P. for new entity Dixon Hughes)(impetus for other firms to consider mergers in order to be competitive)
December 15, 2003... HIGH POINT AND ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The pending marriage of Dixon Odom and Crisp Hughes Evans not only marks one of 2003's largest mergers between strong regional firms, but could be a harbinger of future unions that ultimately create a fleet of...

Armanino McKenna seizes benefits opportunity.
December 15, 2003... SAN RAMON, CALIF. -- The effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act aren't all bad. Armanino McKenna, a Bay-area CPA firm, has joined the legion of regional accounting firms that are seizing the opportunities that have been created by the Big Four...

GAO: wait and see on firm rotation.(General Accounting Office report on auditor independence and audit quality)(impact of Sarbanes-Oxley law)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Mandatory firm rotation may not be the best way to strengthen auditor independence and enhance audit quality, according to the General Accounting Office. A 98-page report from the auditor general found that the benefits of...

Anderson to succeed Bunting.(Moss Adams L.L.P.)(Rick Anderson to replace Bob Bunting as CEO)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... SEATTLE -- Regional powerhouse Moss Adams said that longtime chairman and chief executive Bob Bunting will step down as CEO, and that firm veteran Rick Anderson has been elected as his successor. The change will become effective July 1. ...

Wipfli to merge with Stirtz Bernards.(Wipfli Ullrich Bertelson L.L.P.)(Stirtz Bernards Boyden Surdel & Larter P.A.)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... WAUSAU, WIS. -- Unveiling its second merger in a month, Wipfli, a super-regional CPA and management consulting firm here, agreed to merge with Minneapolis-based Stirtz Bernards Boyden Surdel & Larter PA, effective Dec. 1. The union will...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
December 15, 2003... "Sarbanes-Oxley's Silver Lining" (Nov. 24-Dec. 14, 2003, p. 1) made what may be considered an inappropriate comparison in reporting on activities by BDO Seidman. The story correctly reported that BDO said that its SEC practice grew faster...

Planners advocating calm amid mutual fund scandals.
December 15, 2003... Over the last few years, investors have been learning a new vocabulary. They picked up "off-balance sheet financing" from Enron, and "capitalizing expenses" from WorldCom. Now "market timing" and "late trading" have become part of the...

Under pressure, FASB eases off of FAS 150--temporarily.(Financial Accounting Standards Board )
December 15, 2003... Under pressure from a host of cooperative ventures, small CPA firms and limited partnerships, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has put off the effective date of parts of Financial Accounting Statement 150, "Accounting for Certain...

Season's fleetings.(Opinion: the free and open forum for the tax and accounting community)(editorial)(Editorial)
December 15, 2003... In each of the three years that I've been at the helm of Accounting Today, I've written my final column of the year on the premise that what transpired in the accounting profession over the past 365 days couldn't possibly be topped the...

Accountability and society.(Commentary)(post Enron reflections)(accounting profession's covenant with society, corporate governance and accountability in general)(Column)
December 15, 2003... Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? --Juvenal As the keynote for this essay, I have opted for the challenge posed by the Roman satirist Juvenal some two millennia ago: "Who will guard the guardians themselves?" The Constitution of the...

It's not the fraud, stupid--it's the ethics.(Commentary)
December 15, 2003... Many businesses, schools and organizations--the American Institute of CPAs in particular--have latched on to a "new" catchword: fraud. Sarbanes-Oxley was created as a result of the massive frauds that were discovered with the failures of...

A loyalty oath? No way!(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 15, 2003... In reference to your article, "Changes in store for Council (Accounting Today, Oct. 6-19, 2003, p. 1), I was amazed, but should not have been, that the American Institute of CPAs was trying to foist a "loyalty oath" on members of Council. ...

What is wrong with management today?(Practice Management)
December 15, 2003... All is not well in the corporate world. Contrary to some opinions, people do not just job-hop for the fun of it or because they are irresponsible. Stress is up and morale is down. If you follow the trail backwards, it often leads right to...

GAO says IRS 2003 financials are good and bad.(Taxing Issues)(General Accounting Office)(Internal Revenue Service)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... GAO SAYS IRS 2003 FINANCIALS ARE GOOD AND BAD: The General Accounting Office said that fiscal 2003 financials from the Internal Revenue Service were "fairly presented in all material aspects." However, the GAO said that the service "had to rely...

Everson says IRS helped curb tax shelter abuse.(Taxing Issues)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... EVERSON SAYS IRS HELPED CURB TAX SHELTER ABUSE: The Internal Revenue Service's increasingly aggressive crackdown on abusive tax shelters appears to be the key reason that major accounting firms have hacked away from these tax avoidance schemes,...

IRS launches online products suite.(Taxing Issues)(United States Internal Revenue Service)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... IRS LAUNCHES ONLINE PRODUCTS SUITE: The Internal Revenue Service has unveiled e services, a suite of Internet-based tools that enables users access to client information and provides tax professionals with more options for working...

Demutualized policyholders may not be taxable on gains.(Tax practice: the special report on news and trends for the tax professional)
December 15, 2003... Some taxpayers may be paying tax that they shouldn't owe on distributions from insurance companies that changed from mutual to stock ownership. Charles Ulrich, a Baxter, Minn.-based CPA who has been researching the issue for two years,...

The military tax relief bill and your clients' planning.(Tax Strategy)(Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003)(many provisions for accountants and tax preparation services to consider)
December 15, 2003... The Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003, enacted on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2003, is, as its name implies, focused on tax relief for military personnel. There are, however, a number of aspects to it that could give it a broader...

Earnings are busting out all over.(Accounting Annotations)(markets not responding to earnings)
December 15, 2003... In 1945, the delightful musical "Carousel" debuted at, the Majestic Theatre in New York. In 1956, it became a movie. Written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the play contains a number of memorable tunes, including "June Is Busting Out All Over."...

Utah Medical Products appoints Jones Simkins.(Change Of Auditors)(Utah Medical Products Inc. replaces Tanner & Co. with Jones Simkins )(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS APPOINTS JONES SIMKINS: Utah Medical Products, a provider of disposable medical products, dismissed Tanner & Co. as its auditor and named Jones Simkins as its successor, according to a filing with the Securities and...

Paragon Financial names Stevens Powell & Co.(Change Of Auditors)(Paragon Financial Corp. replaces BP Professional Group with Stevens Powell & Co.)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... PARAGON FINANCIAL NAMES STEVENS POWELL & CO.: Paragon Financial Corp., a Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.-based financial services company and mortgage originator, hired Stevens Powell & Co. as its new auditor for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2003....

BDO gets nod as U.S. Global Auditor.(Change Of Auditors)(U.S. Global Investors Inc. hires BDO Seidman L.L.D.)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... BDO GETS NOD AS U.S. GLOBAL AUDITOR: U.S. Global Investors, an investment management concern based in San Antonio, tapped national firm BDO Seidman as its auditor, according to an 8-K filing with the SEC.

Print Data hires Stonefield Josephson.(Change Of Auditors)(Stonefield Josephson Accountancy takes over auditing from Weinberg & Co.)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... PRINT DATA HIRES STONEFIELD JOSEPHSON: Print Data Corp., an office supplies provider, appointed California-based Stonefield Josephson as its auditor. Stonefield Josephson succeeds Weinberg & Co., which was dismissed by Print Data. ...

IASB and IFAC recognize needs of smaller companies.(Assurance: technical developments, professional issues and engagement changes)(International Accounting Standards Board and International Federation of Accountants )
December 15, 2003... LONDON -- The International Accounting Standards Board has launched a project to write special global accounting standards for small and mid-sized entities. Meanwhile, the New York based International Federation of Accountants has issued...

COCO bonds: good finance or puffed-up accounting?(The Spirit Of Accounting)(contingent convertible bonds)
December 15, 2003... We recently read about a new financial instrument that has become popular with some shortsighted managers over the last few years. Specifically, we're talking about "contingent convertible bonds," known as COCO bonds. Writing in the Sept....

Business Transitions launches new site for RIAs.(Business Transitions L.L.C. new service for Registered Investment Advisers)(RIA Transitions, at www.riatransitions.com)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... NEW YORK -- Business Transitions LLC has launched an online forum for registered investment advisors and fee-only financial professionals who want to buy or sell independent financial planning practices. RIA Transitions, at...

Savingforcollege.com, Precision Information team to offer college savings tutorials.(PFP Briefs)(Savingforcollege.com L.L.C.)(contract with Precision Information)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... SAVINGFORCOLLEGE.COM, PRECISION INFORMATION TEAM TO OFFER COLLEGE SAVINGS TUTORIALS: Savingforcollege.com, an online provider of education funding advice and tools, has signed a deal to feature interactive tutorials created by Precision...

College costs on the rise again.(PFP Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... COLLEGE COSTS ON THE RISE AGAIN: If you're an advisor who offers advice on paying for college, your services may be in more demand by parents who plan to pay for their kids' higher education. Average tuition and fees for in-state students...

Malden named Financial Exec of the Year.(PFP Briefs)(Nicholas Malden National Financial Executive of the Year)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... MALDEN NAMED FINANCIAL EXEC OF THE YEAR: The Institute of Management Accountants and Robert Half International Inc. have named Nicholas Malden the National Financial Executive of the Year. Malden is vice president, chief financial officer and...

Hancock launches Universal Life product for small biz market.(PFP Briefs)(John Hancock Financial Services Inc.)(Performance Executive UL)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... HANCOCK LAUNCHES UNIVERSAL LIFE PRODUCT FOR SMALL BIZ MARKET: John Hancock has rolled out a universal life policy for small and midsized businesses. The product, Performance Executive UL, provides immediate death benefit protection, high early...

FPA, ING team to promote Financial Planning.(PFP Briefs)(Financial Planning Association )
December 15, 2003... FPA, ING TEAM TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL PLANNING: The Financial Planning Association has teamed with financial services firm ING on a program to recognize planners and to promote financial planning to the public. Dubbed "A Fresh Approach," the...

Asset allocation programs are getting better with age.(Financial planning: news and strategies for the personal financial planner)
December 15, 2003... Asset allocation, arguably the cornerstone of personal financial planning and investment management, is evolving. While planners and advisors were once relegated to basic asset allocation packages when designing programs for clients, they...

Taxing 28 percent rate gain of non-corporate taxpayers.(Financial Planning Tax Tactics)
December 15, 2003... Bob collectibles gain and Section 1202 gain of non-corporate taxpayers are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. What is usually referred to as 28 percent rate gain equals the sum of collectibles gain and Section 1202 gain, over the sum of:...

A shift in focus for T100 developers: M&A is passe; vendors look to grow sales, and worry about the accounting profession.(Top 100 Products, accounting compliance software)
December 15, 2003... The developers of Accounting Today's Top 100 Products took a break from mergers and acquisitions in 2003 to further digest acquisitions made in earlier years. For 2004, they expect a big rebound in sales while they watch the issues facing one...

Tools of the trade.(Directory)
December 15, 2003... ACCOUNTING The Top 100's accounting products are evolving into small scale enterprise resource planning systems. All have functionality extending far beyond the basic six modules in the top accounting products a decade ago, and all--even...

T100 vendors see nothing in their way: identifiable challenges, yes, but most expect significant year-on-year growth in 2004.(Top 100 Products)
December 15, 2003... Regardless of what products or services they sell or how long they have been in business, the developers of this year's Accounting Today Top 100 Products face very similar challenges--from growing their customer bases and clearly communicating...

In tragedy, CPAs quick to help.(Commentary)(members of California Society of Certified Public Accountants)(assist in helping victims of California's wildfires)
December 15, 2003... California's recent wildfires have battered entire communities, including my own, San Diego. I was one of the many San Diegans who had followed news coverage of the San Bernardino County fires, some 125 miles away. But on Oct. 26, the...

Secure electronic confirmations.(Software)
December 15, 2003... The Capital Confirmation service is all online service designed to increase staff realization rates and increase the deletion of fraud within an audit. The service ensures that the auditor is in control, and is used by both external and...

QuickBooks Premier 2004.(Software)
December 15, 2003... This latest version of QuickBooks offers features that allow small businesses to run the essentials all in one place, as well as planning and analysis tools. Key enhancements include a new business checklist for information about local,...

People's Choice Premier Accounting.(Software)
December 15, 2003... The new features in People's Choice Premier Accounting v. 5.0 incorporate numerous applications, communications, reporting and presentation functions typically found in mid-range systems. These include streamlined screens for more efficient...

Total document recall.(Software)
December 15, 2003... PageRecall document security software provides life cycle control over the access to, and use of, internal documents. The product offers an easy-to-use solution for securely sharing sensitive information and reports without surrendering control...

Paperless billing.(Software)
December 15, 2003... Online Invoicing brings the traditional, paper-based billing process to the Internet. The product provides customers the opportunity to view invoices in a timely manner. When a new invoice is created, Online Invoicing sends an e-mail...

To the drawing board.
December 15, 2003... Boards of directors are still struggling to fulfill their roles as advisors and supervisors in the wake of corporate governance reforms. What corporate governance consultant Colin Carter and Harvard Business School professor Jay Lorsch feel is...

'Nonstop Networking'.
December 15, 2003... Regardless of what industry or profession you are in, networking is often a crucial skill that few people have. In her new book, "Nonstop Networking," author and personal marketing consultant Andrea Nierenberg maps out simple strategies for...

Practical SOX guide.
December 15, 2003... Warren, Gorham & Lamont, a Thomson business, has produced a definitive guide in one of the most important pieces of legislation in accounting history: the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Within the 8,000 pages of "The Practical Guide to Corporate...

New HP tablet.(Etc)
December 15, 2003... The HP Compaq Tablet PC TC1100 is a full function mobile PC with increased power and performance that incorporates the low voltage Intel Pentium M processor and new wireless capabilities. Measuring 0.8 inches wide and weighing just over three...

Coming events.(conferences and special events for accounting professionals)(December 2003 to August 2004)(Calendar)
December 15, 2003... DECEMBER 16: Partnership Taxation, New York State Society of CPAs, The New York Helmsley Hotel, New York City. Contact: (800) 537-3635. 16: Accounting & Auditing Annual Update, PPC-Bell Learning. Little Rock, Ark. Contact: (800)...

Planitax Inc.(California)(Brian Billett)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Brian Billett has joined Planitax Inc., Emeryville, as vice president of product strategy. He brings more than a decade of tax experience at Big Four firms.

Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC.(Colorado)(M. Scott Burk, Yvonne Z. Hergett, Sandra L. Shoemaker )(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC, Denver, has elected three new principals: M. Scott Burk and Yvonne Z. Hergett, in tax services; and Sandra L. Shoemaker, in audit services.

American Bank & Trust Co.(Illinois)(Dale A. Dollenbacher)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Dale A. Dollenbacher has joined American Bank & Trust Co., Rock Island, as executive vice president and thief financial officer He was previously with McGladrey & Pullen LLP....

Crippen Reid & Bowen LLC.(Illinois)(Monty D. Meyer appointed to Quad City Estate Planning Council)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Monty D. Meyer, of Crippen Reid & Bowen LLC, Moline, has be come president of the 2003-2004 Quad City Estate Planning Council.

Grant Thornton LLP.(Illinois)(Nabeel Ahmed)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Nabeel Ahmed has been promoted to assurance manager in the Chicago office of Grant Thornton LLP.

Legacy Professionals LLP.(Illinois)(Emily Blaha)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Emily Blaha has joined Legacy Professionals LLP as marketing coordinator. She graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2003, and joined the firm in October.

Katz, Sapper & Miller LLP.(Indiana)(Peter N. Reist, Matthew C. Alber, Gergory A. Kirkland, Brian Cate)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Katz, Sapper & Miller LLP, Indianapolis, has admitted Peter N. Reist as a partner. Reist has been with the firm since 1988, and works in the Tax Department. In addition, the firm promoted Matthew C. Alber and Gregory A. Kirkland to directors....

Hogan-Hansen PC.(Iowa)(Rachelle K. Thompson)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Rachelle K. Thompson has joined Hogan-Hansen PC. Mason City, as an audit senior. Silo was previously with Larry Pump CPA.

AIB College of Business.(Iowa)(Barbara A. Archer)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Barbara A. Archer has joined the AIB College of Business, Des Moines, as an accounting instructor. She was formerly with Meredith Corp.

Klausner Dubinsky & Associates PC.(Maryland)(Myra Oliver-Hall)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Myra Oliver-Hall has joined Klausner Dubinsky & Associates PC, Bethesda, as accounting manager of the Tax and Accounting Services Division. She brings over 13 years of experience, and previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst &...

Reznick Fedder & Silverman.(Maryland)(Amy Blocker, Jill Paskoff, Ira Weinstein)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Reznick Fedder & Silverman. Bethesda, has named three new principals: Amy Blocker. of the Atlanta office; and Jill Paskoff and Ira Weinstein of the Baltimore office. In addition, the firm named Timothy Kemper principal-in-charge of the...

Aronson & Co.(Maryland)(Kathryn E. Petrillo)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Kathryn E. Petrillo has been named an officer of Aronson & Co., Rockville, where she leads the Employee Benefit Plan Group.

Wolf & Co. PC.(Massachusetts)(Michael D. Cohn, Matthew J. Putvinski, Thomas J. Tuniewicz)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Wolf & Co. PC, Boston, announced a number of promotions: Michael D. Cohn, Matthew J. Putvinski and Thomas J. Tuniewicz were named IT audit managers: while Jeffrey W. Cassidy, William J. Nowick and Shannah C. Saunders were named IT audit...

LarsonAllen.(Minnesota)(Mark Sellner appointed to AICPA Tax Practice Improvement Committee)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Mark Sellner, principal-in-charge of tax services at LarsonAllen, Minneapolis, was appointed to the AICPA Tax Practice Improvement Committee. He also chairs the Tax Practice Management Committee of Baker Tilly International, a network of in...

McGladrey & Pullen LLP.(Minnesota)(Lynne Gummo)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Lynne Gummo, a partner in the Bethesda, Md., office of McGladrey & Pullen LLP, Bloomington, was named the firm's 2003 Partner of the Year. Bill Major and Don Natenstadt were named finalists.

RSM McGladrey.(Minnesota)(Tony Szczepaniak)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Tony Szczepaniak has been named a managing director at RSM McGladrey, Bloomington. He joined the firm in 2001.

LarsonAllen Financial LLC.(Minnesota)(John Kightlinger)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... John Kightlinger has joined LarsonAllen Financial LLC, Minneapolis, as vice president of investment management. He brings over 25 years of experience, most recently with Windsor Financial Group.

Matrix Associates Inc.(Minnesota)(Mary Jepperson)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Mary Jepperson, a practice leader at Matrix Associates Inc., Minneapolis, was one of the recipients of the third annual Top Women in Finance Awards, sponsored by Finance and Commerce magazine. The award is given to 12 women in the Twin...

Richardson & Associates PC.(Nebraska)(Jason T. Baker appointed to 2003-2004 CPAConnect Advisory Committee)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Jason T. Baker, a manager with Richardson & Associates PC, Omaha, has been appointed vice chair of the 2003-2004 CPAConnect Advisory Committee, which sets the goals of the national network of CPA firms.

Global Investment Systems Ltd.(New Jersey)(Mary Pizzichino)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Mary Pizzichino has been appointed director of U.S. sales and marketing at Global Investment Systems Ltd., Hackensack. a supplier of accounting software to the securities industry. Prior to this, she was a senior vice president and product...

Citrin Cooperman & Co. LLP.(New York)(Tracey Segarra)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Tracey Segarra has joined Citrin Coopernmn & Co. LLP, New York, as n/arketing director. She previously was editor of WebCPA.com, and an editor at Accounting Today.

Rosenthal & Rosenthal Inc.(New York)(J. Michael Stanley receives award)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... J. Michael Stanley, an executive vice president with Rosenthal & Rosenthal Inc., New York, was honored at the American Jewish Congress' 39th Annual Financial Services Industries Awards, in recognition of his exemplary service to the...

Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Wedell LLP.(New York)(Sherry Tomaselli)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Sherry Tomaselli has been promoted Io firm administrator at Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Wedell LLP, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie.

Lazar Levine & Felix LLP.(New York)(Anca S. Munteanu)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Anca S. Munteanu has joined Lazar Levine & Felix LLP, New York, as director of marketing. Prior to this, she was marketing director at Eisner & Lubin LLP.

Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co. LLP.(New York)(Katherine Stickler, Mark Kovaleski)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Mengel, Metzger, Barr& Co. LLP has named Katherine Stickler and Mark Kovaleski partners of the firm. Both work in assurance.

Weinick Sanders Leventhal & Co. LLP.(New York)(Hernan Serrano, F. Peter Logrieco)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Hernan Serrano and F. Peter Logrieco have joined Weinick Sanders Leventhal & Co. LLP, New York, as, respectively, director of corporate recovery and insolvency services, and partner and director of the Litigation Consulting and...

Fagliarone Group CPAs PC.(New York)(Dean J. Mercier)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Dean J. Mercier, a staff accountant with Fagliarone Group CPAs PC, Syracuse, had received his CPA license. He joined the firm in 2002.

Holtz Rubenstein & Co. LLP.(New York)(Fred Catalano, Christine DiPasquale, Lara Speranza)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Holtz Rubenstein & Co. LLP, Melville, has hired three new staff auditors, all recent graduates of Hofstra University: Fred Catalano, Christine DiPasquale, and Lara Speranza.

Grimaldi & Associates CPAs PLLC.(New York)(John B. Dubiel)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... John B. Dubiel, an audit manager with Grimaldi & Associates CPAs PLLC, Syracuse, has qualified for the Certified Fraud Examiner designation from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Lowman, Knapp & Lowman LLP.(North Carolina)(Alicia B. Cavender)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Alicia B. Cavender has joined Lowman, Knapp & Lowman LLP, Kitty Hawk, as senior staff accountant She has been practicing in accounting and auditing since 1995, with expertise in real estate, construction, manufacturing and nonprofits.

Gray, Gray & Gray.(Firms)(Corporate Citizen of the Year award)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Gray, Gray & Gray, Westwood, Mass,. was named Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the firm's contributions to the communities served by the chamber and its support of and participation in...

Baker Newman & Noyes, Portland, has launched an independent management consulting firm, Crescendo Consulting Group LLC.(Maine)(Baker Newman & Noyes)(Growth Management Division becomes Crescendo Consulting Group L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Baker Newman & Noyes, Portland, has launched an independent management consulting firm, Crescendo Consulting Group LLC. The new company was previously the accounting firm's Growth Management Division.

Matson, Driscoll & Damico LLP, Boston, has acquired Carrigan Associates PC.(Massachusetts)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Matson, Driscoll & Damico LLP Boston, has acquired Carrigan Associates PC. Carrigan founder Charlie Carrigan will head the office in Portsmouth. N.H while Carrigan employee Matt Adrian will manage the Boston office and Tom Ross will be...

Novidian Corp.(Massachusetts)(Novidian Corp. moves to new facilities)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... ... Novidian Corp. has moved from its old address to Accord Executive Park. 200 Cordwainer Suite 301, Norwell, Mass. Its phone number is (781) 924-1190. The firm has nearly tripled in size since its inception in 2001.

CPA Associates International Inc.(New Jersey)(membership in Certified Public Accountants international organization)(Perez Castro y Asociados SC)(Jes Pace & Co.)(Velez Tellez y Asociados)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... CPA Associates International Inc., Rutherford, had admitted three new members: Perez Castro y Asociados SC, of Lima. Peru: Jes Pace & Co. of Malta: and Velez Tellez y Asociados. of Villahermosa. Tabasco, in Mexico.

Ernst & Young.(Nevada)(Ernst & Young L.L.P. opens office in Las Vegas)(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... Ernst & Young has opened an office in Las Vegas, naming Peter M. Zofrea as managing partner and Thomas M. Roche as the firm's gaming industry leader for the Pacific Southwest.