Accounting Today articles from June 2003

Accounting Today archives from June 2003

Pushing for different standards: are the profession and its clients ready for two sets of auditing standards?
June 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- As the American Institute of CPAs moves into its diminished role as the setter of audit standards used only in private company engagements, some practitioners question if the market and the profession are ready for separate...

Tax code simplification measures gain ground.
June 2, 2003... While the House and Senate negotiate the differences in their tax cut packages, tax simplification action is heating up. There are more than 15 bills in Congress having to do with some aspect of tax simplification, and the American...

Sarbanes-Oxley fuels firms' forensics boom.
June 2, 2003... In the aftermath of Enron and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, it may be the proverbial best and worst of times for accountants. While public company auditors have taken it on the chin, the public's crisis of confidence and the flailing economy have...

Reaching out to prospects. (Action Idea).
June 2, 2003... Once you have a prospect's permission to contact them electronically--from setting up an auto responder, for instance (see last issue)--be sure to follow up regularly. One option: a regular e-mail newsletter. Focus 100 percent of your...

CBiz acquires Calif. CPA firm.(Century Business Services buys Martynec & Deering)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... CLEVELAND -- Accounting firm consolidator Century Business Services announced that it had bought Huntington, Calif., firm Martynec & Deering. The 15-person firm was acquired to boost CBiz's Accounting, Tax and Advisory of Orange County...

GAO: small biz not getting its share.(Some government contract dollars thought to be going to small businesses may be going to large companies)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Some government contract dollars reported as being awarded to small businesses may actually be going to large companies, a report released by the General Accounting Office has found. In a review of five large companies that...

Online CPA exam tutorial goes live.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK -- A tutorial aimed at helping accounting students to get acquainted with the upcoming computerized Uniform CPA Examination is live online at the CPA Exam Web site, www.cpaexam.org. The tutorial explains the design and operation of...

Pitt to start consulting firm.(Harvey Pitt will form Kalorama Partners LLC)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Harvey Pitt, who resigned in November amidst a hailstorm of criticism, is moving over to consulting, announcing plans to form Kalorama Partners LLC, a crisis-management concern based...

HealthSouth appoints PwC.(HealthSouth Corp. names Big Four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditor)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- Embattled rehabilitative care provider HealthSouth Corp. named Big Four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as its auditor, replacing Ernst & Young, which was fired last month amidst a massive $2.5 billion accounting scandal. ...

Correction.
June 2, 2003... In "Time & billing, or full practice management?" (May 5-18, 2003, p. 24), the pricing for the TABS III billing product from Software Technology Inc. was incorrect. TABS III starts at $295 for a single-user version and $995 for a multi-user...

PCAOB taps former AICPA audit expert to deputy post. (Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession).(Public Company Accounting Oversight Board )
June 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The pieces are finally beginning to fall into place. On the heels of naming nationally recognized auditing authority Douglas R. Carmichael as its inaugural chief auditor, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board named...

CPA firms mining lucrative niche in government work. (Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession).
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK -- Million-dollar auditing contracts don't come by every day. Particularly if you're not a member of the Big Four. But if your firm has experience working with state and local government agencies, it may pay...

Donaldson says SEC to take aim at corporate boards next. (Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEW YORK -- With crackdowns on accounting and investment banking already well underway, the Securities and Exchange Commission is turning its attention to public companies' boards of directors, SEC Chairman William Donaldson told a group of...

Useful sites. (Web Cites).(House Ways & Means Committee--Tax Issues is among Web sites listed)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * House Ways & Means Committee--Tax Issues--http://waysandmeans. house.gov/tax.htm A page devoted to the intricacies of bills being considered by the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that are related to tax issues. You'll find the...

Despite 'taxing' time, CPAS rally to help the homeless. (Footnotes).
June 2, 2003... DESPITE 'TAXING' TIME, CPAS RALLY TO HELP THE HOMELESS: Despite the frenetic pace of tax season, CPAs from Miami-based Mallah, Furman & Co. helped collect pillows, blankets and disposable diapers for Camillus House, a local provider of charity...

Critics, proponents weigh in on private tax collectors. (Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession).
June 2, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's plan to use private tax collection agencies to recover billions of dollars in unpaid federal income taxes came under fire on Capitol Hill as critics of the scheme raised con terns about taxpayer abuse at...

AIMR's globetrotter speaks out on options and standards. (Top of the news: the complete chronicle of news and trends shaping the profession).
June 2, 2003... CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. -- As director of advocacy and professional standards for the Association for Investment Management and Research, Rebecca McEnally keeps her eye on a broad variety of issues of interest to investors. Global accounting...

Fighting for a seat at the table. (Opinion: the free and open for the tax and accounting community).(American Institute of CPAs is losing standards-setting role to Public Company Accounting Oversight Board )
June 2, 2003... On occasion, even the fiercest critics of the American Institute of CPAs have to give it credit- begrudgingly or otherwise. Even for a simple thing like refusing to take no for an answer. No, I'm not talking about bestowing kudos over a...

If Sarbanes-Oxley is to work, be wary of certain offers. (Commentary).
June 2, 2003... Since the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the creation of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the American Institute of CPAs--a trade organization whose most influential constituents and financial mainstay are the Big Four...

A quick, simple course: Tax Reform 101. (Commentary).
June 2, 2003... The goals of tax reform are twofold: treating taxpayers fairly and stimulating the economy. Two specific instances of double taxation--the amount of Social Security benefits that are taxed twice and the double taxation of corporate...

Deloitte appoints Wood to lead U.S. tax practice. (Taxing Issues).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * DELOITTE APPOINTS WOOD TO LEAD U.S. TAX PRACTICE: Big Four firm Deloitte & Touche named Chet Wood as managing partner of its U.S. Tax Services. Wood, 44, succeeds Barry Salzberg, 49, who recently was named managing partner of Deloitte &...

Robert M. Brown picked for IRS associate chief counsel. (Taxing Issues).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * ROBERT M. BROWN PICKED FOR IRS ASSOCIATE CHIEF COUNSEL: Robert M. Brown, a CPA, attorney and former partner in the Washington National Tax Practice of KPMG, has been nominated for the position of associate chief counsel (income tax and...

IRS announces clinic grants. (Taxing Issues).(2004 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic grant application process is open)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * IRS ANNOUNCES CLINIC GRANTS: The 2004 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic grant application process is now open, according to National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson. Organizations providing low-cost or no-cost representation to people involved in tax...

Survey says, 'don't tax my parents' death'. (Taxing Issues).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * SURVEY SAYS, 'DON'T TAX MY PARENTS' DEATH': A recent survey by a woman's business group gives additional ammunition to the Bush administration in its efforts to permanently repeal the estate tax. According to the survey, an overwhelming...

Board says overtaxed IRS more prone to make errors. (Tax practice: the special report on news and trends for the tax professional).
June 2, 2003... The American tax system is severely overtaxed despite the recent restructuring of the Internal Revenue Service, reports the IRS Oversight Board. "A steadily increasing demand on tax administrative service, and a steady real decline in IRS...

Offshore trusts and bank cards--what happens now? (Tax Strategy).(IRS looks at corporate tax shelter problems )
June 2, 2003... The Internal Revenue Service's current focus on tax shelters has, in general, had a corporate emphasis, trying to shut down various types of transactions that are often structured to generate losses to offset income and to fit, arguably, within...

The farmer and the cowman should be friends. (Commentary).(Speech given by Robert Sterling and published in July 1972 issue of Oklahoma CPA Journal is discussed)
June 2, 2003... We recently re-read a speech given by a good friend--Professor Robert Sterling, former dean at Rice University School of Business, former distinguished professor at the University of Kansas and the University of Utah, and former faculty fellow...

Denny's, Deloitte split. (Change Of Auditors).(Denny's Corp. dismisses auditor Deloitte & Touche and names rival KPMG as its replacement Accordin )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * DENNY'S, DELOITTE SPLIT: Restaurant operator and franchisor Denny's Corp. has dismissed auditor Deloitte & Touche and named Big Four rival KPMG as its replacement. According to a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange...

Laquinta dismisses PWC. (Change Of Auditors).(LaQuinta planned to terminate relationship with auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers and said it would hire Ernst & Young)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * LAQUINTA DISMISSES PWC: In a federal filing, lodging and real-estate investment trust LaQuinta said that it planned to terminate its relationship with auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers, and that it would hire Ernst & Young as its successor. ...

SBE taps BDO Seidman. (Change Of Auditors).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * SBE TAPS BDO SEIDMAN: SBE Inc., a San Ramon, Calif.-based manufacturer of telecommunications products, said that it has dismissed independent accountant PricewaterhouseCoopers and hired Chicago-based BDO Seidman as its new auditor. ...

From our drawers: three embarrassing episodes. (The Spirit Of Accounting).(Employee stock options)
June 2, 2003... We're always on the lookout for column ideas, so we write possibilities down and stick the notes in a desk drawer. Many don't pan out simply because there isn't enough substance to justify a full piece. In this column, we have decided to...

Seidman to 'conduct' FASB on financial instruments. (Assurance: technical developments, professional issues and engagement changes).
June 2, 2003... NORWALK, CONN. -- Financial reporting authority Leslie F. Seidman, CPA, has been named to replace John K. Wulff on the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Having literally written the book on financial instruments, Seidman joins the board at...

Nationwide unveils new option plan for CPAS, RIAS. (PFP Briefs).(Nationwide Financial)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * NATIONWIDE UNVEILS NEW OPTION PLAN FOR CPAS, RIAS: Financial services provider Nationwide Financial has launched its Plan Advisory Service, a fee-based payment option allowing CPAs and registered investment advisors to offer clients...

Mutual funds dragged down by tax code. (PFP Briefs).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * MUTUAL FUNDS DRAGGED DOWN BY TAX CODE: Taxes may be mostly to blame for mutual funds' dismal performances, according to a study by Lipper Research. Lipper estimated that between 50 percent and 54 percent of the $5.96 trillion dollars...

Poll finds satisfaction with 401(k)s declining. (PFP Briefs).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * POLL FINDS SATISFACTION WITH 401(K)S DECLINING: Satisfaction levels among 401(k) participants have declined in nearly every service category, with the biggest drop occurring in investment satisfaction, according to a study by the Spark...

Report says affluent Americans are underinsured and unconcerned. (PFP Briefs).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * REPORT SAYS AFFLUENT AMERICANS ARE UNDERINSURED AND UNCONCERNED: Most affluent Americans think that they have sufficient life insurance coverage when they don't have enough coverage to permanently replace their salaries--and many of them...

Specialty software apps: get the right tool for the job. (Software Review).(Planners may sometimes prefer a specialty software application, vs a comprehensive financial planning program)
June 2, 2003... Planners are finding that there can be times when using a specialty software application is preferable to utilizing a comprehensive financial planning program. There are times when detailed calculations are required, and other times when a...

Should your clients split up? (Their tax returns, that is). (Financial Planning Tax Tactics).
June 2, 2003... Whether a married couple should file a joint income tax return or separate returns will usually depend upon which filing status will result in the lowest tax. Both federal and state income taxes should be taken into account in making this...

Key verticals for it spending are banking, government, manufacturing. (Tech Briefs).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * KEY VERTICALS FOR IT SPENDING ARE BANKING, GOVERNMENT, MANUFACTURING: Information technology spending by businesses in the United States will increase at a compounded annual rate of 4.9 percent through 2007 and will vary widely among sectors,...

Former Exact chairman leaves retirement to join reseller. (Tech Briefs).(Former Exact Software North America chairman left retirement to become chairman of Inspired Solutions)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * FORMER EXACT CHAIRMAN LEAVES RETIREMENT TO JOIN RESELLER: Bruce Hollinger, the former chairman of manufacturing industry business management software developer Exact Software North America, has left retirement to become the chairman of...

Fenimore departing CPASoftware. (Tech Briefs).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * FENIMORE DEPARTING CPASOFTWARE: Eight months after his company was sold to Best Software, Mark Fenimore is leaving accounting firm management software developer CPASoftware. In early May, Best appointed Ray Jimison, the former general...

NEC to become worldwide XBRL provider. (Ecomm Patrol).(NEC Corp. launches effort to implement XBRL technology for customers worldwide by developing XBRL-based international trading system for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NEC TO BECOME WORLDWIDE XBRL PROVIDER: Technology giant NEC Corp. has launched an effort to implement XBRL technology for customers worldwide by developing an XBRL-based international trading system for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. in its home...

NetLedger targets more CPAs, Big Four included. (Technology: news and trends in information systems and electronic commerce).
June 2, 2003... SAN MATEO, CALIF.--Since its channel program began nearly two years ago, Web-based business software company NetLedger has considered CPAs to recommend its product, but few have signed on. The company is now planning to change all that. ...

Softline management plans to buy company themselves. (Technology: news and trends in information systems and electronic commerce).
June 2, 2003... JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA -- The chief executive of Softline Ltd., the South African parent of North American accounting software companies AccountMate and BusinessVision, is calling plans by company management to de-list the company from the...

Entry-level accounting: low price, big features. (Software Review).
June 2, 2003... Entry-level accounting software is for users who need a good basic system, but aren't ready for the multi-module and higher-priced midrange applications that supply more power and features than many want to pay for. The products in this...

Microsoft makes strong case for tech upgrades. (Boomer's Blueprint).
June 2, 2003... With tax season over, it's time for many firms to start thinking about technology upgrades. This is important because new upgrade opportunities can impact future integration, security, remote access and document management, and can also...

PerformBI for corporate governance. (Software).
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 41 This new product provides chief executives and chief financial officers with the ability to detect fraud and provide compliance analytics. It also offers business process automation for corporate governance and...

Leadership. (Books).(Book Review)
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 46 Smart executives realize that, even in the best of times, leadership communication is a strategic necessity. In "The Leader as Communicator," authors Robert Mai and Alan Akerson--each a former executive from public...

Access Contract Distribution. (Software).
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 42 Built on Microsoft's Navision business management software, Access Contract Distribution was designed for suppliers of commercial equipment and building materials. Navision includes financial management, supply...

'Beyond Budgeting'. (Books).(Book Review)
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 47 The annual budgeting process is time-consuming, adds little value, and often prevents managers from responding to changes in a timely manner. This regular procedure in a company's life has, in extreme cases, led to...

Cartesis financial analytic software. (Software).
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 43 Cartesis Magnitude 8.2 financial analytic software is designed to act as a financial and business performance management platform for corporations of all sizes. This Web-based financial analytic platform covers all...

'Make Their day!' (Books).(Book Review)
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 48 Management consultant Cindy Ventrice offers "Make Their Day!"--a book that discusses why new business opportunities are seen as recognition. She also discusses how this recognition, or the lack of it, is inherent in...

SAS 99 guide. (Software).
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 44 PPC's Guide to Fraud Risk Assessment is a complete package of tools for accounting professionals that include technical guidance, staff training and client education related to SAS 99. This new standard was designed...

'E-mail Rules'. (Books).(Book Review)
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 49 There have been numerous, highly publicized cases of e-mail abuse, but even more don't necessarily make the headlines. More than 81 percent of organizations have established or written policies designed to control...

Teleconferencing system. (Software).
June 2, 2003... Reader Service No. 45 Nexus Platinum is a business conference phone designed and manufactured to serve as a broadcast control room communications systems for every major network. Telex has installed cockpit communications systems in...

Lohman Co. PLLC. (Arizona).(announces promotions and new hires)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Lohman Co. PLLC, Mesa, has promoted Wendy A. Carrasco to manager. The firm also hired Julie L. Wagner and Seth P. Marty Jr. as managers. Wagner brings over 11 years of experience in tax planning, consulting and compliance to the firm; Marty...

Pisenti & Brinker LLP. (California).(audit manager Jeffrey A. Mallan has received the Certified Fraud Examiner credential from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Jeffrey A. Mallan, audit manager at Pisenti & Brinker LLP, Santa Rosa, has received the Certified Fraud Examiner credential from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Marty, Lyle and Doty LLC. (Colorado).(named William F. Jones Jr. a partner)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... William F. Jones Jr. has become a partner in Marty, Lyle and Doty LLC, Longmont. Jones joined the firm in 2000, and has been involved in the accounting profession since 1988.

Kerkering, Barberio & Co. PA. (Florida).(promoted Damon Wren, Cindy Handrick and Susan Wood)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Kerkering, Barberio & Co. PA, Sarasota, has promoted Damon Wren from staff accountant to in-charge accountant, Cindy Handrick from in-charge to senior accountant, and Susan Wood from senior to supervisor Accountant.

Coming events.(accounting and auditing events)(Calendar)
June 2, 2003... -JUNE- 2: Principles of Fraud Examination, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Omni Austin Downtown Hotel, Austin, Texas. Contact: (800) 245-3321 or www.cfenet.com. 3: Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference, Foundation...

Rachlin Cohen & Holtz LLP. (Florida).(director Barry Mukamal has been appointed to serve as a private panel trustee in the Southern District of Florida under the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee Program)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Barry Mukamal, a director with Rachlin Cohen & Holtz LLP, Miami, has been appointed to serve as a private panel trustee in the Southern District of Florida under the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee Program, a component of the Department of Justice that...

Diel & Forguson LLC. (Illinois).(managing member Ken Diel received award for outstanding community service)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Ken Diel, managing member of Diel & Forguson LLC, received an award for outstanding community service at the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce's and O'Fallon Progress newspaper's 27th annual awards banquet.

Katz, Sapper & Miller LLP. (Indiana).(hired Tim Cook as director of state and local tax services)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Tim Cook has joined Katz, Sapper & Miller LLP, Indianapolis, as director of state and local tax services.

Donna Beck Smith, a member with Brown Smith Wallace LLC, St. Louis, has received the Certified Forensic Accountant designation from the American College of Forensic Examiners. (Missouri).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Donna Beck Smith, a member with Brown Smith Wallace LLC, St. Louis, has received the Certified Forensic Accountant designation from the American College of Forensic Examiners, while Paul Joyce, a senior valuation analyst at the firm, has earned...

Bederson & Co. LLP. (New Jersey).(hired Jamie L. Hays)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Jamie L. Hays has joined Bederson & Co. LLP, West Orange, as a senior member of the firm's accounting and auditing team. Also, Edward P. Bond, the firm's chairman, has been appointed president of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce. He had...

Smolin, Lupin & Co. PA. (New Jersey).(partner Nancy Kridel joined the advisory council of Independence Community Bank )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Nancy Kridel, a partner with Smolin, Lupin & Co. PA, Fairfield, has joined the advisory council of Independence Community Bank for a one-year term. She joined Smolin, Lupin in 2000 as a principal.

Jefferson Wells International. (New York).(appointed Ed Harrington a managing director)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Ed Harrington has been appointed managing director of the New York and Long Island offices of Jefferson Wells International. Previously, he was a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Arbitron Inc. (New York).(promoted Jim Dwyer to vice president of accounting services and treasury)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Jim Dwyer has been promoted to vice president of accounting services and treasury at Arbitron Inc., New York. He joined the company in 1996, most recently serving as controller. In addition, Sam Millstone has been appointed vice president of...

Fiscal Management Associates LLC. (New York).(managing director, founder Hilda Polanco was presented with Hispanic Magazine's Latina Excellence Award in Community Service )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Hilda Polanco, managing director and founder of Fiscal Management Associates LLC, New York, was presented with Hispanic Magazine's Latina Excellence Award in Community Service at the 12th Annual Latina Excellence Awards. The award recognizes...

Satty, Levine & Ciacco CPAs PC. (New York).(partner Kenneth Richards honored as Associate Member of the Year by the Long Island Builders Institute)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Kenneth Richards, a partner at Satty, Levine & Ciacco CPAs PC, Jericho, was honored as Associate Member of the Year by the Long Island Builders Institute. Richards participates in the LIBI's Associate Council and has served as secretary, vice...

Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell LLP. (New York).(partner Deborah Bailey-Browne has been honored by the Diabetes Research Foundation of the Hudson Valley)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Deborah Bailey-Browne, a partner with Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell LLP, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, has been honored by the Diabetes Research Foundation of the Hudson Valley.

SS&G Financial Services. (Ohio).(Tami M. Whatley has passed the AICPA's Accredited in Business Valuation exam)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Tami M. Whatley, a professional with SS&G Financial Services, Northeastern Ohio, has passed the AICPA's Accredited in Business Valuation exam.

Cohen & Co. (Ohio).(partner Thomas D. Bechtel named Ohio's Financial Services Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Thomas D. Bechtel, a partner with Cohen & Co., Cleveland, was named Ohio's Financial Services Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration in recognition of his efforts to assist small businesses to obtain financing.

Craig C. Moffatt, a partner at Diefenbach Delio Kearney & De-Dionisio, has been elected president of the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs for 2003-2004. (Pennsylvania).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Craig C. Moffatt, a partner at Diefenbach Delio Kearney & De-Dionisio, has been elected president of the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs for 2003-2004. Other new officers include president-elect William G. Finnecy, a partner...

Gail A. Davis, a manager at CrawfordEllenbogen LLC, Pittsburgh, has joined the Board of Directors of the Hunger Services Network. (Pennysylvania).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Gail A. Davis, a manager at CrawfordEllenbogen LLC, Pittsburgh, has joined the Board of Directors of the Hunger Services Network, which works to alleviate hunger and promote serf-sufficiency among low-income residents of Allegheny County.

Internet directory: the tax and accounting community's Internet directory.
June 2, 2003... Don Uhl and Associates Inc. Acquire $5,000 to $50,000 + yearly fee Clients! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] www.afdcenter.com 12 Years of our successful system and programs have helped accountants build $500K to $4Mil firms and the most...

Editor's note.
June 2, 2003... In March of 1987, an article appeared in The New York Times entitled "Raw Meat for the Accountant," by Brent Staples. I was always tickled by the sentence, "Canceled checks will be to future historians and cultural anthropologists what the Dead...

The future exists today.
June 2, 2003... Imagine the accounting firm of the future. Envision a place where barriers of time and distance for serving clients and managing firm personnel are all but eliminated. Advancements in technology result in unprecedented gains in productivity,...

Getting back to basics.
June 2, 2003... Growing your practice has always been both a challenge and an opportunity. In today's dynamic landscape, this statement rings louder than ever. You face increased government regulation, more demanding partners and employees, and even...

Changing the competitive landscape.
June 2, 2003... The key to a successful firm in the future? Leveraging web technologies and partnerships to offer expanded, integrated services 24/7. There have been many changes in technology that have changed the competitive landscape, allowing CPAs to...

Technology in accounting.
June 2, 2003... Many observers perceive the accounting industry as conservative and slower in adapting to a changing environment than others. Now, accounting firms are experiencing frequent, sweeping rule and law changes requiring them to quickly deploy...

Keep pace with knowledge.
June 2, 2003... Raise your hand if you own a cell phone. If you close your eyes, can you picture your very first cell phone? In what year did you buy it? OK, now the tough question, when was the very first cell phone call placed? Answer: on April 3 1973,...

An industry poised for change.(accounting)
June 2, 2003... Technology has limited the number of clients needing services provided by accounting professionals. Thanks to the ability for clients to use e-filing for their tax return or purchase tax and business services software at a nominal cost, the...

Back to the future.
June 2, 2003... In the popular film, "Back to the Future," Michael J. Fox travels back in time and learns that the more things change, the more they remain the same. This same adage can be applied to our industry. The successful accounting firm of the future...