CPA Letter articles from February 2005

CPA Letter archives from February 2005

"America counts on CPAs"--new tagline for the profession.(news update)(Certified public accountants)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The AICPA has officially rolled out the new approved tagline that accompanies the CPA logo: "America Counts on CPAs." This tagline will be used exclusively with the CPA logo, making "Never Underestimate the Value" obsolete. Members should note...

AICPA updates Social Security study to assist policymakers considering reforms.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Understanding Social Security: The Issues and Alternatives, the comprehensive, nonpartisan analysis that the AICPA released in 1998, is being updated to provide policymakers the same thoughtful discussion of options for reforming Social...

Asian tsunami relief efforts: How members can help.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The AICPA is working on a coordinated response to see how the CPA profession could provide assistance to the victims of the recent tsunami disaster. In the meantime, members are encouraged to contribute to efforts already under way. Visit our...

Study on supply of accounting graduates, demand for recruits for 2002-2003 released.
February 1, 2005... Whether you are involved in planning for university accounting programs or working in human resources for accounting firms, you will be interested in the 2004 edition of The Supply of Accounting Graduates aim the Demand for Public Accounting...

AICPA volunteers needed--applications accepted until May 1.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Currently there are 83 AICPA volunteer groups (committees, boards, panels, and centers) seeking new volunteers. The number and variety of AICPA volunteer groups continues to change from year to year, and those who have not visited the volunteer...

Department of Commerce seeks CPAs.(Certified public accountants)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Department of Commerce International Trade Administration is seeking CPAs with two or more years of public accounting experience to perform cost-of-production investigations of foreign manufacturers. Knowledge of GAAP, GAAS and cost...

Last chance to pay 2004-2005 AICPA dues.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Members who have not yet paid their 2004-2005 AICPA dues should do so now to ensure continuation of important benefits and access to professional information. Pay your bill online by logging onto www.aicpa.org/about/dues.htm. If you are not...

How to request copyright permission from AICPA.
February 1, 2005... Members and others who wish to reproduce content from any AICPA publication (or Web site) must first obtain copyright permission from the Institute. Visit www.aicpa.org/cpyright.htm and then click on the resulting copyright menu link to...

CPA letter supplements available.
February 1, 2005... To obtain the public accounting, business and industry, government or education member-segment supplements produced this month with The CPA Letter, visit: www.aicpa.org/pubs/cpaltr/feb2005/supps/index.htm

FASB publishes revised Statement No. 123, Statement No. 153.(accounting & auditing news)
February 1, 2005... The Financial Accounting Standards Board recently published FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. According to the FASB, Statement 123(R) will provide investors and other users of financial statements with more complete...

Statement of Position 04-1, Auditing the Statement of Social Insurance, issued.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Auditing Standards Board has issued Statement of Position 04-1, Auditing the Statement of Social Insurance (No. 014941CPA02), which contains the recommendations of the AICPA's Social Insurance Task Force regarding audits of statements of...

AICPA Webcast on February 23 to focus on FASB statement on share-based payment.(AICPA)
February 1, 2005... The CFO Roundtable Webcast Series--brought to you each calendar quarter by the AICPA--is designed to cover a broad array of "hot topics" that successful organizations employ and subjects that are important to the CFO's personal success. It is...

Auditing Standards Board issues Audit Documentation exposure draft.(AICPA)
February 1, 2005... The Auditing Standards Board has released for exposure a proposed auditing standard entitled Audit Documentation. Comments are due May 15. The proposed statement on auditing standards would, if approved, replace SAS No. 96, Audit...

GASB issues statement on net assets, staff technical bulletin.(Governmental Accounting Standards Board)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement No. 46, Net Assets Restricted by Enabling Legislation, an amendment of GASB Statement No. 34. Statement 46 is effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The statement...

AICPA to comment on PCAOB proposal on auditor independence and tax services.(regulatory matters)
February 1, 2005... The AICPA's reaction was generally favorable to the rule proposed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board concerning tax services that can be offered to public company audit clients, but the Institute will submit a comment letter on...

AICPA, IRS reach out to CPAs to help prepare returns for low-income filers.(tax info)
February 1, 2005... As part of the AICPA's 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy effort, the Institute is helping CPAs join the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA provides free tax assistance to low- and moderate-income...

Disciplinary actions.(AICPA)
February 1, 2005... As a result of investigations of alleged violations of the Codes of Professional Conduct of the AICPA and/or state CPA societies, the following ethics cases have been resolved by settlement agreement under the Joint Ethics Enforcement Program:...

Chair's corner.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' chairman's views)
February 1, 2005... This edition of The CPA Letter touches on two subjects that are more related than they might first appear. The AICPA has created a new tagline for the profession: "America Counts on CPAs" (see page 1). I like it a lot and I hope that you...

Online resource launched in personal financial planning.(AICPA)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A new AICPA online resource has been launched offering CPA financial planners a comprehensive set of tools and educational materials on a full range of financial planning practice areas, from disaster recovery and investment planning to ethics...

Happenings at Board of Directors' December meeting.(member news)
February 1, 2005... Following are some of the more significant actions and events that took place at the AICPA Board of Directors' meeting Dec. 2-3, 2004: * Chair of the Board Bob Bunting reported on his recent outreach activities and emphasized the importance...

State and local government--2004/2005 strategic briefing.(CPE news)
February 1, 2005... State and Local Government--2004/2005 Strategic Briefing (No. 780029hsCPA02). Updates on recently issued standards impacting both preparers and auditors, and a focus on some of the more common Statement No. 34 implementation issues, are...

Multistate income tax: mastering the complexities.(CPE news)
February 1, 2005... Multistate Income Tax: Mastering the Complexities (No. 732460CPA02). Develop basic approaches to state income tax planning and gain crucial insight into industry-specific state laws. Recommended CPE credit (based on a 100-min. hour): 5. QAS...

Valuation of privately-held-company equity securities issued as compensation.(CPE news)
February 1, 2005... Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued As Compensation (No. 780026hsCPA02). Best practices for a key area of stock compensation are covered in this CD-ROM self-study course featuring an interactive presentation and based...

Government auditing standards and circular A-133 audits.(CPE news)
February 1, 2005... Government Auditing Standards and Circular A-133 Audits (No. 780031hsCPA02). This strategic review of the impact of 2003 Yellow Book revisions also covers common audit quality issues and is based on an AICPA Webcast. Recommended CPE credit...

Why you may not be getting all your e-mails from us.(AICPA)
February 1, 2005... A few members have informed the AICPA that they have not been getting e-mails from us when others they know have gotten the messages. One reason may be the filters or tools used by Internet Service Providers, such as AOL, Yahoo and MSN, to name...