CPA Letter articles from January 2002

CPA Letter archives from January 2002

Members vote down bylaw amendment: leadership promises to use findings to reinforce profession's value and reputation. (just in ...).(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Members of the AICPA have voted down a proposed bylaw change that would have enabled the "granting of an interdisciplinary global credential by an affiliated entity to qualified persons who seek to obtain it," with 62.7% voting against and...

Members offered airline, car rental discounts. (news briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The AICPA has a special agreement with Carlson Wagonlit Travel--The Leaders Group, to assist you with travel arrangements (call 800/345-5540). If you prefer to make your own travel plans, mention the participating airline's reference number to...

New CPE standards focusing on proficiencies, skills take effect. (news briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A three-year long initiative to transform the assessment and measurement of continuing professional education has come to fruition with the release the AICPA's and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy's Joint AICPA/NASBA...

Employers could provide employees investment advice under house bill. (news briefs).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Employers would be able to offer professional investment advice (including advice on how to invest for retirement) to their employees under a bill passed recently by the House of Representatives that is supported by the accounting profession....

CPA letter supplements available. (news briefs).
January 1, 2002... To obtain any of the member-segment supplements produced this month with The CPA Letter: Dial 201/938-3787 from a fax machine and key in document nos.: large firms, 1550; medium firms, 1551; small firms, 1552; business & industry, 1553;...

Chair's corner.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2002... I'd like to extend to everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope you all enjoyed a safe and pleasant holiday. Let's together wish for an improved 2002. As this newsletter was going to press, the results came in on the member referendum to...

Student scholarships to be awarded by AICPA, Accountemps.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Robert Half International and Accountemps)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The AICPA and Accountemps have announced the 2002-2003 Accountemps/AICPA Student Scholarship. Accountemps is awarding two one-year scholarships worth $2,500 each. Candidates must be AICPA student affiliate members as well as meet additional...

A tax refund ... but the client cried.(volunteering for Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The short, neatly dressed woman was in this country for only a few months. She and several of her children had been granted asylum. English was not her native language but she could already carry on a conversation. She was bright and ready...

Committee, task force, expert panel volunteer application process begins. (member news).(new website)(http://volunteers.aicpa.org/apply)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A new simplified and informative Web site (http://volunteers.aicpa.org/apply) has been created and is now available for the 2002-2003 application process for committee, task force and expert panel service. The new site replaces the previous...

FASB issues statement 133 implementation guidance for employee benefit plan contracts. (accounting & auditing news).(Financial Accounting Standards Board)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... According to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, questions have been raised regarding proper accounting for such contracts as insurance contracts, guaranteed investment contracts and synthetic GICs since issuance of its Statement No. 133...

IRS grants AICPA request for extension of remedial amendment period. (regulatory matters).(Internal Revenue Service, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... In response to an AICPA request for an extension of the remedial amendment period for qualified retirement plans, the Internal Revenue Service has issued Rev. Proc. 2001-55. This revenue procedure grants a general extension of the GUST remedial...

GAO to propose revisions to government auditing standards. (regulatory matters).(General Accounting Office)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... At its Nov. 19, 2001, meeting, the General Accounting Office Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards voted to issue an exposure draft that would revise Government Auditing Standards (also known as the "Yellow Book"). The proposal...

CPA2Biz launches products on tax, financial planning and digital security. (technology).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... CPA2Biz continues to expand its offerings for AICPA members with the latest release of a broad range of products, focusing on areas critical to this time of year, including tax, financial planning and digital security. In addition, CPA2Biz...

Career center launched online. (technology).(www.cpa2biz.com/career)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... For those looking to hire a qualified accounting or financial professional or trying to move ahead in your career, visit CPA2Biz's Career Center (www.cpa2biz.com/career). At the Career Center you can quickly and easily post ads, search for...

Microsoft bCentral services make scheduling, collaboration easier. (technology).(Appointment Manager; SharePoint Team Services)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Appointment Manager is a Web service from Microsoft's bCentral that enables you to put your appointment book online for clients to view your schedule and make their own appointments--any time, day or night. Encourage clients to visit your...

disciplinary actions.(of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... As a result of decisions by hearing panels of the Joint Trial Board, the following members have had their AICPA memberships: --Terminated: * Randy Kimball of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., effective Sept. 30, 2001. * Richard P....

Internet tax moratorium extended. (tax info).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... President Bush signed a bill Nov. 21, 2001, extending until Nov. 1, 2003, the Internet Tax Freedom Act's moratorium on Internet-access taxes and multiple taxes on Internet transactions. The bill restores the moratorium established under Public...

AICPA beats drum of tax simplification. (tax info).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The AICPA Tax Division recently sponsored, along with the American Bar Association Section of Taxation and the Tax Executives Institute, an Invitational Conference on Tax Law Simplification. The conference was held in response to the Joint...

Board of Examiners approves structure, length of new CPA examination.(Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Board of Examiners has approved a recommendation of the Content Committee for a revised four-section Uniform CPA Examination with a length of 14 hours. The four sections will be Auditing & Attestation, Financial Accounting & Reporting,...

Beta pre-tests under way will help shape process for large scale pre-testing.(of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... To establish systems and procedures that can easily be used for large-scale pre-testing of new items for the computer-based CPA Examination, limited "beta" pre-testing is being conducted. "Beta pre-testing" refers to the first stage in the...

Women's financial health week proclaimed by PFS committee.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... On Jan. 14 the AICPA's Personal Financial Specialist Credential and Exam Committee is launching a "Women's Financial Health Week" public education campaign. The week-long initiative is designed to provide women with the knowledge and tools...