CPA Letter articles from January 2004

CPA Letter archives from January 2004

Profession's new grassroots image enhancement campaign focuses on individual CPAs.
January 1, 2004... State Societies Participate in Pilot Programs Promoting CPAs Capitalizing on the profession's measurable image improvement in the past year, the AICPA in cooperation with the state CPA societies has launched two new programs designed to...

New Audit Committee Effectiveness Center promotes successful corporate governance.
January 1, 2004... Last month the AICPA launched the Audit Committee Effectiveness Center, whose primary mission is to improve audit committee performance to the benefit of an organization's many stakeholders. The array of current and future resources available...

How to request copyright permission from AICPA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Members and others who wish to reproduce content from any AICPA publication (or Web site) must first obtain copyright permission from the Institute. The procedure for requesting permission is to first display our Web site homepage on the...

Public meeting notices.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... Accounting Standards Executive Committee: Jan. 27-28, New York Peer Review Board: Jan. 12-13, Santa Barbara, Calif. Professional Ethics Executive Committee: Jan. 22-23, Las Vegas Tax Executive Committee: Jan. 28-29, Kissimmee,...

2004 Top 10 Technologies announced--7 are new to list.(technology)
January 1, 2004... The AICPA has announced its roster of the Top 10 Technologies for 2004 that are expected to wield a powerful influence over business in the coming year. And the 2004 list breaks two records in the 14-year history of the Top 10 Technologies...

AICPA submits recommendations to PCAOB on confirmation process.(accounting & auditing news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Auditing Standards Board made recommendations to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in an effort to improve the confirmation process through revision to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 67. The ASB's recommended revision grew...

Two proposed SSARS, Performance of Review Engagements and Standards for Accounting and Review Services, exposed for comment.(accounting & auditing news)
January 1, 2004... The AICPA's Accounting and Review Services Committee has issued two exposure drafts for comment. One of them, the proposed Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Performance of Review Engagements would revise SSARS No. 1 to...

SOP issued on Accounting for Certain Loans, Debt Securities.(accounting & auditing news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Statement of Position 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer (No. 014938CPA01), has been issued by the Accounting Standards Executive Committee. The SOP is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years...

Practice Alert issued on Acceptance and Continuance of Clients and Engagements.(accounting & auditing news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Professional Issues Task Force has issued Practice Alert 2003-03, Acceptance and Continuance of Clients and Engagements, to provide practitioners and their firms with guidance regarding the establishment of policies and procedures for...

AICPA launches Member Retirement Trust.(member news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The new Member Retirement Trust*, administered by Nationwide Financial, is designed for firms with smaller plans and/or those needing additional information to help them with their fiduciary responsibility. The trust provides a very affordable...

Members offered airline, car rental, Amtrak discounts.(member news)
January 1, 2004... The AICPA has a special agreement with Carlson Wagonlit Travel--The Leaders Group, to assist you with travel arrangements (call 800/345-5540) when attending eligible AICPA conferences. If you prefer to make your own travel plans, mention the...

"Center for Public Company Audit Firms"--the New SECPS.(disciplinary actions)(Securities and Exchange Commission Practice Section)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... As a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and establishment of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the AICPA's SEC Practice Section's historical self-regulatory obligations were dissolved. The PCAOB has assumed responsibility for...

GAO report says mandatory auditor rotation for SEC companies may not be efficient; loss of knowledge and additional costs outweigh benefits.(regulatory matters)(General Accounting Office, Securities and Exchange Commission)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... As directed by Congress in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the U.S. General Accounting Office was required to study the potential effects of mandatory audit firm rotation for companies reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In its...

AICPA's Annual Accounting and Auditing Update Workshop (Fall 2003 Edition).(CPE news)
January 1, 2004... AICPA's Annual Accounting and Auditing Update Workshop (Fall 2003 Edition) (Text--No. 737186CPA01; VHS Tape/Manual--No. 187086CPA01; DVD/Manual--No. 187186CPA01; Additional Manual--No. 357086CPA01). Whether you are in industry or public...

Cash flow statement: preparation, presentation, and use.(CPE news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cash Flow Statement: Preparation, Presentation, and Use (Text--No. 731840CPA01). Keep your knowledge of cash flow flowing with this course. Review cash flow statement preparation and presentation options, determine internal and external uses of...

Qualified Retirement Plans--401(k), Keogh, SEP, Simple ... Does your plan still meet your needs?(CPE news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Qualified Retirement Plans--401(k), Keogh, SEP, Simple... Does Your Plan Still Meet Your Needs? (Text--No. 731870CPA01). Be the impartial expert advising small business clients in selecting the retirement plan right for them by applying a...

Score an A+ on your next peer review.(CPE news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Score an A+ on Your Next Peer Review (Text--No. 731690CPA01). This course prepares you for a peer review and what can be done on a daily basis to create a strong quality-control environment for your firm. Learn the most common, significant...

Workpapers, forms and checklists: avoid the documentation trap.(CPE news)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Workpapers, Forms and Checklists: Avoid the Documentation Trap (Text--No. 731860CPA01). The guidance you will acquire from this course will help you develop efficient workpaper techniques and determine the documentation requirements standards....

Pilot test of computer-based CPA exam takes place.(Certified public accountants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... More than 80 individuals got a first-hand look at the new computerized Uniform CPA Examination by participating in a pilot study that began in Nov. and continued through Dec. 5, 2003. The pilot, which took place in New York City, was one of the...

FBI looks to CPAs to play key role in battling white-collar crime.(news update)(Federal Bureau of Investigation, Certified public accountants)
January 1, 2004... The CPA profession's strong reputation for upholding the highest standards of business ethics and conduct has convinced the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the AICPA could be an invaluable ally in the nation's war on white-collar crime and...