CPA Letter articles from November 2003

CPA Letter archives from November 2003

More than 400,000 students respond to CPA recruitment campaign.(newsupdate)(Certified Public Accountants)
November 1, 2003... Launched in Nov. 2001, the "Start here. Go places." CPA student recruitment campaign has achieved impressive results in building awareness and understanding about the profession among high school and college students and changing perceptions of...

AICPA annual report for 2002-2003 posted to Web site.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The AICPA's annual report for the fiscal year Aug. 1, 2002, through July 31, 2003, has been posted to our Web site in PDF format (www.aicpa.org/about/annrpt/2002-2003/index.html). With a focus on the AICPA's reform initiatives working to...

Department of Labor, IRS, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation extend annual reports deadline after Hurricane Isabel.(Internal Revenue Service)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced an extension of the deadline for filing Form 5500 and Form 5500-EZ annual...

Business and promotional merchandise in accessories collection proudly sport "CPA" logo.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Tens of thousands of members visibly display the "CPA" logo on their business cards, letterhead, promotional literature, signage, and even on lapel pins. In addition, many members use business gifts and giveaway merchandise which also...

Send us your e-mail address: receive "AICPA News Update," live link for CPA Letter.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Members for whom the AICPA has e-mail addresses automatically will receive the weekly "AICPA News Update" on important professional news and developments as well as be sent the live link for each issue of The CPA Letter immediately after it's...

CPA Letter supplements available.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 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/nov2003/index.htm

Public meeting notices.(for professional accountants and auditors)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... Accounting & Review Services Committee: Nov. 3-4, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Accounting Standards Executive Committee: Dec. 16, Miami, Fla. Auditing Standards Board: Dec. 15-18, location TBD Professional Ethics Executive Committee: NOV....

Gallup poll shows profession's image recovering strongly.(certified public accountants gain positive rating)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... A poll taken by the Gallup Organization in Aug. revealed that the accounting profession's image has improved significantly since the prior Aug. In fact, our profession had the greatest percentage point increase--14%--among the American...

Live Webcasts on computer-based uniform CPA Examination.(Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Individuals interested in the new computer-based CPA Exam should tune in to the series of free live Webcasts. The first took place last month, one is scheduled for Nov. 12, and the other two for this winter. Go to www.cpa-exam.org for program...

Elijah Watt sells winners from May exam announced.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Winners of the Elijah Watt Sells Awards, presented by the AICPA to the candidates who attain the highest combined grades in all sections of the CPA exam, have been announced. Amy Lynn Adelmann of Chicago won the Gold Medal for the highest score...

Call for nominations for AICPA educator award.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... State CPA societies and individuals are invited to nominate an accounting educator for the 2004 AICPA Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education. This award is designed to recognize full-time college accounting educators distinguished...

Members offered airline, car rental, Amtrak discounts.(member news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 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...

Interpretations of AR Section 100, "Compilation and Review of Financial Statements," issued.(accounting & auditing news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Accounting and Review Services Committee has issued the following interpretations of AR Section 100, "Compilation and Review of Financial Statements": * Reports on Specified Elements, Accounts. or Items of a Financial...

AICPA issues SOP on greenhouse gas emissions.(accounting & auditing news)(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
November 1, 2003... The AICPA's Auditing Standards Board has issued Statement of Position 03-2, Attest Engagements on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Information (No. 014937CPA 11; price: $14 member/$17.50 non-member). It provides performance and reporting guidance to...

FASB issues exposure draft on pension disclosures.(accounting & auditing news)(Financial Accounting Standards Board )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... In Sept., the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an exposure draft Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, which would improve financial statement disclosures for defined benefit plans. The project was...

ASB issues attest interpretation for engagements XBRL instance documents.(accounting & auditing news)(Auditing Standards Board)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Audit Issues Task Force of the AICPA's Auditing Standards Board has issued a new interpretation of Chapter 1, "Attest Engagements," of Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 10, Attestation Standards: Revision and...

Chair's corner.
November 1, 2003... As I embark on this new role, I am heartened by contacts with members contributing to the renewal of confidence in our great profession. Individual CPAs in their own communities living out our core values each day contribute immeasurably to the...

AICPA applauds introduction of "small business tax flexibility act of 2003".(tax info)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The AICPA applauds the introduction of H.R. 3225 by Rep. Clay Shaw (R-Fla.), with cosponsors Congressmen Jerry Kleczka (D-Wis.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). The bill, introduced on Oct. 1, 2003, is designed to offer most start-up small...

Tax Executive Committee approves SSTS interpretation on tax planning.(tax info)(Statement on Standards for Tax Services)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... On Aug. 21, the Tax Executive Committee voted to adopt Interpretation No. 1-2, "Tax Planning," of Statement on Standards for Tax Services No. 1, Tax Return Positions, as enforceable as part of the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct Rule 201,...

As a result of investigations of alleged violations of the Codes of Professional Conduct of the AICPA and/or state CPA societies.(disciplinary actions)(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 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:...

Firms terminated from peer review program.(disciplinary actions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Effective May 7, 2003, the following firms were terminated from the AICPA peer review program. Hearing panels deemed that the following firm(s): * Did not acknowledge its agreement to take corrective or monitoring actions on its most...

Now on DVD--2003 Corporate Tax Returns Videocourse.(CPE news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Now on DVD--2003 Corporate Tax Returns Videocourse (VHS--No. 112605CPA11; DVD--No. 112604CPA11). Presenter Sidney Kess leads a team of tax authorities in reviewing major tax developments affecting 1120 and 1120S return preparation for...

Now on DVD--2003 Individual Tax Returns Videocourse.(CPE news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Now on DVD--2003 Individual Tax Returns Videocourse (VHS--No. 113595CPA11; DVD--No. 113594CPA11). Presenter Sid Kess and team review major tax developments affecting 1040 return preparation for 2003--including the Jobs and Growth Tax Act--and...

AICPA's Complete Tax Update for Corporations and Pass-Through Entities, by Biebl and Ranweiler.(CPE news)(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... AICPA's Complete Tax Update for Corporations and Pass-Through Entities, by Biebl and Ranweiler (No. 731570CPA11). Practice-proven tips on recent changes to tax statutes, regulations, cases and rulings. Prerequisite: Familiarity with federal tax...

AICPA's Complete Tax Update for Individuals and Sole Proprietors, by Biebl and Ranweiler.(CPE news)(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... AICPA's Complete Tax Update for Individuals and Sole Proprietors, by Biebl and Ranweiler (No. 731580CPA11). Practical insights and valuable tax-saving strategies on new laws, rules and court decisions. Prerequisite: Familiarity with federal tax...

Seminars.(CPE news)(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Count on the AICPA for the latest changes in taxation and updates on the issues that affect you most. Check out the tax seminars listed below and visit www.aicpa.org/promotions/courses/courseslist.asp for a complete listing of locations for...

Online grading for CPE exams announced.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(continuing professional education)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The days of mailing cumbersome exam sheets and waiting for responses are over. Members can now get real-time results of online CPE exams and promptly receive certificates of completion. Online grading is available for AICPA CPE courses in...

Audit risk alerts--new editions industry Alerts for 2003/2004.(now available)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Audit risk alerts--new editions Industry Alerts for 2003/2004 ($25 member/$31.25 non-member) Auto Dealerships (No. 022444CPA11) Bank, Credit Union, and Other Depository and Lending Institutions (No. 022294CPA11) Common...

The CPA's Guide to Medical, Dental and Other Healthcare Practices.(now available)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The CPA's Guide to Medical, Dental and Other Healthcare Practices is packed with useful background information, ready-to-use documents and practice ideas. This guide and the accompanying CD-ROM toolkit will be an excellent resource for the...

Minority scholarship recipients announced.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Recognizing that minorities are not attracted to or employed by the accounting profession in proportion to their representation in society as a whole, the AICPA created the Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students some 30 years ago. The...

How to request copyright permission from AICPA.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... 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...

Happenings at September Board of Directors' meeting.(American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
November 1, 2003... Here are some of the more significant actions and events that took place at the AICPA Board of Directors' meeting Sept. 18-19: * The board approved presenting to Council a plan to reconstitute the Auditing Standards Board so that it can...