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• Afghans Study Accounting During Wartime

  October 27, 2009

  Studying for a professional accountancy qualification is usually enough of a challenge for most people.

• Accounting Professors Urge IFRS Education

  September 22, 2009

  Three-quarters of the 500 accounting professors polled in a recent survey think International Financial Reporting Standards need to be immediately incorporated into U.S. accounting curricula, and nearly half believe the U.S. should transition to IFRS to remain competitive.

• CCH Offers Learning Academy

  September 14, 2009

  CCH has launched the CCH Learning & Development Academy, a training program for accounting firms of all sizes.

• Treasury Recommends College Savings Plan Fixes

  September 9, 2009

  The Treasury Department has proposed several improvements in Section 529 college savings plans, including the use of age-based index funds and the elimination of home-state biases.

• ACAT Registers Fall 2009 Exam Takers

  September 8, 2009

  The Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation is accepting exam applications from accountants, tax preparers and students interested in earning the Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor and Accredited Tax Preparer credentials.

• Yaeger, Ellis Team on Fast-Track MBA for CPAs

  September 4, 2009

  Yaeger CPA Review and Ellis University are offering CPA candidates a 'fast-track' route to an MBA degree.

• Bill on College Savings Plans to Give Advisors More Flexibility

  September 1, 2009

  September is College Savings Month and a bill in front of Congress would give financial advisors more flexibility to help their clients who invest in college savings plans, known as 529 plans.

• Yaeger CPA Review Teams with 360training.com

  August 28, 2009

  Yaeger CPA Review has announced a partnership with 360training.com to offer CPE online courses after CPA candidates pass their exams.

• NewRiver Provides College-Savings Plan Software

  August 4, 2009

  NewRiver Inc. has introduced FundPoint Desktop for 529 Plans, a desktop software product designed to manage multi-layered 529 college-savings plan information.

• Touro to Offer M.S. in Accounting

  July 29, 2009

  Touro College’s Graduate School of Business intends to offer for the first time a Master of Science degree in accounting this September.

• Top CPA Exam Scorers Win Awards

  July 23, 2009

  The American Institute of CPAs has presented its Elijah Watt Sells Awards to the top performers on the CPA Exam.

• Universal Accounting Sees Revenue Growth

  July 10, 2009

  Accountant training materials provider Universal Accounting reported growth in revenue this year.

• A Million Computerized CPA Exams and Counting

  July 8, 2009

  One million sections of the computerized Uniform CPA Examination have now been administered, according to the organizations in charge of the exam.

• IRS Will Help Streamline Student Aid Applications

  June 25, 2009

  The Obama administration is introducing a shorter and simpler Free Application for Federal Student Aid form that takes advantage of information from the IRS to streamline the application process for college financial aid.

• CCH, ELS Team on CPA Exam Review Program

  June 12, 2009

  CCH has signed a deal to market and distribute CPAexcel, a Web-based CPA Exam review program from Efficient Learning Systems, to CPA candidates.

• Beyond the Magic Number

  May 22, 2009

  Americans today are being forced to review their retirement planning goals with greater scrutiny.

• AICPA Copes with Changing Economy, Demographics

  April 27, 2009

  Barry Melancon, president and chief executive of the American Institute of CPAs, welcomed more than 350 AICPA Council members to the nation’s capital and told the state delegations to get ready to meet with legislators on pressing issues in the profession.

• Thomson Reuters Opens TaxWatch University

  April 23, 2009

  The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters has started TaxWatch University, a tax staff-training program that combines the company’s AuditWatch University multi-level curriculum design with the in-depth taxation knowledge of the experts in the company’s PPC division.

• Is there a doctorate in the house?

  April 19, 2009

  Each year, approximately 140 students graduate with a Ph.D in accounting - not nearly enough to sustain the demand estimated at 500, according to research by David Leslie, chancellor professor of education at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

• Shooting for the stars

  April 19, 2009

  The Internal Revenue Service now has a new interest in sports and entertainment - and not just as a spectator.

• Estate Tax Planning for 2009 and Beyond

  April 7, 2009

  With the repeal of the federal estate tax set for 2010 and its reinstatement scheduled just one year later, estate tax planning has become more complicated than ever.

• A Toolkit for the Financial Planner

  April 5, 2009

  Given the current economic situation, conducting a financial planning practice isn't getting easier. With the financial uncertainty of the past several years, investors have become uncomfortable with the 'business as usual' planning approach.

• Boomers Making Seismic Plan Changes

  April 3, 2009

  More than half of affluent 60-year-olds are revamping their retirement plans, according to Bell Investment Advisors' fourth annual Affluent Boomers at 60 Survey of 500 high net-worth 60-year-olds.

• IRS Provides COBRA Guidance

  April 2, 2009

  The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance to clarify the COBRA benefits offered under the recently passed stimulus bill.

• Beware the Taxman (or Student)

  April 2, 2009

  Tax evaders beware. Pittsburg State University students are coming to get you.

• Tax Strategies for IRA Owners Affected by the Market

  March 31, 2009

  The sharp stock market decline we've experienced has no immediate tax effect on pre-retirement-age taxpayers who invested their traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs in stocks and mutual funds, since losses as well as gains are not recognized within either type of IRA.

• Financial Planning Briefs

  March 31, 2009

• Seniors Lack Economic Security

  March 31, 2009

• Watershed Era for Environmental Investing

  March 31, 2009

• RIA Ability to Monitor Data from Banks, Brokerage Houses

  March 31, 2009

  Financial advisors will get on-demand access to a complete view of their clients' financial portfolio, including assets held at competing brokerage firms.

• Saving More, Cutting Debt

  March 31, 2009

• Aiding 401(k) Filing Requirements

  March 31, 2009

• CAQ to Spend $200,000 on Audit Research

  April 1, 2009

  The Center for Audit Quality plans to award $200,000 in research grant funds to academics working on topics related to auditing and accounting.

• Cost Cutting and Saving

  March 27, 2009

  American families are said to have a newfound commitment to cutting household expenses and saving money, according to the First Command Financial Behaviors Index that was just released.

• ADP Expands Retirement Services

  March 24, 2009

  ADP has launched ADP Access, a retirement program that combines the benefits of ADP's 401(k) plan recordkeeping services and the guidance of a financial advisor.

• Grant Thornton Launches Hedge Fund Services Unit

  March 23, 2009

  Global CPA and business-advisory firm Grant Thornton is gearing to launch a new practice unit -- hedge fund internal control, governance and regulatory compliance services.

• Bentley Receives $400K Grant from E&Y

  March 23, 2009

  Big Four Firm Ernst & Young has given Bentley University a $400,000 grant to revamp the school's accountancy and finance curriculum.

• Questions to Ask

  March 20, 2009

  Today is the first day of spring and it's a welcome sight for those of us in the Northeast. It's been a rather interesting winter, to say the least.

• Accountant Program Gets NCCA Accreditation

  March 18, 2009

  The Accredited Business Accountant credentialing program has earned accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

• Free Webcast: What You Need to Know About Estate Planning

  March 18, 2009

  No matter how much money your client has, it's crucial to have a basic estate plan simply to ensure that the financial goals of the client are met after the client dies.

• Clients, Advisors Urgently Seek Answers

  March 15, 2009

  As the economy worsens and unemployment continues to rise, many people who have stayed invested may be asking themselves if they made a mistake by not selling out and remaining in cash.

• HBK Acquires Stikelether

  March 16, 2009

  CPA firm Hill, Barth & King has acquired Stikelether & Associates of Fort Pierce, Fla., expanding the firm's presence on the state's "Treasure Coast."

• Do What You Love

  March 13, 2009

  Mary Lloyd says that retirement is simply not for old folks, anymore!

• Securities Settlements Down 50 Percent

  March 12, 2009

  The average settlement as a result of securities class-action litigation dropped more than 50 percent in 2008, to $31.2 million, according to a report from Cornerstone Research.

• Cool Blog Alert

  March 12, 2009

  Want to really know what an intern at a Big Four firm is thinking? Now you can, because one accounting elf is writing about it all online.

• Shareholder Meetings Likely to Be Contentious

  March 10, 2009

  Accounting firm BDO Seidman anticipates that shareholder meetings this year will be dominated by concerns about excessive executive compensation, recession plans and credit concerns.

• Early Adoption of IFRS Appears Unlikely

  March 9, 2009

  Many financial executives in the U.S. have begun the initial stages of convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards at their companies, but early adoption in 2009 for qualifying companies will be difficult, if not impossible, due to the significant time requirements, according to a new report.

• Seniors Lack Economic Security

  March 6, 2009

  So, do you get the feeling that American seniors will be living longer but on less money?

• Financial Planning Video Site Launches

  March 5, 2009

  The American College has introduced a video-on-demand Web site that will provide information for financial planners on wealth management and related topics.

• Tax & Financial Planning News

  March 1, 2009

  Crisis center launched; Avalara launches blog; Copanion names CFO; Morningstar ponders credit ratings; CCH names sales tax team; Advent net jumps; ADP net and sales rise; and SpeedTax starts channel program.

• Calculating the ROI of Learning

  March 1, 2009

  Training budgets are tempting targets during tight times, but should firms really cut expenses in this area? According to Gartner Research, every hour of information technology training provides 5.75 hours of increased capacity.

• These Ladies Are Savvy

  February 27, 2009

  Although admittedly many people look upon January 1st as the trigger-point for resolutions, an organization known as Savvy Ladies figures that April 15th is really the better date.

• Bill Would Beef up Broker-Dealer Auditor Oversight

  February 27, 2009

  Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa., has introduced a bill in Congress to close a legal loophole that allowed Bernard Madoff's tiny auditing firm to avoid scrutiny.

• Stetson Rolls Online Accountancy Curriculum

  February 26, 2009

  Stetson University has partnered with Toronto-based online curriculum provider Embanet to develop a one-year Master of Accountancy program.

• Tax Season Essentials: Children's Investment Income

  February 26, 2009

  Children with investment income may have part or all of this income taxed at their parent's tax rate rather than at the child's rate, according to the IRS.

• Don't count out mutual funds!

  February 23, 2009

  Talking with your clients about investment strategies may not be easy given the current economic climate, but preparation and ongoing assessment of an investor's portfolio are the keys to restoring confidence.

• Straight talk on Boomer Retirement

  February 23, 2009

  A growing number of Baby Boomers, America's largest generation, are considering retirement in the midst of what many are calling the worst economic environment since the Great Depression. This year alone, Americans have seen the value of their 401(k) and other retirement plans decline by over $2 trillion.

• Your Retirement Goals Pushed Back?

  February 20, 2009

  Despite tightening their wallets, Americans are now further from achieving their retirement goals amidst the weakening economy.

• Gillan Named Senior Advisor at SEC

  February 19, 2009

  The Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed former Public Company Accounting Oversight Board member Kayla Gillan as senior advisor to new Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Schapiro, effective immediately.

• Outlook Dims for Recovery This Year

  February 19, 2009

  CFOs and senior-level executive CPAs see the domestic economic downturn as lasting longer than previously expected, according to a survey by the American Institute of CPAs and the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School.

• Can We Learn Something Here?

  February 13, 2009

  Canadian consumers are in structurally better financial shape than U.S. consumers.

• CCH Teams with AICPA on College Textbooks

  February 11, 2009

  CCH has signed a deal with the American Institute of CPAs to sell and distribute AICPA publications to the undergraduate and graduate college market.

• SEC Begins XBRL Mandate for First 500 Companies

  February 11, 2009

  The Securities and Exchange Commission has begun requiring 500 of the largest companies to start filing their financial statements in an interactive data format.

• CAQ Releases Internal Control Audit Lessons

  February 10, 2009

  The Center for Audit Quality has published a free online reference source for public company auditors with lessons on performing audits of internal control over financial reporting.

• Retiring: It's Not What's For Dinner

  February 10, 2009

  Retirement doesn't have to be just about bingo and shuffleboard.

• Morningstar Ponders Credit Ratings

  February 9, 2009

  Morningstar has issued a statement that it is considering establishing its own credit-ratings systems in competition with rating agencies such as Moody's and Fitch, although it has no plans in place.

• SEC Chair Wants to Beef up Enforcement

  February 9, 2009

  Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro announced plans to make it easier for SEC staff to bring enforcement actions and indicated that the Financial Accounting Standards Board would further modify fair value accounting standards.

• Planning to Ease the Pain

  February 7, 2009

  The need for financial planning tools that can help is greater than ever. Products reviewed: Cheshire WealthManager, eMoney, GainsKeeper, MasterPlan, NaviPlan, Morningstar Principia, Profiles Professional, PFP Notebook, PFP Relief, ViewPlan

• This Year's 10 Investment Resolutions

  February 6, 2009

  Manny Weintraub is the founder, principal, and portfolio manager of Integre Advisors, based in New York City.

• 70 Is the New 65

  February 6, 2009

  Many Americans are planning to delay retirement, postpone vacations and reconsider buying or selling their homes as the result of the economy, according to a new survey by the American Institute of CPAs.

• CPA Financial Advisors Reassure Worried Clients

  February 6, 2009

  Clients are coming to their CPAs with concerns about their shrinking retirement savings as the recession deepens.

• Wiss Forms Economic Recovery Team

  February 2, 2009

  Accounting firm Wiss & Co. has created an economic advisory group to help business owners and executives deal with the recession.

• NASBA Studying 120-/150-Hour Merits

  February 1, 2009

• Ease Section 529 Plan Investment Restrictions for 2009

  February 1, 2009

• Financial Planning Briefs

  February 1, 2009

  IRA and Section 529 credit card rewards, Schwab combines units, and estate planning strategy models.

• Increased Regulation of Hedge Funds Expected

  February 1, 2009

  Over 98 percent of senior hedge fund managers surveyed expect increased regulation of the hedge fund industry.

• Single Repository for Municipal Bond Info

  February 1, 2009

  The SEC has announced it has made rules change so the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board will become the central repository for ongoing disclosures by municipal issuers.

• Investor Protection for Certain Equity-Indexed Annuities

  February 1, 2009

  The SEC approved a new rule that establishes standards for determining when equity-indexed annuities are not considered annuity contracts under the securities laws and thus subject to the investor protections.

• Online Tool for Mutual Funds Comparison

  February 1, 2009

  FINRA has a new online tool, The Fund Analyzer, to help with the analysis of mutual fund investments.

• Roth Conversion Might Pay

  February 1, 2009

  "While the sharp stock market decline has no immediate tax effect on pre-retirement-age taxpayers who invested their traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs in stocks and mutual funds, there are tax strategies for owners of traditional or Roth IRAs to consider," says Bob Trinz, senior tax analyst from the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters.

• Investment Performance and Liability Claims

  February 1, 2009

  When investments don't perform well, clients get upset. Here are the professional liability insurance claim ramifications and how to guard against claims.

• Don't Be Left Out of AUM Rankings

  January 30, 2009

  Last year, we published for the second time a ranking of CPAs by AUM (Assets Under Management).

• New York Governor Signs CPA Legislation

  January 30, 2009

  New York Governor David Paterson has signed a bill expanding the regulation of CPAs throughout the state.

• Cultivating an Intergenerational Financial Planning Model

  January 27, 2009

  Here's a smart idea for all you financial planners out there. Target the children of your Baby Boomer clients.

• 10 Challenges for a Wealth Management Practice

  January 26, 2009

  Investors of all ages, and especially Baby Boomers, are increasingly turning to their CPAs to help them grapple with the financial planning challenges they will face leading up to and during retirement.

• Virginia Tech accounting student stabbed and killed

  January 26, 2009

  Accounting Tomorrow extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Xin Yang, 22, an accounting student at Virginia Tech who was decapitated on Jan. 21.

• Management Over Myth

  January 23, 2009

  Carl Famiglietti is managing partner of Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico, based in Boston.

• Firm Organizes Task Force for Troubled Economy

  January 23, 2009

  Accounting firm Wipfli has created a task force to help companies cope with the financial crisis.

• Florida Speeds up CPA Licensing

  January 21, 2009

  Florida plans to cut the amount of time it takes to process exam scores for CPAs by more than half, reducing what had been a three-month process to less than a month.

• ExpertPlan Acquires Actuarial Enterprises

  January 20, 2009

  Retirement recordkeeping software developer ExpertPlan has acquired Actuarial Enterprises Inc., a third-party administrator of defined benefit and insurance plans.

• Retirement Decked by Economic Uncertainty

  January 16, 2009

  Eighty-eight percent of financial advisors now say that their clients are "off-target" for a timely retirement,

• Management Accounting Researchers Get Awards

  January 16, 2009

  The American Institute of CPAs, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Society of Management Accountants of Canada have given awards to three individuals for management accounting research.

• Adaptive Planning Adds Audit Trail

  January 15, 2009

  Adaptive Planning introduced the latest version of its on-demand corporate financial planning software, adding new collaboration features, including cell notes and an audit trail.

• Henry Keizer

  January 15, 2009

  KPMG International's global head of audit contends with the turbulent worldwide economy.

• Broker-Dealer Auditors Need to Register with PCAOB

  January 12, 2009

  The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board said the financial statements of non-public broker-dealers now need to be certified by PCAOB-registered auditing firms.

• 10 Tips for Surviving the Recession

  January 9, 2009

  Wade Slome has led an adventurous life.

• IFRS Goes to College

  January 9, 2009

  Colleges and students trying to understand International Financial Reporting Standards now have access to free course materials and case studies through Deloitte's IFRS University Consortium.

• Accounting Students Face Tough Job Market

  January 9, 2009

  College students attending an Ernst & Young tax career event acknowledged they are seeing more interest on campus in accounting as jobs in the financial industry dry up.

• Millionaires' Net Worth Plunges 30 Percent

  January 9, 2009

  U.S. households worth $1 million or more have seen their assets decline 30 percent during the financial crisis, according to a new report.

• Patty Duke and Cousin Pitch Social Security

  January 9, 2009

  Patty Duke and her look-alike cousin from her old TV series are back, this time helping seniors apply for Social Security benefits online.

• Securities Lawsuits Spiked in 2008

  January 7, 2009

  With 210 federal securities class-action lawsuits filed in 2008, the level of litigation last year was at its highest level since 2004, according to a new study.

• Tax Clients Need PFP Advice

  January 5, 2009

  The economic turmoil of the past year presents a unique opportunity for accountants to broaden their practices to include financial planning.

• Higher tab for higher learning

  January 5, 2009

  The stock market crash, plummeting real estate values and the credit crunch have created general-purpose anxiety for most CPA clients. But for those with children someday headed for college, that looming burden weighs particularly heavily.

• Don't Veer Off Course

  January 5, 2009

  Having a long-term financial plan gives your clients' logic a leg up over their emotions during times of market volatility.

• IRS Extends Deadline for 403(b) Plan Sponsors

  January 5, 2009

  The Internal Revenue Service recently gave 403(b) plan sponsors an extra year to comply with new requirements.

• CPA Firm Starts Recession Consulting Team

  January 5, 2009

  Accounting firm Goldstein Lieberman has introduced a consulting team to help business clients cope with the recession.

• Premature Cashing in Not a Good Idea

  January 2, 2009

  It looks as though many Americans are cashing in their 401(k)s prematurely.

• Focus on... Collective Investment Funds

  January 1, 2009

  A collective investment fund (CIF) is an investment vehicle that combines the tax exempt assets of various individuals and organizations to create a well diversified portfolio.

• Financial Planning Briefs

  January 1, 2009

  College for Financial Planning expands scholarship program; fiscal 2008 SEC enforcement results; growing demand for retirement income planning; H.D. Vest offers remote check scanning; Ameriprise completes Seligman acquisition; predicting mutual funds' performance; taking Social Security early; SEC modernizes disclosure requirements for foreign companies offering securities in U.S. markets.

• Higher Reverse Mortgage Limit

  January 1, 2009

  The maximum amount that homeowners age 62 or older can borrow by selling their homes back to the bank via a reverse mortgage has been raised.

• What Clients are Doing

  January 1, 2009

  Clients of CFP professionals are taking steps in line with their long-term financial goals, with some 45 percent moving their assets to lower risk investments while 40 percent are taking advantage of lower stock prices.

• Making The Retirement Decision

  January 1, 2009

  At a conference presented by Berdon LLP, Scott Ditman recommended that the first step for Baby Boomers considering retirement is the creation of an anticipated budget based on fixed and discretionary expenses and matching that against anticipated income.

• Improper Gifts and Entertainment SEC Sanction

  January 1, 2009

  The SEC charged Lazard Capital Markets plus four employees with collectively spending more than $600,000 while improperly entertaining traders at Fidelity Investments in an effort to generate brokerage business.

• System Fee Waived

  January 1, 2009

  The SEC and the North American Securities Administrators Association say they will waive the initial set-up and annual system fees paid by investment advisor firms to help maintain the Investment Advisor Registration Depository system.

• Integration Framework Offered by Thomson Reuters

  January 1, 2009

  Thomson Reuters announced that it will offer its Framework Integration Services as a complimentary service to all Thomson ONE Wealth Management customers.

• Enhanced Financial Planning Content to Aid Advisors

  January 1, 2009

  SunGard says it has enhanced the financial planning content available in its WealthStation wealth management platform to help firms attract, service, and grow client relationships.

• Changes in Mutual Funds Disclosure Coming

  January 1, 2009

  The SEC has voted unanimously to improve mutual fund disclosure by requiring that funds provide investors with a concise summary in plain English of certain key information they need to make informed investment decisions.

• AAA Online Community Launched

  January 1, 2009

  The American Accounting Association has launched AAACommons, an online social network and member community.

• Beyond Bean Counting to Proactivity

  January 1, 2009

  To Selwyn Gerber, managing partner of Los Angeles-based Gerber & Co., the focus of his firm is on helping make a business more profitable, by tightening controls, and improving information flow.

• Market Demand for CPA Financial Planners

  January 1, 2009

  CPA financial planning practices are growing at a faster rate, and also have higher profit margins than non-CPA firms offering the same services.

• Retirement In Crisis

  January 1, 2009

  There is no question that in today's economic climate, lots of people have lots of different questions.

• Looking for the Holy Grail?

  January 1, 2009

  Alternative investments may be the answer

• Public Not Saving

  January 1, 2009

  That's not an understatement according to the 2008 Bank of America Retirement Savings Survey which shows that 51 percent of the general public and 40 percent of those categorized as 'affluent' are saving less, with approximately one in five citing that they're saving 'much less.'

• People Need More Help

  January 1, 2009

  A new national survey by Consumer Reports says that more than half (56 percent) of respondents think that government hasn't done enough for them in these tough economic times.

• Calming Nervous Clients

  January 1, 2009

  The panicky message left on my voice mail excitedly said, 'Please call as soon as possible. It is vitally important.'

• Dealing with Market Volatility

  January 1, 2009

  When markets drop and volatility increases, clients begin to worry that they will not achieve their financial goals.

• Navigating the Economic Storm for Foundations and Charities

  January 1, 2009

  We're taught that God helps those that help themselves, but what about those that help others? During this economic crisis, foundations and charities may need help as much as anyone and instead of motivational rhetoric, they need some concrete suggestions on how to protect and maximize their endowments, continue to raise funds for existing programs as well as capital projects, and manage cash flow needs.

• "Heading Off" a Crisis

  January 1, 2009

  How is it possible to keep your head on straight when we are seeing an enormous drop in wealth in our retirement and personal accounts?

• Reach Out To Your Clients

  January 1, 2009

  As a CPA or tax professional, you are uniquely qualified to help your clients and the investing public during these challenging economic times.

• Remaining the Voice of Reason

  January 1, 2009

  In the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the U.S. investor witnessed some unprecedented events which affected both Wall Street and Main Street.

• Volatility Is the Key

  January 1, 2009

  'There is no retirement crisis,' says David Steinberg, founder and head of Summit Funding. That statement caught me by surprise. 'Instead, there are tens of millions of personal stories each requiring that we craft individual responses.'

• The Four Things You Need to Know

  January 1, 2009

  When it comes to retirement planning, your clients are constantly bombarded with information. Rather than serve to educate them, it has the reverse affect--it frightens them

• Helping Clients Contain their Concerns

  January 1, 2009

  Firefighters use the term 'containment' to describe the degree to which they are able to limit a wildfire from spreading. In today's economic firestorm, as we wonder whether 'retirement is burning,' we can adapt this concept of containment to keep our clients' worries in check.

• Bear Hug Your Clients

  January 1, 2009

  Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Will you invest it wisely? An investment that I believe you should make is an investment of your time 'bear hugging' your best clients.

• Saving for College in this Climate

  January 1, 2009

  It's an understatement to say that the current market conditions can cause concern when long-term investment accounts, including college savings and retirement plans, begin rapidly losing their value.

• Make Investing Easier For Clients

  January 1, 2009

  Your clients are listening to the seemingly non-stop negative news about their investments. They are commiserating with their friends with comments like these: 'The markets are so crazy. I'm worried about my retirement. There has to be a better way to invest.'

• Straight Talk on Boomer Retirement

  January 1, 2009

  A growing number of baby boomers, America's largest generation, are considering retirement in the midst of what many are calling the worst economic environment since the Great Depression.

• Management over Myth

  January 1, 2009

  Accounting firm management often finds itself locked in a tug of war between applying theory and being pragmatic, a struggle that can dampen capabilities and in some cases the overall development of a firm.

• Spotlight On... NetWorth Services

  January 1, 2009

  Back in February of this year, The Wall Street Journal published a story about how the Internal Revenue Service has been facing congressional pressure to narrow the nation's huge tax gap. As a result, lawmakers in both parties appear willing to give the IRS more tools to improve tax compliance and boost revenue. Enter NetBasis, a software system developed by NetWorth Services, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona.

• Toolbox: New Retirement Products

  January 1, 2009

  Today's investors are tomorrow's retirees, and they are understandably anxious.

• The Incredible Shrinking Estate

  January 1, 2009

  Best Use of the Gift Tax Code

• Lawmakers Want Bush to Suspend Minimum 2008 Distributions

  December 29, 2008

  A group of 61 members of Congress has written to President Bush asking him to suspend rules that require senior citizens to withdraw money from their severely depleted retirement accounts by the end of the year.

• Despite Recession, CEOs Still Earning More Cash and Stock

  December 29, 2008

  CEOs at many companies are earning a greater proportion of their compensation in the form of stock, but they're still getting more cash than ever, according to a new study.

• IRS Revises Tuition Program Rules

  December 26, 2008

  The Internal Revenue Service has given Section 529 tuition programs the ability to change their investment strategies more frequently in response to the financial crisis.

• Cheshire Software Adds Estate Planning

  December 26, 2008

  Cheshire Software has added estate planning features to its wealth management product.

• Minimum IRA Distributions Still Required for 2008

  December 24, 2008

  The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department have decided against changing a rule that requires retirees to withdraw a minimum distribution from their retirement savings accounts by the end of 2008.

• FASB Improves Financial Instruments Reporting

  December 24, 2008

  The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued the first of two proposed standards intended to simplify the accounting for financial instruments in response to the financial crisis.

• Financial Crisis Survey

  December 24, 2008

  Please respond to a short survey on how you are helping your clients cope with the financial crisis.

• Financial Crisis Proactivity

  December 23, 2008

  I have also come across a number of firms that have put together financial crisis teams to consult with clients.

• Retirement in Crisis

  December 19, 2008

  There is no question that in today's economic climate, lots of people have lots of different questions.

Related Articles

• Accounting Professors Urge IFRS Education

• CCH Offers Learning Academy

• Treasury Recommends College Savings Plan Fixes

• ACAT Registers Fall 2009 Exam Takers

• Yaeger, Ellis Team on Fast-Track MBA for CPAs

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