Sean McCabe

The California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) recently announced that they have awarded Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, of Modesto, the Society's 2016 Public Service Award for Firms. CalCPA presents the award each year to recognize a California firm for its philanthropic contributions to the local, state or national level.

Deloitte recently announced that their firm was recognized as part of the Civic 50, a Points of Light initiative that "honors the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation each year as determined by an annual survey," per the organization's website.

A number of tax and accounting firms were named to Fortune's 2nd annual "100 Best Workplaces for Millennials." The ranking was based on more than 88,000 millennials working for over 600 companies that have been certified as a "Great Place to Work."

The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) and the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois recently announced the recipients of their yearly academic scholarships for accounting students across the state. Students earning scholarships are set to complete their accounting studies and pursue the CPA licensure.

Small firms face many of the same changes that their larger-sized siblings are undertaking, but they also have a set of unique issues that must be confronted if they wish to stay competitive.

Accounting, tax and advisory services firm WeiserMazars recently completed their second annual "Days of Service" – a volunteer effort that encourages all firm professionals to spend a full day of work serving the local community and non-profits.

The Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto - Canada's third-largest university - announced last week a partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), which will provide an ACCA-accreditation pathway for Schulich MBA and Master of Accounting students, as well as "advanced standing" for ACCA members gaining their MBA at the University.

Marcum, the national accounting and advisory services firm, announced this week their first annual Marcum Women’s Forum, entitled "Safe And Sound: Smart Choices for Savvy Women." The event will primarily focus on personal security and health issues for executive women. Notably, environmental activist Erin Brockovich will deliver the keynote address at the half-day breakfast event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

According to the results of a new Robert Half Management Resources survey, more than eight in 10 (86 percent) of polled CFOs said that strategic-thinking skills are important (either "mandatory" or "nice to have") for accounting and finance professionals. However, nearly half (46 percent) of those polled claimed their organizations do not provide the appropriate development opportunities for said skills.

The Tax Revolution Institute (TRI) announced on Wednesday the winners of their Robert A. Heinlein Tax Revolution Scholarship competition. Kenneth Adams, a high-school senior from Albuquerque, N.M., won first place and will receive a $2,500 scholarship to help pursue his studies in economics and political science at American University in Washington, D.C.

Accounting Degree Review, an online resource in accounting education and other related topics, recently published their ranking of the Top 30 Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting. The ranking weighs factors such as annual tuition rates (from the 2015-2016 academic year) and other fees in determining list placement.

According to a new survey from Robert Half, the overwhelming majority of CFOs are confident that millennials possess the abilities to become future leaders. Eighty-five percent of CFOs polled in Robert Half's survey claimed they are generally confident that millennials -- those born between 1978 and 1999 -- are "prepared to assume leadership positions."

Adelphi University announced this week that their Robert B. Willumstad School of Business will kick off the annual Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) summer program, designed to introduce minority high school juniors in New York State to the accounting profession. Approximately 40 local students will participate in Adelphi's five-day program, which begins Saturday, June 25.

The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) announced on Monday the Society's “Women of Note” for 2016. The Society recognized 38 female CPAs who have impacted the accounting profession. CPAs were nominated by clients, friends and coworkers who took note of their professional and personal contributions.

CohnReznick announced on Friday that through the CohnReznick Foundation and CohnReznick CARES initiative, the firm donated a grand total of $150,000 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation for its 25th Anniversary Charity Golf Invitational, held June 13 at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.

The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) launched their first part of a series on diversity Friday morning, aimed to teach its members on how to best recruit and retain a diverse workforce in accounting, the Society announced. Both accounting professionals and diversity experts were on hand to explain how diversity plays a crucial role during a panel discussion at PwC’s Seaport office.

The AICPA announced on Thursday the names of the approximately 90 students who completed the 2016 Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW) - a three-day program designed to bolster students' professional skills and better prepare them for the CPA Exam.

Kansas City accounting and consulting firm MarksNelson announced that their firm will once again see its professionals participate in their annual “Volunteer Day” this Thursday, June 16, working with eight Kansas City nonprofit organizations. More than 130 staff members will "paint, clean, sort food and do yardwork," per a firm statement.

AffordableSchools.net, a college rankings site focused on affordable academic programs, recently announced their ranking of the 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting. The top three schools on AffordableSchools.net's ranking include: Western International University, National American University-Ellsworth AFB Extension, and Cleary University.

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) announced on Tuesday the winners of its Outstanding Member of the Year and Top 5 Under 35 awards at a new ceremony prior to the Society's annual business meeting, held May 25 in Williamsburg.