Financial planning

Shareholder votes on executive compensation at U.S. firms have resulted in an average single-year pay drop for CEOs of about $7.3 million or about 38 percent in companies where pay was excessive, according to a new study to be presented by the American Accounting Association.

IMGCAP(1)]Capital market regulations often have unintended consequences.

One out of every five senior citizens has been the victim of a financial scam, according to a recent survey by Infogroup/ORC, and the Illinois CPA Society has published a set of tips to help them avoid scams and protect their money:

IRS PROBES 401(K) COMPLIANCE

Some of the more established financial planning firms have successfully transitioned existing tax and audit clients to their investment units, while others are deploying aggressive strategies to recruit new candidates for their financial services offerings.

By its nature, financial planning takes the long view - and so do financial planners. A good plan, and a good planner, should not be completely derailed by market swings or uncertainty in the regulatory environment; instead, they adapt, often using strategies and tools prepared in advance.

Senators Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., have introduced a proposal to reform the federal estate tax, which temporarily expired this year but is slated to increase to up to 55 percent next year for estates over $1 million.

Emerging Information Systems Inc. has launched a new financial planning software product, NaviPlan Select.

Dramatically high percentages of Americans —even in the upper income categories—are likely to run short of money after 10 or 20 years of retirement, according to a new study.

Nearly two out of three Americans are more concerned about their finances today than they were at the beginning of the financial crisis two years ago, according to a new survey.

A new report from Aite Group LLC identifies five types of advisors based on their focus on and adoption of financial planning.

The number of initial public offerings in the second quarter of this year was more than triple that of the same period last year, according to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Despite the market’s recent volatility, 79 percent of advised investors say that professional advice is worth more than it costs, according to a new survey.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained an asset freeze against a Jacksonville, Fla.-based retirement benefits consulting firm that defrauded active and retired government employees and law enforcement agents nationwide through a Ponzi scheme that promised them safe investments.

IMGCAP(1)]Affluent families are not feeling so affluent these days. The financial crisis has left its mark and eroded a tremendous amount of confidence, as well as wealth.

The Securities and Exchange Commission voted unanimously to propose rule amendments to help clarify the meaning of a date in a target date fund’s name and enhance the information provided to investors in these funds as they invest for retirement.

Investors tend to pay heed to whistleblower reports of financial fraud despite company denials, a new study suggests.

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has issued a document outlining its preliminary views on how to improve pension accounting and financial reporting by government employers.

AMERICANS WORRIED ABOUT RETIREMENT SAVINGS

The accounting profession, like so many others, has faced financial pressures since the end of 2008.