For everything, there is a ranking. Accounting and business schools are no exception.

A lot of people saw it coming... and wondered why the powers that be at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae didn't. Between the two finance companies, they hold or guarantee about 50 percent of mortgage debt in the United States, worth around $5 trillion. On Sunday, September 7th, the government seized control of both companies in an effort to stabilize them, and more importantly, to protect homeowners whose mortgages are owned by them.

More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have sales tax holidays that last at least a couple of days each year, some last much longer. Usually the holiday coincides with back-to-school time to give parents a break on outfitting their kids with necessities. What consumers can buy during the sales tax holidays varies by state, but generally includes clothing, shoes, classroom supplies, and computers, often with a dollar limit. Another popular item that pops up in sales tax holidays is energy efficient appliances for the home.

SC&H Group, LLC - one of the fastest-growing accounting and consulting firms in the nation - will host their 2nd Annual Day of Service on Friday, June 27, 2008.The SC&H Group offices in Sparks, MD and McLean, VA will be closing on this day so that all firm employees can work on various community improvement projects throughout the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas.

Hundreds of thousands of taxpayers have been waiting longer than expected for their payments from the IRS.Delays affected those who had fees for e-filing or tax preparation deducted from their refund or who obtained a refund anticipation loan. Those taxpayers will be mailed a paper check, even if they opted for direct deposit, the News-Leader of Springfield, MO reported. Teresa and Steve Smith of Northville, IL, for example, expected a $2,100 stimulus payment to be directly deposited into their bank account by May 9.

Twenty-three states have approved laws to make it less burdensome for certified public accountants to represent clients across state lines.The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is seeking enactment of similar laws in every state so that a national uniform mobility system will become a reality for CPAs, CPA firms, and the state boards of accountancy that regulate them.

Kansas is known for its bumper crops but who knew they were growing accountants? At Kansas University's School of Business, 72 percent of students without advanced degrees passed the CPA exam on the first try, which is much higher than the average considering most people take the exam more than once.Kansas's Lawrence Journal-World reported that of the 69,259 candidates who took at least one portion of the exam in 2007, only 21,893 were taking it for the first time.

AccountingWEB Weekly Resource Guide - Issue 13 August 13 - 17, 2001 ACCOUNTINGWEB'S WEEKLY FEATURED RESOURCES1. Workshop: Moving to the Paperless Audit Engagement2. Workshop: Training the Automated Auditor3. Are 529 Plans the Best Way to Save for College?4. Free 401(k) and the Ability for Professionals to be Compensated5. The Value of Direct Marketing and Lead Generation6. How Well Do You Know Your 401(k)?7. New Income Tax Brackets - Guest Article8.