http://www.accountingweb.com/rss/all/google en http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/lynnnorthrup/building-business-value/challenge-change <p>My last blog post was on <i>Creating Business Vision</i>. It got me thinking that you can&rsquo;t make the vision a reality until you deal with change. Change can be good and it can be bad. If bad stuff is happening than you have to figure out what needs to be done to counteract it. These challenges relate to both business and personal situations.</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/lynnnorthrup/building-business-value/challenge-change">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:27:41 +0000 152845 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/lindacavanaugh/plugged/asu-2010-06-improvements-disclosures-about-fair-value-measurements <p>The FASB has already issued 8 new accounting standard updates this year.&nbsp; Here is a summary of the 6th one.</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/lindacavanaugh/plugged/asu-2010-06-improvements-disclosures-about-fair-value-measurements">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:08:27 +0000 152843 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/rita-keller/possibilities-cpa-firm-management/how-do-you-describe-your-firm <div style="<br /> text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333">Do you take many things for granted? &nbsp;Most of us do.</span></div> <div style="<br /> text-autospace:none">&nbsp;</div> <div style="<br /> text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333">You spend your working hours inside a CPA firm and many of you have been doing it for a significant number of years. Sometimes you forget to stop and smell the roses. And, being February, it might be a good time to send some roses, too.</span></div> <div style="<br /> text-autospace:none">&nbsp;</div> <div style="</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/rita-keller/possibilities-cpa-firm-management/how-do-you-describe-your-firm">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:09:11 +0000 152838 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/topic/technology/sleeter-group-publishes-new-consultants-refernce-guide-2010 <p>Accountants who support QuickBooks often run into complicated and difficult issues with their clients&rsquo; QuickBooks files.&nbsp; For years, The Sleeter Group&rsquo;s extensive <i>QuickBooks Consultant's Reference Guide </i>has been the industry standard for consultant-level reference material.&nbsp; The 2010 edition has just been released.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/topic/technology/sleeter-group-publishes-new-consultants-refernce-guide-2010">read more</a></p> Quickbooks Quickbooks Technology Technology Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:54:36 +0000 152837 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/sigmanuguy/truth-be-told-about-business-development/who-s-your-firm-s-valentine <p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><br /> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ALLANB~1.ALL\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_filelist.xml" /> <link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ALLANB~1.ALL\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_themedata.thmx" /> <link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ALLANB~1.ALL\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_colorschememapping.xml" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml></p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/sigmanuguy/truth-be-told-about-business-development/who-s-your-firm-s-valentine">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:00 +0000 152833 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/taxmama/talk-taxmama/taxes-lovers <p>&nbsp;With Valentines Day coming up, let's explore the theme of just how romantic income taxes can be - or how it can totally bust up relationships!</p> <p>Being a TaxNerd , I must admit that before Rick and I got married, we checked to see the tax advantages of getting married before or after midnight on New Year's Eve. We opted for first thing on New&nbsp;Year's Day - and arrived in Las Vegas at dawn to start our new life together.</p> <p>Why? Rick could still file his tax return early in January as Single for the previous year - and get his heft refund immediately.</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/taxmama/talk-taxmama/taxes-lovers">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:14:49 +0000 152819 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/jmungar/ungar-cover/hr-block-and-turbotax-have-it-all-wrong It is impossible to avoid the radio and television commercials for H&R Block and Turbo Tax this time of year: And they all pretty much have the same theme: We get you the maximum refund possible! <br><br> They've got it all wrong. <br><p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/jmungar/ungar-cover/hr-block-and-turbotax-have-it-all-wrong">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:10:30 +0000 152818 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/topic/tax/tax-court-allows-deduction-sex-change-operation <p>The U.S. Tax Court in Boston ruled in favor of a plaintiff who claimed approximately $5,000 in medical deductions for expenses relating to her sex-change operation. The court ruled last week that the treatment she received stemmed from a disease and was not classified as cosmetic, thereby making the medical care tax deductible, according to court documents.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/topic/tax/tax-court-allows-deduction-sex-change-operation">read more</a></p> Income Tax Legislation Tax Taxation Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:12:51 +0000 152815 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/brianstrahle/state-and-local-tax-360/sales-tax-your-head-clouds-cloud-computing <p><strong>As I have mentioned on this blog before, the sales taxation of digital products and electronic commerce have become increasingly more important issues.</strong> As everyone knows, states are hurting for revenue, and since our economy has moved more and more towards electronic commerce, <strong>the states must figure out a way to tax it, or else lose out on much needed revenue.</strong></p> <p><strong>According to </strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing"><strong>Wikipedia</strong></a><strong>,</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/brianstrahle/state-and-local-tax-360/sales-tax-your-head-clouds-cloud-computing">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:12:32 +0000 152814 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/accountingmarketer/marketing-today-and-tomorrow/fortune-magazine-says-nice-guys-finish-first <p>A recent study by Fortune Magazine reports that in today&rsquo;s market, companies can no longer effectively differentiate their products or services from their competitors&rsquo; offerings. This philosophy is as true in the accounting profession as it is in corporate America. As your firm seeks new ways to build a distinctive brand, Fortune suggests that you distinguish the firm instead &ndash; in other words, promote yourself instead of touting the services you offer. &nbsp;One way to highlight your firm&rsquo;s real value is by being involved in the community.</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/accountingmarketer/marketing-today-and-tomorrow/fortune-magazine-says-nice-guys-finish-first">read more</a></p> Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:11:58 +0000 152813 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/qa/writing-accounts-payable-without-debt-holders-consent <p>&nbsp;I am the treasurer of a mid-sized not-for-profit that is involved in business incubation.</p> <p>Our executive director struck a deal with a couple of outside consultants 3 years ago whereby they would provide a service to our clients, and they would be paid once we collected from our clients, and not before that.</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/qa/writing-accounts-payable-without-debt-holders-consent">read more</a></p> General Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:27:29 +0000 152803 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/scotth/exuberant-accountant/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-lb-smith-ford-lincoln-mercury-second-mile-ce <p><img alt="" src="/files/siftmedia-accountingwebus/u121754/Ford_Mulally.jpg" />This past Friday evening I had the privilege of meeting and listening to the man credited with turning around both Boeing and now Ford Motor Company &ndash; Alan Mulally.&nbsp;Alan came to Hershey to headline <a href="http://www.thesecondmile.org/">The Second Mile&rsquo;s</a> flagship fundraiser, The Celebration of Leadership dinner, and I came away very impressed with his down-to-earth nature and his humble servant leadership attitude.&nbsp;Numerous times during the evening he mentioned how he was &ldquo;honored </p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/scotth/exuberant-accountant/ford-ceo-alan-mulally-lb-smith-ford-lincoln-mercury-second-mile-ce">read more</a></p> Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:51:07 +0000 152799 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/edith-orenstein/fei/sec-speaks-we-listen <p>Sunshine may be the best disinfectant, but all the luminaries of the SEC combined - out in force at Day 1 of the <a href="http://www.pli.edu/"><font color="#9d1961">Practicing Law Institute's </font></a>annual <a href="http://www.pli.edu/product/seminar_detail.asp?id=57880"><font color="#9d1961">SEC Speaks</font></a> conference yesterday - could not melt away the threat of a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/weather/02/05/winter.storm/index.html?hpt=T1"><font color="#9d1961">Deadly, Epic Snowstorm</font></a> (CNN), which threatens to drop a total of 20-30 inches of snow in the Washington,</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/edith-orenstein/fei/sec-speaks-we-listen">read more</a></p> Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:11:31 +0000 152795 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/cpapastr/today039s-world-audits/do-you-know-what-you-are-doing <p>In the last three years, an increasing number of participants at my staff training seminars have shared they were asked technical accounting and auditing questions by their firm's peer reviewer.&nbsp; Specifically, they were asked questions about the theory behind the practice aids they used on audits.&nbsp; I'm surprised that this peer review technique isn't more common because the substance of a CPA firm's system of quality control is the knowledge base of its personnel.&nbsp; My expectations are that in the near future more peer reviewers will be testing a firm's staff resource base by a</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/cpapastr/today039s-world-audits/do-you-know-what-you-are-doing">read more</a></p> Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:57:06 +0000 152783 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/topic/recession-takes-aim-cupid-year <p>Apparently not even Cupid is immune to the effects of the recession. Couples will spend 5.8 percenet&nbsp;less on tokens of love this Valentine&rsquo;s Day. They are expected to spend an average of $63.34 on their significant other, compared with $67.22 last year.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/topic/recession-takes-aim-cupid-year">read more</a></p> Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:30:39 +0000 152782 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/briggsie/barefoot-accountant/accounting-really-boring-or-has-virtually-entire-human-race-just- <p><img hspace="15" alt="" align="left" src="/files/siftmedia-accountingwebus/u125048/200px-Spock_vulcan-salute.png" />I've noticed on Twitter a bunch of tweets from younger people complaining that accounting is boring.&nbsp; This may very well be true for those who are not accountants.&nbsp; Non-accountants include those individuals who once loved accounting until they took, and were flunking, intermediate accounting in college and then switched their major to marketing, a much less challenging discipline than accounting, to say the least.&nbsp; I suspect that they are the main culprits sprea</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/briggsie/barefoot-accountant/accounting-really-boring-or-has-virtually-entire-human-race-just-">read more</a></p> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:25:36 +0000 152762 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/scotth/exuberant-accountant/mckinley-economic-forecast-dr-jay-bryson <p><img alt="" src="/files/siftmedia-accountingwebus/u121754/Economic.jpg" />Today I attended the <a href="http://www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/"><font color="#800080">Harrisburg Regional Chamber&rsquo;s</font></a> annual economic forecast luncheon.&nbsp;Dr. Jay Bryson, Director and Global Economist at Wells Fargo Bank (and a Central PA boy), was the keynote presenter. Unlike most economists, he has an amazing gift to speak in lay terms and help people understand what the numbers are saying.&nbsp;Here are a few of his key points:</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/scotth/exuberant-accountant/mckinley-economic-forecast-dr-jay-bryson">read more</a></p> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:13:20 +0000 152760 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/barbara-mcelroy/professor039s-perspective/making-decisions-means-making-good-assumptions <p>Just before Christmas, Joe and I installed a spa on our new deck.&nbsp; The spa had been in the lower floor ofthe house.&nbsp; This was not a good idea in Pennsylvania.&nbsp; Then two things happened in quick order.&nbsp; (1) We got our first electric bill with the spa outside and the truly cold weather having arrived.&nbsp; Bill went up a bit, as expected, but not enough for real concern.(2) &nbsp;One month leter we got our first bill with the spa outside, the cold weather, &nbsp;AND the rate increase.&nbsp; We have a full electric house&nbsp;(gas is not available,&nbsp; I hate fuel oil, a</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/barbara-mcelroy/professor039s-perspective/making-decisions-means-making-good-assumptions">read more</a></p> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:01:54 +0000 152759 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/accountingmarketer/marketing-today-and-tomorrow/using-technology-effectively <p>Today's accounting firm marketers have a range of technology tools at their disposal that make it much easier, and more cost effective, to help their firm's gain traction and develop strong name recognition. from the website to e-mail newsletters to social media,&nbsp;the choices are numerous. The key is to be able prioritize what tools make the most sense for the firm (given it sculture and resources) and what is best for its clients.</p> <p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/accountingmarketer/marketing-today-and-tomorrow/using-technology-effectively">read more</a></p> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:13:56 +0000 152662 at http://www.accountingweb.com http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/rnanceohio/team-blog/potential <img height="99" alt="" hspace="10" width="88" align="left" src="http://www.accountingweb-cgi.com/images/Rob-DC-4.jpg" /><p>Potential.<br /><br />Last August, an incredibly fast man named Usain Bolt set a new record for the 100-meter dash, which equated to running at 27 miles per hour. A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology determined that the human body might be able to run up to 40 miles per hour. Amazing.<br /><p><a href="http://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/rnanceohio/team-blog/potential">read more</a></p> Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:46:50 +0000 152655 at http://www.accountingweb.com