April 2008 - Journal of Accountancy

Many CPAs recommend that their high-net-worth clients use trust-owned life insurance (TOLI) as the cornerstone of their estate plan. In addition, many CPAs choose to serve as trustees of such trusts. CPAs who are considering accepting a trustee designation should be well aware of the hazards inherent to the task

Recent events such as the massive trading losses at Societe Generale, the subprime lending crisis and product recalls associated with Mattel’s international toy manufacturing operations continue to shock financial markets and negatively impact shareholder value. These events have also fostered rising expectations for boards of directors to exert greater oversight

What attracts students to accounting? Is it the appeal of social and forensic accounting in a post-Enron world? Is it the allure of big money? Or is it simply supply and demand? When it comes to attracting students to the accounting profession, faculty in university accounting departments face pressures from

Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. (9th District), has been at the forefront of efforts to stop patents on tax planning methods. With a fellow Virginian from across the aisle, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, Boucher introduced HR 2365, a free-standing bill, to limit damages for infringements on

Niche marketing has become a successful strategy for many CPA firms because it identifies target markets and resources, distinguishes a CPA firm from the competition and generates higher profit margins. Niche market specialties will focus both your firm’s marketing program and your marketing professional’s activities by providing a foundation for

Well-designed audit confirmation practices provide valuable third-party evidence that sheds light on financial statement assertions made by management. Confirmations can be an effective tool for auditors working with accounts including payables and receivables, inventory, investment securities, lines of credit and other actual or contingent liabilities. The procedures also can supply

In the arsenal of estate planning, private foundations have traditionally ranked among the big guns. With their relative formality and extensive tax rules, they have been considered the province of the truly wealthy – people with $1 million or more to dispose of charitably. The belief that lesser largesse could

At LarsonAllen LLP, our goal is to get employees started on the exam within one year of their full-time hire date, and then to pass the exam by their second anniversary with the firm – hence the name of the program “Success in Two.” Here’s how we do it: If