August 2010 - Journal of Accountancy

A key component of the federal government’s push for heightened tax compliance among U.S. taxpayers with foreign accounts and assets is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). In an interview in February this year with the JofA, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman called the then-pending legislation “the next big thing”

Revenue-raising provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PL 111-148, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, PL 111-152, like their health care provisions, have far-reaching implications. One could even fundamentally change the way we do business and keep records in the United States—by dramatically

If attorneys could engineer the perfect forensic accountant, 78% of them would choose an accountant with strong analytical abilities. In a 2009 survey commissioned by the AICPA, after analytical skills, attorneys chose, in descending order, the abilities to be detail-oriented, ethical, responsive and insightful as the remaining top five essential

By now, CPAs have heard much about Roth IRA conversions made widely available in 2010. Take the following test to see how much you’ve learned. TRUE OR FALSE? 1. Starting in 2010, there are no income limitations to make regular contributions to a Roth IRA. 2. Roth IRA investment income

Guidance for CPAs who audit the financial statements of entities that outsource work to service organizations and those who report on controls at service organizations is being revamped and relocated. Since 1992, Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) no. 70, Service Organizations, has been the source of the requirements and guidance

If you are responsible for raising capital, you are probably aware that many banks have become very strict in the arrangement of loan covenants since the collapse of the housing market. Breaching, or “tripping,” a covenant can have a devastating effect on any business. This article explains how to negotiate

With the downturn in the economy and massive job losses, personal bankruptcy filings have exploded. According to the National Bankruptcy Research Center, approximately 1.4 million bankruptcies were filed in 2009, a 32% increase over 2008. They included Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings, which increased 42%, and Chapter 13 filings, which increased

FASB and the IASB wrapped up the first of three rounds of issuing proposed standards in their final push toward U.S. GAAP-IFRS convergence, even as they gave themselves an extra six months to complete the ambitious project. In what is potentially their most far-reaching joint proposal to date, the boards

The AICPA Council unanimously voted in May 2010 to ballot AICPA members on a proposed change to update the requirements for Institute membership. This change is a part of the first major comprehensive review of membership requirements since the 1950s. The ballot measure, if approved, would make it possible for