Firm News: Feb. 15. 2013

UNITED KINGDOM

Baker Tilly International, London, England, has launched a global family succession planning research. Member firms are inviting owners of privately-held and family businesses to participate through an online survey.

CALIFORNIA

Agency Matters, San Clemente, released ANTS 3.0, the newest version of its software that simplifies the complex processes of tax notice management and allows companies to create more efficient notice processes. ANTS provides businesses with powerful tools to streamline tax notice work flows, and communicate up-to-the-minute notice changes with multiple team members. …  PwC US will be honored for both individual and corporate commitment to education excellence by BUILD, a Redwood City-based, national non-profit with a mission to use entrepreneurship to excite and propel disadvantaged and disengaged students through high school to college and career success.

FLORIDA

Smolin Lupin held a celebration for the opening of its Juno Beach location. The new office is located at 14155 U.S. Highway One, Suite 200 in Loggerhead Plaza, Smolin Lupin’s new office replaces its previous Jupiter, Fl. location. … Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company PA, Fort Meyers, started a workplace wellness program for its employees. The firm’s Path to Wellness program is working with Lee Memorial Health System for a 90-day health challenge that began in late January.

ILLINOIS

BDO USA LLP, Chicago, has been named one of the Top 50 Companies for executive women by the National Association of Female Executives for 2013.

INDIANA

The Indiana CPA Society, Indianapolis, through the work of a Board-level task force, has released a white paper on the topic of integrated reporting. The white paper defines integrated reporting, addresses and answers several key questions pertaining to it, and provides recommendations in the categories of monitoring, educating and advocating it as an emerging trend.

NEW YORK

Carter CPA, New York, opened of a second office, located at 1120 Avenue of the Americas in the historic Hippodrome building in New York City. … KPMG LLP, New York, and official sponsor of PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson and Stacy Lewis, announced that it will donate 5,000 new books to local schools for each tournament victory the golfers achieve this season.  As part of KPMG’s Family for Literacy initiative, the firm will select local schools in the city in which the golfers win to receive the new books for children in need. The firm also elevated its sponsorship agreement with Stacy Lewis, LPGA Tour five-time champ, and reigning Rolex Player of the Year. Lewis' hat will feature the KPMG logo which had previously been positioned on her golf shirt. This relationship is part of KPMG's golf sponsorship platform. … Marcum Commercial Construction Index finds nonresidential construction sector flat in the fourth quarter.  The report stated that December spending increased a marginal 1.2 percent to $570.4 billion annualized, compared to $563.5 billion in 2011.  Nonresidential Fixed Investment in Structures, another key economic indicator, declined 1.1 percent, compared to robust growth of 11.5 percent a year earlier. In addition, Marcum unveiled an interactive map tracking the status of same-sex marriage in each of the 50 U.S. states and how such unions are treated for tax purposes. The map was created as a tool for clients of Marcum’s national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Non-Traditional Family Practice group. … Mengel Metzger Barr & Co., Rochester, has been selected by the New York State Education Department to write the Charter School Audit Guide for New York State. The competitive selection criteria included longevity of serving charter school clients and the number of clients currently served, awareness of emerging and unique issues facing charter schools in New York state, knowledge of federal and state grants, and the reporting requirements for this funding. New York has more than 200 charter schools. Mengel Metzger Barr & Co. assists more than 30 charter schools throughout New York by providing them with basic audit and tax services in addition to advising them on best practices to help keep the organizations financially healthy.

TEXAS

Ultimate Accounting virtual conference will be held on May 16-17, 2013 in the comfort of participants’ own offices.  The all-virtual, cloud-based Ultimate Accounting vCon was launched by accounting industry speakers Michelle Long and Sandi Smith Leyva and was held in November 2012. This year’s conference will cover a range of topics including dodging the hourly pricing trap, handling client communications, assessing and monetizing client’s accounting needs,  learning value-add services above and beyond compliance, and gaining estimating and pricing skills. The price for participants is $199, with discounts for early bird registration. Participants can earn up to 12 hours of CPE. For more information, visit the website at http://www.accountingvcon.com.

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