FLORIDA
“Very prepared” firms that report they can leverage key industry trends to engage clients now and in the future are able to put cash in the bank 10 days faster than those reporting they are “less prepared.” That’s one of many eye-opening results identified in the 2014 Wolters Kluwer, CCH — Accounting Firm Preparedness Survey and new white paper: Charting a Course for the Future: A Report on Firm Preparedness. The independent, nationwide survey of close to 500 accounting professionals was conducted in August and features responses from a wide variety of firms, including some with as few as two employees and others with more than 500. The Institute of Internal Auditors has launched the IIA Career Map, a free online tool that provides internal audit practitioners a powerful means to evaluate their professional competencies and plot their careers.
ILLINOIS
BDO USA LLP recently conducted its third annual "Week of Service" to positively impact communities around the country. During this week, BDO staff volunteered more than 3000 hours of their time and raised or donated almost $28,000 to worthy causes, impacting close to 10,000 people. The Week of Service is part of BDO USA's year-round BDO Counts initiative the firm’s ongoing community outreach program that challenges BDO professionals across the country to give back to the communities in which BDO does business. Porte Brown LLC has received the highest rating possible following a rigorous, independent peer review of their Financial Statement Audit and Review practices. Porte Brown participates in the Peer Review Program, a practice-monitoring program approved by the AICPA. A firm participating in the Peer Review Program must have an independent review of its accounting and auditing practice every three years.
LUXEMBOURG
BKR International has accepted ACERTIS S.à r.l. of Windhof, Luxembourg into its membership. Established in 2008, ACERTIS S.à r.l. offers a variety of accounting services, and specializes in banking/investment funds, real estate, private equity, public institutions (including the European Commission), and non-profits. The firm comprises Managing Partner Thibaut Charles de la Brousse and a staff of three.
MICHIGAN
Plante Moran has released its annual tax guide designed to help individuals and businesses navigate the changing landscape of tax law. This year’s guide features a variety of articles with useful information for businesses and individuals, including:
- Healthcare reform tax and reporting burdens and penalties
- Medicare surtaxes
- New capitalization regulations for fixed assets
- Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act reporting requirements
- Alternative minimum tax triggers
- Domestic production activity deductions for manufacturers
- Compensation planning
- Tax-efficient bond investing for high-net-worth individuals
NEW JERSEY
For the third consecutive year, law firms have designated the 44-professional-strong Fairfield-based firm as a top “Best Of” provider in an annual survey conducted by the New Jersey Law Journal. This year, members of the New Jersey legal community voted Bederson “Best Of 2014” in all six categories that considered accounting firms: Best Litigation Accounting Firm, Best Forensic Accounting Firm, Best Business Accounting Firm, Best Matrimonial Financial Expert Accounting Firm, Best Economic Damages Accounting Firm, and Best Business Valuations Accounting Firm. Bederson captured Gold in the first four categories and Silver in the remaining ones. Bowman & Company LLP is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and will hold a special event to honor 75 veterans from the area. The firm will present veterans with flags that have been flown over the U.S. Capitol Building. The firm will also have a special guest speaker, author and fellow military veteran Gordon Bocher. In addition, the Marine Corp League will be there to honor them, and Eastern Regional High School’s Choir will be honoring the veterans in song. The event will take place at Echelon Mall (Voorhees Town Center) 2120 Voorhees Town Center, in the Voorhees Township, NJ 08043 on Nov. 11, 2014 at 11:00 am
NEW YORK
Viteos, the shadow-accounting firm for hedge fund managers, has been named as Best Shadow-accounting Firm (a new category) by HFM Week in their annual 2014 US Hedge Fund Services Awards.
NORTH CAROLINA
APEX Analytix, a provider of services and software to safeguard disbursements, identify fraud and improve performance across the procure-to-pay cycle, has released the next generation of its FirstStrike Supplier Portal. FirstStrike Supplier Portal is a powerful, easy-to-use solution that automates the supplier registration process, provides 24x7x365 self-service to suppliers, dynamically presents discounts, and offers an e-invoicing and purchase order flip capability. The customizable portal may also be used independently, ensuring accurate, complete and up-to-date information in the vendor master; as well as driving value for accounts payable with dynamic discounting and cost reduction capabilities.
OHIO
The Ohio Society of CPAs is putting a stronger emphasis on creating a more inclusive and diverse accounting profession, and addressing issues of targeted groups within the profession with several recent appointments to national diversity committees. As part of the top 40 accounting firm’s Cincinnati-area expansion plan, SS&G will be moving its Blue Ash office to a new location. Starting November 1, the firm will welcome clients at the Kemper Pointe building at 7870 Kemper Road, Suite 280. Phone numbers and other contact information for the firm will remain the same.
TENNESSEE
Schenck SC. has been accepted as the exclusive Appleton, WI member of the National CPA Health Care Advisors Association. The HCAA is a nationwide association of CPA firms that provide specialized accounting, tax and consulting services to the health care industry. To be awarded membership in HCAA, firms must demonstrate proficiency and commitment to serving clients in health care.
VIRGINIA
Matthews Carter & Boyce is moving to a new location. The firm’s new offices will be at 12500 Fair Lakes Circle Suite 260 in Fairfax, Va.
Bloomberg BNA will host “The Elections: What’s Next for U.S. Tax?,” a post-election free live streaming event on Thursday, November 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event, presented by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, features some of the leading names in tax, who will provide their take on how this year’s elections will shape Washington, D.C.’s post-election action on tax policies. For more information on the Webinar and to register, visit
WISCONSIN
Wipfli LLP announced that it will be participating in International Fraud Awareness Week from November 16 to 22, by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. The movement, known commonly as Fraud Week, champions the need to proactively fight and help safeguard businesses and investments from fraud. Schenck will be hosting workshops in November and December titled “Implementing the New Federal Grant Reforms Efficiently.” Schenck is offering this seminar to assist not-for-profit organizations, cities, counties, schools and technical colleges in the implementation of the new guidance. Finance office employees and employees who oversee compliance and financial reporting functions should attend. The workshops will be presented by David Maccoux, CPA, and Wendy Mallo, CPA; both members of Schenck’s Government and Not-for-Profit team. Attendees will leave this seminar with a game plan, including action steps to implement this new guidance.
