Firm News: Jan. 31, 2014

BRAZIL

Comissão de Valores Mobiliários of Brazil was selected as a new member of the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board.

CALIFORNIA

Thirty employees of Irvine-based firm White Nelson Diehl Evans, including four partners and 12 newly hired employees, participated in the Women Helping Women event on January 17. The group sorted clothes for WHW’s “Quarterly Saturday Sale,” which was held the following Saturday. … The partners of JLK Rosenberger unanimously voted to implement an unlimited paid time off policy to its professional team. Unlimited paid time off policies, while rare, are becoming more popular amongst technology companies in their quest to attract the best talent. JLK Rosenberger is believed to be the first CPA firm with more than 10 employees to implement this type of policy.

CANADA

Deloitte Digital and Konrad Group Canada announce a strategic alliance in the Canadian marketplace. This alliance builds on Deloitte's business and technology advisory practice. In combination with Konrad Group's digital capabilities, will make Deloitte Digital in Canada a one-stop shop for digital strategy, user experience design, creative, mobile/web development and systems implementation.

CONNECTICUT

The Financial Accounting Foundation announced that it will make a non-recurring contribution of up to $3 million to the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation to support the completion of international convergence projects.

ILLINOIS

Plante Moran is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2014. The firm was founded by Elorion Plante on Jan. 20, 1924. Frank Moran joined Plante in 1950 to form Plante Moran. The firm now has a staff of more than 2,000 professionals in 21 offices throughout Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, with international offices in Shanghai, China; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mumbai, India. The firm is currently led by Gordon Krater, CPA, who began his second term as managing partner in July 2013. … The Illinois CPA Society recently hosted the Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program for 25 minority students studying to become CPAs. The program is tailored for students from institutions of higher learning where accounting firms may not typically recruit, providing access and educational opportunities to individuals who otherwise would not receive them. Students received one-on-one advice and critiques from recruiters about improving their resumes and interview skills. They joined in educational sessions dedicated to soft-skills, business etiquette, leadership competencies and ethics. Key to the internship preparation program’s success included the generous involvement from leading accounting firms: Crowe Horwath LLP, Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, KPMG LLP, Sikich LLP. Each firm engaged the scholars in different formats: with speakers, volunteers or mentors to help develop and facilitate the program.

IOWA

Honkamp Krueger & Co. in Dubuque, Iowa, has joined CPAmerica International, an accounting association of independent, certified public accounting firms that provides shared best practices, networking opportunities and access to expert resources for member firms.

JAPAN

The Financial Services Commission of Korea was selected as a new member of the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board.

MARYLAND

The Owings Mills, Maryland-based CPA and wealth management firm Glass Jacobson is now providing divorce advisory services. The Divorce Advisory Team includes Certified Divorce Financial Analysts, tax planners, financial and estate planners, forensic accountants, Certified Valuation Analysts and highly-trained CPAs. Glass Jacobson’s specialists educate each party, work with the attorneys, and determine a final settlement to aid in the dividing of assets during separation. Attorneys are able to present their clients with an agreement both parties are comfortable with and able to quickly move toward an amicable separation. Couples can efficiently divide assets and make the entire process easier and more importantly, faster.

MASSACHUSETTS

Baker Newman Noyes, Boston, recently launched a newsletter for attorneys, investment advisors and financial planning professionals who work with high-wealth clients.

NEW JERSEY

Lassus Wherley was selected as 2014 Five Star Certified Public Accountants.

NEW YORK

Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State for 2014. This marks the 7th consecutive year that Anchin has received this honor. … KPMG released its "Banking Outlook 2014: An industry at a Pivot Point" report. The report stated that the banking industry is at a pivot point where an increased focus on generating new sources of revenue through better connectivity with customers will be critical to drive future growth, as significant earnings improvements realized from cost reductions and rapidly declining expenses for loan losses are waning. For more on the report visit KPMG's website.

OHIO

CBIZ, is on the hunt for CFO's who have interesting side hobbies or interests outside of the office. Details about the contest and how to enter are here.

PENNSYLVANIA

Fesnak LLP has formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Fesnak Outsourcing LLC. The Blue Bell, Penn.-based firm has offered outsourcing as part of its services since the company’s inception in
2005. The practice area has since matured into a robust Business Process Outsourcing operation in response to client needs and substantial market demand. Fesnak Outsourcing offers a full suite of services ranging from high-level financial strategy and CFO services to day-to-day finance, back-office accounting and administration for companies using cloud-based platforms. ... ParenteBeard has consolidated its health care practice in response to industry changes brought about by recent health care reform initiatives. As the healthcare industry continues to change, the professional service needs of healthcare providers are also changing.

TEXAS

UHY LLP will host the Energy Symposium, Middle Market M&A: The Buy and Sell Sides, on April 16, 2014 at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel in Houston. The symposium will address the upturn in oil & gas mergers and acquisitions and how mid-size energy companies take best advantage of the deal environment.

VIRGINIA

The American Society of Appraisers released a new OnDemand course titled Cost of Capital. The course is a resource for business valuers, CPAs or corporate treasurers seeking a greater understanding on the basic tools to use when estimating or reviewing cost of capital. It is also a reference tool for attorneys, investment bankers and CFO’s.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The AICPA issued the following statement by President and CEO Barry Melancon in response to the Financial Accounting Foundation’s announcement that it will provide funding to the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation to support the completion of international convergence projects: “The Financial Accounting Foundation’s decision to make a contribution to the International Accounting Standards Board to complete the four joint projects is an important step in further advancing the convergence work of IASB and FASB. We commend FAF for doing so. We hope it serves as a catalyst for a broader discussion by all parties in the financial reporting process on how IFRS should evolve in the United States.”

 

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