A roundup of recent announcements from accounting firms and companies across the country.
CONNECTICUT
BlumShapiro will partner with Christian Community Action for the fourth consecutive year to provide Thanksgiving Day meals to more than 2,000 families and seniors in New Haven. Through the BlumShapiro Thanksgiving Food Basket Campaign for Christian Community Action, the firm will collect non-perishable food items for distribution to families and seniors right before Thanksgiving Day. Financial contributions in support of the food collection campaign will also be accepted. To donate online, visit
COSTA RICA
Global accounting network HLB International announced three new members in Costa Rica: Esquivel & Alvarez -eyacpa-, Heredia; D.T. Baltodano Coghi y Zayas, San José; and J.C. & Asociados, San José and San Carlos.
FLORIDA
Thomas Howell Ferguson PA CPAs, Tallahassee, won the 2015 Corporate Cup Challenge in Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee on October 3, besting approximately 60 business teams at the event, which is sponsored by Gold’s Gym and supports Working Well Inc., a nonprofit organization that designs and implements worksite wellness programs. THF’s “Let’s Get Fiscal” team included Stephen Andrews (1st place in running), Hunter Howell (2nd place in strength and conditioning), Ryan Barnes (6th place in kayaking), and Allan Franklin (9th place in cycling).
GEORGIA
Acuitas Inc., Atlanta, released its 2015 Survey of Fair Value Audit Deficiencies, its fourth annual analysis of recent PCAOB inspections. Among the significant trends: 43 percent of all audits inspected by the PCAOB in 2013 had deficiencies (compared to 16 percent in 2009) and the number of fair value measurement and impairment deficiencies as a percentage of the total continue to be significant, representing 31 percent of all audit deficiencies in 2013. The complete survey is available from managing director
ILLINOIS
BDO USA LLP released its 2015 BDO Board Survey, which examines the opinions of 150 corporate directors of public company boards regarding financial reporting, executive compensation, tax planning and other corporate governance issues. Among the results: Approximately 74 percent of public company board members do not believe the pending CEO–median employee pay ratio will be a meaningful disclosure for investors, while a similar percentage (72 percent) are in favor of the SEC’s proposed “clawback” rule requiring businesses to recoup senior executives incentive pay when material errors result in a financial restatement. An overwhelming majority (86 percent) of directors are against the proposed mandatory disclosure of audit committee-auditor communications, and a narrow majority (53 percent) are in favor of the SEC developing mandatory disclosure rules for corporate political contributions.
LOUISIANA
Postlethwaite & Netterville has been named one of the 2015 Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, the Greater Baton Rouge SHRM, and Best Companies Group.
MASSACHUSETTS
[IMGCAP(1)]A team representing Gray, Gray & Gray LLP, Canton, completed the 2.5 mile Walk to End Alzheimer's Neponset Valley Walk on October 3, 2015. The group of 16 team members, families and friends raised $3,015, and the firm donated an additional $1,000. Overall, the walk raised more than $300,000 for the Alzheimer's Association.
MINNESOTA
Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Co. LLP, Minneapolis, has changed its name to Lurie LLP as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. The firm was founded in 1940. The name change includes a redesign of the firm’s identity by Minneapolis-based design firm Yamamoto.
NEW JERSEY
SaxBST, Clifton recently hosted the 4th Annual 4 Miler at Garret Mountain, with pproximately 350 runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers gathered to raise more than $65,000 to date for the Child Life Department at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
NEW YORK
[IMGCAP(2)]Deloitte was named No. 1 in Thought Leadership Quality by researcher Source Information Services its recent “White Space Quality Report” – the firm’s fifth consecutive top five ranking. … The Bonadio Group held an office chair race called the Syracuse Fast & Furious Race to the Foundry, and donated $3,000 total to the Hospice of Central New York, the Alzheimer’s Association and the YMCA of Greater Syracuse for their numerous contributions to the Central New York community. … KPMG released a new global survey of corporate directors and senior executives, “Calibrating Strategy and Risk: A Board’s-Eye View.” (www.kpmg.com/blc) Among the results: Fifty-three percent of the directors and executives surveyed said their board has increased its involvement in the formulation of strategy alternatives, and 61 percent said the board has sharpened its focus on improving risk-related information. … WeiserMazars LLP and Ford Motor Co. announced the winners of the first-ever Ford SYNC AppLink Developer Challenge in Tel Aviv. The first prize winner was “Wake Me App,” developed by Pavel Kaminsky and Shay Mishali, which monitors drivers for signs of drowsiness in specific stages, and issues escalating alerts accordingly. The second place went to “Red Alert,” an app that alerts drivers in Israel to a potential national security threat. “Karpoolz,” a multi-family carpooling app to help parents manage their kids’ afterschool and social activities, garnered third prize. The fourth place winner was “Green Light,” an app which gives a countdown to upcoming traffic signals.
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