Nearly a decade has passed since IBM purchased Lotus Development Corp. and attracted widespread attention to the potentially large write-offs that were possible on financial statements for purchased in-process research and development.

GOP lawmakers okayed a move to give the House Financial Services Committee oversight of accounting standard-setting and electronic trading, an area that includes the Financial Accounting Standards Board, according to the Congressional Record.

In a move triggered by lawmaker's concerns over the marketing of abusive tax shelters by some accounting firms, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has proposed new rules restricting the ability of accountants to provide tax services to their audit clients.

What four words cause public accountants to cringe more than, "Where were the auditors?"

FASB hands down final options rule

Brussels - Europe is bracing for two major accounting reforms in the insurance industry, but most fear that the schedules could extend to at least 2007 and possibly to 2010.One of the reforms currently in the pipeline will consist of IFRS4 Phase II, or "Insurance Phase II." This will eventually replace the Phase I version - a measure currently in place that has not radically shaken up traditional regulations.

With the tax law becoming increasingly complex, it is no surprise that there often can be several well-intentioned interpretations of a particular provision. Also no surprise is the expectation of many clients that a fee for planning advice should almost always result in an exponential decrease in overall tax liability.