AT Think

Ashford University in San Diego, Calif. has launched its new online master's degree in Accountancy, the University announced on Thursday. The Master of Accountancy degree program focuses on preparing students for professional careers in accounting. It was designed to develop technical knowledge while enhancing analytical, communication, and decision-making skills.

Employers are changing their hiring patterns for accounting staff, according to one expert, increasingly looking for permanent staff or bringing in temps that they hope to convert into full-time employees.

Armanino LLP, the largest independent accounting and business consulting firm based in California, will hold its community outreach program, "The Great Give," by closing its offices and sending employees into their communities to volunteer this Thursday.

Baruch College in New York brought together the former chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, Bob Herz, and the former chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board, Sir David Tweedie, last month to discuss the evolution of accounting standards and the convergence process.

The AICPA and its members distributed Natural Disasters: The Case for Permanent Tax Relief on Tuesday to members of Congress and their staff. The publication describes the history of disaster relief in the United States and the important role that tax relief plays for individuals and business in recovering from natural disasters.

I recently had the opportunity to speak at a small business workshop called “My Job to M.O.B.”. It was a three-day conference held in Chicago focusing on those who were interested in “my own business” planning. What was my biggest takeaway? CPAs are not informing, helping, servicing, delivering, and, much less delighting their clients.

New York University Stern School of Business has announced a new one-year, full-time Master of Science in Accounting that will begin accepting qualified college graduates to start in the fall semester 2016. This program will satisfy the 150-credit-hour education requirement needed as a prerequisite for New York State’s CPA certification.

The AICPA awarded CPA firm DiSanto, Priest & Co., of Warwick, R.I., the 2014 Public Service Award for Firms for its commitment to the community. The annual award honors a firm that has demonstrated outstanding public service.

The International Federation of Accountants has submitted a response to the European Commission regarding a recent green paper on building a stronger capital markets union.

Thomson Reuters Checkpoint released a special report on Monday to highlight the prevalence of tax-related identity theft and guide practitioners representing victims.