Audit & Accounting

BKD said it is combining forces with the Hanke Group, allowing the Springfield, Mo.-based accounting firm to expand to Hanke's San Antonio and south Texas markets.

The American Institute of CPAs has published the second edition of "Audit Committee Toolkit: Public Companies," a guidebook to help audit committees carry out their corporate governance responsibilities.

The Treasury Department has introduced a prepaid debit card for Social Security payments and other federal benefits.

The American Institute of CPAs has chosen Paychex as its preferred provider for administering 401(k) plans for members who participate in the AICPA's firm retirement program.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to propose a series of reforms to credit-rating agencies to curb practices that led to trouble in the credit markets.

Payroll-processing service Paychex has added an auto-enrollment feature that allows employers to automatically sign up employees to participate in a 401(k) plan.

No matter how much money your client has, it's crucial to have a basic estate plan simply because such a plan will then ensure that the financial goals of the client are met after the client dies.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has adopted rules requiring public accounting firms to submit reports at least once a year on fees, disciplinary actions and other information that will be posted on the PCAOB Web site.

The timeline for adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards in the United States faces several hurdles, including the long-delayed appointment of several SEC commissioners.

No matter how much money your client has, it's crucial to have a basic estate plan simply because such a plan will then ensure that the financial goals of the client are met after the client dies.