Audit & Accounting

H&R Block Inc., best known for its tax-preparation services, is expanding into banking.

A federal judge will hear evidence next month to help him decide whether KPMG should be ordered to pick up the legal fees for 16 former employees indicted in connection with the firm's sale of questionably-legal tax shelters.

Larry Swedroe is a first-rate analyst. He is the director of research and a principal of both Buckingham Asset Management and BAM Advisor Services in St. Louis. He is also a prolific writer of many, many books and articles on investment strategies and although he adds a disclaimer to everything he writes that his opinions and comments are his own and not of his two companies, his work is so well received that hardly anybody can find fault with it.

As previously announced, the Internal Revenue Service will soon begin charging user fees for the residency certification letters commonly used to avoid foreign value added taxes.

After a five-year effort, the American Society of Appraisers is taking credit for some of the provisions contained in the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

The Institute of Management Accountants is again rolling out its "Statements on Management Accounting."

After months of increasing reports of investigations by both the Securities and Exchange Commission and academics, Congress is now examining the sometimes-questionable timing of stock options granted to executives.

RSM McGladrey Inc. announced a Labor Day deal to acquire Phoenix-based real estate tax firm, Gaughan & Nahom PLC.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice have formally supported the constitutionality of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board with the filing of a 46-page legal brief just before Labor Day.

The global managing partner of KPMG's Audit & Advisory Services Center has been given the additional role of global chief information officer for KPMG International.