AT Think

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) announced this week that Hunter Martin, a master’s student from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., is the inaugural winner of a $1,000 scholarship from Internal Auditor Magazine for his winning essay, "“IPPF Update Clears the Smudges on the Window Looking into the World of Internal Auditing."

CPAs with technology: You have the power to change your customers’ lives. Now, don’t worry, I’m not about to get all preachy on you. It’s actually the title of a white paper I wrote with Fundbox. Fundbox, if you’re not familiar, is an online financial solution that helps small businesses fill in their cash flow gaps.

The leasing standard that the Financial Accounting Standards Board released in February is going to require some extra training for businesses from their accountants and could lead to some re-evaluations of clients’ leasing obligations.

On Tuesday, the final day of sessions at the 2016 AICPA Spring Council in New Orleans, Mark Koziel, vice president of Firm Services & Global Alliances at the AICPA, discussed the theoretical firms of 2020 and how professionals can stay ahead of the ever-changing business landscape.

The CPA Consultants’ Alliance has published a new book to help the CPA profession close the divide between current and emerging leaders.

During Monday's session at the AICPA's 2016 Spring Council meeting in New Orleans, Kim Drumgo - director of diversity & inclusion at the AICPA - alongside Rich Caturano - chairman of the National Commission on Diversity & Inclusion - gave an update on the accounting pipeline and professional resources in attracting and retaining diverse professionals.

On Monday morning, Barry Melancon, president and CEO of the AICPA, gave his semi-annual Council report at the 2016 AICPA Spring Council in New Orleans. Melancon, himself a resident of Southern La., welcomed members and focused primarily on the concept of necessary change in the profession during today's "very, very, fast-paced time of change and evolution."

The Institute of Management Accountants has published a book featuring case studies on management accounting collected by editors of one of the IMA’s academic journals.

Registration for the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT) exam - given to those wishing to obtain ACAT Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA), Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), and Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA) credentials - is now open for registration, the Council announced on Friday. The Spring/Summer exam testing window for 2016 will be June 10-July 30, with a registration deadline of June 1, 2016.

The Department of Finance, Insurance, and Law at Illinois State University’s College of Business announced last week the launch of their Institute for Financial Planning and Analysis, with professor of finance Edgar Norton named the Institute's director.