The Latest

Raymond James Financial Services is increasing the minimum level of assets under management that it requires new registered investment advisors affiliated with its Investment Advisors Division to hold, from $30 million to $50 million.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan have called on Congress to extend the First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit past its Dec. 1 expiration date, while putting in place strong anti-fraud measures.

You know the people. Constantly on their PDAs, half present in conversations, ignoring human interaction when it’s right in front of them for texting or Internet browsing or both, obsessed with checking every email. All Business blogger Susan Davis offers up her Top 10 List of using handheld devices in an emotionally responsible way – and perhaps we could all learn a lesson or two.

IMGCAP(1)]Accounting firms are not exempt from the influence of socialnetworking and social media. The questions firms face are: Is it betterto control or influence social networking? And how can social mediahelp accelerate business?

Payouts now in the works to the former clients of Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff have reached $534.25 million.

The IRS’s Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee has released a report outlining recommendations on a wide range of tax administration issues, including creating new forms and instructions, and reporting of a customer’s basis in securities transactions.

The American Institute of CPAs has presented David Lifson, former president of the New York State Society of CPAs, with its Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award.

Getting a handwritten note that says, “Keep quiet, the walls have ears,” in the midst of a merger discussion is one warning sign that a pending merger deal may be a bad idea.

Cloud computing software developer NetSuite Inc. has unveiled what it describes as the first real-time end-to-end Web-based cloud business management solution for global services businesses.

Intuit has issued an advisory warning of a security problem in some versions of its QuickBooks software that could allow hackers to access a user’s computer.