The Latest

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 Virginia Society of CPAs Educational Foundation has established a scholarship fund to honor the victims of last year's Virginia Tech shooting.

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.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., introduced the Energy Independence and Tax Relief Act of 2008 as Democrats and Republicans haggle over how to pay for extending expiring tax provisions.

Yep, it's that time of the year again! CPA Wealth Provider is calling for nominations for its Sixth Annual Financial Planning Awards in any of the following categories: CPA/Financial Planning Firms, Broker/Dealers, and Financial Planning Software Vendors. Winners are those firms or companies that have taken the lead through innovation, efficiency, initiative, or growth in the financial planning area. The winners will be profiled in the January 2009 issue of CPA Wealth Provider and copies of the issue will be included with the January issues of Accounting Today, Accounting Technology, and Practical Accountant, as well as being featured on WebCPA.com and at applicable conferences and conventions. No forms are needed to nominate. Simply send information about what company or firm is being nominated and in what category. Explain briefly how this firm or company has taken the lead through innovation, efficiency, initiative, or growth in the financial planning area. You can even nominate yourself. An example can be used. For instance, one company, a winner in the first year, showed that its seven financial planners all hold specific certifications or licenses and that this comprehensive planning approach has earned the firm an impressive customer loyalty with 99 percent of clients who sign remaining with the firm on a permanent basis. The judges this year are Bill Carlino, editor-in-chief of Accounting Today, Howard Wolosky, editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant, and myself. Nominations must be received by November 7, 2008. Send nominations by e-mail, regular mail, or fax to: Stuart Kahan, Executive Editor

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

As corporate demand for analytics and business intelligence keeps rising, CPAs need to play a major role in helping drive BI projects, providing both analysis and expertise as well as determining the critical metrics needed to ensure the success of the enterprise-wide initiative.

Presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., clashed over their tax plans, trading accusations of hikes in capital gains and Social Security taxes.

The snowballing growth of WiMax, a number of blockbuster acquisitions that may unfold over the next few years, and the potential for SmartPhones to feature the capabilities of a PC are just some of the future events that will shape the landscape of technology in the not-too-distant future.

The Small Business Administration has created an online tax savings resource center to help small businesses understand the benefits of the economic stimulus package.