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Succession planning today is more complex for professional services firms than it was 15 years ago. Practices have become more complicated, the traditional business model that served firms so well in the 20th Century no longer works today, and clients have become more sophisticated, especially with the advent of the Internet.

ANOTHER REASON IT'S HARD TO FIND STAFF ...

Software & Services

FLORIDA

JUNE

In one of my previous jobs, our entire editorial staff was once assembled for what was billed as a “team-building get-together.”

CPA2Biz, the marketing and services portal of the American Institute of CPAs, has unveiled its next-generation Web site, a revamp that includes enhanced content organization and navigation tools, as well as a less clutter and easier search capabilities. The new design is the culmination of a two-year redesign effort, according to CPA2Biz president and chief executive Erik Asgeirsson.

As an extension to the current financial and technical assistance programs the Small Business Administration provides to the military, the SBA has introduced the Patriot Express Pilot Loan, an offshoot of its SBA Express Program. Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for the SBA's maximum guarantee of up to 85 percent for loans of $150,000 or less and up to 75 percent for loans over $150,000 up to $500,000. For loans above $350,000, lenders are required to take all available collateral. The Patriot Express Loan can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real-estate purchases. Patriot Express Loans feature the SBA's interest rates, which are generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan. Local SBA district offices will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in their areas. The SBA Patriot Express is available to military community members including veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty service members participating in the military's Transition Assistance Program, reservists and National Guard members. Details on the initiative can be found at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress

The manufacturing and wholesale distribution segments in the U.S. continue to see positive growth across several industry segments, as roughly half of small to middle-market companies in that space describe themselves as "thriving and growing." According to the RSM McGladrey 2007 Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution National Survey, business conditions remained basically unchanged from the inaugural survey conducted last year. However, respondents in four industry segments --transportation, building materials, plastics and industrial equipment, reported that their outlook on business worsened over the last year, weighing down the overall percentage of companies who said their companies are "thriving and growing" from 58 percent in 2006 to 48 percent in 2007. For the second year in a row, survey responses indicate companies prefer domestic growth strategies over international. More than half (57 percent) of all companies surveyed indicated that they are relying on domestic sales of existing products. Only 36 percent reported they are relying on international sales of existing products. According to the poll, small to midsized companies have a strong need for workers with a variety of skill sets and experience levels. Workforce shortages will continue to strain resources, as 63 percent of survey respondents plan to expand their workforce within the next 18 months. Conducted this spring, the second annual RSM McGladrey survey gleaned the results from 947 surveys representing a cross sample of U.S. companies in varying industry segments and revenue size.

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding tax professionals to make reservations now for one of six Nationwide Tax Forums being held throughout the country. The Nationwide Tax Forums are three-day events that provide tax professionals with the most up-to-date tax information through training seminars presented by IRS experts and partnering organizations. Forums offer an opportunity to receive up to 18 continuing professional education credits through a variety of training seminars. The locations are: · Atlanta - July 17-19· Chicago - July 31-Aug. 2· Las Vegas - Aug. 21-23 · New York - Aug. 28-30 · Anaheim - Sept. 11-13· Orlando - Sept. 18-20 The cost of enrollment is $165 per person, per city for pre-registration and $299 for late or on-site registration. The pre-registration period ends two weeks prior to the start of each forum. Members of the following associations qualify for discounted enrollment costs: the American Association of Attorney-CPAs; the American Bar Association; the American Institute of CPAs; the National Association of Enrolled Agents; the National Association of Tax Professionals; the National Society of Accountants; and the National Society of Tax Professionals.