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For accounting firms, the term "practice management" covers a range of definitions that includes virtually everything from codes of practice to the assignment of parking spaces. But when it comes to software, the term rapidly focuses on four capabilities that the management of any accounting firm needs to have available:1. The accurate collection of time, expense and billing data, with the added ability to integrate this information into the firm's internal accounting system.

INTUIT TAPS HALVORSEN AS CTOTax and financial software provider Intuit remained "in-house" in filling the role of chief technology officer: Per-Kristian Halvorsen, who previously worked as the company's chief innovation officer, and who has served as acting CTO since September, has been elevated to the post on a permanent basis.

Great leaders develop successors. Where is your firm's intelligence? Is it in the partner group? Is it in your staff? Or is it in both your staff and partner group?The answer is a significant indicator of your firm's destiny.

Without clients, we wouldn't have a firm - but without employees, we wouldn't have clients.So when it comes to answering the question of whether it is more important to have client or employee loyalty, I would have to answer that employee loyalty and satisfaction is more important.

SoftwareA PEACE DIVIDEND

The Securities and Exchange Commission has appointed James L. Kroeker as deputy chief accountant in the agency's Office of the Chief Accountant.Kroeker, 37, started work at the commission in mid-February, where he will be responsible for resolving accounting issues and rulemaking projects, as well as oversight of private sector accounting standards-setting efforts.

BERMUDAAmerInst Insurance Group, a provider of professional liability reinsurance to CPA firms, announced that the Michigan and New Hampshire State CPA Societies are the inaugural winners of two $5,000 grants from the AmerInst Community Relations Program.

The Internal Revenue Service announced the selection of 16 new members for its advisory council. The appointees will join 11 returning members who are in the last year of a three-year term.The council members are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., several times in 2007, with a report to be provided during a public meeting on Nov. 15.

MARCH23: Tax Roundtable, The National Conference of CPA Practitioners, New York City Chapter. Empire State Building, New York City. Contact: Chapter office (212) 599-7204.

The Internal Revenue Service needs to do a better job of reviewing the non-cash charitable contributions deductions taxpayers are claiming.