Milwaukee (July 22, 2002) -- Eleven ex-Andersen employees have found a new home with professional services firm Jefferson Wells International.
The Andersen alumni will be part of Jefferson Wells' new customer and operation innovations practice, which specializes in consulting and performance improvement strategy for companies that offer consumer goods and services.
Steve Maginnis, who managed the team at Andersen, will serve as the group's North American practice director at Jefferson Wells.
Milwaukee, Wis.-based Jefferson Wells International provides non- attestation operating, consulting and training solutions in the areas of internal audit, accounting, technology and tax.
-- Electronic Accountant Newswire staff
HPL Launches Accounting Probe
San Jose, Calif. (July 22, 2002) — HPL Technologies Inc., a software manufacturer here, has launched an internal probe into accounting regularities, while summarily removing David Lepejian, its chairman and chief executive.
The company said a preliminary investigation revealed that revenue was improperly booked "in connection with sales to an internal distributor."
The company named Elie Antoun, chairman. Meanwhile it has postponed both its July 25 report of its first-quarter results and its annual shareholders meeting scheduled for July 30.
- Electronic Accountant Newswire staff
Reseller Altara Adds Enterprise Resource GroupCedar Knolls, N.J. (July 22, 2002) Altara, the accounting software reseller formerly known as DMS Technology Solutions, has added its second new business and location since late last year, by merging with Enterprise Resource Group, a Sacramento, Calif.-based reseller of Microsoft Business Solutions' Great Plains products.
The merger brings Altara, based in Cedar Knolls, N.J., to 50 employees total, and expands its Great Plains expertise. The company also handles Microsoft's Solomon products and Best Software's Best Enterprise Suite.
Altara established a Minneapolis office late last year by hiring Scott Boedigheimer, a former Microsoft/Great Plains product practice leader for Larson Allen, Weishair & Co., a regional CPA firm in that city.
Greg Kaeser, co-founder of Enterprise Resource Group, will serve as Altara's chief executive, responsible for acquisitions, accounting, legal, and human resources. Helene Cole, founder of DMS, will be president, responsible for business corporate relationships, sales and marketing.
John M. Covaleski
Major Tax Bill Introduced
Washington (July 22, 2002) -- Congressman Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, has introduced the Tax Simplification Act of 2002. The proposed legislation contains numerous measures intended to drastically simplify the tax code.
"Our current tax code is a mess," said Portman. "It is filled with provisions that are complicated, confusing and contradictory. My legislation will take significant steps toward making our tax code simpler so that taxpayers can spend less time calculating their taxes."
The bill would simplify taxes for both families and businesses, and clarify some of the code's most confusing provisions. For example, the current tax code has five different definitions of a 'qualifying child' and nine different definitions of 'qualifying higher education expenses.' The Portman bill would create one uniform definition of each concept.
The bill would eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax, and would simplify capital gains calculations by adopting a uniform percentage deduction in lieu of multiple tax rates. It would also create a "Small Savers" exemption that would exempt the first $500 of dividend or interest income. This will keep many taxpayers who save just a small amount each year from having to itemize.
-- Electronic Accountant Newswire staff
Virginia CPA Society Launches Free Online Tech Help
Richmond, Va. (June 19, 2002) – Virginia CPAs with questions about technology issues are now a mouse click away from free help from their local CPA Society.
The society just launched the VSCPA Technology Help Desk, designed to provide members of the CPA profession with free advice on the latest, up-to-date technology issues for free.
Located at www.vscpa.com, the Technology Help Desk was developed by volunteer CPAs in the VSCPA Technology Resource Group. A panel of CPA experts across Virginia will answer questions via e-mail on a variety of technology issues, including computers, software, hardware, telephone systems, networking, remote access, and viruses.
The program started July 1 and will function year-round as a service for VSCPA members.
VSCPA Technology Help Desk experts include:
James Alga, CPA of Kilmarnock
Steven Clemons, CPA of Roanoke
Robert Deans, CPA of Reston
Gary Farrell, CPA of Virginia Beach
Bryan Freshcorn, CPA of Richmond
Boyd Harter, CPA of Herndon
Trevor Hughes, CPA of Richmond
Joseph Lipman, CPA of Richmond
Becky Lonneman, CPA of Alexandria
Lisa Richardson, CPA of Richmond
Frank Stitely, CPA of Manassas
Tina Thomas, CPA of Newport News
-- Electronic Accountant Newswire staff
