Audit & Accounting

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board is looking for a new chairperson.

I just received the results of a new survey that was conducted by market research provider Vizu Corporation on behalf of RetireeWorkforce.com (courtesy of my friend, Nazli Ekim of SS/PR) in which it is noted that more than three-quarters of people working today say they plan to continue being employed into their retirement years. In fact, almost 40 percent of all respondents report that they anticipate doing so for monetary reasons, either to meet daily needs or to boost their quality of life. These are not surprising results given what’s been happening with the economy today and especially the housing world. Actually, to break this down even more, 34.1 percent of those surveyed claim they will work to “make ends meet,” while another 14.7 percent note they seek employment to “earn extra income to boost their quality of life.” Interestingly enough, 22 percent say that their motivation for working would be “the mental stimulation and challenge” while a scant 4.7 percent explain that it would be for “personal and human interaction.” I always thought that last one was the primary reason. Apparently not…at least, not according to this survey. Joe Salice, the president and CEO of RetireeWorkforce.com, points out that attitudes about work are definitely changing. “People are perceiving work as much more of a lifelong endeavor, rather than simply a lengthy phase.”

The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to remove the requirement for non-U.S. companies to reconcile their financial statements to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board reaffirmed an earlier vote against a blanket deferral of Statement 157, "Fair Value Measurements," but granted a deferral for some assets and liabilities.

A recent study found that some companies are more effective at controlling fraud and have different perceptions of what needs to be done to prevent abuse.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to drop the requirement for foreign companies that list on exchanges in the U.S. to reconcile their financial results to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Two firms in South Florida said they were merging, with Berenfeld, Spritzer, Shechter & Sheer LLP, expanding by combining with Lefcourt, Billig, Tiktin & Yesner.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has received letters from accounting organizations and firms responding to its concept release on allowing public companies to prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, some in favor and some opposed

Southern accounting firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram has acquired Bumpus Hall, allowing the firm to expand into the Nashville area.

KPMG Chairman Timothy P. Flynn told the China Chamber of Commerce that his firm has been growing dramatically in China.