For those unfortunate readers familiar with my writing, you know that, as a rule, I don't get sentimental in this space -- save for a somber column on the passing of my father-in-law in 2002 and his patient attempts to coach his all-thumbs son-in-law on home improvement projects.

Thomson Tax & Accounting, a Thomson Corp. business, has acquired PassOnline, a provider of electronic continuing professional education.

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, announced that its acquisition of the assets of ATX/Kleinrock has been completed.

BNA announced that it will launch a new Accounting Policy & Practice Series for the accounting, legal and financial professions on Sept. 5.

In a continuing effort to assist victims of last year's hurricanes, the Internal Revenue Service has issued a new publication summarizing the tax incentives to rebuild the Gulf Coast, which are valued at almost $9 billion.

After spending most of 2006 talking to users and revamping its QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program, Intuit is looking to add another 15,000 accountants and small business consultants to the program over the course of the next year.

The International Federation of Accountants' education standards board has proposed new guidance outlining the skills accountants need to perform competently in a variety of information technology roles.

DePaul University's College of Commerce has launched the Center for Global Accountancy Education, Benchmarking and Research Center, which will work to improve financial accounting in the developing world by policing three specific areas: international auditing standards, financial reporting and accounting education.

The International Accounting Education Standards Board, an independent standard-setting group within the International Federation of Accountants, has released a paper, "Approaches to the Development and Maintenance of Professional Values, Ethics and Attitudes in Accounting Education Programs."

LexisNexis and BNA announced an agreement to bring BNA's content to accounting firm and corporate tax department subscribers on the LexisNexis Tax Center platform.

The Professional Accountants in Business Committee of the International Federation of Accountants has released its 2006 "Articles of Merit."

Facing a radical shortfall of CPAs in China, where the Chinese Institute of CPAs has just 140,000 members and needs roughly 300,000 to serve the needs of global capital markets, Britain's largest domestic institute of chartered accountants is implementing a radical training plan.The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales will send some 50 "elite" professionals - but the number could increase later - for intensive training that will focus on accountancy and keeping China competitive in the global market environment.

A federal labor board has sided with the Internal Revenue Service in a case over the agency's desire to raise the educational requirements for revenue agents.

Abilene, Texas, CPA Jerry Love will serve as chairman of the 27,000-member Texas Society of CPAs for the coming year.

"Get all the dots," the young boy said. "Get them, and you'll beat it. I've beaten it."

Lori Schock, the deputy director of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Investor Education, has been named the division's acting director.

They say it's lonely at the top, but for many professionals it may also be lonely on the way there, according to a new survey.

Internal Revenue Service officials announced more details of changes to the Special Enrollment Examination, which will take effect at the end of this year.

The Internal Revenue Service announced that it has reached an agreement with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to offer continuing education credits at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums scheduled for this summer.

Half of the chief financial officers in a recent poll said that their organizations don't reimburse staff for the continuing education credits required to maintain their professional certifications.