Financial planning

The American Institute of CPAs has written a letter to the Internal Revenue Service asking for guidance on applying the carryover basis rules to estates of taxpayers who died this year.

The 2010 Small Business Jobs Act, enacted on Sept. 27, 2010, provides a new opportunity for Roth 401(k) plan participants to convert their existing 401(k) plan balances into Roth 401(k)s.

IMGCAP(1)]Tax advisors often recommend that investors purchase municipal bonds issued in the state where they reside to avoid state and local taxes on the interest income. However compelling this strategy may appear, it also results in increased risk.

Emerging Information Systems Inc. has introduced new versions of its NaviPlan Select, Profiles Professional and Profiles Forecaster financial planning software.

The Internal Revenue Service has published guidance relating to rollovers from 401(k) plans to designated Roth accounts in the same plan.

Sage North America has partnered with Plan Administrators, Inc. to create Retirement Services for Sage Customers, offering 401(k) plans to Sage Peachtree customers and other small businesses in the market for an employee savings plan.

IMGCAP(1)]If your clients who are closing in on retirement, planning for the day they leave the workforce is probably at the top of their minds. But retirement planning is critical at any age. It’s never too early to begin putting a retirement savings strategy in place for your clients.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to propose new rules to strengthen the SEC's oversight of investment advisers and fill important gaps in the regulatory landscape.

The American Institute of CPAs has submitted comments on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed rules on “family offices,” and given the SEC its suggestions on how to define “family clients.”

Wolters Kluwer Law & Business has introduced a QuickCharts tool that helps professionals keep up to date with new rule-making and regulations that arise from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

As the economy slowly inches back toward a recovery of sorts, several of the nation's top broker-dealers and financial services firms are revving their recruiting engines and driving them toward the CPA market in hopes of increasing their partnerships with accounting firms and practitioners.

HIGH-NET-WORTH INDIVIDUALS SHUN RETIREMENT

The 10-year period from 2000-2009 has been referred to as the "Lost Decade."

Nearly one out of every eight dollars under professional management in the United States today — 12.2 percent of the $25.2 trillion in total assets under management tracked by Thomson Reuters Nelson — is involved in some strategy of socially responsible and sustainable investing, according to a new study.

The College for Financial Planning has introduced theAccredited Domestic Partnership Advisor credential, a designation thataddresses the financial needs of non-traditional families.

Financial Planning, the leading publication and online resource for independent financial advisors, hosted its inaugural Influencer Awards Ceremony during the FPA Conference in Denver.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has released “Managing Your Wealth,” the firm's 14th annual guide to tax and wealth management.

A new report by the Government Accountability Office uncovered hundreds of allegations of physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation by guardians in 45 states and the District of Columbia between 1990 and 2010.

IMGCAP(1)]As an accountant, you most likely have clients seeking investment advice.

ADVISORS CONTINUE SHIFT TO FEE-BASED MODELS