Financial reporting

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued a proposed standard on the fair value measurement of liabilities, seeking to clarify the thorny issue of fair value a bit further.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has published a staff audit practice alert explaining the potential auditing and review implications of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s recently revised standards on fair value accounting.

Ernst & Young has selected a new leader in the Americas for its Transaction Advisory Services team, which advises companies on mergers and acquisitions.

It's safe to say there hasn't been a time in recent history when small-business owners needed guidance from their accountants as much as they do now. It's becoming clear that for all their knowledge and energy, most entrepreneurs can't go it alone in these difficult times.

The Internal Revenue Service now has a new interest in sports and entertainment - and not just as a spectator.

The economic downturn, coupled with proposals to make the Research and Development Credit permanent, the potential repeal of LIFO, and higher individual tax rates under the Obama administration, could significantly reshape the landscape of S corps over the next several years."For planning purposes, the proposal to make the R&D Credit permanent has significance because it will affect what types of investments companies will make," explained Rick Klahsen, managing director at RSM McGladrey's national tax department. "However, the proposed repeal of the LIFO inventory method would have a tremendous negative impact on S corporations. Many S corporations are manufacturers, and the loss of the LIFO method will cost them in terms of additional taxable income. It will cause them to take a look at the types of inventory investments they might make."

At least one Chicago-area CPA firm has won braggingrights after it received the highest rating possible on an independent peerreview of its financial statement audit and review services.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has written an article for his Web site chastising the CPA profession for standing by while Wall Street firms "used the latest tricks to cook the books."

As the profession prepares for the transition to adoptingInternational Financial Reporting Standards, the Center for Audit Quality hasfired off a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission offering a seriesof recommendations to improve the regulator's proposed IFRS roadmap.

At least one critic of the proposed changes inmark-to-market and fair value accounting rules is changing his tune and seeingsome positive signs in the final version.

The Texas Society of CPAs warned the Financial AccountingStandards Board that FASB's recently approved changes in fair value accountingstandards could damage the credibility of CPAs in general.

Deloitte will be able to proceed with a lawsuit against a former vice chairman the firm accuses of insider trading, a judge ruled.

The economic crisis is forcing many states and cities to increase their sales tax rates to the highest average level ever, according to a new report.

Canada’s Accounting Standards Board said that it has not yet made a decision on whether to change its fair value standards to match up with U.S. standards.

The International Federation of Accountants has endorsed a set of proposals made at last week’s G-20 Summit of world leaders that aim to reform the global financial regulatory system.

With the repeal of the federal estate tax set for 2010 and its reinstatement scheduled just one year later, estate tax planning has become more complicated than ever. Wealthy clients need to incorporate flexibility into their current plans while taking advantage of favorable planning opportunities.

As the economy continues its downturn and the financial pressure on business increases, the risk of fraud becomes higher than ever.To help your clients protect their businesses, suggest that they evaluate the current state of their anti-fraud program to minimize the duration and potential loss of fraud. When evaluating a current program, they should consider their preventative measures, not just their detective measures.

SCHENCK FORMS CRISIS TEAMAppleton, Wis. - Schenck Business Solutions has formed a Financial Crisis Response Team to guide and assist companies challenged by the current economy. The multi-disciplinary team is comprised of firm members with expertise in cash management, banking and financing, operations consulting, process improvement, inventory and receivables management, strategy development, and technology integration. The resources of the team are coordinated by shareholder Dan Koszalinski, CMA, CPA.

Many are surprised to learn that while it sometimes appears that the Internal Revenue Code reaches into every aspect of our lives, it lacks focus in addressing the complex tax consequences that face the unfortunate victims of Ponzi schemes.Of course, if the reports are true, there may have never before been a Ponzi scheme like Bernard Madoff's, so it is time to take a fresh look at things.

Given the current economic situation, conducting a financial planning practice isn't getting easier. With the financial uncertainty of the past several years, investors have become uncomfortable with the "business as usual" planning approach.To some extent, this is good news for planners, as it provides the opportunity to perform more in-depth planning for many clients, as well as providing clients with a more proactive approach to investing and planning. With investor goals undergoing frequent revisions, and the means to achieve those goals also increasingly unstable, clients are increasingly willing to allow you to play a more active part in monitoring their investments on an ongoing basis and suggesting changes when appropriate, not just at an annual or bi-annual planning session.