The May edition of Accounting Today's monthly Accountants Confidence Index continues the expectation of expansion that started in April.

Check out the digital edition of the May 2012 issue of Accounting Today.

Recent developments at accounting firms across the U.S. and around the world.

This time, we've decided to touch briefly on 19 current issues, doing a "Lightning Round," instead of covering only one in depth.

With the G-20 finance ministers having given accounting standard setters a new deadline of mid-2013 to get their convergence work done, the Securities and Exchange Commission is under fresh pressure to reach a decision on incorporating International Financial Reporting Standards into the U.S. financial reporting system.

The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, also known as COSO, plans to release the updated version of its Internal Control–Integrated Framework in the first quarter of 2013, instead of the fall of 2012.

The finance and accounting outsourcing market is expected to rebound this year, with 10 to 15 percent growth, following a slowdown last year.

A roundup of news from the world of auditing, attest and assurance.

On a unanimous voice vote, the House has approved the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act, with the goal of establishing strong reporting standards for federal spending information.

Florida-based Top 100 Firm Berkowitz Pollack Dick & Brant has rebranded itself Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Consultants.

Hans Hoogervorst, chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board, said Wednesday that he believes Extensible Business Reporting Language, or XBRL, has “the potential to improve the effectiveness of financial reporting.”

Lawson Carmichael has joined the American Institute of CPAs as senior vice president for strategy, people and innovation.

Robert Herz, the former chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and Sir David Tweedie, the former chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board, said Tuesday that the Securities and Exchange Commission needs to make a decision soon on committing to International Financial Reporting Standards, or other major countries could drop their support for IFRS.

The newest member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Jeanette Franzel, is only the second female board member in the PCAOB’s nearly 10-year history.

The House has approved Republican-backed legislation to provide a tax cut of up to 20 percent for one year to companies with fewer than 500 employees.

Groupon Inc, the online coupon company that floated just months ago in the strongest IPO in years, has had recurring accounting problems that critics say show a need for more financial sophistication on its board.

New Rules Strengthen Risk Management for Financial Markets

Recent accounting firm activity

Jim Pitrat, the assurance and advisory practice leader at Top 100 Firm SingerLewak LLP, will become managing partner of the Top 100 Firm effective July 1, succeeding current MP David Krajanowski.

The rapid growth of Islamic finance is increasing pressure on the industry to enter the accounting mainstream, by seeking guidance from the International Accounting Standards Board, the global body which sets the tone for bookkeeping in conventional finance.