The Financial Accounting Standards Board has finalized a new standard aimed at simplifying how organizations test goodwill for impairment.

The concept of quality governance practices within nonprofit organizations is not revolutionary. Historically, however, the role of those charged with the governance of nonprofit organizations - the board of directors - has not always been clearly defined.

PRIVATE MATTERS

Accounting Today has released its annual list of the Best Accounting Firms to Work For, which identifies and honors the best places of employment in the accounting industry.

In a union that would create one of the largest CPA and business advisory firms in California, Top 100 Firm Burr Pilger Mayer is merging with Windes & McClaughry Accountancy Corp., effective Jan. 1, 2012.

H&R Block announced Thursday it will discontinue service under its ExpressTax brand, which primarily served early filers who wanted quick refunds and currently has 269 franchise offices.

While Southeast accounting firm Elliott Davis scored first in four categories of university and employer ranking Web site Vault.com’s Accounting Quality of Life Rankings for 2012, accounting firms shared the wealth in the other 11 categories.

Big Four firm KPMG LLP has agreed to acquire Optimum Solutions, an Oracle Platinum Partner that provides management consulting and implementation services for organizations using Oracle Corp.’s enterprise software.

A total of 33 state CPA societies representing over 275,000 CPAs have written letters so far to the Financial Accounting Foundation or passed resolutions urging the FAF to create a new accounting standard-setting board for privately held companies, according to the American Institute of CPAs.

Small and midsized enterprises are placing greater emphasis on sustainability strategy in tandem with their accounting, according to a new report.

The New York State Society of CPAs has written a comment letter opposing changes in the format of audit reports.

Vault.com has ranked Grant Thornton as the top accounting firm to work for in the employment site’s second annual rankings.

The Private Company Financial Reporting Committee discussed proposed accounting standards for revenue recognition, leasing and investment properties during a meeting with members of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has extended the deadline until October 14 for constituents to comment on its recent proposals for improving the disclosures for pension accounting and financial reporting.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu global CEO Barry Salzberg led his firm to record revenues of $28.8 billion this past year.

The American Institute of CPAs has stepped up its campaign to dislodge control of private accounting standard-setting from the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

The federal government has secured commitments from 13 banks to increase their lending to small businesses by $20 billion over the next three years.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has released a new Accounting Standards Update aimed at improving employer disclosures for multiple-employer pension plans.

The International Federation of Accountants has begun an executive search for a CEO to succeed incumbent Ian Ball, whose contract expires in February 2013 and who is not seeking another term.