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Practice Management & Professional Standards
CPAs and Comfort Letters: The New Chocolate
For years, CPAs have been asked by third parties for verification, confirmation, certification, corroboration, authentication, or substantiation of their clients’ financial information. Negative connotations have often been associated with these requests.
Advising Clients Regarding Erroneous Tax Return Positions: Part II
This article discusses what tax practitioners must do if their client fails to heed their advice whan an error is found on a tax return and what to do when the error is attributable to the tax practitioner’s own advice.
Advising Clients Regarding Erroneous Tax Return Positions: Part I
This article examines the two somewhat different versions of the rule on advising clients regarding erroneous tax return positions—one applied by the AICPA and the other by the IRS.
How to Identify a Potential Criminal Tax Matter Requiring an Attorney
This column discusses some of the circumstances where it might be appropriate to refer or involve an experienced criminal tax attorney and the importance of making a timely referral.
The Proposed Statement on Standards in Personal Financial Planning: What Does It Mean for You?
To adapt to this rapidly evolving area of practice, the AICPA released this spring an exposure draft of the Proposed Statement on Standards in Personal Financial Planning Practice.
Social Media: Opportunities and Risks for Tax Practices
This column touches on the benefits and opportunities social media provides to today’s CPAs and the importance of controlling or limiting the use of the new technology.
The Sid Kess Approach: 60 Years of Best Practices in Tax, Education, Careers and Life, by James Carberry (AICPA 2012)
A new book offers the principles of the Sid Kess “approach”—rules for pursuing a more successful career, more satisfying relationships, and a happier life.
Protecting Communications and Documents From IRS Summons Enforcement
This article examines the rules and definitions that form the basis for the practitioner-client and the work product privileges and identifies certain measures that can increase the protection of sensitive client information.
IRS Updates Sec. 7216 Guidance on Disclosing Tax Return Information
The IRS took additional steps to protect taxpayer information with the December release of final regulations under Sec. 7216. The IRS also released guidance to tax return preparers about the format and content of taxpayer consents.
Firing Clients Can Be Good for Business
There are a variety of reasons that clients should be asked to leave the firm. The average CPA can follow certain steps to recognize these situations and take appropriate action.
Background and Methods of Integrative Tax Practice
CPAs must assess the methods, skills, and tools needed for family practice to better integrate clients’ most important personal finance concerns.
Rules on Use, Disclosure of Taxpayer Information Finalized
The IRS issued final regulations under Sec. 7216 that govern the circumstances in which tax return preparers can disclose or use certain limited tax return information.
IRS Postpones Effective Date of New Procedures for Consents to Disclose
The IRS Rev. delayed the date that taxpayer consents to disclose and consents to use tax return information must contain the mandatory language recently issued in Rev. Proc. 2013-14.
Establishing an Ethical Culture in a Tax Practice
This column offers practical suggestions for ways a professional firm can communicate, reinforce, and monitor its code of conduct in tax practice.
Mandatory Language for Consents to Disclose, Use Taxpayer Information Modified
The IRS has provided guidance to tax return preparers about the format and content of taxpayer consents to disclose and consents to use tax return information and modified the mandatory language required on each taxpayer consent.
Rules on Use, Disclosure of Taxpayer Information Finalized
The IRS issued final regulations under Sec. 7216 that govern the circumstances in which tax return preparers can disclose or use certain limited tax return information.
Transferring Client Data Securely
It is critical for CPAs to maintain control over the transfer of data to assure that their clients’ confidential information is not compromised.
Tax Practice Quality Control
Practitioners should consider implementing a tax practice quality-control system.
Setting Up Firm Procedures to Fight Identity Theft
Ways tax professionals can help combat identity theft and educate their clients.
INDIVIDUALS
Current Developments in Taxation of Individuals: Part 1
This update surveys recent federal tax developments involving individuals, including court cases, rulings, and guidance issued during the six months ending October 2025.
