The authors describe a company that formed a sustainability committee in 2008 to monitor the various initiatives taking place around five pillars identified as important to the firm: people, clients, community, profession, and environment.
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Practice Management & Professional Standards
Tax Practice Responsibilities
This new quarterly column addresses the tax practice responsibilities part of CPA tax professionals’ practice and provides information that will enable practitioners to become better informed about and meet their legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities as professionals.
The AICPA Website: A Wonderful Tool for Practitioners
This column examines changes in the AICPA website and reviews many of the site’s features, including access to the latest information on hot topics, legislative initiatives, tax-saving techniques, and updates on the ever-widening range of issues, perils, pitfalls, and opportunities facing the profession.
AICPA Launches Multiyear Campaign Promoting CPAs as the Premier Providers of Tax Services
The AICPA has mobilized a multiyear campaign to reduce consumer confusion about the difference between CPA providers of tax services and tax preparers
Record Retention Policies: How Long Is Long Enough?
In advising clients on retention policies, the concern is often with keeping records too long, and because of the cost and logistical issues related to record retention, many taxpayers want to destroy outdated records as soon as possible. However, holding onto records can be beneficial, as illustrated by a recent case.
Tax Professionals: Making the Difference
The importance of business development to tax professionals.
Do We Really Have Privilege?
This item discusses the limits of the privilege for communications between a tax practitioner and client under Sec. 7525.
Tax Return Due Diligence: Basic Considerations
This article examines the rules of due diligence and the importance of tax professionals understanding these rules and proactively adapting to them in a practical manner.
CPA Conflicts of Interest
Avoiding conflicts of interest requires CPAs to aggressively identify potential conflicts and take appropriate remedial action.
2010 Tax Software Survey
The Tax Adviser and the Journal of Accountancy conducted a survey of AICPA members who prepared 2009 tax returns for a fee to determine which tax preparation software products were the most popular, what aspects of those products preparers liked, and what they disliked.
On the Bookshelf
Books of interest to tax practitioners.
Time to Start Planning for the 2011 Tax Filing Season
Although it is only May 2010, CPA firms need to begin planning for the 2011 tax filing season. There are significant issues on the horizon, including the pending requirement for all preparers to obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN), the e-file mandate for tax return preparers filing individual tax returns, and the continuing phase-in of the modernized e-file platform for individual returns.
IRS Issues Regs. and Guidance on Disclosure of Tax Return Information
The IRS has issued regulations under Sec. 7216 that increase the circumstances in which tax return preparers can disclose or use certain limited tax return information and two revenue rulings that provide guidance to tax return preparers on situations in which they will not be liable for civil or criminal penalties under Sec. 7216 for disclosing or using tax return information.
The Smartphone: The Tax Practitioner’s Portable Office
Practioners can work more efficiently through mobile access to an office with a smartphone.
AICPA Tax Standards Strengthened
Revised AICPA statements on standards for Tax Services (SSTS) became effective on January 1, 2010, and provide high, enforceable ethical responsibilities for CPAs in providing tax services.
Tax Season Resources Available from AICPA
The AICPA has released its annual tax season resources for CPAs.
Revised Statements on Standards for Tax Services
The AICPA has released revised Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS), effective January 1, 2010. The SSTS are enforceable standards of tax practice issued by the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee (TEC).
Practice Continuation Agreements for Sole Practitioners
Too few sole practitioners have a plan in place to address a situation in which they may become unable to operate the practice due to disability or death.
2009 Tax Software Survey
The Tax Adviser and the Journal of Accountancy conducted a survey of their readers to determine what aspects of their tax preparation software they like and what they dislike.
Client Data Security for the Tax Practitioner
This column takes a brief look at some practices CPAs should consider when handling data security.
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.
