Tech Knowledge Gains in Importance for Top Finance Executives

Finance and technology go hand-in-hand in companies today, a new survey confirms.

Half (50 percent) of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed recently said other than knowledge of accounting and finance, information technology experience is most useful in their careers.

This is nearly double the response when this question was asked five years ago. Operations experience also ranked high, with 45 percent of the response.

http://www.mocpa.org/Content/files/newsletters/2008/RobertHalfmr082608.htm

AICPA Study Reveals Pessimism About The Economy

AICPA reports that CFOs and senior-level CPAs surveyed remain negative about the economy.

For a third consecutive quarter, CPAs continue to foresee slowing economic growth ahead. They also report increased pressure on profits from rising costs without the ability to raise prices.

In addition, 62 percent of CPA respondents said they were pessimistic or very pessimistic about the economic outlook over the next 12 months.

http://www.aicpa.org/download/news/2008/AICPA_UNC_3rd_Q_RELEASE_Final.pdf

So...What Is Web 2.0 Anyway?

Wondering about all the talk about blogging, social technologies, and more?

Our counterparts in Maryland have developed a blog to help CPAs learn more about Web 2.0 concepts and strategies.

You may not think you'll ever want to twitter, blog, or facebook someone...but the younger generations and future employees you'll be working with will.

It might not be a bad idea to take a look and begin learning about it. The explosive growth of Web 2.0 and social technologies have proven that it is not only here to stay, but continue to grow!

http://www.cpalearning2.com/

Who Will Teach Our Future CPAs?

The Accounting Doctoral Scholars program has been created to help reverse a shortage of Ph.D. accounting faculty in U.S. colleges and universities.

The program seeks to encourage persons with significant public accounting experience to become PhDs in the audit and tax disciplines.

To date, more than 70 of the country’s largest firms, along with several state CPA societies, have committed a total of $15 million to the program.

The MSCPA Board of Directors voted at it's last meeting to contribute $25,000 to the Accounting Doctoral Scholars program. We are really happy to do our part to help this crisis in accounting education.

The program will be administered by the AICPA Foundation. Read the press release. For further information contact ADSprogram@aicpa.org, 919-402-4524 or visit www.adsphd.org.

Do You Feel Burned Out?

Some 78 percent of American workers say they feel burned out, according to a survey published this week by CareerBuilder.com and reported by the St. Louis Business Journal.

Check it out...
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/07/14/daily78.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Declared Disaster Areas In Missouri

New information is available regarding the declared disaster areas here in Missouri. The IRS has posted several links that will be helpful to CPAs.

Here is the direct link to the Missouri Disaster information:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=184421,00.html

This is the link to the disaster self study. The test is on the honor system.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=147154,00.html

We also have a Disaster Relief resource page for Tax Professionals:
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=150578,00.html

IFRS: Will Be In U.S. In Three To Five Years!

AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon predicts that international accounting standards will be adopted in the U.S. in the next three to five years. Surveyed CPAs say they need that long to prepare. Are you ready?

http://www.aicpa.org/download/news/2008/AICPA_CALLS_FOR_THREE_TO_FIVE_YEAR_TIMELINE_FOR_REASONABLE_TRANSITION_TO_IFRS_6-17-08.pdf