CPA Now Blog Archive

More than a year has passed since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The U.S. Congress and the Trump administration both promised numerous favorable outcomes. This five-part blog is an analysis of what was promised when the TCJA was enacted compared with what has actually happened to date.

Benford’s Law has been around for more than 80 years, and it is a great way to identify red flags of fraud when testing journal entries.

A quiet Harrisburg isn’t a license to stop advocating on behalf of the CPA profession. On the contrary, the quiet offers excellent opportunities. The PICPA government relations team is hard at work with key lawmakers, staff, and various state agencies on our fall session agenda.

The Section 965 “transition tax” is a key piece of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and it has resulted in significant complexity and increased reporting responsibilities for U.S. shareholders of foreign corporations.

We all understand that annual physicals are essential to our long-term well-being. And just like an annual physical, periodic business assessments are essential to long-term success. The fresh perspective from an outside expert provides candid feedback that can be used to improve or sustain the health of a business.

PICPA's consumer outreach efforts added up to nearly a half million touches last year. You can be a part of it. Engaging with the public through the PICPA is a great member benefit that enhances your digital profile.

The Section 199A qualified business income deduction potentially will have the biggest impact on business owners over the next eight years. Are you having this conversation with your clients?

A $33.9 billion Pennsylvania state budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year has made its way to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk with time to spare before the deadline. Find out who the winners were this budget season.

Scammers continue to craft new and sinister ways to steal your money. An alert from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue warns taxpayers to be aware of fraudulent phone calls to seniors and those with disabilities receiving rebates through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

Just as an accurate budget is critically important from a planning perspective, most businesses can also benefit from a cash flow forecast.

America’s workers and individuals are not saving enough. What can CPAs, as personal finance and employee benefit professionals, do about it? The answer is educate, advocate, and recommend.

Beginning July 1, 2019, remote sellers with no physical presence in Pennsylvania, but who have direct sales in Pennsylvania exceeding $100,000, will be required to register with the state and collect and remit Pennsylvania sales tax. Supposed "tax-free" online shopping for Pennsylvanians is now history.

In this second part on managing legal expenses, Michael Cade identifies how to optimize lawyer relationships to get the best service at a reasonable cost.

People seeking to pass the CPA Exam must plan up front with the end in mind, but they also need support, encouragement, and sometimes someone to hold them accountable. But each plan is unique. Partners, managers, and coworkers need to tailor their support to each exam taker's personal journey toward success.

Members of the PICPA recently met with representatives from Pennsylvania in Washington, D.C., to share the CPA profession's view on four important topics: the IRS Practitioner Services Division, the fiscal state of the nation, federal disaster relief and the IRS, and taxation in the digital economy.

CPAs are being called upon to tackle a broader range of responsibilities. In small and midsize companies, this can include overseeing and managing legal costs. This blog examines ways to minimize these expenses.

Sustainability is most often viewed from an environmental perspective, but there are other types as well. Making sure every business is focused on its present needs without compromising its future is also a form of sustainability.

PICPA’s Annual Meeting was held in Philadelphia on June 3. It is always an outstanding opportunity for members to take part in the camaraderie and networking that membership offers. Check out some of the highlights, and sneak a peek of a few videos from the day.

The growth of our digital world and the easy electronic transfer of our critical data makes each of us a doorway to a tremendous amount of information. Much of this information is valuable to cyberthieves. Cybersecurity is no longer just something your technology department at work has to deal with.

There is a chance, it seems, that Pennsylvania actually will have a budget in place before the end of the fiscal year on June 30. It’s hard to believe if you've ever followed state budget negotiations, but it could happen.