CPA Now Blog

When it comes to providing top-notch services to clients, how can smaller firms level the playing field and better compete with the larger firms? One answer lies in outsourced accounting.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) of 2012 Title III (Regulation Crowdfunding) and Title IV (Regulation A+) represented significant changes to U.S. securities laws. This blog looks at the crowdfunding environment after the JOBS Act implementation, and highlights its implications for CPAs, financial planners, and managers.

Return on investment is the equalizer between the value of the client's problem and the fee you can charge for solving it. If you know the value of the client's problem and their propensity for risk, you can triangulate on a mutually acceptable fee quote without the need for discounting.

Reconnecting with old colleagues and old clients can be a gift and a joy. It is never too late to reconnect with someone with whom you shared the tyranny of your first busy season, formed a bond by staying up all night for days to get a deal closed, or established a relationship that was stronger than simply CPA-client.

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accounting industry and the clients they serve will have far-reaching consequences. This changing landscape is calling for a new kind of finance leader, one who leverages the power of AI while keeping a pulse on the human workforce and the clients they serve.

A foreign trust is generally treated as a nonresident noncitizen holding for U.S. income tax purposes, and is subject to U.S. income tax only on U.S. source income. Trust distributions to U.S. citizens and income tax residents carry taxable “distributable net income” to the U.S. beneficiary. Grantor trusts, however, are generally controlled by the founder and are ignored for income tax purposes.

Workplace incivility can often be relatively small acts by coworkers or supervisors that are perceived as demeaning or which cause an individual to feel undervalued or unimportant. Unchecked uncivil acts can affect your business in significantly negative ways and have major consequences.

Leading an organization in today’s business environment can be an adventure. The complex state of our economy is a time when strong leaders are needed to make bold decisions and rally teams to act with clear direction, a sense of urgency, and attention to detail. We must act with agility and excellence.

For many practices, as soon as one tax season is over, an immediate triage takes place and preparation for the next one starts in the fall. These firms can better position themselves if they take certain actions aimed at reaping the rewards from a tax practice.

With a complex system covering various taxes at the local level, Pennsylvania faces challenges when it comes to fairness, efficiency, and economic growth. There is an urgent need for reform Pennsylvania’s local tax structure to ensure a more equitable and sustainable system.

Marketing managers at smaller firms often have fewer resources but are expected to deliver big. While difficult, it can be done with the help of technology. Learn five ways to help you win buy-in for marketing technology.

Over the past few years there have been several hot spots of noncompliance that have drawn the attention of the AICPA peer review board. The board has issued specific guidance that provides peer reviewers with information needed to address areas of frequent noncompliance.

A powerful enterprise resource planning (ERP) system demands the right combination of industry expertise and innovative technology. By leveraging the knowledge of accounting professionals with the capabilities of advanced software, you can unlock the potential of your ERP system and drive your organization to new heights.

A number of cost-of-performance (COP) and market-based-sourcing court cases (MBS) have made headlines across the country. A recent trend being embraced by some states is to interpret COP statutes so that they lead to an MBS result. Such approaches have been met with varying degrees of success.

Among the many tasks CPAs perform is directing clients on accounting systems. Too often, though, there is a reluctance to champion a particular method. This old habit should be put to bed: everyone should be encouraged to adopt a modernized accounting system.

Accounting partners do not like to write, yet they approach their marketers with, “Hey, I see whitepapers from ABC Accounting everywhere. How come we aren’t doing that?” The answer is simple ... if they want to hear it.

Millions of Americans are caring for one or more chronically ill or incapacitated loved ones while working and managing their own households. If you’re a family caregiver, you should know that the PICPA has just launched a new and free member resource: YourCare360 to guide you through the caregiving journey.

Each Pennsylvania budget cycle has its own unique challenges, with occasional political obstacles thrown in. This year was unique for the seeming deep freeze that settled on Harrisburg despite the summer heat. Although both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved the state spending plan, the Senate adjourned without finalizing the bill, leaving the budget in legislative limbo.

According to the Social Security Administration, over 50% of all retirees rely on Social Security payments for over half of their retirement income. Discussions on the trust fund’s solvency and how to solve its shortcomings require a cool head and a deep dive.

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes that was authorized by the CARES Act of 2020 to entice small and medium-size businesses to retain employees through the pandemic. Recently, the IRS has begun to take a closer look at ERC claims, and it does not like what it is seeing. Businesses and their accountants must be ready to defend legitimate claims should the IRS comes knocking.