CPA Now Blog

Accounting firms are facing heavy competition to attract talent as the profession faces the kinds of hiring challenges confronting other industries in the current state of low levels of unemployment. Michael Cohn, the online editor-in-chief of Accounting Today, provides a preview in this blog of his presentation at PICPA's Accounting Workforce Conference.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting offers CPAs unique challenges and opportunities. But a PICPA study finds many CPAs have been slow to seize the advantages this area may offer. The PICPA will discuss the opportunities ESG presents to CPAs at a Sept. 30 Zoom workshop.

In a rapidly changing world, it is vital that students are well-versed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). CPAs are fighting hard to have accounting education included under the STEM umbrella. Why? First, accounting already is a profession that requires high aptitude in technology, and it will become even more so. More importantly, though, inclusion as a STEM discipline will go far in enhancing the pipeline of prospective accountants.

Officially recognizing accounting as part of the STEM curriculum likely would encourage more school districts to devote additional resources to early accounting education. The additional resources would expose more students to accounting, increasing the number of talented students interested in studying accounting.

The state of the economy is top-of-mind for businesses and individuals, so it is paramount that CPAs remain focused on the many different measures and forecasts so they can best serve their clients, companies, or organizations. To that end, the PICPA is providing updates during this turbulent summer so you are prepared to offer sound advice.

Members of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal Editorial Board met in May for their annual meeting to plan the featured content for the 2022-2023 issues of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal. The group came into the meeting with their eyes on several critical issues facing CPAs, particularly in the areas of technical accounting, practice management, and the future of the profession.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by the largest increase since 1994. Find out from Patrick Harker, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, what is behind the Fed's thinking on the hike.

PICPA local events are back! As life continues to return to normal, our members are eager to get back together in person. If you’re ready, the PICPA will keep you busy all summer long with happy hours, baseball games, and more.

There’s no denying things are changing fast. Technology has been quietly replacing busywork at public accounting firms for years, and the "disruptive" future accounting industry is now here, in all its automated, analytical glory. So, is your firm future-ready?

PICPA's annual meeting is right around the corner, and this year we have more reasons to celebrate than ever … 125 reasons to be exact. This year marks PICPA’s 125th anniversary, and PICPA members are invited to come to Hershey May 31 through June 2 to embrace this historic moment, reconnect with peers, and move forward boldly into the profession’s future.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made a significant announcement that will greatly impact what is known as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting for public companies. The PICPA surveyed its members on their awareness, level of interest, and assumptions related to ESG reporting, including their understanding of its impact on their firms and companies. Find out more about the survey results in this blog.

Sales and Use Tax Bulletin 2021-05 covers the taxation of equipment rental and equipment rental with operators. The bulletin restates the presumption that when a vendor provides the use of equipment with an operator, the transaction is a rental of equipment. As such, the charge is subject to Pennsylvania sales and use tax. This is very important to vendors of equipment rentals and services involving the use of equipment who should review their contracts to verify that the sales and use tax treatment is consistent with Pennsylvania regulations.

Perhaps environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting is not yet on the radar at your firm or company, but that could soon change. Forthcoming ESG rules and standards could have a significant impact on the marketplace, and the PICPA wants to know where you stand.

The cost of education is high, and the Pennsylvania CPA Foundation is awarding more than $200,000 to support future CPAs. Don’t let this opportunity for you, or someone you know, to win a scholarship slip through your fingers.

PICPA's new Career Center connects members with the resources and content they need to help them excel professionally. Organized by career stage, the Career Center features an array of programs, blogs, podcasts, and professional development opportunities.

The effective implementation date of ASC 842 for private companies is Jan.1, 2022, and these companies and their CPAs simply are not ready. The PICPA’s Accounting and Auditing Steering Committee has petitioned the FASB for a two-year deferral of the effective date of ASC 842 , but we need your input, and we need it today!

The PICPA State Tax Steering Committee and their colleagues at the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants recently met to tighten the connections between the two organizations and to work collaboratively to uncover and resolve potential cross-state tax issues.

The Pennsylvania CPA Journal Editorial Board recently held its annual content meeting to share ideas and come up with a consensus for the feature articles for the 2021-2022 year. The board members’ contributions were thought-provoking and plentiful. You won't want to miss our next four issues. Find out what the Pennsylvania CPA Journal has in store.

Jennifer L. Cryder, PICPA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, has unanimously been selected as the PICPA’s new CEO and executive director by its Board of Directors. The selection marks the first time in PICPA’s 125-year history that a woman will helm the association.

In January 2021, PICPA Council adopted a new member value framework with five key elements: peer-to-peer connections, advocacy, learning and development, career path, and business development. In conjunction with this, Council and the Board approved dissolving the existing chapter governance structure and revamping the PICPA committee portfolio.