CPAs know that staying updated on continuing professional education (CPE) credits is both essential for providing the best service to clients and also required to stay in compliance as practicing CPAs. But with continual updates to tax laws, ever-changing regulations, new standards to meet on a regular basis, and new technology coming to the industry, […]
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Firm Spotlight: GMS Surgent, Devon, PA
The installment of our Firm Spotlight series highlights GMS Surgent. This Philadelphia-area firm specializes in individual advisory services, profitability analysis and performance management, and takes pride in their 35 years of serving both local and national clients. “Personal Attention – Valuable Results”, a cornerstone of the firm’s mission statement, reinforces GMS Surgent’s commitment to creating […]
401(k) Contribution and Catch-up Limits Rise for 2020
On November 6, 2019, the IRS announced in Notice 2019-59 the following cost-of-living adjustments for 2020: The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is increased from $19,000 to $19,500; The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in […]
Random Musings on the Wealth Tax
By Nick Spoltore What image comes to your mind when you think about Robin Hood? Is it the incredibly charismatic Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood from 1938? Perhaps you envision the 12th century English folk tale adventurer as depicted by Kevin Costner or Russell Crowe. My favorite would undoubtedly be Robin Hood […]
The 2019 Elimination of the Federal Individual Mandate: What You Need to Know for Tax Season
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act brought about quite a few changes that went into effect in 2018, but several tax law updates weren’t slated to go into effect until the 2019 tax year. One of the biggest changes in 2019 is the federal level elimination of the individual mandate penalty, also called the Shared […]
Improving the Internal Audit Function through Enhanced Data Analytics
Data analytics and “big data” have become a game changer for internal auditing, as firms search for opportunities to provide more value to clients and respond to new regulations and increased pressure from stakeholders. Integrating data analytics into the internal audit approach isn’t easy, but the investment of time and money will help firms and […]
Auditor Risk Assessment
In recent years, a constant mantra of the AICPA’s peer review and technical staff has been that auditors are struggling with the risk assessment standards (primarily AU-C sections 315 and 330). Common deficiencies cited by the AICPA include: [1] auditors failing to gain an understanding of internal control when identifying the client’s risks; [2] incomplete […]
Getting Ready for the New World of Peer Review
From those whose firms have recently gone through a peer review as part of the AICPA’s Peer Review Program (PRP), the feedback is consistent. Things have changed. While the underlying requirements of the PRP are the same, a review of a sample of an accounting firm’s engagement workpapers in order to assure compliance with applicable […]
A Timely Reminder to Take Grants Seriously
Sometimes, not-for-profits and governments can be tempted to not take their grant applications and reporting seriously. However, entities which choose this path do so at their own peril. For example, in March 2019, Duke University agreed to pay the federal government $112,500,000 to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting applications […]