Category Archives: Tips & Resources
Networking is a skill you can and must learn. Networking expands your web of people to reach out to for advice, career opportunities, and professional growth. Nick Spoltore, Surgent’s VP of Strategic Content Development, states, “…We all know bringing in business will ensure long-term success. It is the definitive hallmark for advancement, and many would argue […]
On Nov. 10, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) considered a request for a further two-year delay in the effective date of ASC Topic 842, Leases, for entities which have not yet adopted the new standard. The board voted 7-0 to not provide an additional deferral of ASC 842’s effective date. With this decision, the […]
Perhaps I’ve over-hyped the title to this blog post a little by using the word “thriller.” However, if COVID-19 has relegated a planned summer vacation from a trip to the coast to wading in a backyard kiddie pool with your dog staring at you, you’re a little desperate for entertainment. Good news, since the new […]
The Increasingly Difficult Funding Issues Behind Long-term Care and College Saving
By Nick Spoltore, Esq.
Stressors abound in our increasingly hectic days. Two worrisome issues that seem to be front and center in our lives today are long-term care and paying for college. So here at Surgent, we decided to put together an informative webinar on these two emerging practice areas. They’re topics that represent increased billables among practitioners, yet […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Taxpayer First Act of 2019 was signed into law on July 1, 2019. The Act contains numerous provisions largely dealing with customer service to taxpayers and IRS organization. As such, there is little for professionals to digest in terms of substantive planning or practice. Two points, though, are noteworthy. The Act established the IRS […]
Top Trends in Continuing Professional Education for 2019 Continuing professional education is a necessity for individuals who have either a credential and/or certification to maintain their ability to practice. Accounting professions, beyond certified public accountants, all have respective hours of CPE credits they must fulfill to maintain their ability to practice. Whether their […]
IRS announced the 2019 COLA adjustments to retirement plan limits on November 1, 2018 in Notice 2018-83. Elective deferrals for 401(k), 403(b), etc. plans rise from $18,500 to $19,000, plus $6,000 for those age 50 or older. The limit on defined contribution accounts increases from $55,000 to $56,000. The definition of a key employee in […]
CPE hours are an integral part of the accounting profession; CPAs use them not only to keep their licenses current, but to stay up-to-date on new technologies and advancements and enhance their careers. However, getting CPE hours isn’t exactly easy, and finding relevant opportunities can be time consuming and frustrating, especially if your deadline is […]
