2014 June ASCPA Magazine

ALABAMA CPA MAGAZINE JUNE 2014

Technology and Education Issue

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants P.O. Box 242987 Montgomery, Alabama 36124-2987 1-800-227-1711 334-834-7650 www.ascpa.org Officers Don McCleod, Chair Dr. Lowell Broom, Chair-Elect James R. L. Carroll, Secretary-Treasurer Renee Hubbard, Past Chair Board of Directors James R. L. Carroll Caitlin F. Glass Kate J. Ham Paul Marcus Hamilton M. Buddy Johnsey Jason L. Miller Michael C. Reibling Gregory E. Sellers Dennis E. Sherrin Rachel M. Taylor AICPA Council Members John Shank Don McCleod E. Lamar Reeves

Message from the Chair...

As I write my first message to the membership of the Alabama Society of CPAs, I can’t help but acknowledge how wonderful “firsts” are. Whether it is the excitement of a first date, the joys of a first child or the importance of a first impression, there is little doubt that the first always holds a very special place in our hearts.

So first and foremost, let me say thank you to Renee Hubbard for her amazing leadership over the past year. Her ability to deliver great wisdom and insight coupled with a pleasant smile, will be forever appreciated. Moreover, let me say thank you to Jeannine, her staff and our members for your efforts at embracing so many firsts as we celebrate the first 95 years of our existence as the ASCPA. We should all be collectively proud at the many firsts we’ve experienced as the premier accounting membership organization in this great state. Some of the more recent ones have included being the first to embrace the regional Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop last June. It is a program that brought together over 30 of the best and brightest college students from across the southern tier, to strengthen their professional skills and their understanding of the limitless possibilities and benefits to earning a CPA credential.

We should equally be proud of the ASCPA’s first efforts to meet with leaders of Alabama’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to build a bridge for future partnerships and resource sharing, all with the hope of expanding our mission of promoting education in the profession.

Speaking of education, we should also be proud of the ASCPA as it teams up with the Alabama State Department of Education, the AICPA and other state societies to work towards building an AP accounting course to be taught at high schools across the country.

We should all be excited that the ASCPA will lead the first Accounting Pilot and Bridge Project training session in Alabama on July 8-10 in Montgomery.

I am equally proud that even as I witness the continued growth of our ASCPA Leadership Academy, we are poised to launch yet another first, our ‘Best Foot Forward’ program. This program will focus on the development of leadership skills for those who are new to us and are between their first and third years in the profession. In closing, let me say how much I believe “to whom much is given, much is required”, and that I look humbly look forward to the many more firsts to come as I serve you over this next year as your chair.

Don

Jimmy L. Williamson, Past Chair, AICPA The Alabama CPA Magazine is published by Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants as a membership service to Society members.

Views and opinions appearing in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the ASCPA. The deadline for submitting materials for publication is the first of the month preceding issue date.

Jeannine P. Birmingham, CPA, CAE, CGMA President and CEO Diane L. Christy, Editor

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w w w. a i c p a . o r g / m a p s u r v e y The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

Don McCleod...

Running hard, with a heart.

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t’s one of the first things you learn about Don McCleod. When he listens to you, he really listens. He wants to know about you, your family and your concerns. That quality has contributed to his success, and not just in his Dothan practice, Don McCleod, CPA, PC. Success for McCleod is about much more than driving a nice car (he does) or having a beautiful wife (she is) or talented children (they are). His success is closely bound up with the success of his small business clients, many of whom have been with him since he opened his office in January 2003.

He was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, one of five children growing up in public housing with a single mom. His mother worked as many as three jobs to keep her family afloat and together.

“She never complained and made each of us the focus of her life. It was her faith and determination to see us through the difficult times that motivated me not to allow circumstance to dictate my future. I wanted to be the first in my family to finish college and to achieve something in my life. I wanted to do it for myself but also for her; to honor her dedication to her children.”

Don’s first passion was running high school track and his first mentor was his coach, Russell E. Blunt. Blunt was a legendary high school and college track and basketball coach. [Duke University’s Russell Blunt East Coast Invitational track meet honors his memory.] Don went to college right in Durham at North Carolina Central University.

“My undergraduate experience at NCCU was the most wonderful time of my life. I had two professors, both of them CPAs, who really influenced me: Dr. Robert P. Moffie and Nathan T. Garrett. Moffie would ask me to assist him on accounting projects while Garrett would offer stern guidance and remind us to stay focused.”

A friend from his high school track team was a peer motivator and challenged Don through friendly competition. They continued to run and play basketball together and pushed each other to succeed academically, too.

“I used the motivation those friendly competitions provided with Ray to work three internship during my junior and senior years. One with the U.S. Department of State, one with the state of North Carolina and one with the largest minority-owned bank in Durham.”

His friendship with Dr. Garrett resulted in Don’s attending graduate school.

Garrett was chair of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and asked Don to help with their conference. While there, he met Richard Zeigler from the University of Illinois. Ziegler sent Don an application for the school but it was set aside in a flurry of senior year activities. As he walked through campus one day, he met a recruiter from Illinois who was looking for engineering students. Don mentioned meeting Dr. Ziegler.

“She made me an offer that no broke college senior could resist, to The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

hand-deliver my application to the Illinois School of Business. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with an MBA in finance in 1996.”

McCleod worked in the corporate world for a couple of years and gradually noticed that some of the most successful people he worked with were CPAs. In 1999 he was hired by Windham Brannon in Atlanta and became certified in 2002.

In 2003 Don and college sweetheart Jerlyn, a pediatric psychiatrist, moved to Dothan and Don opened his practice there. That year, he was a subject of the award-winning Pillars of Success minority recruiting video which was produced by the AICPA’s Multi-Media Group. The video was distributed to state societies all over the country and got the attention of ASCPA and AICPA leadership.

“I believe that having had the opportunity to serve the Society on numerous task forces, committees and volunteer projects have made me not only a better CPA, but also a better person. In 2008, I was elected as the ASCPA’s Young CPA Board President and can still remember how we began our classroom blitz program that year. Six years later it has reached almost 20,000 young people all across the state of Alabama.”

McCleod has served on the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, on the Dothan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as chair of the Dothan Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board and as an at-large member of the AICPA governing council. He runs hard to keep ahead of his many responsibilities, but has no difficulty in taking time off.

“Being a father is my greatest joy. It is the ultimate relaxer and takes me far away from the office, often at a moment’s notice. I love being a father to a son who reminds me of the seasons of my youth. I adore being a dad to a beautiful little girl who is beginning to understand how to get daddy to bend to her considerable will. More so, I am forever grateful to be a husband to a woman who, as a first year medical student some 20 years ago, allowed this young man to find favor in her heart.”

Don enjoys keeping connected with his athletic past by coaching little league sports and mentions as a sole practitioner his clients are like family to him, saying, “they are what keep me up at night, their hopes, their dreams and their wishes”.

“Many of them have been with me from the very start of my practice. I have helped them to start businesses, build businesses and, in some cases, to close a business to begin the next chapter of their lives. I have seen births and deaths among my clients. I have celebrated graduations, job changes, relocations; have seen their joys as well as their sorrows. Helping clients reach their hopes and dreams makes me proud to be their CPA.” 3

Gulf Shores Clusters Tailor your schedule to fit your needs. Designed with three tracks of education in both the morning and afternoon, each class gives four hours of CPE credit. Spend your morning in class and the afternoon on the beach, or super-focus on education to receive 32 hours of credit by attending all of the sessions you can schedule. Wifi is available for all participants.

See you at the beach!

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The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

June 23-25 • The Beach Club June 23 — morning •T echnology Update (007) - 6/23/2014 - Gulf Shores •S Corporation, Partnership, and LLC Tax Update (006) 6/23/2014 - Gulf Shores •A n Overview of the Financial Reporting, Framework for Small and Medium-Sized Entities (005) 6/23/2014 - Gulf Shores

June 23 — afternoon •A dvanced QuickBooks Tips & Tricks (010) 6/23/2014 - Gulf Shores •S urgent’s Guide to Understanding the New Net Investment Income Tax in 2014 (009) 6/23/2014 - Gulf Shores

June 25 — afternoon •E thics in the Real World: Living Values for Today (022) 6/25/2014 - Gulf Shores •T aking Your Medicine: Obama Care in 2014 and Beyond (021) - 6/25/2014 - Gulf Shores •T he Auditor’s Responsibilities Related to Fraud and Abuse Under GAAS and the Yellow Book (017) 6/25/2014 - Gulf Shores June 26 — morning • How Good Companies Become Great: Secrets to Success (025) - 6/26/2014 - Gulf Shores •P artnerships and LLCs: Avoiding Common Pitfalls Facing Practitioners (024) - 6/26/2014 - Gulf Shores

•C urrent Issues in Accounting and Auditing: An Annual Update (008) - 6/23/2014 - Gulf Shores

June 24 — morning •E xcel Reporting - Best Practices, Tools and Techniques (013) - 6/24/2014 - Gulf Shores

•C ritical Internal Control Concepts Under the Updated Internal Control Framework (023) - 6/26/2014 - Gulf Shores

•U nderstanding and Implementing the New Repair/ Capitalization Regulations in 2014 (012) 6/24/2014 - Gulf Shores

•S urgent’s Guide to Understanding the Passive Activity Rules in 2014 (027) - 6/26/2014 - Gulf Shores

•A dvanced Compilation and Review Engagement Issues (011) - 6/24/2014 - Gulf Shores

June 24 — afternoon •W ord, Outlook, and PowerPoint Tips and Tricks for Enhancing Productivity (016) - 6/24/2014 - Gulf Shores •C ritical Tax Aspects for Real Estate Transactions and Investments (015) - 6/24/2014 - Gulf Shores • F inancial Statement Disclosures: Guide to Current Requirements and Developing Issues (014) 6/24/2014 - Gulf Shores

June 25 — morning •A nnual FASB Update and Review (020) 6/25/2014 - Gulf Shores

June 26 — afternoon •C reating the Best Projections You Can: Insights and Techniques (028) - 6/26/2014 - Gulf Shores

•T he Statement of Cash Flows: Preparation Guidance and Presentation Illustrations (026) - 6/26/2014 - Gulf Shores

Stay and Play

at the Beach Club

The Beach Club plans year round fun and exciting activities for the entire family. These special activities are free for guests renting through Spectrum Resorts. See the interactive calendar at The Beach Club Website

• I ndividual Tax Planning Ideas for 2014 (019) 6/25/2014 - Gulf Shores • F inancial Analysis in a Metrics Driven World: Run the Numbers Effectively (018) - 6/25/2014 - Gulf Shores

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

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Minimize the Risk from Viruses

D

uring the past year, the K2 team has been warning people that the current wave of virus attacks is more aggressive and invasive than any we have seen in the past. These attacks are frequently delivered via email, social media such as Facebook and embedded in PDF files.

The anti-virus companies are having more issues keeping their software ahead of the threats and the creators of viruses and malware are becoming smarter in their attacks. Even if your IT team or managed service provider is diligent in updating your firewalls and anti-virus (AV) signatures, your organization is still susceptible to attacks.

How do we minimize and mitigate this risk?

First, why are we so concerned about the attacks now? Haven’t viruses been around since the early 1980s? Some key things to know about viruses include: • This year will bring new virus attacks with the discontinuance of security updates for Windows XP and Office 2003.

• Aggressive viruses like Cryptolocker are charging ransoms for an unlock key after systems have been infected. CPA attendees at our webinars report these keys work and have been worth the amount charged.

• Viruses exploit weaknesses in operating system controls and human patterns of system use/misuse.

• Destructive viruses are more likely to be eradicated by anti-virus software.

• Key logging viruses transfer information from your system(s) to the authors. This can include user ID and passwords, bank account information and other confidential data.

• Non-destructive viruses remain resident on your systems and slow your operations day after day.

• An innovative virus may have a larger initial window to propagate before it is discovered and the ``average’’ anti-viral product is modified to detect or eradicate it.

Infected systems are normally unusable during the recovery period.

Viruses make attempts to hide intelligently and re-infect the systems where they have made initial entry. It may take 24, 48 or 72 hours to completely eradicate the viruses from your systems and to restore all of your files to a usable state. What will you have your team do while their computers are not working? How do you teach them to be careful in the first place?

Have end users attend regularly scheduled and ongoing prevention training. Such training should include customized basic training for your firm, especially since firms have unique virus protection strategies. All team members of the firm should be required to attend from the janitor to the CEO/owners, with documentation through your human resources department.

Name the product being used It is important for team members to know if your firm has GFI VIPRE Antivirus, Trend Micro, AVG, Sophos, etc. Train on the basics of that specific product to familiarize the end users with the protection they have been provided by their company.

Explain how your firm’s AV protection works Explain what the firm has purchased and installed. You need to point out that this protection only works if it is enabled, up to date and employees follow these basic principles: • Don’t click links in emails without determining where they go first.

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• Don’t open attachments unless you know the source of document AND were expecting to receive it.

• When surfing websites and popup windows come up, (ALT-F4) is the proper way to close them.

• When in doubt, don’t open a file or click through a link

Protect Outlook properly Outlook has improved its virus protection and spam filtering with each version, but there are still fundamental features to consider and use. Turn off the reading pane for the Inbox. This is not as great of a threat as it once was, but the reading pane can still be exploited for virus infections. Disable links for messages in the Junk Email Folder (Outlook). This should disable attachments too.

Ensure your AV is on and current on your desktop at all times AV is only as good as the most current signature file. Vendors frequently release updates to protect for known threats in the world and these change hourly worldwide. Often, it can be several days or even weeks before some vendors have updated definitions (the file that allows identification of the viruses) to protect from the newest threats

Do not open emails that are not recognized Do not open any file that may have questionable business content, especially if the email has hyperlinks or attachments. If you are not expecting correspondence or are suspicious of the content, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the sender if the message was from them. Be exceptionally cautious with email from unknown sources.

Frequently spammers will create spoofed (“fake”) emails from Intuit, Bank of America and Citibank. Malicious email authors are very clever nowadays and often include spoofed senders (senders pretending to The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

By Randy Johnston, K2 Enterprises be someone they are not), content that seems to come from valid business senders, and, my personal favorite currently, emails “spoofed” from Intuit that contains a QuickBooks update that needs to be installed NOW to correct a program problem or improve performance. These emails actually contain images from Intuit’s website and appear very legitimate. Staff need to regularly communicate with their IT Support team or the senders before opening questionable emails or files.

• Security of smartphones and tablets

Explain your procedures for recovery

The best training is customized for each firm. Your staff should know how they are being protected and what the limitations of that protection are. Human resources and IT should work together to deliver ongoing, regular training that is recorded into employee records.

In between regular training sessions, IT should inform staff of high risk known threats via alerts whether that is through email, intranets or bulletin boards. There should also be training required for new employee onboarding since the next regular training might be months away and the new employee might put the entire training program at risk unless we educate them. If you are from a smaller organization, your IT provider should be able to provide guidance. Otherwise, the ideas above can serve as a starting point for building your own security training agenda. Remember to hold a training session at least annually with your team to minimize your risk of virus infection. ______ Randy Johnston is a shareholder in K2 Enterprises, where he develops and presents continuing professional education programs to accounting, financial, and other business professionals across North America. You may contact him at randy@k2e.com.

• Outline your reporting and shutdown procedure.

• Have everyone stay off of their systems until given the all clear.

• Unplug infected machines from the network.

• Explain how you intend to estimate the recovery time.

• Explain what systems are likely to be made available first.

Consider other topics related to security You probably don’t get your team together frequently enough. Take this opportunity to discuss other important security related matters such as: • Review the firm’s acceptable use and other computer policies • Encryption • Protection of portable computers and removable media • Properly handling USB devices from home or clients • Password strength and changes • Social networking site safety

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• Instant Messengers – AOL, MSN, Google Chat, ICQ • Personal email access from Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook.com • Transferring documents to and from clients via your portal or secure email

Training is the best prevention

Do you have broad professional liability insurance coverage?

You do if you are insured with the AICPA Professional Liability Insurance Program.

When it comes to something as important as your CPA firm, do you want to insure it with a professional liability insurance policy created for all types of professionals?

Doesn’t it make sense to cover your firm with a professional liability insurance program created with the support of the AICPA specifically for CPAs? Get the benefits of a national provider with the personal service you deserve: • Policy form designed to cover the unique exposures of CPA firms • All size firms and areas of practice are eligible • Premium credits designed to reflect the way CPAs do business • Quality coverage at a price that fits your budget

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One or more of the CNA companies provide the products and/or services described. The information is intended to present a general overview for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to constitute a binding contract. Please remember that only the relevant insurance policy can provide the actual terms, coverages, amounts, conditions and exclusions for an insured. All products and services may not be available in all states and may be subject to change without notice.

The statements, analyses and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the respective authors and may not necessarily reflect those of any third parties including the CNA companies. CNA is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Copyright © 2014 CNA. All rights reserved.

E-10373-614 AL

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

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EDUCATE

ASCPA’s Preferred Webcast Provider Topics in every field 2, 4 and 8 hour webcasts

K2 Enterprises is proud to offer a broad curriculum of technology-focused CPE webinars to the members of the ASCPA. Now you can have webinar access to many of the courses that have made K2 Enterprises a leader in providing CPE to professionals throughout North America.

Lunch and Learn Series – 1 hour each session 11:30 – 12:30 on days listed below

Topics in every field 2, 4 and 8 hour webcasts

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• The Affordable Care Act - 7/16/2014 • Tax Consequences of Raising Capital 7/30/2014 • State Tax Incentives and Other Legislative Changes - 8/13/2014 • Income Tax Issues Involving Grantor Trusts - 8/27/2014

• Section 338(h)(10) and Section 336(3) Elections - 9/3/2014 • 1411 Planning - 9/10/2014 • 469 Grouping Rules - 9/17/2014 • Defending Valuation Disputes with IRS - 9/24/2014

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

MEMBERS IN MOTION New Positions and Promotions AuburnBank has promoted David Hedges to senior vice president/controller/CFO. Hedges was previously employed by the global accounting firm KPMG in Birmingham and Charlotte, N.C. He is a graduate of Samford University, with both undergraduate and MAcc degrees. He has been employed by AuDavid Hedges burnBank since 2006.

Robert “Bobby” Mills is now president and chief operating officer at Citizens Bank of Fayette. Mills is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the Graduate School of Banking of the South. He’s been with the bank for 35 years.

Awards and New Designations Eric Haynes, a staff accountant with Wilkins Miller Hieronymus, has been awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation from the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The CGMA designation recognizes professionals who Eric Haynes have deep understanding of finance and have expanded their business skills through experience as management accountants to help drive better business decisions. Haynes possesses three years’ experience in private accounting and two years’ experience in public accounting. His area of special concentration includes financial analysis, litigation, audit, and advanced spreadsheet design. Haynes graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2009.

Louie Blankenship, founding member of legacy firm Blankenship, Lamar, Gilliland & Hicks, died on April 4, 2014 at age 89. The firm later became Wilson Price Barranco Blankenship & Billingsley before merging recently with Warren Averett.

Blankenship was born a member of the Greatest Generation in Bessemer on September 12, 1924 and grew up on Shades Mountain. He served as a tailgunner and radioman on Navy torpedo planes launched from the USS Hornet during World War II. He remained active with the USS Hornet Association throughout his life. After the war, Blankenship worked for Western Electric as well as in iron and limestone mines. He attended Jones Law School and got a degree in accounting; he held certificate #336 and was an influential leader within the profession. Blankenship raced motorcycles, waterskied at his lake cabin, was secretary/treasurer of the Alabama Society of CPAs in the early 1970s, and served on the board of Montgomery Water Works for 29 years. He and his wife Ramona were married for more than 50 years and raised three children together.

Community News Auditwerx, a CPA firm specializing in performing auditor assurance engagements to meet regulatory or customer compliance needs for service companies, has been acquired by Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC , the 23rd largest accounting firm in the nation. Auditwerx is based in Tampa, Florida and serves clients in more than 30 states, as well as several foreign countries. Their professionals specialize in SOC reporting for eight different industry types.

Jackson Thornton principal, Annamarie Jones, was recently honored as the 2014 Outstanding Business Leader by the College of Business at Auburn University at Montgomery. Jones was unanimously selected from a group of River Region business leaders. She was recognized for her service as the co-chair of Annamarie Jones the Business Finance Career Academy Advisory Board, her position on the Montgomery Chamber’s Women in Business Steering Committee, and on Family Sunshine Center Advisory Council.

Jones was also recognized for her role as an active volunteer for Auburn Montgomery, serving as the treasurer of the Alumni Association, the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council, and as chair of the Accounting Department Advisory Board. Jones has been with Jackson Thornton since graduating summa cum laude from Auburn Montgomery in 1994.

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

I n M e m o ria m William L. Stephens September 21, 1946 – February 26, 2041 Opelika, Alabama Certificate #1053

Louie E. Blankenship September 12, 2014 – April 4, 2014 Montgomery, Alabama Certificate #336

Maurice F. Cox December 13, 1925 – April 3, 2014 Florence, Alabama Certificate #252

Richard Alfred Dunning June 1, 1935 - April 21, 2014 Guntersville, Alabama Certificate #428

PROTECT • CONNECT • EDUCATE The second dues notice was sent out on May 20.

If you have not already renewed, please take a few minutes to do so by logging in to your account on the ASCPA website, ascpa.org.

QUESTIONS? Contact Senior Manager for Membership Shanna Jackson, sjackson@ascpa.org, 334.386.5754.

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Zoebelein on Tax

Automating the Tax Function Tom Zoebelein, CPA, Tax Manager with Pearce, Bevill, Leesburg, Moore P.C. oday’s tax practice is a far cry from the 1972 paper world when I entered the profession.

New technology has both increased efficiency and accuracy in tax preparation as well as tax research.

T

Tax preparation software is a tool and can make complex tax computations that some of the IRS forms require nearly as fast as you enter the data and hit compute. The software can make nice professional looking tax returns but it can’t think for you.

Tax Preparation Software The IRS e-file mandate was the impetus for practitioners to use tax preparation software.

Today there are many software companies offering products at different price points. The following chart was taken from the August 2013 issue of the AICPA Tax Advisor. The results are from their survey covering the 2012 tax season.

The following are points that I believe must be considered with any tax preparation software: • The user must still know the tax law otherwise garbage in and garbage out and an incorrect tax return.

• Test for reasonable does the final answer make sense? Does it agree with the tax expected from the year end meeting with your client? Is

The important things to consider in selecting the preparation software are as follows: • Accuracy • Ease of use and installation including updates.

• How quick are updated forms available?

• Does the software populate all the related area in the return? Too much redundant manual entry slows the preparation.

• Does the software offer e-filing capability?

How reliable is this function?

• How many firms of your size are using the software you are interested in purchasing?

• How professional looking is the end product?

• How good is the multi-state module - Does it pull from the federal module?

- How quickly are small state like Alabama updated • Is there a link to the instructions and or your tax research service for a specific line or form

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the tax in line with last year’s return? Be wary of a huge overpayment.

• Make sure the latest version is in place. You might wait to make a software update if it is the last few weeks of tax season.

• Don’t gloss over your diagnostic reports.

• Avoid using overrides the software most time is correct and you may have missed a tax law change. Overrides prevent a good rollover of that return to the next year.

• Test the software especially the state modules.

This is the area we have found the most software mistakes.

•A ssign a member of your firm to interface with the software vendor when problems arrive.

•M ake sure the staff understands the tax concept avoid just telling the staff member the answer to “what box do I check?”

•D on’t buy more software than you need but don’t be too cheap either one can be a waste of time and resources.

Tax Research Online tax research services are the favorite technological change in my tax practice. Online services offer a wealth of tax research materials at your fingertips. Gone are the days of hauling heavy tax books, finding a library that has the citation your paper service didn’t have, and the paper service that was misfiled or never updated. You can now do tax research anywhere, even at the beach if there is WiFi access for your tablet or smartphone. I spend about half of my day doing tax research online and feel this access makes me a better tax researcher.

The four leading tax research services according to the JOA October 2011 article are BNA, CCH, RIA & Intuit (see the charts below). Most of the local college accounting programs use RIA for its speed and cookbook approach of examples. RIA also offers a subjectbased Deskbooks series on such subjects as LLC, Partnerships, and S corporations, just to name a few. The RIA Checkpoint is not in-depth enough for my purposes but I do use it when I need a quick answer. Most of the accountants at our firm also use RIA Checkpoint for the speed and ease of use. In my opinion, the best part of the RIA Checkpoint service is the citator.

RIA’s citator, former Prentis Hall citatory, has a much larger database of cases than the other

Exhibit 2

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

services. This is important when shepardizing a case or IRS Rulings.

CCH is much like RIA. It is more traditional, but seems to be migrating toward the RIA platform. If you use the ProSystem preparation software, the research service can be linked to federal tax forms line by line. This is a good service; easy to use and was the standard for many years.

I am a little old school, but I prefer the BNA service, especially if it is for research in an area that I am not familiar with. BNA gives you the history; I can then understand why the particular code section was enacted. Understanding the “why” helps me to remember the code section logic as well as how to apply it to my client’s fact pattern.

I offer the following advice to using online tax research software: • Ask the service provider to give a class in the use of their service.

• Narrow your search or you will get too many hits.

• Watch how you phrase your key word search.

• If stuck, use the index (my starting point, but I am old school).

• If you know the IRC Code Section, try that as a starting point.

• Don’t end your search when you get the answer you want. Consider the opposing points of view since the IRS will.

• Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find your exact fact pattern; it rarely happens. You must learn to extrapolate points from your research to your client’s fact pattern. Show how the theory of the opinion in the case applies to your client case.

• Shepardize the case you want to cite, this means going to the citator and look up your case and it will show you what other cases cited your case. Look through them. Many will not apply, but there may be some that do.

Do the same for any revenue rulings to make sure it is still current and not superseded.

Look at the later rulings shown in the citation to see any changes to that ruling.

• Print your research as a word document when possible. That way you can cut and paste into your tax brief.

Most services offer states research online on a state-by-state basis and offer a state tax guide. This can be expensive if your clients are in multiple states. If you can’t afford a state tax research service I recommend starting with the FTA website www.taxadmin.org/fta/link/ default.php. This website gives you a map of the US and you can click on the state you want to research. Clicking on your state takes you to the The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

Department of Revenue websites for each state.

Not all state websites are the same. Some are very helpful, and others may not be any help, but it is a start. See if you can pick up a paper state tax guide; most services have one. If your firm uses and recommends a payroll service to

clients, some payroll companies give away paper state tax guides as a promotion.

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Birmingham, AL 205.444.0080 | Mobile, AL 251.732.3000 www.pangeatwo.com

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We Welcome new members to the ASCPA Oliver P. Amerson, III Hudson Bell Century, Florida Richard M. Andrews Warren Averett Deatsville Andrew J. Bailey Warren Averett Birmingham Buford B. Battles Self, Maples & Copeland Oneonta Amanda M. Benson Aldridge Borden & Company Montgomery Gregory R. Bentley Sellers, Richardson Holman & West Birmingham William B. Brookshire Donald W. Causey & Associates Gadsden Autumn E. Brown Smith Dukes & Buckalew Silverhill Nicholas A. Burke Cooper/T. Smith Stevedoring Co. Fairhope Sonia M. Burrage Internal Revenue Service Brookwood Anna H. Chandler Warren Averett Hoover Kelly L. Cline Sellers Richardson Holman & West Birmingham William J. Connolly, IV Warren Averett Hoover Amanda L. Crawford Sellers Richardson Holman & West Birmingham David A. Dalling Edmundite Missions Montgomery Daniel J. Delancey D. Jeff Delancey, CPA Fairhope Amanda E. Dixon Justin A. Dorning Robins & Morton Athens James A. Duncan Hall, Albright, Garrison & Associates Huntsville Jessica M. Eddlemon Wilkins Miller Hieronymus Mobile Nathan A. Edwards Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong Owens Cross Roads Bradley C. Fondren JamisonMoneyFarmer Northport Austin B. Gaines Jackson Thornton & Co. Montgomery Annette C. Gass Hill, Fogg & Associates Madison Nicholas G. Gee Robertson, Andreoli & Covington Bay Minette Paulette J. Gillum Laura L. Golden Culotta Scroggins Hendricks & Gilliespie Vestavia Hills Michael R. Grauel Warren Averett Birmingham James E. Green, Jr. Barnes Blackwell & Company Huntsville Kenneth W. Griffin Montgomery Jonnathan P. Grochowalski ColorMasters Guntersville Eric S. Haynes Wilkins Miller Hieronymus Lucedale, Mississippi Allison L. Hill Mostellar & Shreve Mobile Christoper E. Honeycutt Carr Riggs & Ingram Mobile Kayla N. Hoofman Abroms & Associates Camden, Tennessee Wendy H. Hudson Lischkoff & Pitts Bessemer Randi N. Hughes Carr Riggs & Ingram Birmingham John P. Jansen Deloitte & Touche Birmingham Amanda Janssen Sellers Richardson Holman & West Homewood David F. Keeler Mobile Jared S. Koechner Warren Averett Birmingham Fernanda L. Luiken JamisonMoneyFarmer Northport Robert A. Madison Meadows & Company Greenville Paula W. Mccluskey McKean & Associate Mobile Sean M. McGriff PricewaterhouseCoopers Birmingham William J. Michael, III Parsons Group Dothan Seth J. Miller HON Company Florence Drew T. Ohmstede Sellers Richardson Holman & West Birmingham Robert S. Pennington Cooper Hill & Lecroix, CPAs Florence Balea M. Perrigin Kassouf & Co. Birmingham 12

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

Carla A. Plunkett Boohaker Shillaci & Company Vestavia Michael W. Rebarchak Warren Averett Birmingham Anne V. Robertson Sellers Richardson Holman & West Birmingham Brenton J. Rohler Honda Manufacturing of Alabama Birmingham Jeffrey T. Rouse Dixon Hughes Goodman Hoover Jared T. Salmon Warren Averett Hoover Joshua P. Sayers Lischkoff & Pitts Homewood Richard Serota Birmingham John E. Shell Hargrove Engineers + Constructors Mobile Jean T. Shepherd Jean T. Shepherd, CPA Troy Emily Sims Sellers Richardson Holman & West Birmingham Jamie A. Smith Mauldin & Jenkins Moody Sarah A. Sowell Sellers Richardson Holman & West Homewood George K. Taylor Brantley Boucher & Farr Auburn Burney H. Terry, Jr. Sellers Richardson Holman & West Birmingham Timothy V. Trefethen Warren Averett Hoover Alex T. Truss Dixon Hughes Goodman Birmingham Rebecca S. Vosghanian Alabama Society of CPAs Montgomery Leighton M. Weaver Jackson Thornton & Co. Montgomery Eric R. Windsor, Jr. Protective Life Corporation Pinson John H. Young Crow Shields Bailey Mobile

Accounting Achievement Awards 2014 This award is made on the basis of “Excellence of character,

Kelsie Marie Baer – Samford University Kristi Browning – Jacksonville State University Alli E. Colquett – University of Mobile Marvin Cox – Alabama State University Elizabeth Ann Finley – Troy University Laura Ashley Giles – University of North Alabama Holly L. Goodmon – Athens State University Lenore E. Lahti – University of South Alabama Rickie D. Lee, Jr. – Spring Hill College

personality, leadership abilities

Michael Wade Medley – University of West Alabama

and academic achievement

Nathan D. Miklovic – University of Alabama

while pursuing a major in

Abigail Missildine – Auburn University

accounting”. It is the most

Menanteau Moolman – University of Alabama at Birmingham

accurate marker of which

Wofai Offem – Troy University-Montgomery Philip Ray Otwell – University of Montevallo

students will go on to become a

Virginia M. Patterson – University of Alabama in Huntsville

CPA. Congratulations to these

Katelyn M. Sizemore – Auburn University at Montgomery

very capable graduates!

Jana Torres – Troy University-Phenix City Campus Jennifer Weed – Troy University-Dothan James S. White – Huntingdon College Lauren Winfield – Alabama A&M University Deontay Wright – Tuskegee University

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

13

Meet Corena Unpingco

Newest Member of the ASCPA Team is a World Citizen

T

he ASCPA team certainly considers itself to be sophisticated and worldly, but now there’s a member of the staff who actually is. Corena Unpingco began at the Society in February, gradually taking over responsibilities in the communications department as chapter liaison, editor of the digital newsletter, assisting with the Young CPA Board and accounting student outreach. Once she revealed her skill at technical aspects of the website, she began updating the website.

Corena is a world traveler because of her dad’s career in the Air Force. She grew up on bases on three continents, and was graduated from Ramstein American High School in central Germany, headquarters of Air Force Europe. With no real connections in Montgomery, she elected to attend Auburn Montgomery and majored in English. Following her college graduation, she continued working in a small boutique until she accepted a full-time position at an apartment community. During that time she also became a certified yoga instructor through a local studio and taught there part-time.

“A good family friend saw the job posting for the communications coordinator position at the ASCPA and encouraged me to apply. I knew right away that I had the skills to do the job well.

However, it wasn’t until I had my first interview that I knew I would love working here. Everyone was friendly and seemed genuinely interested in me.”

With a staff of 10, it’s important to fit into the team right away. Corena demonstrated her ability to blend in quickly during her first week by bringing a dish, and gift, to a pot-luck birthday party! She’s been equally at home in getting to know the work of the ASCPA. “We learn a lot about our members and their lives. In the course of a conversation we learn what is important to them and how we can help members reach goals. After hearing details of somebody’s life, you can’t help but also know about their families and their ambitions for themselves in the profession. It’s very endearing and makes coming to work here a lot of fun.”

Since Corena is not an Alabama native, she enjoys discovering the roots and history of the state and being immersed in local culture. She attends festivals all over the state, especially if they involve food!

“I love to be outside – working on the garden, hiking, general exploring. I also love cooking, especially making pies and varieties of 14

barbequed anything.”

She and her boyfriend Chace have visited Belle Chevre, the Elkmont farm which is gaining regional notice for their artisan goat cheeses. Corena went with Chace’s mother to a weekend retreat at Camp McDowell where they were exposed to bee-keeping and outdoor photography. Recently the couple became the proud parents of a 9 week old German wirehaired puppy named Hondo. It’s only natural for her to want a doggy child, she’s one of five children and is used to a degree of domestic chaos.

“I come from a large family and I’m the oldest. There are four of us girls, one boy.

Somebody once said that the oldest tends to be the smartest, but in birth order after me my brother is graduating from the Naval Academy next May, my next sister graduates with a degree in electrical engineering the following May, my sixteen year old sister has ambitions in the culinary world, and my baby sister already

knows she loves impressionist art! I’m very proud of them and their successes.”

Corena’s talents have moved her into the education department as conference coordinator. You’ll see her at the most important ASCPA events as continuing education ramps up during the summer and fall.

Please take a moment to say hello. And, in case you wondered, her name is pronounced just like it looks, UN-PING-KO. Her family on Guam would be so proud.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY SEEKS AUDITING/ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL FOR FULL-TIME LECTURER or SENIOR LECTURER POSITION Position: Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Auditing/Assurance Services (primary area) and financial and/or managerial accounting (secondary area).

Contract: 9-month contract with office space and potential for summer teaching with possibility for annual renewal. Lecturers are eligible for benefits equivalent to other full time employees of Auburn University at Montgomery.

Starting Date: Fall Semester 2014 Duties: Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Auditing/Assurance area and Accounting. There is also a research and professional service requirement as well. Our College teaches graduate level courses in the evening hours exclusively in a hybrid format (both live and online) and on weekends. Candidates must agree to evening and weekend scheduling.

Salary Level: Dependent on qualifications Minimum Qualifications: 1. Master of Accountancy from an AACSB separately accredited accounting program 2. Professional Certification – Certified Public Accountant with an active permit to practice 3. Minimum of 5 years significant and substantive professional experience in the areas of auditing and advisory service including assessment of client’s internal controls, accounting policies and practices, and risk management policies for both private and publicly traded corporations.

4. Demonstrated success in teaching college level accounting courses, preferably auditing/ assurance area, for a minimum of 2 years, adjunct or full-time.

Interested parties should apply at www.jobs.aum.edu.

Auburn University at Montgomery is an equal-opportunity employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity; therefore, we encourage applications from historically under-represented groups. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities (including provisions for training, development, transfers, and promotions) for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age disability or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

ASCPA’s staff training... ...provides continuing professional education for local and regional CPA firms through courses that result in: • Enhanced on–the–job performance • Elevated motivation of staff • Improved competence of staff • CPE credits • Increased commitment of staff to the firm Basic Staff Training June 24-25, 2014 / Montgomery 16 Hours of A&A Credit Member Fee: $550 / Non-Member Fee: $600 Improves your staff members’ knowledge, skills and attitude to enable them to be more productive and profitable on audits, reviews and compilations.

Beginning In-Charge Staff Training June 11-12, 2014 / Montgomery 16 Hours of A&A Credit Member Fee: $550 / Non-Member Fee: $600 Beginning In-Charge training enables your experienced staff to better plan and efficiently complete audits, supervise staff and interact with partners and clients.

Semi-Senior Staff Training June 26-27, 2014 /Montgomery 16 Hours of A&A Credit Member Fee: $550 / Non-Member Fee: $600 Enables your more experienced staff to complete small audits, reviews and compilations with minimum supervision and maximum profitability.

For complete view of education modules and objectives of this course, visit www.ascpa.org.

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Implementing and Supporting Human Resources & Payroll Solutions Since 1986 The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

15

EDUCATION Express

Save $25 when you register at least 10 days before class date.

Area of No. Study Title Date(s) Location

AICPA Member Discount

Registration Non-Member Member Fee Fee

Auburn 041 8AA

NEW It Cost What! A Practical Approach to Implementing Activity Based Costing

7/15/14

Auburn

275.00

325.00 325.00

042 8Tax

NEW The Top 10 Tax Topics of 2014

7/15/14

Auburn

275.00

047 4Tech

Excel Tables - Revolutionize How You Work with Excel!

7/28/14

Auburn

180.00

230.00

049 4Tech

NEW Technology Update

7/28/14

Auburn

180.00

230.00

078 8AA

2014 Compilation and Review Update

8/13/14

Auburn

224.00

274.00

135 8AA

NEW Internal Control Best Practices for Small and Medium-Sized Entities

8/27/14

Auburn

-30.00

275.00

325.00

136 8Tax

NEW ObamaCare and Fringe Benefits: 2014 and Beyond

8/27/14

Auburn

275.00

325.00

170 8AA

Revenue Recognition

9/12/14

Auburn

-30.00

275.00

325.00

9/12/14

Auburn

-30.00

275.00

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171 8Tax Hottest Tax Topics for 2014

DOTHAN 044 8Tax

NEW ObamaCare and Fringe Benefits: 2014 and Beyond

7/15/14

Dothan

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094 8AA

NEW Preventing and Detecting Identity Theft

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-30.00

275.00

325.00

095 4AA

Fraud in Revenue and Cash Receipt Cycles: Designing a Sound System of Internal Controls

8/15/14

Dothan

180.00

230.00

217 4AA

Forensic Accounting: Uncovering Schemes and Scams

8/15/14

Dothan

180.00

230.00

160 8AA

NEW Accounting and Auditing Update for Small Businesses

9/10/14

Dothan

-30.00

275.00

325.00

161 8Tax Hottest Tax Topics for 2014

9/10/14

Dothan

-30.00

275.00

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176 8Tax

9/17/14

Dothan

-30.00

275.00

325.00

S Corporations: Key Issues, Compliance, and Tax Strategies

GULF SHORES See Page 5 for Class Listings HUNTSVILLE 029 8AA

NEW GAAS from A to Z

7/9/14 Huntsville

275.00

325.00

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S Corporations: Key Issues, Compliance, and Tax Strategies

8/5/14 Huntsville

-30.00

275.00

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071 8AA

2014 Accounting & Auditing Update for the Real World

8/11/14 Huntsville

224.00

274.00

096 8AA

Internal Control Essentials for Accountants and Auditors

8/21/14 Huntsville

-30.00

275.00

325.00

100 8AA

2014 Compilation and Review Update

8/22/14 Huntsville

224.00

274.00

123 4AA

The Statement of Cash Flows: Preparation Guidance and Presentation Illustrations

8/27/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

124 4Tax

Key Partnership and S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies

8/27/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

125 4Industry

Thriving in a Chaotic Economic Environment: Planning and Strategy Formulation for Your Organization

8/27/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

126 4AA

Financial Statement Disclosures: Guide to Current Requirements and Dev. Issues

8/27/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

127 4Tax

NEW Taking Your Medicine: Obama Care in 2014 and Beyond

8/27/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

128 4Industry

Gaining a Competitive Advantage: Critical Skills for CFOs and Controllers

8/27/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

129 2Tax/2Bus.Law From Hiring to Firing and Everything In-Between: Health Care, Retirement, and Fringe Benefit Tax Issues

8/28/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

130 4Tax

Individual Tax Planning Ideas for 2014

8/28/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

131 4Tax

Partnerships and LLCs: Avoiding Common Pitfalls Facing Practitioners

8/28/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00 230.00

132 4AA

NEW Disaster Recovery Planning for Your CPA Firm, Company, or Client

8/28/14 Huntsville

180.00

133 4Tax

Understanding and Implementing the New Repair/Capitalization Regulations in 2014

8/28/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

134 4Tax

NEW Surgent’s Guide to Understanding the Passive Activity Rules in 2014

8/28/14 Huntsville

180.00

230.00

149 8AA

Applying the Risk Assessment to Smaller Business Audits

9/8/14 Huntsville

-30.00

275.00

325.00

163 8AA

NEW Audit Workpapers: Reviewing Field Work Documentation

9/11/14 Huntsville

-30.00

275.00

325.00

164 8Tech

NEW Top Accounting Solutions

9/11/14 Huntsville

275.00

325.00

182 8AA

Forensic Accounting Investigative Practices

9/23/14 Huntsville

-30.00

275.00

325.00

183 8Tax

Advanced Partnership/LLC Workshop: How to Do Optional Step-Up in Basis Under §754 and Related Provisions 9/23/14 Huntsville

275.00

325.00

209 8Tax

Getting Ready for Busy Season: A Guide to New Forms, Filing Issues and Other Critical Developments

12/16/14 Huntsville

275.00

325.00

216 8Tax

Surgent’s Federal Tax Camp

12/19/2014 Huntsville

275.00

325.00

MOBILE 033 8AA

Auditing Defined Contribution Plans

7/10/14

Mobile

-30.00

275.00

325.00

034 8AA

Fair Value Accounting: Making the Complex Issues Understandable

7/10/14

035 8AA

NEW Internal Control Best Practices for Small and Medium-Sized Entities

7/11/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

Mobile

-30.00

275.00

059 8AA

Construction Contractors: Critical Accounting, Auditing, and Tax Issues in Today’s Environment

325.00

8/1/14

Mobile

275.00

060 8Tax

325.00

Smart Strategies to Slash Taxes for Closely Held Businesses

8/1/14

Mobile

-30.00

275.00

325.00

069 8AA

Auditing Employee Benefit Plans

8/5/14

Mobile

-30.00

275.00

325.00

081 4AA

Compilation and Review Update

8/14/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

16

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

Area of No. Study Title Date(s) Location

AICPA Member Discount

Registration Non-Member Member Fee Fee

082 4Tax Hot Tax Planning Developments Under the Current Tax Law

8/14/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

083 4AA

NEW Real-World Business Ethics for CPAs in A&A

8/14/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

084 4AA

NEW FASB Developments for Business & Industry

8/14/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

085 4Tax

Estates and Trusts: Mastering Complex Income Tax Issues

8/14/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

086 4Other

Doing More with Less: Lean Accounting and Management

8/14/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

087 4AA

Forensic Accounting: Uncovering Schemes and Scams

8/15/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

088 4Tax

NEW Health Care Reform Act: Critical Tax and Insurance Ramifications For You, Your Business, and Your Clients 8/15/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

089 4Other

NEW Risk, Cost, and Cash Management for Controllers and Financial Managers

8/15/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

090 4AA

NEW Transaction Processing Controls Best Practices for Small and Medium-Sized Entities

8/15/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

091 4Tax

Social Security and Medicare

8/15/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

092 4Other

Taking Planning and Budgeting to a Higher Level: Critical Skills to Make the Trip

8/15/14

Mobile

180.00

230.00

155 8AA

2014 Accounting & Auditing Update for the Real World

9/9/14

Mobile

224.00

325.00

158 8AA

Not-for-Profit Accounting & Reporting: From Start to Finish

9/10/14

Mobile

-30.00

275.00

274.00

159 8Tech

The Mobile Office

9/10/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

177 8Tax Hot IRS Tax Examination Issues for Individuals and Businesses

9/17/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

178 8Other

Annual Update for Controllers

9/17/14

Mobile

-30.00

275.00

325.00

198 8Tax

Estate and Life Planning Issues for the Middle-Income Client

9/25/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

199 8Tax

Determining How Much Money You Need to Retire, and Tax Ideas and Money Management in Retirement

9/26/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

200 8Tax

Fiduciary Income Tax Returns

9/26/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

210 8Tax

Surgent’s Federal Tax Camp

12/16/14

Mobile

275.00

325.00

215 8Tax

Getting Ready for Busy Season: A Guide to New Forms, Filing Issues and Other Critical Developments

12/19/2014

Mobile

275.00

325.00

MONTGOMERY 002 16AA

Basic Audit Staff Training – Take $50 off when registered by 6/6

6/16-6/17/14

Montgomery

550.00

600.00

003 16AA

Semi-Senior Audit Staff Training – Take $50 off when registered by 6/9

6/19-6/20/14

Montgomery

550.00

600.00

004 16AA

Beginning In Charge Audit Staff Training – Take $50 off when registered by 7/6

7/16-7/17/14

Montgomery

550.00

600.00

040 8Tax

Shortcuts to Tax Cuts: Individual Tax, Social Security, and Retirement Planning Tools and Strategies

7/14/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

046 8Tax

NEW Buying and Selling a Business: Critical Tax and Structuring Issues

7/18/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

057 8Tax

Advanced Selected Issues for Trusts, Estates, and Their Beneficiaries

7/30/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

075 8AA

Construction Contractors Advanced Issues

8/12/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00

076 8Tax

Surgent McCoy’s Handbook for Mastering Basis, Distributions, and Loss Limitation Issues for S Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships

8/12/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

079 8AA

Internal Control Essentials for Accountants and Auditors

8/14/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00

080 16Other

NEW Best Foot Forward

8/14 - 15/14

Montgomery

595.00

645.00

137 8AA

NEW Audits of State and Local Governments: What You Need to Know

8/28/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00 325.00

138 8Tax

NEW Reading, Understanding, and Structuring LLC and Partnership Agreements from a CPA’s Perspective 8/28/14

Montgomery

275.00

144 8Tax

The Top 50 Mistakes Practitioners Make and How to Fix Them: Individual Tax and Financial Planning

9/4/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

145 8AA

NEW Group Audits: Clarifying the Complexities

9/5/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00

146 8Tax

The Top 50 Business Tax Mistakes Practitioners Make and How to Fix Them

9/5/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

154 4AA/4Tech NEW Excel Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Accountants

9/9/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

162 8AA

2014 Accounting & Auditing Update for the Real World

9/11/14

Montgomery

224.00

274.00

172 8AA

Applying OMB Circular A-133 to Not-for-Profit and Governmental Organizations

9/16/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00

173 8Tax

S Corporations: Key Issues, Compliance, and Tax Strategies

9/16/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00

220 8Tax

NEW Federal Tax Update - Individual & Business Current Developments

9/17/14

Montgomery

224.00

274.00

179 8Tax

NEW Obama Health Care Bill and Other Federal Income Tax Update

9/18/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

184 8AA

NEW Digging Deeper with Data Analysis

9/23/14

Montgomery

-30.00

275.00

325.00

186 4AA

Revenue and Cash Receipts: Common Frauds and Internal Controls

9/24/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00 230.00

187 4Tax

NEW Tax Planning Strategies for Small Business: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs

9/24/14

Montgomery

180.00

188 4AA

Purchasing, Inventory, and Cash Disbursements: Common Frauds and Internal Controls

9/24/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00

189 4Tax

NEW Practical Tips and Techniques for Dealing with the IRS

9/24/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00

190 4AA

Advanced Issues in Compilation, Review and Accounting Services

9/25/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00

191 4Industry

NEW Position Your Organization for Success: Strategies for Today’s Competitive Environment

9/25/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00

192 4AA

Audit Workpapers: Documenting Field Work

9/25/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

17

EDUCATION Express Save $25 when you register at least 10 days before class date.

Area of No. Study Title Date(s) Location

AICPA Member Discount

Registration Non-Member Member Fee Fee

193 4Industry

Analyzing Your Company’s Financial Statement

9/25/14

Montgomery

180.00

230.00

212 8Tax

Surgent’s Federal Tax Camp

12/17/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

213 8Tax

Getting Ready for Busy Season: A Guide to New Forms, Filing Issues and Other Critical Developments

12/18/14

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

221 16Tax

NEW Hands-On Tax Return Workshop - Individual (Form 1040)

1/12/15-1/13/15 Montgomery

525.00

575.00

222 8Tax

NEW Hands-On Tax Return Workshop - S-Corporations (Form 1120S)

1/14/2015

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

223 8Tax

NEW Hands-On Tax Return Workshop - Partnerships (Form 1065)

1/15/2015

Montgomery

275.00

325.00

TUSCALOOSA 037 8AA

Internal Control Essentials for Financial Managers, Accountants and Auditors

7/14/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

038 8Tax

Advanced Tax Strategies for S Corporations

7/14/14

Tuscaloosa

-30.00

275.00

325.00

063 8AA

Fraud and Abuse in Not-for-Profit Entities and Governments: Stealing from Everyone

8/4/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

064 4AA/4Tech

Budgeting, Forecasting and Business Analytics

8/4/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

098 8Tax

Determining How Much Money You Need to Retire, and Tax Ideas and Money Management in Retirement

8/21/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

099 8Other

NEW Toolkit of Best Practices for Today’s Controller & Financial Manager

8/21/14

Tuscaloosa

-30.00

275.00

325.00

181 8AA

FASB Update

9/23/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

195 8AA

Revenue Recognition

9/25/14

Tuscaloosa

-30.00

275.00

325.00

196 8Tax Hot IRS Tax Examination Issues for Individuals and Businesses

9/25/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

203 8Tax Hottest Tax Topics for 2014

9/29/14

Tuscaloosa

-30.00

275.00

325.00

204 8Tech

9/29/14

Tuscaloosa

275.00

325.00

NEW Excel Best Practices

BIRMINGHAM 031 8AA

Audits of 401(k) Plans

7/10/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

032 8Tax

NEW Advanced Estate Planning Strategies

7/10/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

053 4Tech

PDF Forms - What Accountants Need to Know

7/29/14

Birmingham

180.00

230.00

054 8Tax

Federal Taxation of Timber Growers

7/29/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

055 4Tech

NEW Technology Update

7/29/14

Birmingham

180.00

230.00 600.00

058 16Tech

NEW Excel Boot Camp: Two Days of Intensive Excel Training

7/30 - 7/31/14

Birmingham

550.00

061 8AA

Audits of Banks and Other Financial Institutions

8/4/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

062 8Other

NEW Advanced Business Law for CPAs

8/4/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

065 4AA/4Tech

Advanced Excel

8/5/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

066 8Tax

Form 990: A Comprehensive Approach to Accurate Preparation

8/5/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

072 AA6/Tax2

Advanced Real Estate Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation

8/11/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

073 8Tax Hot IRS Tax Examination Issues for Individuals and Businesses

8/11/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

074 8AA

Accounting & Auditing Update

8/12/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

077 16AA

Yellow Book Workshop

8/13 - 8/14/14

Birmingham

550.00

600.00

147 8AA

Audits of HUD-Assisted Projects

9/8/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

148 8AA

NEW Internal Control Best Practices for Small and Medium-Sized Entities

9/8/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

151 8AA

Not-for-Profit Accounting and Auditing Update

9/9/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

152 8Tax

Private Foundations: Understanding the Requirements and Tax Implications

9/9/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

156 8AA

Common Frauds and Internal Controls for Revenue, Purchasing and Cash Receipts

9/10/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

157 8Tax

Advanced Tax Strategies for LLCs and Partnerships

9/10/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

165 8AA

NEW Revenue Recognition: The New Perspectives

9/12/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

166 4AA

Write-Up, Payroll, and Other Accounting Services: Managing the Risks

9/12/14

Birmingham

180.00

230.00

167 4Tech

NEW Advanced QuickBooks Tips & Tricks

9/12/14

Birmingham

180.00

230.00

168 4AA

NEW Transaction Processing Controls Best Practices for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities

9/12/14

Birmingham

180.00

230.00

169 4Tech

NEW Microsoft Office 365

9/12/14

Birmingham

180.00

230.00

219 8AA

Community Banking Update

9/17/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

174 8Tax

Farmer/Nunnalee 2014 Tax Update

9/19/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

180 8Tax

The Complete Guide to Payroll Taxes and 1099 Issues

9/22/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

194 8AA

FASB Update

9/24/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

201 8AA

Identifying Fraudulent Financial Transactions

9/29/14

Birmingham

-30.00

275.00

325.00

202 8Tax

NEW Getting More Active with the Passive Activity Rules and the New Net Investment Income Tax

9/29/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

205 8Tax

Surgent McCoy’s 2014 Annual Tax Planning Guide for S Corporations, Partnerships, and LLCs

9/30/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

206 8Tech

NEW Top Accounting Solutions

9/30/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

211 8Tax

Getting Ready for Busy Season: A Guide to New Forms, Filing Issues and Other Critical Developments

12/17/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

214 8Tax

Surgent’s Federal Tax Camp

12/18/14

Birmingham

275.00

325.00

18

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

Continuing Professional Education Registration

Mail this form and payment to: The Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants Fax to: 334.834.7310 or Register online www.ascpa.org P.O. Box 242987, Montgomery AL 36124-2987

If you have special needs under the Americans with Disability Act, attach a written description Call, or email sruss@ascpa.org or mfgarner@ascpa.org Please reproduce this form for multiple registrants PERSONAL INFORMATION Last Name

First Name

M.I.

Cancellations & Refund Policy REFUND POLICY: If you must cancel during the ten (10) days prior to a course, there will be no refund. However, you may name a replacement by contacting the CPE department, a $20 transfer fee applies. At any time prior to 10 days from a course, a refund less a $25 cancellation fee, will be made upon request.

Firm / Employer Address City

State

Zip

Business Phone

Business Fax

Email Address (for registration confirmation) ______________________________________________________ State Certificate Number _____________________ or ASCPA Member Number __________________

______________________ check if information has recently changed and needs to be updated in your member record

Mail this form and payment to: The Alabama Society of CPAs P.O Box 242987 Montgomery, AL 36124-2987 Phone: 334.834.7650 In-state: 800.227.1711 FAX to: 334.834.7310 Register online www.ascpa.org

Are you a CPA? Yes No Are you a member of the ASCPA? Yes No (If “No”, join now and save!)

Contact Betty Barker bbarker@ascpa.org or go to our web site for an application: www.ascpa.org. Applications in progress qualify for the member rate.

Are you a member of the AICPA? Course Date

City

Yes

No

Course Title

Member Number: ____________________ (Required for discount; subject to verification) Course Number

Course Fee ASCPA Member

NonMember

Fee Adjustment AICPA Member Discount * See Note

Subtotal

CPAs who are members of the ASCPA may register at the member rate. CPAs who are not a member of the ASCPA or other State Society may register at the Non-Member rate. Please include the appropriate discount(s) when registering for events.  CPAs who are members of the AICPA may deduct $30 from AICPA seminars ONLY (8 hrs classes). (These are identified in the CPE Schedule online or in the ASCPA newsletter). Refunds or credits for this AICPA discount will not be allowed after the registration has been processed.

Check: I have enclosed a check payable to ASCPA in the amount of $ ___________

PAYMENT INFORMATION:

Credit Card: MC Visa Discover AMEX I authorize the ASCPA to charge $ __________ to my credit card below: Month

Year

Expiration Date PRINT CARDHOLDER’S NAME

CARDHOLDER’S SIGNATURE

________________________________________ Address of cardholder

________________________________________________ City, State, Zip of cardholder

The Alabama CPA MAGAZINE

April mag

19

Presorted Std US Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Montgomery, AL JUNE

2014

The Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants 1041 Longfield Court P.O. Box 242987 Montgomery, AL 36124

Classified YOUR PRACTICE WANTED: We are North America’s leader in practice sales. Let us navigate the complexities, locate the best match from a deep pool of qualified and serious buyers, and optimize your return on the years invested in building your practice. If you are considering a change, contact Alabama broker Lori Newcomer, CPA, at (888) 277-6040 or LNewcomer@apsleader.com for a confidential discussion.

Seeking accountant with 2-3 years’ experience for Andalusia firm. CPA or CPA-eligible with public accounting experience preferred. Candidates must exhibito excellent verbal and written communications skills, proficient computer skills, and the ability to work in a team environment. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package with portential for advancement. Please send resume to ccalcpafirm@gmail.com.

95th Annual Meeting

HARD SHOES TO FILL? Where filling someone’s shoes is concerned, we get it.

Fit goes beyond the shoe’s size to the style and comfort of the wearer.

Otherwise, wouldn’t everyone walk around in the same shoes?

We believe that when you connect the right person to the right job and the right individual to the right company, the shoes will be just right.

We’re here to help you find the person to step into these shoes, And to make sure they can HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

s k c o R 95 Come join us at the ASCPA’s biggest event of the year.

The Society office will be closed on Thursday, June 5 for the Annual Meeting.

Successful transitions require experienced, confidential, professional services you can trust. This is what Akins Professional Brokerage provides. Specializing exclusively in the brokerage of CPA firms, we have no upfront fees. List your firm w/ a professional. Call David Akins, CPA, at (877) 277-0272. Visit our website at www.ProfessionalCPAbroker.com.

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