What Would the Accreditors Say About AICPA’s ELE Program?
By Sharon Lassar, PhD, CPA (Florida) John J. Gilbert Professor and Director of the School of Accountancy, University of Denver Last week I raised the question of whether it is ethical to promote an educational path to CPA licensure that is (highly) susceptible to cheating. The AICPA’s pipeline acceleration plan proposes an Experience, Learn & […]
Is It Ethical to Endorse an Educational Path That Is Susceptible to Cheating?
By Sharon Lassar, PhD, CPA (Florida) John J. Gilbert Professor and Director of the School of Accountancy, University of Denver The AICPA’s website includes a statement titled Purpose in action that, in its 129 words, uses “trust” (twice), “integrity”, “ethics”, and “public interest”. Yet, its pipeline acceleration plan proposes an Experience, Learn & Earn (ELE) […]
The Beef Between the AICPA and Minnesota Over the 150 Hour Rule Heats Up
I’m dating myself here but do you remember the East Coast/West Coast rap beef of the 90s? That’s sort of what’s happening in the profession right now over proposed legislation in Minnesota that offers an alternative to the traditional 150 units of education required for licensure. Except in the case of 90s rapper beefs, Tupac […]
PSA: Change Your AICPA Password NOW (UPDATE)
Who penetrates networks in the dark with a hood over their head? Silly. h/t @cbriancpa for tweeting this story out Hackers are claiming they gained access to a database with more than 140,000 emails and passwords from the AICPA according to Cybernews, the only outlet reporting on this as yet. We have reached out to […]
The AICPA Has Written a Strongly-Worded Letter to the Treasury Department on Remote Work (UPDATE)
If you thought the AICPA’s only job is gatekeeping the CPA exam and selling you insurance offers you are WRONG. They also write strongly-worded letters, sometimes on behalf of our nation’s CPAs or, as in the case of this latest letter, on behalf of American taxpayers. Let’s see what they’ve been up to. From the […]
Benevolent Overlords of the CPA Exam Seeking Comment on Proposed 2024 CPA Exam Blueprints
The CPA Evolution project continues to chug along as we inch closer and closer to 2024 and now NASBA and the AICPA are asking informed parties to comment on proposed Blueprints. Finalizing these Blueprints is one of the last steps in the process to launch a redesigned CPA exam that started back in 2020. Comments […]
YSK: AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop Application Period Ends June 15
As Going Concern fully supports the profession’s diversity initiatives and various pipeline-filling activities (despite comparing the AICPA to an 80s anti-drug PSA creep giving away free drugs to children), we want to let everyone know that the application period for the AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop ends on June 15, 2022. The workshop takes place […]
If the AICPA Offers You a Career In Accounting, Just Say No
With the AICPA making filling the CPA pipeline one of their 2022 primary strategic initiatives (see page 11 of the 2021 AICPA Trends report for the full list of pipeline-filling activities they will be going hard on this year), I thought now might be a good time to dust off the ol’ 1980s D.A.R.E. programming […]
The AICPA Is Starting Beef With the IRS on Behalf of Taxpayers
Did ya hear? There’s a global pandemic going on. And although we’ve had more than a year to figure things out, obviously there are still some areas where the “idk, just kick that can down the road and we’ll deal with it later” mentality is about all TPTB can muster. For example, the IRS announced […]
Second Quarter CPA Exam Testing Window Extended Due to Coronavirus-Related Test Center Closures
The Journal of Accountancy is reporting today that NASBA, the AICPA, and Prometric have made a joint decision to extend the second quarter CPA exam testing window due to COVID-19 Prometric closures. As it stands, Prometric testing centers in the United States are closed through April 16, though NASBA has said that period could be […]
The AICPA Really Wants Tax Professionals to Flood Steve Mnuchin’s Inbox
The AICPA was pretty damn confident the Treasury Department and the IRS would extend the April 15 filing deadline for individuals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so confident that the AICPA told CPAs in an emailed message last weekend that they anticipated this week that Tax Day would be extended by 90 days and that […]
The AICPA Is Pretty Sure the April 15 Filing Deadline Is Gonna Be Extended, You Guys
Several CPAs have posted on Twitter, Fishbowl, and Reddit the following communiqué they received Sunday afternoon from the AICPA regarding both the April 15 and the March 16 filing deadlines: While tax season 2019 was considered by most as one of the worst tax seasons on record, tax season 2020 might go down as the […]
The CPA Exam is Changing Soon, Here’s What We Know
Last week, we caught you up on the latest goings-on with the CPA Evolution process, an ambitious effort by NASBA and the AICPA to tweak the CPA exam to ensure the licensure model is meeting the profession’s demand for future-proof CPAs. This week, we’ve got news that a separate but related effort is underway to […]
Here’s What You Need to Know About the New Proposed CPA Licensure Model
As you may recall (or not, as I barely do), last summer NASBA and the AICPA reached out into the abyss hoping to get feedback on a new CPA licensure model. You see, the future is coming and fast, and in atypical fashion, The Powers That Be realized maybe it might be important to test […]
Go Grab Your Free CPA Exam Questions From the AICPA While You Can
From now through December 31, 2019, you can grab 40 AUD, 25 BEC, 50 FAR, and 25 REG MCQs used on previous CPA exams directly from the AICPA. These questions “represent a onetime release of exam content to the general public intended to provide examples of the types of MCQs used on the exam,” meaning […]
AICPA Report: Accounting Firms Just Aren’t Hiring Accounting Grads Like They Used To
The latest Trends in the Supply of Accounting Graduates and the Demand for Public Accounting Recruits report came out this week, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been anxiously waiting two whole years for it. I mean, I didn’t save the date or anything, but all of us around here have been […]
The AICPA Is Getting Serious About This Protecting Your License Thing, You Guys
On the heels of a plan to evaluate licensure rules which was met by some criticism last month, the AICPA and NASBA have announced a new coalition to make sure those troublesome lawmakers of ours don’t go running around letting any idiot with a pulse perform the intricate task of professional accounting. As we already […]
Opinion: The AICPA’s Future CPA Exam Plans Are Really Just a Desperate Money Grab
ICYMI, a couple weeks ago I wrote about a joint AICPA/NASBA plan to drag CPA licensure into the 21st century. So far, the initiative is in the early planning stages but it feels like the profession is moving far quicker than its usual snail pace to adapt to our rapidly-changing world, so to think this […]
The CPA Exam Needs to Evolve and You Can Help It Do Just That
The conversation about “future-proof” CPAs and the evolution of the CPA exam to include skills necessary to provide exceptional client service far into the future is not a new one, we’ve been having it for years. This isn’t one of those “hey you guys, CPAs of the future better know VLOOKUP” things, it’s a bit […]
AICPA Has Finally Snagged the .CPA Domain Out From Under Untrustworthy Car Park Attendants
In a deal years in the making, the AICPA announced this week it has finally convinced ICANN to let them manage the coveted .cpa domain. Just in time, too, lest it get snapped up by the Canadian Psychiatric Association or Cut and Paste Artists. Back in 2015, AICPA President, CEO, and Mercy main Barry Melancon […]
News to Your Ears: The AICPA Now Has a CPA Exam Podcast
Long-winded personal anecdote incoming but I have to admit something to y’all, which I’m going to do because I trust you and I know you won’t make fun of me for it. And if you do, well, it’ll at least be funny. OK, here goes… I don’t listen to podcasts. I know, I know. I’m […]
Here’s What You Missed From This Week’s Mega CPA Exam Information Webcast
I tried earlier this week to gently encourage you little shits to attend the webcast held Thursday by folks from NASBA and the AICPA who think CPA exam candidates deserve to be as informed as possible, so hopefully you took my advice and were in attendance. Now, for those of you who had to tend […]
Forget GoT, This Upcoming Webcast Is the Hottest Streaming Event of the Year (for CPA Exam Candidates Anyway)
Inb4 someone starts screeching about clickbait and how we sold out because we used to be cool but now we’re shilling for webcasts, shut the fuck up. No one paid for us to mention this, rather we’re posting about it just in case you’ve missed the numerous tweets and announcements and other shilling already done […]
The AICPA Has Gone Full Doobie-Smoking, Conspiracy Theorist Wackjob
As some of you may know, I love a good conspiracy. I love getting lost in bizarre corners of YouTube populated with bad Movie Maker “documentaries” about government experiments gone awry, celebrity cloning programs, and CIA mind control. I draw the line at lizard people; lizard people are just stupid. Obviously I realize most of these are […]
The AICPA’s Twitter Totally Got Hacked by Bitcoin Scammers
So, I’m the first to admit I don’t know shit about blockchain, nor do I care. But I do know that public accounting firms are anxious to appear far more tech savvy than lil’ ol’ me and have been wasting a lot of time and effort talking about the transformative powers of blockchain. We’ll include […]
Starting in October, You Can Grab a Pint at a Real English Pub After the CPA Exam
Congratulations, unlicensed U.S. expats in Europe, beginning October 1 you no longer have to head to Bahrain to take the CPA exam. According to an announcement from the AICPA, NASBA, and Prometric, nine Prometric locations across the pond will offer CPA exam testing for qualified applicants. Bristol, London, and Manchester (England) Edinburgh (Scotland) Cork and […]
CPAs Currently Engaged in a Heated Beef With the AICPA Over the ABV Credential
Good morning and happy Monday, capital market servants. Boy do we have a fun one for you today. It seems a group of CPAs/valuators has taken issue with the AICPA’s plan to allow non-CPAs to earn an Accredited in Business Valuation credential, accusing the AICPA of diluting the value of the ABV brand and doing […]
AICPA Backs Down From Its Longstanding Beef Against Tax Preparer Regulation
In what could easily be the longest-running turf war in accounting history, the AICPA has softened its view on IRS regulation of tax preparers. Back in 2014, I covered the AICPA’s melodramatic freak-out over the IRS suggesting a voluntary tax preparer registration scheme, which sent Barry Melancon straight to the fainting couch and the AICPA […]
Audit Leaders Verbally Reaffirm Commitment to Audit Quality Since We Couldn’t Tell From Crappy Audits Lately
Last week, seven hotshots in the world of accounting and auditing stepped up and put their name on a statement “reaffirming” the profession’s commitment to audit quality. As my headline so subtly suggests, it’s a good thing someone said something because honestly it’s kinda hard to tell they’re serious given all the audit scandals, PCAOB […]
The Number of Women Partners in Accounting Firms Is Still Abysmal
Earlier this month, the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC) issued its second CPA Firm Gender Study and its findings are not encouraging. The survey found that partnership on average remains overwhelmingly male. The current survey shows little change from studies done in years past, which have typically found less than one-quarter of the partnership […]
The AICPA Is Trying to Innovate You Right Out of a Job
As we are all painfully aware, the accounting industry isn’t exactly known for its groundbreaking commitment to early adoption and innovation. Despite its over 150-year history of being reactive and clinging desperately to the way things have always been, the AICPA announced this week a new initiative that hopes to fund important accounting startups. The […]
Here’s a Photo of Barry Melancon After He Got Lei’d
There are countless photos out there of AICPA CEO, President, and ham radio operator Barry Melancon (aka “Bean Picker”) gesturing excitedly this way and that as he explains the future of the CPA profession for captive audiences everywhere. Yet for all the snaps of the benevolent overlord of the world’s most powerful accounting biker gang, […]
Here’s a Photo of AICPA CEO Barry Melancon Having the Most Interesting Conversation of His Life
I have no idea what AICPA CEO, President and street taco eating champion Barry Melancon is thinking in the above photo, but he couldn’t be more rapt with what this woman has to say. The caption from the Wyoming Society of CPAs website reads: “Break-time Alexandra Wilkinson explaining a case to Barry Melancon.” And sure, […]
H&R Block Will See AICPA’s Sternly-Worded Letters and Raise You a Kitten
In case you missed it because no one really cares, the eggheads over at the AICPA have been engaged in a feud with the pot-stirrers over at H&R Block, presumably because the AICPA thinks more average Joes should engage the services of a large accounting firm to process their 1040s rather than some guy named […]
Gen Z Attention Spans Officially on AICPA’s Radar
I don’t know what AICPA President, CEO and Electoral College Dropout Barry Melancon was getting at here, but it’s safe to say that he wasn’t plugging this as a virtue of the next crop of talent. Melancon: Attention span of the average member of Gen Z is 8 seconds. #roundtable17 — Daniel Hood (@AccountingEdit) February […]
Drones Set to Disrupt the “Ideas Accounting Firms Won’t Pursue” Niche
In a recent Journal of Accountancy piece, a bunch of people with way too much time on their hands to consider things that will never happen seem to think that drones are the next wave of innovation for accounting firms. Mind you, it was only a few years ago that one Big 4 firm made […]
Is it Bye-Bye-Bye to SOC 2?
I wish…. While the SOC 2 isn’t exactly going away, the AICPA is in the process of giving it a major revamp. Maybe we can call it SOC Version 2.1? And, it’s about time! Back in June, I grappled with the flaws of the current Service Organization Control (SOC) reporting system: Don’t get me wrong. […]
Accounting News Roundup: Executive Impersonation Scams and Thankless Jobs | 09.22.16
AICPA to the rescue By now you've likely heard about the scam where an unsuspecting accountant receives an email from a high-ranking executive, usually a CFO, requesting a large wire transfer. The dutiful accountant doesn't want to keep the boss waiting so he or she makes the transfer toot sweet only to learn later that […]
Reminder: Voting on AICPA-CIMA Merger Ends Tomorrow
This hit my inbox today via an AICPA newsletter: Voting closes tomorrowWe're in the final hours. Voting on the AICPA member ballot closes tomorrow, June 16, at 5 p.m. ET. If you haven't done so already, I strongly encourage you to take just a minute to vote. We have so much to be proud of […]
Why I’m Going for the CPA
Caleb recently published a post posing the question, "What’s the Future of the CPA Brand?"
This question was prompted by some AICPA research showing that while the CPA brand still has a lot value, there’s a growing threat from non-CPA professionals who are providing specialized services outside the core services — tax, accounting, and audit — typically provided by CPAs.
What’s the Future of the CPA Brand?
Brand is one of those business concepts that everyone knows about but few understand. When people talk about the Apple BRAND every murmurs approvement and nods as if to say, “That’s a strong brand!” but they’d have a hard time explaining why.
AICPA to Senators: Don’t Even Think About Touching Cash-Basis Accounting
Maybe you've noticed, but there are a few things that grind the AICPA's gears: 1. Questioning the integrity of CPAs in a YouTube video, on the radio or anywhere for that matter. 2. Management accounting credentials that are not the CGMA. 3. Nationally syndicated columnists suggesting that anyone is more qualified than a CPA to […]
Don’t Forget: Voting on the AICPA-CIMA Merger Starts on Monday
Over the last few years, we've watched the AICPA and CIMA hamfist the CGMA into our lives. The claim was that it would "raise the bar on management accounting" but all it really did was remind people of the cognitor fiasco from the late '90s/early '00s and invite lots and lots and lots of mockery […]
It’s Probably Just a Coincidence That the Subject of an AICPA Newsletter Was ‘Learn How to Appreciate Staff’ on April Fools’ Day
A friend of GC forwarded us the AICPA News Update from this morning noting the subject line: To save you eyestrain, it reads: Subject: Learn How to Appreciate Staff During Busy Season Editor’s Note During busy season, practitioners may find their lives temporarily become all work and no play. However, a number of firms […]
AICPA and CIMA Putting This New Thing to Members for a Vote
Back in November we learned that the joint venture between the AICPA and CIMA that brought the CGMA into the world would experiencing a "natural evolution" into something else. While it sounded a lot like a merger, it's a couple of associations, so it's not really a merger, AICPA President, CEO and chocolate bunny sculptor […]
The AICPA Is Not Happy About This H&R Block Video
With about a month until April 15th…I mean, 18th, taxpayers who haven’t filed their returns yet are probably starting to feel the pressure. A big issue for these procrastinators is how they get their tax return prepared: Do they do it themselves? Pay a CPA? Or shop around the tax return discount shops?
In 2016, The War Rages On for All the Management Accountants
Ever since the CGMA hit the scene, we've all been subjected to the campaign blitz by the AICPA and CIMA to convince everyone that the CGMA is the fairest management accounting credential in all the land. It was cute in those early days because you could mail in a form, pay a fee and get […]
AICPA, CIMA Want to Give the CGMA Its Own Accounting Association (UPDATE)
Update clarifies purpose of proposed association and includes letter from AICPA Chair Tim Christen to members. Here's a thing that the AICPA and CIMA are doing: The American Institute of CPAs is proposing the creation of a new accounting association in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. In a letter sent to institute […]
AICPA Survey: College Students Overconfident, Exaggerate, Delusional, Etc. Etc. About Their Personal Finance Skills
I think most people look back on their college selves and think, "I was dumb to think I was so smart," or "At least I'm not that irresponsible anymore," or "Man, I was really bad at sex." With that in mind, it's sort of fun to learn that the AICPA conducted a survey that tells […]
AICPA Lays the Smackdown on Dear Abby
Here’s what went down. On July 13, Helpless Big Brother wrote: I have just learned that my sister's husband of 35 years (I'll call him George) hasn't filed their personal income taxes going back a number of years. … Apparently, he hasn't filed because of his inability to organize.1 Their professional tax preparer has met […]
AICPA Fails to Take an Adequate Dig at Congress in Tax Extenders Press Release
The AICPA "commends" Congress for a lot of things that it shouldn't, among them, dragging its feet on renewing the godforsaken extenders bill. What's amusing is that every so often, the AICPA tries to get all high and mighty about what they've recommended Congress do, when they know full well that those legislative cretins will […]
ICYMI: AICPA Will Squeeze Excel Into the CPA Exam This Decade
The AICPA reports that Excel's ubiquity in the accounting profession caused a bunch of people to suggest, "use of Excel in the CPA Exam to create an authentic user experience." Accordingly, "The AICPA plans to launch a new testing interface utilizing Excel in 2018." If anyone has further concerns or feedback, send a raven. [AICPA]
AICPA Wants CGMA Love From the C-Suite
I guess now that they're done handing out CGMAs to any CPA with a pulse, the AICPA really has to convince people that this is a real thing: AICPA is trying to achieve greater recognition of the value of CGMA among CFOs and CEOs now that grandfathering stage is over #AICPAGC15 — Accounting Today (@AccountingToday) […]
AICPA Would Like FASB, PCC to Keep Their Heads Up, Get Back to Work
AICPA President, CEO and former Mr. Universe Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA wrote a letter to the Financial Accounting Foundation recently to provide feedback on the FAF's review of the Private Company Council. This in and of itself, is not all that interesting, although you get the distinct impression that AICPA relishes in the opportunity to […]
Friendly Reminder: Stop Talking About CPA Exam Specifics on the Internet
So, imagine my joy and pleasure when I received the following email from the AICPA this morning: Dear Ms. Gonzalez, In order to ensure that exam content is kept secure and to maintain the integrity of the CPA Exam, we regularly take a look at what candidates are saying on social media and in web […]
Let’s Play ‘Spot the Cliché!’ Drinking Game with This Email From the AICPA
In an email — presumably — sent out to AICPA members, AICPA President, CEO, and founding member of Hall, Oates & Melancon Barry Melancon wants to remind public accountants what everyone is supposed to be doing here. Namely: providing trustworthy services with objectivity and integrity. You know, all that stuff buried in the Code of […]
You Should Totally Brag About Being a CGMA on LinkedIn
In a shameless attempt to further the CGMA brand and perhaps lend it much-needed credibility, the AICPA is encouraging CGMA holders to brag about their "accomplishment" on LinkedIn. By accomplishment, we mean ability to mail in a check and sign some paperwork. Here's a snapshot of the suggestion as emailed out to CGMA holders yesterday: […]
AICPA Mansplains Sound Tax Reform to Dudes Trying to Tax Reform
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) just took over as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and the AICPA couldn’t resist sending him a letter telling him how to do his job. In his letter, Troy Lewis, the chairman of the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee, was sure to tell Ryan that “the AICPA supports comprehensive […]
AICPA Courting Beliebers Now
The world needs #CPAs even more than it needs @justinbieber. See why we're needed oh so badly: http://t.co/7ckJj1gYol — ThisWayToCPA (@ThisWayToCPA) January 23, 2015 Fishing for RTs from Justin Bieber? The AICPA must be really hurting for ideas. Can someone remind them that the CPA exam gap is immaterial?
AICPA’s Concern Over a Building Gap in CPA Exam Candidates Totally Immaterial
Yesterday, Colin stuck the following story in ANR. We're going to go ahead and give it its own spot because this is something worth discussing: The number of New Yorkers obtaining their Certified Public Accounting license from the state remained relatively flat in 2014, according to statistics compiled by the New York State Education Department. […]
The AICPA’s New Diversity Tool Is Guaranteed to Make the Profession Almost As Diverse as South Dakota
Diversity sucks in the accounting profession. I think it sucks, and I live in Utah. You may not remember, but the black population in Utah dropped 20 percent in 2004 because Karl Malone went to play for the Lakers. Look at the chart below which compares the demographics of the United States with the demographics […]
AICPA Seeks to Secure .CPA Top-Level Domain Because .COM Is For Losers
You have to give the AICPA credit, they are serious about branding "CPA" in our brave new world. From the press release that arrived in my mailbox this morning: The American Institute of CPAs is working to secure a new .cpa domain extension on the Internet, which would provide a globally recognized calling card for […]
Judge: AICPA Was a Little Melodramatic About IRS’s Voluntary Registration Program
Earlier this year, the AICPA warned that they would go on a jihad against the IRS if our favorite sovereign tax authority went ahead with a plan to offer voluntary tax preparer registration. Getting really dramatic about things, the AICPA basically complained that the IRS plan conflicted with everything the CPA designation stands for and […]
AICPA to EEOC: Classifying Partners as Employees Might Cause Full Destruction of Capital Markets
I could summarize the press release we just got on this but I think it's better if I quote the AICPA directly: In a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the AICPA asked commissioners to reject staff appeals to investigate and litigate against accounting firms regarding partner retirement provisions, saying the classification of […]
Citizens of India Can Sit For the CPA Exam in the Middle East Starting October 1
It's certainly the next best thing to being able to sit for the exam in India: The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Prometric today announced that testing for the Uniform CPA Examination in the Middle East will be open to all qualified citizens and permanent […]
Here’s Your Open Thread for the Second CPA Exam Score Release of Q3 2014
We've only heard from one person today that CPA exam scores are out, which means either a bunch of you failed or they are slowly trickling out. NASBA scores are up on the online portal! OH JOY! The actual target release date is tomorrow so if you are in one of those pesky states that […]
#TBT: The XYZ Credential Was the CGMA of Its Day
I don't know about you but back in 2001, the last thing I cared about was the AICPA as I was too busy trying to squeeze the last bit of free-flowing money out of the spectacularly collapsed dot com bubble in San Francisco at the time. A large majority of you weren't paying attention to […]
The AICPA Just Sued the IRS Over “Purported” Voluntary Tax Preparer Program
Calling it "an illegitimate exercise of government power," the AICPA has now taken their dislike of the IRS' voluntary tax preparer program to court: The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) today issued the statement below by AICPA President and CEO Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, regarding the filing of a federal lawsuit in the U.S. […]
IRS Goes Ahead With Voluntary Tax Preparer Program Despite AICPA Objection
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Melancon: WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that guidance will soon be issued outlining a new voluntary program designed to encourage education and filing season readiness for paid tax return preparers. The program will be in place to help taxpayers during the 2015 filing season. […]
AICPA Ready to Go On a Jihad Against the IRS If This Voluntary Tax Preparer Nonsense Continues
The IRS has heard from the AICPA before on its plan for voluntary tax preparer registration, and that first note wasn't very nice. That first warning was basically a fish head left on the IRS' doorstep, but apparently they didn't get the message. The AICPA is back with an even more strongly-worded letter, this time […]
CPA Exam Overlords Seeking Input From New CPAs on How to Improve the Exam
As we know, the AICPA is deep into a practice analysis which will change the CPA exam as you know it. They are consulting experts, educators, concerned volunteers, and the magical little gnomes that live inside Prometric computers just so your experience is slightly less awful. Now we've learned, per a tipster, the AICPA is […]
Here’s Your Open Thread for the Latest CPA Exam Score Release
Here we go! AICPA released the following CPA Exam scores to NASBA for the April/May '14 testing window: 4063 AUD, 3011 BEC, 3525 FAR and 3530 REG — NASBA (@NASBA) May 22, 2014 Go ahead and share your victories or failures in the comments.
The AICPA Voiced “Deep Concerns” About the IRS’ Voluntary Tax Preparer Proposal
It isn't often the AICPA throws out serious words like "deep concerns," yet they just did in regards to the IRS' proposed voluntary tax preparer program. Those deep concerns are the program itself, how quick the IRS is trying to get it in place and the confusion that might result from stupid taxpayers thinking "regulated" […]
The AICPA Has Nuked The CPA2Biz Brand in Favor of CPA.com
You will recall a few years back, the AICPA started offering the licensed AICPA members in good standing the opportunity to purchase their very own CPA.com email address — presumably because using [email protected] is too confusing and not CPA enough for some CPAs. Well the AICPA is now going all in on this CPA.com thing, […]
CFO Felon Not Sure Why AICPA Didn’t Pick Up the Phone to Talk About His Fraud
Last week, ex Crazy Eddie CFO, notorious convicted felon and known Twitter troll Sam Antar tipped us off to a questionable AICPA webcast called "Voices of Fraud," which ended up on his radar likely because he has a robust Google Alert for his own name. Here's what he told us: The AICPA is offering a […]
The AICPA Has Strong Words on Cash Accounting for the Ways and Means Committee
We all know the AICPA looooves cash. C.R.E.A.M. amiright? The AICPA has voiced "strong opposition to draft legislation that would limit the use of the cash method of accounting for pass-through entities and personal service corporations," which is a fancy way to say they aren't feeling this proposal at all. Why? Well you have to […]
AICPA Seeks a Few Good Volunteers to Lend a Hand to the CPA Exam
Are you a CPA and AICPA member in good standing? Do you have a strong desire to torture help out future CPAs by giving your time to make the CPA exam the best it can be? Good news! You have until May 15th to apply to volunteer for Board of Examiners committees and subcommittees. The […]
Happy 10th Birthday to the Computerized CPA Exam!
Has it really been that long? It's been that long. The American Institute of CPAs, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and Prometric are pleased to mark the 10th anniversary of computer-based testing (CBT) for the Uniform CPA Examination and note the continued enhancements and successful expansion of the test administration over the […]
The AICPA’s Latest Marketing Tactic is to Make Themselves as Indispensable as Basic Hygiene
What's this, now? Make must-have connections. Let's just get this out the way first, you're not making any connections unless you also bathe regularly. So no, no one is making you do either but one is a far better idea to keep up on than the other if you ever want to get anywhere […]
This #CPAPOWERED Thing Could Easily Escalate Quickly
Here's the deal, the AICPA wants feel good stories on how CPAs have helped their clients. That sounds cool. The problem we see here is that trolls (not like we know any of those) might hijack the campaign as an opportunity to do what they do best, which is troll obvs. Of course, no one […]
The AICPA and CPA Canada are Totally Working on NAFTA for Financial Services, You Guys
This is where we need a Ross Perot to come in and explain to us how this means thousands of poor American CPAs will lose their jobs. Straight from the horse's mouth: Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) today announced an agreement that will enhance consistency in […]
The AICPA Is Teasing Us With This Press Release About a Press Release
GUYS, we get it, it's the Monday after a holiday and no one wants to work that hard. But really with this? The American Institute of CPAs will announce the results of its CPA Outlook Index (CPAOI), an indicator of how chief financial officers, controllers and other senior CPA business leaders view the U.S. economy, at […]
Only 61% of CGMAs Surveyed Think the Second Most Important Person in America After the President is Important
You guys probably didn't watch Janet Yellen's confirmation hearing yesterday but I did because Janet has long been one of my least favorite Fed characters, since before she returned to Washington to serve as Fed Vice Chair. Frankly, I'm horrified that she'll be running the show over there but that's not important right now. The […]
Bald, Straight, White CPA Appropriately Trolled at AICPA Women’s Global Leadership Summit
Adrienne is covering the AICPA Women's Global Leadership Summit for our pals over at the Maryland Society today and she shared these gems on Twitter this morning: Richard Caturano says we need to figure out how to engage the bald, straight white guy. Think that calls for a new Pinterest board… — Adrienne Gonzalez […]
ICYMI: Fall CPA Exam Testing Is Being Extended to December 6th
That should be plenty of time for the tryptophan comas to subside: NEWS: Due to the late Thanksgiving holiday, NASBA, AICPA and Prometric extend the Fall #CPAexam testing window: http://t.co/jiytMaprWJ — NASBA (@NASBA) October 18, 2013 The extension is available globally, according to NASBA's website so our international friends may experience 'Merica! at its best if […]
Journal of Accountancy Just Randomly Mentioning the CGMA in Articles Now
Here's an unremarkable (albeit relevant and timely) article at JofA entitled "Salaries, demand on the rise for U.S. accounting professionals." It has all the good things accountants go for — money, jobs, money, and money. It comes courtesy of Robert Half (Jesus, those guys are busy) and their 2014 salary guide. The post chugs along […]
Guy Wants a Gentle Way to Break Up With the AICPA
I am surprised this wasn't marked "urgent" because it seems this guy just cannot wait: Subject: AICPA Can you tell me how to cancel my membership. I hate that place, and now that I'm leaving big 4 I get to get off their god forsaken spam listings, if only I can figure out how. My […]
If You Can’t Admit You’ve Committed CPE Fraud, Then You Need to Take Another Ethics Course
Let’s Discuss: CPA Exam Passing Rates Through the Third Quarter
By the looks of things, BEC is getting too easy; it's the only section that has a higher passing rate than last year's third quarter numbers. CPAexam_passrates_2013q3 Cumulative scores are looking good as well, but the 4th quarter always shits the bed on account of everyone spending the last three months of the year in […]
The Final Batch of CPA Exam Scores Has Been Released for the July/August Testing Window
AICPA and NASBA are on a roll, as this makes back-to-back timely releases of CPA exam scores after the GREAT SCORE DELAY 2013. Sure, this last group's target release date was technically "TBD" but the 17th of any month is about as TBD as it gets. #AICPA released the following scores to #NASBA for the […]
A Few Curious Folks Wonder Out Loud if Government Accounting is Constitutional
I remember my very first installment of government accounting as it is taught in FAR like it was yesterday. Cranky from a 5am wakeup and not necessarily looking forward to spending an entire day stuck in CPA review class for work, I usually tuned out my overly-caffeinated boss ripping bad jokes and scribbling T accounts […]
AICPA’s Young CPA Network Dreaming of Unattainable Clients
The World's Highest-Paid Models Of 2013 via @Forbes http://t.co/340povaXsY — Young CPA Network (@YoungCPANetwork) September 10, 2013
The Third Batch of CPA Exam Scores Has Been Released for the July/August Testing Window
After the GREAT SCORE DELAY last month, you just knew the AICPA and NASBA were going to make sure this release went off without a hitch. #AICPA released the following scores to #NASBA for the July/Aug 2013 testing window: 6583 AUD, 6663 BEC, 7266 FAR and 7452 REG #CPAexam — NASBA (@NASBA) September 9, 2013 #AICPA […]