The EDGE - September 2012 

Go Beyond: Discover the Community and Opportunity of AICPA’s Young CPA Network
Welcome to the Young CPA Network brought to you by the AICPA, your trusted source for CPA and accounting related topics and material. Make the Young CPA Network your springboard for success. From here, the opportunities are endless.

Off the Hinges Assignments: Kelly Mann and the K-9 Training Team
When you’re a CPA, you can get caught in some of the most interesting—and sometimes a few of the most unnerving situations. This was the case for Kelly Mann. While working late one night on an assignment as a staff auditor for a boat manufacturer, the warehouse she was working at literally went to the dogs; it was used as a training facility for K-9 training teams. Read this article and learn more about Kelly’s background and her ability to “sniff” out interesting assignments.

Interview Dos and Don’ts
Whether you’re interviewing to hire for a position in your firm or company, or it’s been several years since you’ve interviewed yourself, you should know what you can, and can’t ask, in a job interview. What matters most: the person or the qualifications? The results might surprise you!

Controllers Workshop East set for Atlanta this November
The AICPA Controllers Workshop East will be held in Atlanta, Nov. 8-9, with pre-conference workshops on Nov. 7. The workshop is an intensive two-day conference that provides controllers and other senior managers with professional development, technical knowledge, new ideas and innovative solutions from top industry experts, including David Axson, Executive Director of Finance and Enterprise Performance, Accenture. Attend one of our pre-conference workshops (additional fee) for in-depth training on beginner and advanced level topics. Register by Sept. 24 and save $75 on the regular registration rate. IT Section Members and CITP Credential Holders save an additional $100.

Flagship AICPA tax conference to be held one day after national election
The AICPA National Tax Conference, Election Day +1, will be held Nov. 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C., with post-conference workshops on Nov. 9. The first tax conference of its kind to occur post-election, it will address the election results and what they mean to you and your tax clients. Prominent national tax professionals and government leaders offer sessions that will provide information on expiring and likely legislation, the deficits, international competitiveness of U.S. firms, and the increasingly large tax gap. Key Internal Revenue Service executives from all IRS operating divisions will give you the latest information, giving you direct access to key IRS policymakers and leadership. Register by Sept. 24 and save $75. Tax Section members save an additional $100.

AICPA IT Advanced Audit Training School: How to Perform Tests of IT Controls in Assurance Services
The AICPA IT Advanced Audit Training School, scheduled Oct. 8 to 10 in Brentwood, Tenn., will provide three days of hands-on training, allowing participants to get more highly focused, technical proficiency on practical IT auditing techniques to apply to a business process (such as a revenue-and-expense cycle), fraud considerations and business intelligence. In addition, participants will gain better understanding of access-management controls applicable within a financial system. IT Section members and CITP credential holders save an additional $100 off the AICPA member price..

New report from AICPA and CIMA highlights skills and talents needed for success
In today’s quickly changing economy, CPAs, CGMAs play an important role in helping their organizations meet strategic objectives and build sustainable business models. These individuals reach beyond the more traditional finance focus and, as a result, need to demonstrate advanced and unique capabilities to progress in their careers. Fast Track to Leadership, a new report from the AICPA and CIMA, features global interviews and round tables that capture the changing requirements in skills, experience and behaviors that will help CPAs, CGMAs to identify challenges and develop an action plan to maximize opportunities. Download the report from CGMA.org. .

Three ethics resources for CPA, CGMAs
With the importance of ethics and non-financial reporting rising on the global agenda, CGMAs are in a unique position to make an important contribution to creating a sustainable ethical operating environment. The AICPA and CIMA have developed a number of resources to assist CPA, CGMAs in guiding their organizations to long-term sustainability and success. The Ethical reflection checklist is designed to provide organizations and individuals with an overview of how well ethical practices are embedded in the business. The CGMA case study: Navigating ethical issues highlights issues related to non-disclosure at the corporate level that come to the attention of non-executive financial managers and controllers. Responding to ethical dilemmas: CGMA ethics resources provides links to resources to help CGMAs navigate ethical dilemmas and respond in a manner that upholds their professional standards.