LETTERS

STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE?
I was aghast at the cover picture (Dec. 2006). A small office, like mine, needs to be efficient, and your front page picture is anything but that. A typewriter? No computer(s)? A very small screen CRT? Phone without a cord? Looks like a furniture magazine.

Not sure that I want to read the article.

Donald H. Olson, CPA
Columbia, Md.

THE CASE FOR PAPERLESS REPORTS
I am writing with regard to the “Paperless Reports Shunned” Top Line article (Jan. 2007, p. 14). The article stated that a majority of investors, portfolio managers and other financial statement users prefer to receive financial reports and annual reports in printed format.

I think that this is a shame given the technology that is available. If the publishers of financial information would distribute the reports in an unlocked PDF format, and the users of the financial statements were educated on using the technology, I think that paperless reports would deliver more value to the users of the financial information.

Given that many users travel, it is not practical to carry around volumes of printed materials. I know that users like to mark up the documents with their notes and comments as they review financial reports. Distributing financial reports in an unlocked manner, allowing users to mark their thoughts on the paperless reports will allow them to use the financial reports as if they were printed, while enhancing the portability of the document.

In addition, paperless reports allow users to perform enhanced searches, adding value to the reports since the users are able to quickly find information of interest.

Matthew R. Johnson, MPA, CPA
Omaha, Neb.

LOST IN THE CROWD
In your article “Found in Translation” (Feb. 2007, p. 38), Exhibit 5 titled “CPA Firm Networks and Alliances” was trying to show some of the larger networks and alliances. I saw that my organization, Moore Stephens International Limited (MSIL), was left off the list. MSIL is the 11th largest accounting firm association in the world, according to the International Accounting Bulletin.

Other than RSM McGladrey Network, Baker Tilly International and Moores Rowland International, MSIL is larger than all others on the list. In fact, other than RSM, MSIL has more offices worldwide than the others on the list.

Steven E. Sacks, CPA
New York City

Sacks is the Executive Director of Moore Stephens
North America, Inc., and an Editorial Adviser to the JofA.

Author’s reply: Our intention was to make smaller CPA firms aware that a broad spectrum of networks and alliances exists and can help them with their international issues. Dr. (Donald L.) Kyle and I have taught CPE courses for the Texas Society and IMA and continue to meet CPAs from small firms who are not aware of the opportunities that organizations like yours provide.

Please believe that there was no intention on our part to specifically exclude anyone. I would love to see a follow-up article that discusses how the current alliances and networks are helping small firms with many of the issues they face. I am aware that these resources allow smaller CPA firms to retain clients as globalization increasingly affects everyone.

I appreciate your interest in our article and hope that you benefit from more CPAs becoming aware of the existence of your type of organization.

Susan Sorensen, CPA, Ph.D.
Houston