AICPA News Update - May 11, 2012 

Today, the scope of family-owned businesses has expanded to include some of the world’s largest companies and their economic weight remains considerable. In all markets, family-owned businesses form the bulk of the private-sector economy and, in terms of numbers of individual enterprises, they account for a significant proportion of GDP in their markets. The CGMA thought leadership report, Managing the challenges of family businesses, explores how trusted CPA, CGMAs can provide thoughtful, emotion-free guidance to family-owned businesses and help them optimize their successes.

Join in when Jim Metzler, CPA, AICPA Vice President, Small Firm Interests, Public Practice & Global Alliances, and Natasha Schamberger, CPA, AICPA Senior Technical Manager, PCPS/Firm Services, launch the first of the 2012 online PCPS/Small Firm Updates, to be held 4 to 5 p.m. ET on May 30. These informative, interactive webinars include an environmental scan of the challenges and opportunities practitioners face today as well as best practices for common practice problems. Register today for this free webinar without CPE.

Many CPAs and CPA firms within the profession demonstrate outstanding public service in their immediate communities as well as at the regional and national level.  To recognize these efforts, the AICPA awards a National Public Service Award for Individuals and a National Public Service Award for Firms. Nominate a CPA or firm today. For more information regarding the AICPA’s National Public Service Award, contact Luz Davis.

The AICPA established the P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning Division Scholarship in honor of the CPA who has chaired the Advanced Estate Planning Conference for three decades. The scholarship will cover the registration fee and travel expenses of a CPA to attend the 2012 Advanced Estate Planning Conference. Eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements: hold a valid, unrevoked CPA license issued by a qualified state board of accountancy; be a member in good standing with the AICPA; a practitioner with five to 15 years of experience as a CPA; and a novice-level experience of less than five years specifically in estate planning through practice or relevant membership organization. PFS candidates and credential holders are preferred, but not required. Complete the application no later than June 5, 2012.