AUDITING
Better Evidence Gathering
by Donald K. McConnell Jr. and Charles H. Schweiger
When properly designed, audit confirmations provide valuable third-party evidence
about financial statement assertions made by management. Find out how best practices can improve confirmation response rates.
For external auditors

TAX / PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING
Advising Private Foundations
by Brian P. McAllister and Timothy R. Yoder
The increasing popularity of small, family-owned foundations may offer niche
practice opportunities, but their complex tax provisions—including excise taxes on net investment income and grant–disbursement requirements—dictate a thorough understanding of relevant Tax Code sections and regulations.
For CPAs in public practice

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY / AUDITING
Rising Expectations
by Mark S. Beasley, Bruce C. Branson and Bonnie V. Hancock
Enterprise risk management (ERM) experts explain the growing role of corporate
boards and audit committees in overseeing management's approach to ERM.
For CPAs in business and industry

PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING
Trust-Owned Life Insurance: The CPA's Role
by Don Deans and William B. Nicholson
Trust-owned life insurance has many estate-planning advantages. Whether as
trustees or as advisers to grantors, CPAs can help their clients make sure the fiduciary requirements for this planning vehicle are met and assets protected.
For CPAs advising clients or employers on life insurance needs

ARTICLES

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Expand Your Horizons:
Niche Marketing Success Stories
by Jean Marie Caragher
Think a niche market has to be obscure to be profitable? Set aside traditional conventions to identify specialty opportunities for your firm.
For CPAs in public practice

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Recruiting (and Retaining) the Next Generation Accountant: One University's Experience
by Linda J. Zucca and Donald W. McFall Jr.
One university gets creative to attract, develop and maintain qualified students for the accounting profession.
For all CPAs

TAX
On Equal Terms
In an exclusive interview with the JofA, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. (9th District), describes why, as a veteran member of the House Judiciary Committee, he believes that patents on tax planning methods are contrary to public policy.
For CPA tax practitioners

HIGHLIGHTS
Recent developments in the accounting profession

NEWS DIGEST
Auditing…Banking…Financial Reporting…Fraud…Government…International…Professional Issues…XBRL

AT A GLANCE: CHARTS AND GRAPHICS
Credit Card Woes
All Eyes on XBRL
Humble Beginnings
States Pay Workers More

LETTERS
Communication Is Key
Audit Purchases to Check Revenue
Minding One's Own Business
Found: Client Evaluation Template

TOP LINE
News, people, trends and other noteworthy items

CHECKLIST
Fee Management Tips

TECHNOLOGY
Smart Stops on the Web

TAX PRACTICE CORNER
FLPs That Flop

TAX MATTERS
Step Right Up
This Sold House
Like a Good Neighbor
IRS Can't Shake a Yardstick at Tax Treaty
Split-Interest Prohibition Upheld
Charity Begins With Ownership
Line Items

FROM THE TAX ADVISER
Return Preparers Subject to New Regulations

TECHNOLOGY Q&A
by Stanley Zarowin
Add pizazz to arrows and pointers in excel spreadsheets…Customize Excel’s cursor direction after entering data…Update on erasing the shortcut icon arrows…A Better Way…Shortcuts

INSIDE THE AICPA
Professor Honored for Work in Management Accounting
Institute’s Financial Literacy Campaigns Win Communications Awards
AICPA Teams Up With AAA for Two Awards
AICPA Co-Sponsors Financial Management Course
Award Recognizes Personal Financial Planning Volunteer

THE LAST WORD
A closer look at some of the intriguing, inspiring and imaginative folks who are the heart of the AICPA