When it comes to tax rebate checks, American consumers may not be so eager to spend, spend, spend.

A CCH and Harris Interactive survey asked 2,020 adults what they would do with a broad-based tax rebate. Their responses were:

Pay down debt - 47%

Save it - 32%

Spend it - 21%

Across all income levels, paying down debt was the most common response. In terms of employment status, only 17% of respondents working full time said they'd spend the rebate, while 29% and 32% of unemployed and retired respondents were likely to spend it.

Source: CCH Complete Tax survey, www.completetax.com.

According to The Sarbanes-Oxley Investment: A Section 404 Cost Study for Smaller Public Companies , a study by SOX research and consulting firm Lord & Benoit, the total average combined costs of complying with section 404(a) and section 404(b) was $78,457. The costs ranged from as little as $23,000 for a small software company to as much as $197,000 for a manufacturer/distributor with many locations.

The average costs of complying with a section 404(a) management assessment for all non-accelerated filers included in the study were $53,724 (ranging from as low as $15,000 to as high as $162,000).

In general, the study found that manufacturing and distribution companies incurred higher internal control compliance costs. These companies� robust purchasing, multiple subsidiaries, inventory controls, complex IT systems and large capital expenditures contributed to higher costs.

The average projected costs of complying with section 404(b) for non-accelerated filers included in the study were $24,750. The range of audit fee increases was from as low as $7,500 to as high as $86,000.

Because the standard was not yet effective, the study authors derived the audit fee increases related to section 404(a) by taking the actual 2006 audit fee of each company times the projected audit fee increase that was obtained from The Audit Analytics 2006 Audit Fee Briefing Paper , a study by Audit Analytics, that indicated audit fees for smaller accelerated filers increased by 27% from section 404(b).

To download a complimentary copy of the report, visit www.section404.org.

Source: The Lord & Benoit Report, The Sarbanes-Oxley Investment: A Section 404 Cost Study for Smaller Public Companies.

Source: Ernst & Young's 2007—2008 Global Transfer Pricing Survey, www.ey.com.

Source: www.irs.gov .

"At the SEC, 2008 will be the year of the Phoenix. That�s the name of our updated software system that will track every disgorgement, penalty, and other monies owed to the SEC and to investors�from the beginning of the process until the last dollar is returned to its rightful owner. Ever since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act vastly expanded the SEC�s responsibilities in this area over five years ago, the agency has needed such a system. This year, for the first time, we will have it."

— SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, Feb 8.

For more information, see "Highlights "

Source: www.sec.gov.

Source: CBS News, www.cbsnews.com.

More entry-level hires may find themselves with deeper pockets in 2008, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

The association's Job Outlook 2008 survey found 54% of employers plan to use signing bonuses when recruiting new hires, up from 47% in 2007.

Previous NACE studies and surveys suggest that employers often underestimate their need to use signing bonuses. According to Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director, approximately 47% of employers said they planned to offer bonuses in 2007, but more than 54% actually used them. If the pattern holds, Mackes expects more than 60% of employers could use bonuses when hiring 2008 graduates.

Respondents who planned to offer a bonus to all entry-level hires expected to spend on average $4,450 per bonus - a 25% increase from 2007.

The survey found that two-thirds of employers using bonuses only expect to offer them to select candidates, and the amount of the bonus varies depending on several factors, including degree subject and level.

Source: Job Outlook 2008 , www.naceweb.org.

One-third of CFOs surveyed by Robert Half International thought benefits packages were the most effective incentive in attracting top accounting candidates - up from just 2% five years ago.

The findings also suggest that traditional incentives, such as insurance, are a higher priority today than flexible work schedules, which fell as being the most effective incentive among 33% of CFOs in 2003 to 13% in 2008.

Source: Robert Half International, www.rhi.com .

While it may be impossible to recession-proof your clients' businesses, BDO Consulting, which provides restructuring and risk advisory services as a business line of BDO Seidman LLP, provides these tips in the event of an economic downturn:

n Take fast and decisive action—quickly determine core administrative and operational needs and reduce excess costs.

n Develop a comprehensive approach—including a cost-reduction program, plans to improve inventory controls and enhanced purchasing procedures.

n Manage costs with targeted and timely reporting—react to falling gross margins and unexpected market changes by automating daily data collection and reporting.

n Conduct an internal assessment for possible restructuring—if needed, build a work plan, establish accountabilities and set an implementation timeline.

n Manage operating results proactively—closely monitor operating costs and renegotiate contracts.

For more details and tips on surviving a recession, visit www.bdo.com/services/consulting.

Source: BDO Seidman LLP, www.bdo.com/news/pr/722 .