NEWS DIGEST

As part of its ongoing efforts to honor CPAs for their volunteer work, the AICPA has established the Public Service Award for Firms to acknowledge humanitarian contributions at the local, state and national levels. The award complements its longstanding counterpart for individual CPAs (see “Robertson Cited for Volunteer Work,” Inside AICPA, page 86) and is intended to encourage more CPA firms to initiate or increase their community activities. It also will publicize such efforts and thus reinforce the profession's reputation for commitment to the public good.

In evaluating the impact of a firm's public service activities, consideration will be given to the size of the firm in relation to its contribution to the community it serves.

State CPA societies, associations of CPA firms, individual firms and members wishing to nominate award candidates should do so by October 1, 2004. The Institute will announce the winner at a council meeting or major conference and make a contribution to a charity of that firm's choice. Nomination forms and more information are available at www.aicpa.org/members/nominationforms.htm.