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This symbol identifies articles in the home study CPE program.

Technology Workshop
TIME TO UPGRADE
Randolph P. Johnston
Now that technology has reached a temporary plateau, it makes sense to pause and consider the future direction of your business and whether your current technology is up to it. It’s also a good time to fine-tune your current computer and telephone setup to see where upgrades are needed.

Practice Management
HOME IS WHERE THE OFFICE IS
Sarah Phelan
Small and midsize firms can keep staff happy, deliver better client services and build in de facto work-interruption insurance by instituting teleworking, sources say. Here’s how some firms use it to increase productivity.

Auditor Independence/Practice Management
DON’T RUN THE RISK
Susan Ivancevich, Lucian C. Jones and Thomas Keaveney
Changes to auditor independence rules in 2001 gave CPAs more freedom to buy and sell securities, including those of their clients. The new regulations increase the possibility that firms may violate insider trading laws unless they are careful. This article summarizes those laws, illustrates how risks can arise and guides accounting firms in protecting against them.

Personal Financial Planning
A FINANCIALLY SECURE FUTURE
Delton L. Chesser, Walter T. Harrison Jr. and Colleen T. Barry
Does your client need long-term-care insurance? The answer depends on a variety of factors including his or her age, income, net worth and willingness to self-insure. With rising nursing home costs, CPAs should not fail to help clients plan for what could be a drain on their retirement resources.

Professional Issues
REBUILDING TRUST
Robert Tie
When William F. Ezzell was nominated to be AICPA vice-chairman, the accounting profession’s reputation was intact. Now, after two tumultuous years, restoring its image is Ezzell’s top priority as incoming chairman.

Corporate Governance
WHY COMPENSATION COMMITTEES NEED YOUR HELP
Randy Myers
Executive pay is once again in the crosshairs of public opinion, presenting new challenges—and opportunities—for accountants who advise the compensation committees of publicly traded companies. CPAs must understand the issues driving today’s compensation practices to help businesses design pay programs that promote good governance.

The Fraud Beat
KEEP GHOSTS OFF THE PAYROLL
Joseph T. Wells
Among the ways workers can defraud their employers is by adding fictitious employees to the company roster and collecting their paychecks. But by being alert to certain clues, auditors can uncover such schemes before losses become material.

Insurance Issues
CORPORATE DISABILITY BUY-UPS
Stanley B. Siegel
Employers that want to provide highly compensated executives with more disability insurance benefits than the standard company-paid plan can negotiate group buy-up policies.

News Digest
Accounting…Auditing…Banking… Employee Benefits…Government Accounting…International…Money Laundering...Professional Issues… Securities...FYI.

Correction
Impact of Statement on Auditing Standards no. 98 corrected.

The Internet
Smart stops on the Web.

At a Glance: Charts and Graphics
Wanted: better advice.
Show me the money.
Who gets Social Security?
Where are the female entrepreneurs?
Waiting for the sun to set.
Athletes pay even if they don’t play.

Letters
Sees profession as scapegoat.
Rotate to stay fresh.
CPE must address reporting.
Need more effective risk management.
KPIs + CPAs = help.

Monthly Checklist Series
Policy management tips.

Tax Matters
Tax Case: Computing the accumulated earnings tax.
Tax Case: Tax-exempt bonds for religious institution don’t violate Constitution.

From the Tax Adviser
No noncorporate deduction for underpayment interest.

Technology Q&A
Control Excel’s Underline function…Learn the nuances of AutoFill… Put worksheets in separate panes…An easy way to eliminate Excel macros… Convert tables to text and vice versa… Eliminate excess Word formats…Launch applications without the mouse… Shortcuts.

Business Bookshelf
Some new books discuss cleaning up financial reporting.

Inside AICPA
Edward Mendlowitz is honored for best JofA article in 2001.
Small firm owner calls for regulatory restraint.
CPA sees his name in lights.

12-Month Index
JofA articles by author and subject.

Golden Business Ideas
Practical ideas for improving your business.

In This Issue