Publisher's Information

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2006

VOLUME 202 NUMBER 6

This symbol identifies articles in the home study CPE program.

SMALL OFFICE/HOME OFFICE
The Economics of Ergonomics
by Laura Baron
Considering an office makeover or moving to a new location? Whether you’re a sole CPA who works at home, a managing partner or a CFO in industry, applying ergonomic principles will make your workplace more comfortable and improve productivity. Your bottom line will thank you.

For all CPAs.

TAX/SMALL OFFICE/HOME OFFICE
Home Office Deductions
by Tina Quinn and W. Terry Dancer
Taxpayers who maintain a home office may qualify for tax deductions if they meet the criteria of IRC section 280A—but employees must meet additional requirements. Here’s a review of the rules and some points for CPAs to consider in advising clients.
For all CPAs.

ARTICLES

SPECIAL REPORT
Liability for Someone Else’s Sins:
The Risks of Accounting Firm Alliances
by Richard I. Miller
Accounting firms worldwide have for many years formed alliances, and there are good reasons to do so. But participation in an alliance is not without risks. In litigation, plaintiffs often attempt to exploit the relationship among the member firms by suing not just the member that provided the services. Here are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of vicarious liability associated with these alliances.
For partners and owners of firms.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT/BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Weather Any Storm
by Anita Dennis
You’ve planned your firm’s operations meticulously, but are you as prepared as you think? CPAs who have surmounted different types of crises share valuable information about how to keep a firm going after a severe document, equipment or personal loss.
For public practice CPAs.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY/INTERNATIONAL
The Risks of Being Global
by Andrew L. Siciliano and Douglas P. Zuvich
Doing business abroad brings unique risks related to complying with various regulations. But CPAs can help companies manage these risks by building a compliance infrastructure.
For CPAs who work for or advise international businesses.

AUDITING
Ethics Rules Get Tighter
by Catherine Allen
New PCAOB restrictions on tax services and contingent fees may require external auditors to reevaluate policies and procedures. Here are the key provisions of the rules and tips for implementing them.

For CPAs in public practice who perform audits of public companies.

FINANCIAL REPORTING/AUDIT
The Future of Corporate Sustainability Reporting
by Brian Ballou, Dan L. Heitger and Charles E. Landes
If you believe the numbers tell it all, think again. Corporate reporting on nonfinancial factors such as labor relations or industrial pollution can boost or ruin a company’s image, profitability and growth. Readers will learn about the new framework for corporate sustainability reporting (CSR) and the challenges auditors face on CSR assurance engagements.
For CPAs in industry and public practice involved in reporting or auditing nonfinancial information.

TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP
Dial a Forecast
by James A. Weisel
When you need to create a spreadsheet to calculate the impact of various business scenarios, Excel provides tools such as spinners and scroll bars that let you “dial” a mixture of business conditions and forecast how each will affect your company’s metrics.
For all CPAs.