Employee Benefits
CASH BALANCE CONVERSIONS
Alex Arcady and Francine Mellors
More companies are considering adopting cash balance pension plans to meet the needs of a changing workforce. Employers need to understand how such plans work, what accounting and disclosure issues relate to converting and what the business implications are of making potentially dramatic changes in benefits for some employees.

STAYING OFF THE COVER OF TIME
Ed McCarthy
Not every conversion to a cash balance pension plan has to get bad press. Companies that pay close attention to two critical issues—the wear-away problem and effective communication—can make a low-profile transition and keep employees happy.

Management Accounting
BETTER BUDGETS
Russ Banham
The conventional way of budgeting and drafting strategic plans just doesn’t work. It not only wastes time, but it also produces results with little value. A growing number of companies are turning to new techniques—enhanced by software tools—that both generate useful budgets and work more quickly.

Software
PICTURE THAT
Nancy A. Bagranoff and Mark G. Simkin
This shopper’s guide to graphical documentation software looks at the leading packages on the market today.

Recruitment
SECURING THE FUTURE
Raymond Jeffords, Marsha Scheidt and Greg M. Thibadoux
Accounting students have their choice of company or firm to work for when they graduate. So how can smaller firms and companies compete with recruiters who offer stock options and signing bonuses? By building a relationship with the student before anyone else does.

HIRING Generation X
Andrea T. Jennings
If you want to hire the best of the new generation of young CPAs, you better be prepared to know who they are and what they want.

Personal Financial Planning
COUNSELING CLIENTS ON CREDIT
Lee G. Knight and Ray A. Knight
When clients have trouble paying their bills, CPAs need to take steps to help them keep their heads above water. By using the right debt management techniques, clients can avoid bankruptcy and help put themselves back on the road to solvency.

Professional Issues/Practice Management
LAWYERS AND CPAs: HOW THE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING
Randy Myers
By law, accountants in the United States can call attorneys almost anything they want to—except “partner.” But barriers between the two professions may eventually crumble. Here is an update on the future of multidisciplinary practices.

Worth Repeating
WHO ARE WE AS A PROFESSION—AND WHAT Must WE BECOME?
Robert K. Elliott
In his first address as chairman of the AICPA board of directors, Robert K. Elliott told the AICPA council he sees CPAs of the future as the people who help individuals and organizations achieve their objectives through the strategic use of information.

NEWS

Liability Issues
Amid an increase in reported accounting irregularities, a federal jury demonstrated the impact of tort reform by refusing to hold an auditor responsible for fraud committed by its client.

Financial Reporting
In a study of Web-based financial reporting, the IASC proposed a code of conduct for listed corporations and auditors and recommended development of a standard reporting format.

The Internet
Smart stops on the Web.

By the Numbers
Managers are doing what it takes to find and retain good employees in a tight labor market.

FYI
News, notes and items of interest.

At a Glance: Charts and Graphics
Make friends with employees.

Internet a boon to business.

Property the largest local tax.

COLUMNS

Checklist
Balancing work and personal life.

Tax Matters
Tax practitioners can now apply to the IRS for PTINs to be used instead of Social Security numbers.

Tax Brief: Individual. Early retirees can avoid IRA withdrawal penalties by electing periodic payments.

Special Report: School tuition organizations provide new opportunities for CPAs.

Tax Case: Business and Industry. The Tax Court says companies can deduct retirement plan expenses.

Line Items.

From the Tax Adviser
Alternate dispute resolution with the IRS.

Technology Q&A
Making technology work for you.

Inside AICPA
Update on happenings at the fall council meeting.

Letters
Disagrees with tax planning tip.

More about IRA fees.

Cash gap: interest clarification.

Newly formed law firm raises questions.

JofA looking great!

More about the JofA online.

Golden Business Ideas
Practical ideas for improving your business.