E-Commerce
LAWMAKERS TACKLE PRIVACY
Peter M. Kravitz and Anthony Pugliese
New federal and state privacy laws and regulations will mean more work and more challenges for CPAs. Their far-reaching provisions will bring changes in unexpected areas, such as marketing financial services. E-commerce businesses, CPA firms and even the corner hardware store could be affected.

Technology Workshop
HEY, WHAT IF…?
Stephanie M. Bryant
Accountants frequently are asked to solve “what-if” financial problems in which multiple scenarios yield different results. Computer spreadsheet applications contain powerful tools that easily handle such calculations. This article provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to use these functions.

NPO Financial Reporting
RAISING OR HOLDING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR OTHERS
David T. Meeting and Randall W. Luecke
Under prior guidance, not-for-profit organizations have had difficulty determining what to report as assets, liabilities, contribution revenues and donation expenses. By issuing Statement no. 136, FASB has provided accounting standards for certain transactions where NPOs had thought guidance was lacking.

Practice Management/Case Study
OVERNIGHT TO INDIA
Elizabeth Danziger
Two U.S. CPA firms are leveraging the intellectual skills and technical training of workers in India so they can operate 24 hours a day and provide clients with speedy and affordable service.

Corporate Tax
THE HIGH COST OF A FREE LUNCH
Earl B. Johnston
Companies can deduct as much as 100% of certain meal and entertainment expenditures, which normally are limited by a 50% tax deduction ceiling. But careful recordkeeping is needed to track which expenses are eligible for this benefit.

The New Century
“NO ONE STANDS STILL IN PUBLIC ACCOUNTING”
Anita Dennis
What was the accounting profession like when business travel was primitive or when casual dress was career suicide? Some snapshots from the profession’s past offer a perspective on the present and the future.

NEWS

Financial Reporting
Federal financial watchdogs testified before a House subcommittee that U.S. government agencies’ financial management and reporting continued to improve in FY 1999, aided by legislation-backed reform and the elevation of FASAB to a GAAP-level standard setter.

Special Report
An international alliance spanning the financial and technology communities, and led by the AICPA, is using XBRL—a variant of XML—to improve the electronic preparation and exchange of companies’ financial statements.

Practice Management
A survey found that midsize accounting firms increasingly are meeting more of their clients’ needs—and boosting profits—by forming alliances with outside firms specializing in investments and insurance.

By the Numbers
With a robust economy, CFOs in the Mountain states and New England are hiring more accounting and finance professionals.

The Internet
Smart stops on the Web.

FYI
News, notes and items of interest.

At a Glance: Charts and Graphics
Some college students exhibit “major” uncertainty.

Top errors preparers made.

COLUMNS

Checklist
Choosing an online B-to-B site.

Tax Matters
AICPA tax executive committee releases proposed standards for tax services.

IRS announces new third-party letters will be more specific and use plain language.

Special Report. Controversy over new installment sale reporting rules for accrual-method taxpayers sparks new legislation proposals.

Tax Brief. Tax Court allows S corporation shareholder to offset passive management fee deductions against related nonpassive management fee income.

Line Items.

Tax Case. When to deduct annual expenditures.

From the Tax Adviser
Corporate sponsorship arrangements.

Tax Practice
The arbitration alternative.

Marketing Clinic
The importance of sharing financial information with your firm’s marketing professional.

Technology Q&A
Get to the desktop without minimizing applications…insert graphics easily…add color, patterns and graphics to spreadsheets.

Inside AICPA
AICPA and Fidelity form investment services alliance.

CPA Vision project cited for excellence.

Alcoa chairman elected to POB.

Letters
About GASB 34.