AICPA Alert
LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING OUTSOURCING
Richard I. Miller and Alan W. Anderson
Members have responsibilities when they use third parties to provide services in client engagements. Primary among them are security and confidentiality of information, due professional care and compliance with the Code of Professional Conduct.

Small Business
AN AICPA SMALL FIRM CHAMPION
Anita Dennis
James C. Metzler, the new AICPA vice-president of small firm interests, plans to build on his firsthand experience with local practices to implement programs and services tailored to small CPA firm needs.

Technology Workshop/Small Business Tips
MAKE EXCEL AN INSTANT KNOW-IT-ALL
Roberta Ann Jones
PivotTables let you manipulate spreadsheet data with a mouse so they provide customized answers. The article tells how to set up the tool.

CHARTS TELL THE REAL STORY
TerryAnn Glandon
Sometimes you have to adjust a chart to a different scale before it can accurately interpret the numbers it represents. This article describes how to do that.

The Fraud Beat
BUILD AN ANTIFRAUD PRACTICE
Joseph T. Wells
Two seasoned CPAs tell how they got started in fraud detection and prevention and built practices on these services.

Insurance Issues
SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE CHECKUP
Mark Papalia
To be properly prepared for the financial risks they face, small business owners, CPAs included, need to do an annual review of insurance coverage including employee benefit plans, property and casualty and other business policies.

Sarbanes-Oxley
A CHANGING CORPORATE CULTURE
Tina D. Carpenter, M.G. Fennema, Phillip Z. Fretwell and William Hillison
The authors offer CPAs in both business and public practice insights on how Sarbanes-Oxley will change the way companies and their employees behave. The information is based on a survey that identified best practices CPAs can use to bring positive changes to their own organizations.

Professional Issues
TIPS ON PREPARING EMPLOYEES FOR THE NEW CPA EXAM
In a video of a webcast still available online, accounting professionals offer advice to employers on how to prepare their CPA candidates for the new, computerized CPA exam.

News Digest
Accounting…Auditing…Financial Reporting…Government Accounting…International…Privacy…Professional Issues...Technology…FYI.

A pioneer is gone.

Special Report
NASBA Meeting
Attendees of NASBA’s annual meeting discussed how their agencies would cooperate with each other, with the PCAOB and with the SEC to coordinate state and federal accounting laws to better protect the public interest.

The Internet
Smart stops on the Web.

At a Glance: Charts and Graphics
More people log on to pay bills.
Spirits don’t soar as before.
Toughest compliance requirements.
Companies plan for continuity.
Gift returns to grow.
IRS, states unite against tax abuse.
EITC helps lower-income earners.

Letters
Another red flag.
JofA cover concerns reader.
Notes from Germany on section 404.
CPAs should not sell investments.
Recommends variable annuities.

Checklist
Help clients create a positive cash flow.

Tax Matters
Tax Brief: QTIP created under state law not federally binding.
Tax Case: Corporate acquisition expenses.
Tax Case: Gross income includes returned fees; liquidation costs are loans.

From the Tax Adviser
Audit initiative targets executive compensation.

Technology Q&A
Clean debris from e-mail…Work in multiple windows…Stop hide-and-seek menus…Start Outlook calendar on any day…Should you buy a refurbished computer?...A spam filter that works…A better way.

Inside AICPA
Two ABVs recognized.
Institute honors Goldberg and launches PFP Web site.
Walker wins top tax award.
New vice-president of taxation.
Minority education funds awarded.

Golden Business Ideas
Ways to improve your business.