News
Use of Standard Terms and Conditions Can Help Build Engagement Letter Consistency
September 16, 2024
Imagine that a claim has been brought against your firm and you are sitting on the witness stand defending the firm's services. Your confidence is bolstered by detailed engagement letters used for each service that was delivered to the client by the firm. Yet doubt creeps into your mind as you remember your client's comments.
The role of managing age diversity in the workplace
August 28, 2024
Organisations should consider addressing management practices and age-inclusion policies to retain talent across generations.
5 things I wish I knew as a CFO before starting a digital transformation
August 23, 2024
Brian May, CFO of food service company Nicholas and Company, offers a unique CFO perspective on the lessons he learned during a major digital overhaul.
Connecticut Expands Paid Sick Leave Law in 2025 but Limits Employers’ Control over How it is Used
August 22, 2024
On May 28, 2024, Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation expanding Connecticut’s 2011 Sick Leave Law. The new legislation is effective on January 1st, 2025. The law covers more employees, expands the reasons under which employees may use paid sick leave, and reduces the required hours to accrue paid sick leave.
A short history of AI in accounting
August 20, 2024
As artificial intelligence quietly transforms the accounting industry, we look at how it has evolved and the changes it has brought to everyday tasks, with this feature forming part of our special editorial report on the subject, in association with Sage.
NPAG releases data-driven strategies to boost accounting pipeline
August 01, 2024
NPAG’s Accounting Talent Strategy Report explores the latest pipeline data, root causes of the profession’s attrition, potential solutions, and next steps.
Accounting firm Marcum, with major CT presence, to be acquired in $2.3B deal
July 31, 2024
Accounting firm Marcum, which has multiple offices in Connecticut, is being acquired by a publicly traded financial services advisory firm in a deal worth $2.3 billion, the company announced.
Misconceptions and mismatches: Dealing with the staff shortage
July 31, 2024
Of all problems the tax and accounting profession faces, staffing seems the most persistent. Older and younger accountants alike are bailing, driven by a sometimes hard combination of perception and reality.
Connecticut CPA Magazine Excerpt - Effective Automation and AI Implementation: Standing Firm in Efficiency Accounting and Advisory Services and Organization for Client Advisory Services
June 26, 2024
In the midst of the generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) hype, automation often takes a backseat, with the assumption that AI will solve our problems. However, effective automation and AI implementation are impossible without proper processes, technology, and organization. Keeping this in focus, we’ll explore tools to help your firm achieve its goals and foster a healthy work-life balance for your team.
Connecticut Dramatically Expands Paid Sick Leave Law
June 25, 2024
With no grand announcement, Connecticut quietly expanded employee’s paid sick time benefits. The bill greatly expands the law’s reach.
Greater Hartford’s largest accounting firms are increasingly being led by women
May 28, 2024
Several CTCPA members and Executive Director and CEO Bonnie Stewart were featured in this article on the change in demographics at Connecticut accounting firms.
Illinois CPA Society Releases Updated CPA Pipeline Report
May 16, 2024
A new national survey reveals “time” is why more accounting majors and young professionals are skipping over becoming certified public accountants.
Feds Increase Salary Minimum for Exempt Employees
April 29, 2024
The salary threshold required to exempt a salaried executive, administrative, or professional employee from federal overtime was increased from $35,568 to $43,888 effective July 1, 2024. The salary threshold will further increase to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025.
Department of Consumer Protection Working to Verify CPE Compliance Certificates
March 22, 2024
In response to reports of incidents of individuals altering PDF documents used to verify CPE compliance with the state of Connecticut, the Department of Consumer Protection has been working to validate certain CPE certificates, including some issued by the CTCPA. We have been contacted to verify information for current investigations and have been informed by the Department of Consumer Protection that several more inquiries are forthcoming.
DOL Enacts New Independent Contractor Test
March 06, 2024
The Department of Labor has announced a six-factor test for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This new rule takes effect on March 11, 2024.
CTCPA Staff and Members Quoted in 'Accounting merger activity heats up as aging partners eye retirement, firms look for growth' in Hartford Business Journal
February 05, 2024
Michael Sabol of MahoneySabol, Drew Andrews of Whittlesey, and CTCPA Marketing and Communications Director Kirsten Piechota were quoted in “Accounting merger activity heats up as aging partners eye retirement, firms look for growth” in the Hartford Business Journal.
NASBA and AICPA Approve Revisions to Continuing Professional Education Standards
January 10, 2024
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) have approved revisions to the Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs (Standards), as well as the NASBA Fields of Study document. The Standards changes, which include additional options for virtual learning, were effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Are You Exempt from Reporting Under the Corporate Transparency Act?
January 09, 2024
The beneficial ownership information reporting rule implementing Section 6403 of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) became effective on January 1, 2024. Under the CTA, every “reporting company” must file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report with the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). With the CTA now in effect, many will face the threshold question: “Does my entity need to file a BOI report?”
CPAs at a crossroads: Real approaches to artificial intelligence
January 08, 2024
If a former firm partner turned artificial intelligence (AI) expert feels overwhelmed with the current rate of change related to generative AI (Gen AI) tools like ChatGPT, where does that leave CPAs charged with advising clients, work teams, or both?
Do I really need a new engagement letter for that?
January 08, 2024
Despite the known value of engagement letters, CPAs may not use them for small services or when responding to client questions. Is there an alternative?