News

In a milestone moment for the creation of a global common language for sustainability reporting, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on Monday issued its first two standards. IFRS S1, General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2, Climate-related Disclosures have an effective date of Jan. 1 for some portions, pending adoption in more than 140 jurisdictions worldwide. IFRS S1 features a global baseline for reporting requirements on the disclosure of sustainability-related risks and opportunities. IFRS S2 features reporting requirements specific to climate-related disclosures, in concert with the reporting framework established by IFRS S1.

Randee Roucoulet, a partner at Simione, Macca & Larrow LLP in Hamden, completed her sixth IRONMAN on June 25.

A new report shows "disproportionate challenges” for LGBT+ employees, shares inclusion advice for organisations.

This spring, 27 Connecticut residents graduated from the 2023 class of the Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy, a program designed to strengthen leadership skills, develop and build relationships, and create a collaborative professional services community. This landmark program brings together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, including accounting and finance, law, insurance and architecture.

This spring, two dozen Connecticut residents graduated from the 2023 Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy, a program designed to strengthen leadership skills, develop and build relationships, and create a collaborative professional services community. This landmark program brings together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, including accounting and finance, law, insurance and architecture. The program, focused on the next generation of business leaders, was presented in partnership with six professional organizations: • American Institute of Architects, Connecticut, • CFA Society Hartford, • Connecticut Bar Association, • Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, • Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals, and • Hartford County Bar Association. The program encourages participants to help evolve and grow their careers and industries, professional association groups and companies through dynamic sessions including Legislative Day at the Capitol, Personal Branding, How to Lead a Team Effectively and Efficiently, Business Finance 101, and a Lean Principles and Practices Team-Building Workshop. “The continued success of this collaborative leadership academy is a testament to the strengths and talents of these up-and-coming professionals and the organizations they represent. The leadership skills and relationships they have formed will serve them, their employers, and our community well as they lead through an ever-evolving environment today and into the future,” said Bonnie Stewart, Executive Director and CEO of the Connecticut Society of CPAs. ”The Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy blends classroom education with personal and professional development while networking among peers. Designed to be different than other leadership training programs, participants are exposed to various skill developments, like personal branding, Clifton Strengthsfinder, introduction to being a board member, and meeting like-minded professionals all in a six-month time frame,” said Ryan Keating, CIC of Keating Agency Insurance, a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Young Insurance Professionals. Applications Are Open Now for the 2024 Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy Program application is open to early to mid-career professionals who are members of the partnering organizations seeking leadership training to propel them to the next level of their career. Learn more at www.ctcpas.org/LeadershipAcademy. Congratulations to These 2023 Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy Graduates: American Institute of Architects, Connecticut Jason Levy of Farmington – QA+M Architects David Reilly of Darien – Trillium Architects Misha Semënov-Leiva of Essex – Centerbrook Architects Brian Stancavage of Cheshire – Svigals + Partners Justin Towart of Stratford – Further Architecture Office PLLC CFA Society Hartford Evan Paretti of Bridgeport – Fiducient Advisors Connecticut Bar Association and/or Hartford County Bar Association Jacqueline Betz of Hartford – Kurien Ouellette LLC Brittany Bisson of Cheshire – Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C. Sarah Dlugoszewski of Southington – Shipman & Goodwin LLP Dinora Lopez of Glastonbury – Liberty Bank Anne Nye of Andover – Gfeller Laurie LLP Michael Curley of West Hartford – Murtha Cullina LLP Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants Erica Ambrosio – Deloitte & Touche LLP Ava DelMastro of Middletown – RSM US LLP Amanda Eckert of Terryville – Deloitte Micah Flashman of New Haven – Razayya Financial, LLC Keegan French of Newington – Marcum LLP Michelle LaVoie of Cromwell – Marcum LLP Viktoriia Mills of Guilford – Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP (FML) Natalie Olmstead of Avon – The Siegfried Group Ian O'Toole of Branford – Deloitte & Touche LLP Kimberly Purisky of Milford – Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, PC Joseph Sullivan of Waterbury – CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) Denisse Zavala of Weatogue – PwC

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2023/jun/historic-global-standards-sustainability-reporting-released.html

A few clicks of the mouse could save practitioners a ton of time by assisting them in determining whether they need to apply the requirements of AR-C Section 70, Preparation of Financial Statements, when their bookkeeping or accounting services result in financial statements.

Today's workforce is made up of four distinct generations. Understanding what motivates each of them can help companies more effectively recruit, manage and retain strong teams.

Whittlesey continues its long‐standing tradition of community service through a range of projects across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. For over a decade, Whittlesey volunteers have stepped away from their desks to participate in various projects that directly affect the communities where they live and work. This year, more than 100 Whittlesey team members collaborated with the Bushnell Park Foundation, the Diaper Bank of Connecticut, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke in a day dedicated to creating positive and tangible impacts within our local communities. At Bushnell Park and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, teams engaged in general park clean‐ up efforts, including spreading mulch, planting new flower beds, and repairing and painting fences. Meanwhile, volunteers at the Diaper Bank of Connecticut assisted in sorting and repackaging diapers before distributing them to families in need. "Our commitment to service extends far beyond our professional obligations," says Drew Andrews, CEO and Managing Partner at Whittlesey. "We believe in giving back to the communities we are part of, and our annual Community Day is a testament to this belief. We are honored to partner with these remarkable organizations this year and look forward to the impact we can make together." Whittlesey's Community Day is part of a series of initiatives the firm undertakes throughout the year, emphasizing its core belief in the power of community engagement. The firm takes pride in its enduring partnerships with diverse nonprofit organizations and the real‐world impacts they create together.

Whittlesey announced the promotion of Greg LaCasse, CPA, to Partner. Greg is the newest member to join the growing leadership team.

Despite interest in AI by business leaders, CFOs have bigger concerns, according to new data from Deloitte.

The 150-hour education requirement for CPA licensure has become a target for some who see it as an easy way to ease the talent pipeline issues facing the profession.

Failure to plan is planning for failure. That adage rings especially true for accounting firms in these modern times. Buffeted by hurricane force winds of change, firms must ponder how to proceed through uncharted, unsettled waters.

A good website that meets client expectations is fundamental for accountants and bookkeepers in 2023. It’s a way to generate and convert leads, a place for existing clients to access knowledge and support, and a modern-day equivalent to ‘word of mouth’.

Passing your practice on to the next generation sounds easy, but far too often, accountants bury their heads in the sand rather than planning for the future of their firm and their colleagues.

Mark Pires, CPA and senior manager at CironeFriedberg, LLP, joins the prestigious list of accomplished awardees of the 2023 Fairfield County 40 Under Forty award. The award recipients were announced and celebrated on June 14 at The Point at Norwalk Cove, in Norwalk, Conn.

A new or growing business may need to devise creative recruitment strategies to reach the most qualified individuals. In today's labor market, many small and medium-sized businesses face additional hiring challenges thanks to recent inflation and economic fluctuations, which have created uncertainty for both employers and job seekers.

From the great resignation to quiet quitting and the lost generation of talent, a perfect storm has capsized the profession’s attempts to solve the skills shortage. While there is hope, it’s not going to be easy.

Very often life transitions trigger in people a desire to seek more fulfillment in their lives. Such transitions can be the beginning of a new year or entering the second half of life. Starting a new career can represent an overwhelming task, one that is filled with uncertainty and requires a lot of time and effort.

With just minutes left in the 2023 Connecticut legislative session, Connecticut officially joined the first states to adopt the 30-month CPA Exam testing window recommended by NASBA.