CONNECTIONS May-June 2021

M AY

MEMBERSHIP ISSUE

•

J U N E

2 0 2 1

POWERING PAYMENTS FOR ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS

THE WAY CPAs GET PAID

CPACharge is specifically designed to help CPAs, enrolled agents, and accountants accept credit, debit, and eCheck payments from their clients.

As the ability to accept payments digitally becomes a critical piece of your practice, CPACharge provides the most proven solution for your firm. We are trusted by over 150,000 professionals and a vetted member program through 30+ state CPA societies and the AICPA. Affordable and easy-to-use, CPACharge exceeds standards for internet security and PCI Level 1 compliance. In addition, there are no long-term contracts or setup fees to get started. Your firm benefits from simplified reporting and reconciliation created specifically for how financial professionals run their offices. CPACharge has the right features and functionality needed to help ensure your firm's success.

ASCPA MEMBERS CAN VISIT:

cpacharge.com/alcpa 866-288-5181

CPACharge is a registered agent of Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Concord, CA and Synovus Bank, Columbus, GA.

PAYMENT DETAIL

1,000 Client Name

Invoice

Roy Smith

1214 POWERED

BY

Pay CPA

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

FEATURES

COLUMNS CPE | TECHNOLOGY

Top Talent CPAs in partnership with Business Alabama 8

14

16

The inaugural class of some of Alabama’s top talent among certified pub ic accountants

18

Thomas G. Stephens, Jr. CPA, CITP, CGMA, K2 Enterprises

CPE | A&A

Beware 12/31/21: The A&A Deferrals are Over!

20

Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA

CPA Evolution Update

The latest on the flexible and adaptable icensure approach that will serve as the foundation for futureproofing he CPA profession.

AICPA Proposes New Quality Management Standards to Enhance CPA Firms’ Audit Quality

Three interrelated standards proposed by the AICPA and ASB that address the way CPA firms manage qua ity for their accounting and auditing practices.

22

What Now? Technology in a Post-Pandemic Environment

Inside the ASCPA Message from Jeannine................. 4 Message from the Chair................. 5 Member News............................... 12 Remembering................................ 13 Self-Study CPE.............................. 25 Classified ...................................... 26

2021 CPE Calendar

Find what you need this 2021 CPE season with the ASCPA!

We’re @ALsocietyofCPAs on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter— follow us to see the latest from the ASCPA.

May/June

3

MESSAGE FROM JEANNINE

not buzz with members taking CPE and our local meetings across the state are limited. I look forward to when we can bring back so many of the ways we interacted in a personal and fun way outside of the digital world!

A year ago, this message was written from home, distanced from my team, and with uncertainty about the next time we would all get to gather. In our online meetings, the buzzword was “pivot” and we were all learning how to do it on multiple fronts— continuously. Thankfully, we did not make a full 360, but instead found new and better avenues to stay connected to you over this last year that we do not plan to, and cannot yet, fully let go of as the world begins to open up again.

Until then, we are excited for another virtual Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 15, to recognize and celebrate leaders who guided us through the global pandemic, welcome incoming board members, and hear from two of our top AICPA and ASCPA leaders on what to expect in the coming year. We want to see you during in our live-streamed conferences and workshops!

We are taking advantage of partnering with other state CPA societies to bring in speakers that we have not been able to host in the past for our traditional conferences (like the Technology Conference and Financial A&A Conference) and our new Business & Industry “pop-ups” that will happen throughout the summer! In addition to the listings at the back of the magazine, you will receive a printed copy of the 2021 CPE Catalog via mail and can go online to www.ascpa.org/ CPE to find what you need as tax season ends and CPE season commences.

We had our first in-person boa d meeting, awarded scholarships to well-deserving students, and surprised our 2021 Life Member Award recipients in-person last month. We are looking forward to another fun in-person Summer Education Conference in July in Gulf Shores, but the office wi l still

Our membership and peer review teams continue to work hard to make renewing your annual dues and peer review dues even easier this year. For the first ime ever, you can enroll in automatic dues renewal for your membership and simplify your giving with reoccurring contributions all on the ASCPA

4

ASCPA Connections

website. Our team is here for you if you have any questions about the process and are happy to help you make sure everything is seamless!

We are grateful to continue to offer the latest regulatory resources and guidance with the help of members like Bruce Ely and his team at Bradley Law, and Karen Miller and her PhD students from the University of Alabama.

Although printed pieces are absent from this issue, we still share the latest updates from them and their teams on www.ascpa. org/news. You can look forward to the latest federal and state tax updates from them in our next issue!

Finally, I am grateful for the outpouring of support and devotion to the CPA profession that I have seen over this trying year. Your membership allows us to provide all the resources, courses, and opportunities that you have seen through 2020 and into this year. I cannot wait to thank you in-person, but in the meantime, you can always reach me at jbirmingham@ascpa.org with questions and ideas that will enhance our reach within the community of Alabama CPAs.

Jeannine

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

This has certainly been a year of firsts. First time in my life that I remember living through a pandemic. I believe that it is also the very first, and I hope he very last, time that the ASCPA has had a virtual board chair.

This pandemic started at the end of the term for my predecessor, Dennis Sherrin. At that point in time, we had already begun some of the stay-at-home orders and started the “quarantine” process. Last June our annual meeting was not held in person for the first time that I remember, and I recall taking over as the ASCPA Chair from a condo at the beach. As much as that sounds like a great place to start my term, I can promise you that I would have much rather it be in person.

Having some technical difficu ties that day did not help either.

But I promise you that it did not dampen my enthusiasm for the opportunity that being your chair has presented to me.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I have never been prouder to be a part of the CPA profession and particularly a part of the ASCPA. The CPA profession has met this pandemic head-on and has thrived in the face of many challenges. Our membership has been resilient with the changes that have been handed to us. Just think back to the challenges of the past year: tax deadlines moved, the inability to meet in person, accounting and reporting standards put on hold, off-site peer reviews and extensions, and no CPE in person. I could keep going on,

but what I really want to get across is the fact that we did not let all those issues knock us down. Our members excelled in the use of technology to make things happen when we could not do anything in person. We really earned the title of the most trusted advisor this past year.

I never thought we could invent more acronyms than we already use, but now we have PPP, ERC, and on and on. What a great time to be a CPA. I also want to brag on the staff at the ASCPA. As a membership organization, they work tirelessly for our members, and this past year they worked overtime. From CPE, peer review, governmental affairs, and communications, they truly lived up to the cornerstones of our Society. Protect, educate, and connect. Even through all of the challenges in the past year, the Society staff has continued to provide top-notch educational opportunities, taken on additional states to administer the peer review program, provided thousands of dollars of scholarships, and kept us all up to date with communications of the ever-changing government programs. Those are just a few of the things they have done. I am a bit biased, but I truly believe the ASCPA has the best team!

Finally, thank you as members of the ASCPA. Through this pandemic, it seems as if at times the focus might have shifted from you all to how do we make it work from the inside. I promise you all this when James Moody takes

over as chair after my term, he will ensure that the focus is squarely on our members and what we can do for you. One of the great things I have missed this year is being able to go out around the state and visit with you all.

Just recently, we have been able to get out just a bit to visit and it has just brightened my day so much. What a true honor and blessing it has been for me to be able to serve you all, even if it has been mostly in the virtual setting.

Here’s looking to a bright future and thank you all for allowing me to serve!

Michael

May/June

5

We are with you for the moments that matter most.

We help mitigate risk, so you can enjoy peace-of-mind.

AICPA Member Insurance Programs provides CPA firms with exclusive access to best-in-class risk and insurance solutions that help safeguard your livelihood and lifestyle, including our renowned AICPA Professional Liability Program.

Our comprehensive plans help keep your firm and your employees secure, and help your business run smoothly in the moments that matter most, so you can focus on your clients and achieving your goals.

Plans for Firms Professional Liability

Group Identity Theft

Employment Practices Liability

Group Life & Disability

Cyber Liability

Group Personal Excess Liability

Business Overhead Expense

Specialty Coverage

Commercial Property & Liability

66%

of AICPA’s 400,000+ members insured

23,000+ firms insured

70+

years serving the profession

To learn more, please call Aon Insurance Services at 800.221.3023 to speak with an AICPA Risk Advisor or visit cpai.com/moments

Aon Insurance Services is the brand name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., a licensed producer in all states (TX 13695); (AR 100106022); in CA & MN, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (CA 0795465); in OK, AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc.; in CA, Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. (CA 0G94493), Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency.

One or more of the CNA companies provide the products and/or services described. The information is intended to present a general overview for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to constitute a binding contract. Please remember that only the relevant insurance policy can provide the actual terms, coverages, amounts, conditions and exclusions for an insured. All products and services may not be available in all states and may be subject to change without notice. CNA is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the “CNA” trademark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities. Copyright © 2021 CNA. All rights reserved.

E-14217-521 AL

Annual Business Meeting Promo & Agenda

With federal and state tax deadlines looming, April is one of the busiest months for certified pub ic accountants in the country.

But the men and women who have the designation CPA after their names do more than just file paperwor with the Internal Revenue Service.

Accountants perform a myriad of financial transac ions for businesses and individuals throughout the year.

From helping start small businesses to organizing the largest corporations’ financials, accountants a e vital to keeping the marketplace functioning.

These individuals also balance work and life, contributing to their families and communities in various ways — from serving as coaches and mentors in youth programs to volunteering with charitable organizations.

The Alabama Society of CPAs and Business Alabama salute the inaugural listing of some of Alabama’s best and brightest CPAs.

THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF SOME OF ALABAMA’S TOP TALENT AMONG CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

BY ERICA JOINER WEST ANDREW BAILEY is tax and consulting manager for Crow Shields Bailey PC in Mobile. A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, Bailey is accredited in business valuation by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPAs). He has been awarded the AICPA Standing Ovation, which recognizes professionals under 40 for professional achievement in forensic and valuation services, and he also is a member of the Alabama Society of CPAs Leadership Class VII. In his community, Bailey serves as past president and current board member of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, current treasurer, and board member of the Estate Planning Council of Mobile and is the Junior Achievement Classroom Volunteer at Fairhope High School.

8

ASCPA Connections

AARON BELL is a partner at Tucker, Scott & Wates CPAs in Decatur. With 11 years of experience specializing in accounting, tax and consulting for small businesses and individuals, Bell holds professional membership in the American Institute of CPAs and the Alabama Society of CPAs. “Aaron is an outstanding accountant,” says David Scott, a partner at Tucker, Scott & Wates. “All clients that work with Aaron have nothing but good things to say about him both personally and professionally.”

Bell is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the Rainmaker Academy, where he received multiple awards and recognition.

Active in his community. He is past president of the Decatur Jaycees and current treasurer of the Rotary Club of Decatur.

OGER BOATNER is managing member of R Boatner & Pugh LLC in Gadsden. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and his master’s from the University of Alabama, Boatner worked for KPMG before starting his own firm in 1992 His firm helps businesses, o ganizations and individuals with a variety of services including bookkeeping, payroll, tax, retirement planning and attest services. He is a member of the Alabama Society of CPAs and on the board of directors of the University of Alabama’s Federal Tax Clinic.

JOELLA BOGLE is a manager with MDA Professional Group PC in Gadsden. She has been with the firm for almost eigh years. Bogle is a graduate of Jacksonville State University and specializes in the areas of auditing and attestation of governmental entities, non-profit o ganizations, small businesses, financial ins itutions, and individual and corporate taxation. She is a member of the Alabama Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

JOHN BOLES is managing partner of the Auburn office o Himmelwright, Huguley & Boles LLC, managing the firm s assurance services. With more than 20 years of experience, Boles is most passionate about providing strategic tax and financia planning to small businesses and families, and offers auditing, tax and consulting services to government, nonprofit, industry and hea th care clients. An Auburn University graduate, he is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Alabama Society of CPAs, a board member of the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation and an advisory board member for BBVA. He also is a past member of the Auburn University Accounting Advisory Committee and just completed a term on the Auburn Chamber of Commerce board.

Boles recently was featured on the Economics for Entrepreneurs podcast where he discussed the firm s implementation of value billing and its impact on client relationships.

APRIL BOUDREAUX joined Smith, Dukes & Buckalew in Mobile in 1989 and provides a wide range of business services to clients. As a partner with the firm Boudreaux has extensive industry experience in working with medical practices, professional service firms, nonp ofi organizations, employee benefit plans educational and financial ins itutions and more. A graduate of Spring Hill College, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Pub ic Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Au it Quality Center, Governmental Audit Quality Center, Not-For-Profit Sec ion and the Alabama Society of CPAs, where she serves on the executive committee for the Mobile Chapter and as chair of the Partners in Peer Review committee. She is very active in her community, serving with the Junior League of Mobile, Ronald McDonald House of Mobile, Providence Hospital Foundation Festival of Flowers and on the Mobile Mayor’s Financial Advisory Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Mobile.

CPA in 1983.

WESLEY BROWN JR. is owner of Brown and Brown Accountants PC in Athens. He started working in his father’s business in 1965 as a boy but didn’t officia ly join the company until he had obtained his

A graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Brown often goes above and beyond the normal scope of business for his clients. For instance, he recently helped one of his nonprofit c ients, Athens-Limestone County Tourism, with fi ing for COVID-19 relief funding. Teresa Todd, president of AthensLimestone County Tourism, says, “Wes contacted me to say he had already started the ball rolling on getting us applied for the SBA PPP package. That really touched me, I didn’t ask for his help and wasn’t sure if that was part of his service. However, he contacted the bank and fi led out the paperwork. All I had to do was sign the forms.”

ALLEN CARROLL is managing partner of Wilkins Miller in Mobile.

A graduate of the University of South Alabama, Miller has been with the firm for 3 years and holds specialty credentials in business valuation, financial fo ensics, and valuation. Carroll is also active in his community, serving on the boards of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the University of South Alabama Foundation, and the executive advisory council of USA’s Mitchell College of Business, which has honored him as an IMPACT person. He also serves as chairman and treasurer of the board of trustees for St. Luke’s Episcopal School, where he helped the school expand after purchasing the former campus of the Wright School for Girls. Carroll also serves as an airport support network volunteer with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, is a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight Southeast and is on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

BILL CURTIS is partner-incharge with Mauldin & Jenkins LLC’s Birmingham office. ith more than 20 years of auditing and consulting experience, he joined Mauldin & Jenkins in 2004 after working for AmSouth Bank and Cade, Crenshaw, and Associates. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Curtis is a partner in the firm s

Financial Institutions practice and specializes in opinion audits and tax services for private and SEC registered companies, internal control opinion audits, internal audits, and benefit plan au its.

He also helps audit 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Licensed in Alabama and Georgia, Curtis serves on the firm s leadership and career development committee and LEAP Conference committee.

He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Alabama Society of CPAs, the Georgia Society of CPAs, Birmingham Young CPAs, Alabama Banking School faculty and is a past board member and treasurer of Community Kitchens of Birmingham.

BRYAN HALL is a partner and health care industry line leader for Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors in Enterprise.

Unlike most people, he enjoys going to hospitals, providing accounting solutions to health systems, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and working with state Medicaid agencies. With nearly two decades of experience serving not-for-profit, fo -profit publicly traded, academic and governmental health care providers across the South, Hall offers expertise in accounting, consulting, cost reporting and auditing, as well as employee benefit plans. Ha l has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University and is active in the Enterprise community.

ANGELA HAMITER is a shareholder with JamisonMoneyFarmer PC, where she started her accounting career in 1991. A Tuscaloosa native, Hamiter is a University of Alabama graduate and a Leadership Tuscaloosa graduate. She leads the firm s recruiting program and helped establish the timber practice group and Women in Motion, a women’s leadership initiative group.

“I love meeting with clients to hear their stories and needs,” says Hamiter. Her expertise is in the areas of individual and small business tax planning, including business succession, retirement, and estate planning. She also is very active in the community, serving on the boards of the Alabama Society of CPAs, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and its financ committee, The Salvation Army, Presbyterian Apartments of Northport and UPerk LLC, where she serves as treasurer.

May/June

9

COLBY LAKAS serves as Auburn University’s School of Accountancy director of recruiting and professional development, helping undergraduates with their recruiting and professional development activities. As the Beta Alpha Psi and Rising Accountant and Analyst Program faculty adviser, she coordinates employer relations and the bi-annual Meet the Firms accounting career fair.

She is an instructor of record for the ACCT 3810 Professional Development in Accountancy and the ACCT 4920 Accounting Internship courses. Prior to joining academia, she worked for seven years in public accounting, including at Deloitte in Atlanta.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University and is licensed in Georgia and Alabama. Lakas also is a board member of the Alabama Society of CPAs and has worked with the ASCPA Educational Foundation board.

DON MCCLEOD is owner and founder of Don McCleod CPA PC in Dothan. A native of North Carolina, McCleod earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham and his master’s from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He is licensed in Georgia and Alabama and is a member of those state’s societies of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, where he serves on the minority initiative committee.

McCleod is also involved in the National Association of Black Accountants and the National Black MBA Association. Closer to home, he serves as chairman of the Dothan Community Development Advisory Board and is a board member of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Regional Planning and Development Commission. He recently served as the 94th chairman and the first African America to lead the Alabama Society of CPAs and has been voted by his peers as the Most Outstanding Young CPA.

10

LISA MCKINNEY is a senior lecturer in the University of Alabama Culverhouse School of Accountancy and the Culverhouse LIFT director. Holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UA,

ASCPA Connections

McKinney practiced full-time as a CPA before joining the university 18 years ago.

She teaches individual taxation, entity taxation and financial accoun ing courses, plus continuing education courses in taxation at Alabama public accounting firms McKinney is also the founder and director of the Culverhouse LIFT program, a community outreach program where students tutor under- represented groups in computer, financial, accoun ing, and other subjects.

An expert in partnership taxation, corporate taxation, acquisition and disposition planning and federal tax legislative developments, McKinney is a frequent speaker and CPE teacher for the Alabama Society of CPAs, the Federal Tax Clinic and other accounting organizations. Her most recent honors include the Walter R. Guyton Student Service Award and the ASCPA CPE Speaker of the Year, both presented in 2018.

JASON MILLER is a partner in the Audit and Assurance Group of Anglin Reichmann Armstrong PC in Huntsville. With more than 14 years of experience, Miller is a leader of the firm s peer review practice, supporting and enhancing the audit quality and efficiency for Ang in and audit practice of other firms a ound the country. To provide the firm and his c ients with the most up to date information, he researches the latest audit and assurance guidelines. He also plays a pivotal role in the firm s research into technology, software packages and data analytics. His industry focus includes biotechnology, employee benefit plans, government contrac ing, information technology, manufacturing, and not-for-profit agencies. A University o Alabama in Huntsville graduate, Miller is active with the university alumni association.

He is also a member of the Partners in Peer Review Committee and Report Acceptance Body chair for the Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas state societies of CPAs.

JAMES MOODY is a partner in Dent Moses, where he has worked since 2006. He provides accounting, audit, business consulting and tax services to privately held businesses in many industries including wholesale distribution, professional service firms and not-fo -profit o ganizations. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Samford University, Moody is currently chair-elect of the Alabama Society of CPAs and earlier served as president of the

Birmingham Chapter. He is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs. Moody enjoys staying connected with the accounting programs at several local universities, often serving as a guest speaker. In addition, he serves on the Accounting Advisory Board of the Brock School of Business at Samford University, where he was honored in 2014 as Distinguished Accounting Alumnus. He and his family still live in his hometown of Moody.

KAREN MOORE is senior tax manager with Pearce, Bevill, Leesburg, Moore PC in Birmingham. She joined the firm in 2002 afte earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University.

She is active in the Alabama Society of CPAs, holding various positions within the organization, and is serving on the board of the ASCPA Educational Foundation. She also has served as president of the Alabama State Society Young CPA board, as well as the local chapter for Birmingham. In 2010, Moore was honored with the Outstanding Young CPA Award from the Alabama State Society and in 2011, she was presented the ASCPA Women to Watch Emerging Leader Award. Moore is active within her community, serving with Junior Achievement, Exceptional Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation, where she is a past president. She is also treasurer of the Camp Winnataska board of directors.

EBONY O’BRIEN is a senior manager with Banks, Finley, White & Co. She started with the firm in 2015 and ha quickly risen through the ranks. O’Brien often takes point in audits of nonprofit, government broker dealer and for-profit en ities, and has participated in performance audits of large governmental clients.

Earlier, she worked in management of nonprofit o ganizations, serving in human resources and finance. Drawing on hat background, she serves in Banks Fin- ley’s annual training on industry and IT related topics and is a member of the firm s HR recruiting team.

Licensed in Alabama and Tennessee, O’Brien has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jacksonville State University and is involved in a number of civic organizations, including Make-a-Wish Alabama Trailblaze Challenge, Phi Theta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma, as well as the Alabama Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

AMANDA PAUL is an assistant professor of accountancy in the Sorrell College of Business of Troy University. Her primary teaching focus has been on financial an governmental accounting and auditing. She also serves as the internship coordinator for the School of Accountancy. Prior to joining the faculty at Troy, she worked for Gibson and Carden LLC in Troy. A Troy native, Paul earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Troy University.

She is active with the Alabama Society of CPAs and served as president of the ASCPA South Central Chapter. She is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs and was selected as an AICPA Woman to Watch and Emerging Leader in 2012. She also has received the Troy University Outstanding Accounting Professor award in 2012, 2016 and 2018.

KAREN POIST is director of the State and Local Tax Practice Area for Stambaugh Ness (SN) in Hoover. She applies her 30-plus years of taxation expertise to guide clients through the increasingly complex SALT environment, including tax consulting, compliance, and resolution. Prior to joining SN, she spent 20 years at Birmingham-based BMSS LLC, where she served as a member of the firm. Passion- ate about p oviding clients with solutions to meet their goals, Poist specializes in state and local sales and use tax, state and local income tax, audit representation, tax planning, consulting, due diligence and mergers and acquisitions.

A graduate of State University of New York College at Fredonia, Poist is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, the Alabama Society of CPAs and the Irondale Chamber of Commerce. She chairs the Alabama State Tax Committee and is a contributor to Modern Contractor Solutions.

CONNIE SHEPPARDHARRIS is president of Sheppard-Harris & Associates PC in Birmingham. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montevallo and began her career with Dozier & Tanker, where she became a partner. She later established her own firm the first Black female C A firm in Alabama

She has 35 years of experience in public accounting and has been president of her firm for 23 years. Ac ive in her community, she is a member of the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Birmingham Water Works H2O Foundation and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Trinity Advisory Committee, the Miles College Advisory Board, the Birmingham City Wide Local Development Co., the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham and vice chair of the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy.

She is a former member of the UAB Mental Health Board. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Alabama Society of CPAs and the American Women Society of CPAs.

VAN TREFETHEN is a member within Warren Averett’s Tax Division, serving as the Birmingham office ta service area leader.

Joining the firm in 2011 Trefethen specializes in tax planning and compliance for closely held and private equity-owned businesses.

Trefethen served as co-leader of Warren Averett’s Paycheck Protection Program Group, as well as serving on the firm s COVID-19 Taskforce. In addition to helping the firm s clients, Trefethen hosted internal training webinars to help educate his co-workers on the latest PPP guidance. Trefethen received his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and his master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Alabama Society of CPAs and has been recognized as a Rising Star in Accounting by the Birmingham Business Journal.

JASON WELLS is a principal with Jackson Thornton in Montgomery and leads the firm s Valuation and Litigation Consulting group. He is also the consulting line of business leader for the firm and guides he group in large data cases.

Prior to joining Jackson Thornton, Wells worked for Arthur Andersen’s Birmingham office. He is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and earned his master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

In addition to being a CPA, Wells is accredited in business valuation, certified i both valuation analyst and financial fo ensics and a master analyst in financial fo ensics. He has been recognized by CPA Practice Advisor as a Top 40 Under 40. Outside of the office Wells currently serves as president of Paseo, is past president of the Montgomery Lions Club

and a member of the Montgomery Estate Planning Council.

KAMI WEST is a supervising senior accountant in Kassouf’s Healthcare Services Group in Birmingham.

With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama, she is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Alabama Society of CPAs and the Alabama Society of CPAs-Birmingham chapter. West also serves on Kassouf’s recruiting team, working closely with the University of Alabama to attract top talent for the company’s internship program. She has brought a strategic vision to the team, helping to showcase the firm s unique culture and develop thoughtful discussions for the students. She also mentors younger staff members and recently helped develop Kassouf’s first virtual ecruiting event.

In addition to her professional endeavors, West is an active member of the Junior League.

TRAE ZEBLAN is a senior manager at BMSS Advisors & CPAs, where he primarily focuses on assurance and transaction advisory engagements. He joined BMSS in 2017 and has been working in public accounting for eight years. “Trae is a gifted motivator and has earned the respect of his BMSS team members,” said Laura Watkins, marketing manager at BMSS. “He patiently coaches and he displays a servant attitude in helping others.” Zeblan is a graduate of Shorter University and holds the Chartered Global Management Accountant designation. Zeblan has served on the board of the Birmingham Chapter of Young CPAs and is a current member of the Birmingham Venture Club.

Business Alabama & the Alabama Society of CPAs congratulates those chosen as 2021 Top Talent CPAs. May/June

11

MEMBER NEWS The City of Enterprise recently appointed and swore-in LeeAnn Swartz as their Chief Financial Officer and reasurer this April.

LeeAnn graduated Cum Laude from the University of Northern Iowa where she earned a B.A. in Business Administration majoring in accounting.

As a military spouse, she has lived in numerous places and had the opportunity to work in a variety of industries over the last 26 years, including: staff accountant for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) in Bamberg, Germany; accountant for Coldwell Banker/Prestige Homes Property Management while her husband was in flight school at Fort Rucker; Bank of Americ in Katterbach, Germany; and accountant for Regency Management, Inc. While stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas, she returned to school and earned a Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in auditing from Kaplan University.

Since returning to Enterprise, LeeAnn sat for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and earned her C.P.A. license with the State of Alabama. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Pub ic Accountants and the Government Finance Officers Association.

In 2017, LeeAnn joined McClintock, Nelson & Associates where her focus was governmental and not-for-profit au iting. In addition to auditing, she specialized in a variety of solutions including tax preparation, compilations, and reviews for clients in diverse industries such as agriculture, law, healthcare, construction, real estate, banking, retail, not-for-profit organizations, and local governmental entities.

Enterprise Mayor Bill Cooper said that as the city continues to grow, Swartz’s history, experience and expertise will be a vital asset to Enterprise’s success.

“Coming to us from one of the most prestigious accounting firms in our area, LeeAnn had an outstanding resume,” he said. “She came highly recommended, and we feel fortunate that we were able to bring her on board our city team.”

Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors is proud to announce the selection of Maddox Casey to Birmingham Business Journal’s (BBJ) Who’s Who in Birmingham Healthcare 2021 list. The individuals recognized are key leaders in Birmingham’s healthcare world and range from academic leaders to hospital CEOs. Casey is a Member of Warren Averett in the Birmingham office and he

12

ASCPA Connections

practice leader for the Firm’s Healthcare Division. His team serves over 650 physician practices across the Southeast. Casey helps physicians increase and maintain profitabi ity in the turbulent times of healthcare regulations. He is a firm be iever that through proper planning and education of current healthcare industry policies, he can help his clients thrive. Casey is a frequent speaker for medical organizations across the country. He resides in Birmingham with his wife and five child en.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as part of Who’s Who in Birmingham Healthcare,” says Casey. “In recent months, physician practices have faced new challenges and it has been gratifying to help physicians maintain their profitabi ity, navigate the new environment and help as many patients as possible. It is my goal to continue helping my clients thrive in all their endeavors.”

Warren Averett Asset Management is proud to announce the recognition of Josh Reidinger, CPA, by the Birmingham Business Journal’s (BBJ) and their Who’s Who in Birmingham Wealth Management 2021 list. The individuals recognized are key leaders in Birmingham’s wealth management industry and include executives from the top firms in he city.

Josh is the President of Warren Averett Asset Management. In

addition to leading the strategy and providing the vision for the organization, he advises affluent, mu ti-generational families through a comprehensive approach that encompasses investment management and philanthropy, plus tax, estate, and financial planning. He is very involved in the local Birmingham community, where he currently serves on the Cabinet for the United Way of Central Alabama and is a Licensed Foster Parent. Josh resides in Homewood, AL with his wife and their three children.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the Who’s Who in Wealth Management,” says Reidinger. “This past year has been uniquely challenging for so many, due to COVID-19 and the related economic headwinds. It’s been important to me that we help our clients navigate through this unprecedented time. Conversely, we have also been fortunate to help some of our clients with unique opportunities that arose quickly. As we (hopefully) approach a full re-opening of our economy, we are eager to help our clients thrive and accomplish what’s most important to them. Warren Averett Asset Management is blessed with an incredible team of servant-minded advisors and staff that makes our Firm such a special place.”

The 2021 Who’s Who in Wealth Management was featured in this edition of the Birmingham Business Journal.

WHAT’S HAPPENING OUT THERE Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors’ Birmingham office was ecently recognized as the largest accounting firm in Birmingham by he Birmingham Business Journal’s (BBJ’s) Book of Lists. This is the eleventh consecutive year that Warren Averett has been at the top of the list.

The rankings were based on the total number of certified pub ic accountants at each company. Warren Averett has 286 local employees in the Birmingham office, inclu ing 117 local CPAs and 47 local Members. The Firm has over 800 employees throughout 13 offices in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, with two affi iate offices in exas and the Cayman Islands.

“I am proud of our Firm and the opportunity we have to be Birmingham’s largest firm—not because of he sheer size itself, but because those numbers represent the talented and hard-working people who compose our team,” says Tommy Sisson, CPA, the Birmingham Office Managing Membe . “Each and every individual in our Firm brings unique perspectives, skills and resources to our clients and to each other. When I hear that our accounting firm is he largest, I am honored that we’ve received this recognition, but I’m also immensely proud of our team and the unique and diverse offerings they bring each day which allow us to serve clients at a deep and meaningful level.”

REMEMBERING ANTHONY “A.V.” LAROCCA

RICHARD YON

December 12, 1950−March 22, 2021 Birmingham, AL | Certificate 146

July 4, 1949−February 25, 2021 Millbrook, AL | Certificate 2158

Anthony Vincent LaRocca, age 70, died peacefully on March 22, in the presence of loved ones. He was a dedicated CPA for 49 years and currently with DiPiazza, LaRocca, Heeter & Co.

Richard N. Yon, former partner at Aldridge Borden, died on February 25 after a brief illness. Yon joined Aldridge Borden in 1976, following graduation from the University of West Florida and service in the U.S. Navy. He became a partner in 1987 and retired in 2017. He was a native of Cottondale, Florida.

A.V. had many passions in life but none greater than his love of family and Alabama Football. He was born and raised in Birmingham; went to school at St Aloysius Church, graduated John Carroll High School, and later graduated from the University of Alabama. A.V. was a devoted Catholic parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Church where he volunteered for many years as a Sunday school teacher.

This generosity continued throughout his life as he was always willing to help those in need. He also attended Saint Peters Catholic Church men’s bible study. In lieu of flowers, dona ions may be made in his memory to Our Lady of Sorrows Church or Save-A-Life.

Yon was a regular at the ASCPA’s Annual Meeting and many other education events. He served faithfully on the phone bank for the ASCPA Tax Hotline for more than 10 years. Yon was a member of Kiwanis Club for 42 years, serving as its president, vice-president, and treasurer. He was an elder at Millbrook Presbyterian Church, and a member of the board of Autauga Elmore Mental Retardation.

He was an avid gardener, happy to share from the fruit trees he cultivated.

May/June

13

CPA EVOLUTION UPDATE CPA Evolution is a joint initiative of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certifie Public Accountants (AICPA). The initiative is transforming the CPA licensure model to reflect he rapidly changing skills and competencies the accounting profession requires today and will require in the future.

It will put in place a flexible and adaptable icensure approach that will serve as the foundation for future-proofing he CPA profession.

Over three years, NASBA and the AICPA gathered input from more than 3,000 stakeholders from across the profession on how to transform CPA licensure and meet the needs of the marketplace. During these conversations, several key themes became clear: • The profession supports the need to change the CPA licensure model • Newly licensed CPAs should all demonstrate strong common core competencies • The new CPA licensure model should position the CPA for the future • The new CPA licensure model should continue to protect the public interest Based on this feedback and lessons learned from studying other international and domestic licensure models, NASBA and the AICPA developed a new approach to CPA licensure. In 2020, both the AICPA

14

ASCPA Connections

Governing Council and the NASBA Board of Directors voted to support advancement of the CPA Evolution initiative. The AICPA and NASBA are now moving forward with implementing the new model.

What is the new licensure model?

The new CPA licensure model takes a core + discipline approach, starting with a deep and strong core in accounting, auditing, tax and technology that all candidates will be required to complete. Each candidate will also choose a discipline in which to demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge. Regardless of chosen discipline, this model leads to full CPA licensure, with rights and privileges consistent with any other CPA. A discipline selected for testing will not mean the CPA is limited to that practice area.

This model: • Enhances public protection by producing candidates who have the deep knowledge necessary to perform high-quality work, meeting the needs of organizations, firms and he public.

• Is responsive to feedback, as it builds accounting, auditing, tax and technology knowledge requirements into a robust common core.

• Reflects he realities of practice, requiring deeper proven knowledge in one of three disciplines that are pillars of the profession.

Governing Council and the NASBA Board of Directors voted to support advancement of the CPA Evolution initiative. The AICPA and NASBA are now moving forward with implementing the new model.

What is the new licensure model?

The new CPA licensure model takes a core + discipline approach, starting with • Is adaptive and flexible, helping to futucore e-proof the CPA as the a deep and strong in accounting, profession continues to evolve. auditing, tax and technology that all • Results in one CPA license. candidates will be required to complete.

Each candidate will also choose a What does this mean for the Uniform CPA Examination? discipline in which to demonstrate deeper skills and knowledge. Regardless The specific content of he core and the disciplines will be determined chosenwhich discipline, this model leads to by a CPA Exam practice of analysis, is currently underway. full CPA licensure, with rights and Practice analyses — gathering information about privileges consistent withthe anycurrent other and future state of the profession and the work of newly licensed CPAs — are CPA. A discipline selected for testing will conducted periodically as part of the AICPA’s ongoing efforts to make the CPA limited to and that reliability. sure the Exam is currentnot andmean to maintain itsisthe validity practice area.

The current practice analysis will likely wrap up in 2022, and an Exam Blueprint will be exposed for public comment in mid-2022.

This model:

200 resources for a range of class levels on topics like data analytics and cybersecurity to use in classroom instruction.

The AICPA and NASBA expect the new Exam will launch in January • Enhances public protection by producing candidates who have deepwill knowledge necessary Throughout 2021, thethe AICPA be holding a series to of faculty webinars 2024. including regular updates CPA perform high-quality work, meeting the needs of organizations, firmson and theEvolution public. and deep dives into emerging topics tax to include in accounting courses.

What’s next for students and candidates?

• CPA Is responsive to feedback, as it builds accounting, auditing, and technology knowledge

requirements into a robust common core. As CPA Evolution continues to progress, please check back for updates Aspiring CPAs who are college nowrealities will be among the firs • freshmen Reflects the of practice, requiring at deeper proven knowledge in have one ofany three disciplines EvolutionofCPA.org.

If you questions, please reach out to to take the overhauled version of the CPA Exam when it launches in Feedback@EvolutionofCPA.org. that are pillars of the profession.

2024. Current CPA candidates will be able to sit for the current CPA adaptive and flexible, helping to future-proof the CPA as the profession continues to evolve.

Exam until the launch of the•newIsExam, and a transition plan is being developed for candidates who have started but not completed the CPA Exam process as of January 2024. Under the new model, the AICPA and NASBA expect to attract students that today wouldn’t necessarily choose the CPA route, but who are becoming more critical to the success of Kathy Brents the CPA profession.

How are the AICPA and NASBA supporting accounting academic programs and educators?

CPA CBI

Christy Hudson

Broker, Managing Member

CBI Broker

Accounting educators will play a vital role in preparing students to pursue the CPA under this new licensure model. The AICPA and NASBA are committed to helping educators every step of the way.

The AICPA and NASBA have engaged with faculty and practitioner volunteers to build a model curriculum that aligns with the core + discipline licensure model. The model curriculum will launch this June, and updates will be posted on EvolutionofCPA. org.

Faculty can also access the Academic Resource Hub, a free database of content from the AICPA, accounting firms academics and AICPA teaching-award winners that will help faculty prepare students for the rapidly evolving demands of the profession. The hub contains over

Selling your firm is complex.

Let us make it simple.

Do you know your firm’s value? We can help! Understanding what your firm is worth is a great place to start.

We know your market and have buyers ready to purchase.

Confidentiality Maximizing Firm Value Negotiations

Closing Transition

Financing

Learn more and get a FREE Market Analysis at

www.AccountingBizBrokers.com

kathy@accountingbizbrokers.com christy@accountingbizbrokers.com Office: 866-260-2793 Kathy: 501-514-4928 Christy: 501-499-4357

May/June

15

AICPA PROPOSES NEW QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS TO ENHANCE CPA FIRMS’ AUDIT QUALITY

BY AHAVA GOLDMAN, SARA LORD, AND JON HEATH

The American Institute of CPAs’ (AICPA) Auditing Standards Board (ASB) has issued the exposure draft (ED) Proposed Quality Management Standards, which includes three interrelated standards that address the way CPA firms manage qua ity for their accounting and auditing practices. The standards offer a new proactive, risk-based approach to effective quality management systems within CPA firms, which wi l improve the scalability of the standards and promote a system tailored to the firm and its engagements “As the environment in which practitioners offer services becomes more diverse, it’s more important than ever for CPA firms t tailor their quality management processes to their circumstances and maintain and enhance audit quality,” said Tracy Harding, CPA, AICPA Auditing Standards Board Chair. “Our proposed revisions to the quality management standards offer CPA firms a framework for developing a qua ity management system that addresses each firm s practice.”

16

ASCPA Connections

The proposed standards include changes such as using the terms quality management and engagement quality review instead of quality control and engagement quality control review, respectively, used in the current standards. The new risk-based approach requires firms to estab ish prescribed quality objectives, identify and assess risks to the achievement of those objectives, and design and implement responses.

The proposed standards would: • supersede Statement on Quality Control Standards (SQCS) No. 8, A Firm’s System of Quality Control (QC section 10) • create a new QM section in AICPA Professional Standards, • supersede SAS No. 122, as amended, section 220, Quality Control for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (AU-C section 220),

• substantially converge with the International Audit & Assurance Board’s (IAASB) quality management standards, and • affect every firm wi h an accounting and auditing practice.

The next few paragraphs summarize the three proposed standards.

Proposed Statement on Quality Management Standards (SQMS) A Firm’s System of Quality Management (Proposed SQMS 1) OVERVIEW

Proposed SQMS 1 requires a firm to design implement, and operate a system of quality management that is customized for the nature and circumstances of its accounting and auditing practice.

The proposed standard consists of: • Eight components that operate in an iterative and integrated manner

• Other requirements that address the roles and responsibilities for the system, leadership’s overall evaluation of the system, network requirements or network services, and documentation.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Proposed SQMS 1 includes new requirements or expectations in the following areas: • Governance and leadership • Risk-based approach focused on achieving quality objectives • Resources, including human, intellectual, and technological • Information and communication • Monitoring and remediation • Annual evaluations of the system of quality management • Use of networks Another significant change is he prohibition for self-inspection. Under QC section 10, a partner, or other member of the team, may perform an inspection of their own work during a firm s monitoring functions.

In order to improve audit quality, proposed SQMS 1 prevents this type of selfinspection, consistent with the IAASB quality management standards.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Proposed SQMS 1 is intended to support flexibi ity and scalability, thus allowing firm to tailor their system of quality management to their specific facts and ci cumstances (i.e. practice). The ASB believes that the proposed standard is not overly prescriptive but moving from a rules-based approach to a more principle-based approach could be challenging.

In particular, the ASB is concerned that this shift might be challenging for smaller firms t implement; therefore, they have: • Extended outreach to various groups • Posed questions specifica ly targeting scalability, accompanying the Exposure Drafts Proposed SQMS, Engagement Quality Reviews (Proposed SQMS 2) OVERVIEW

Proposed SQMS 2 aims to respond to issues and challenges with the requirements for engagement quality (EQ) reviews in extant QC sec. 10 and AU-C section 220, by making changes that clarify and strengthen aspects of those requirement for a more robust EQ review.

An EQ review is a specified esponse designed and implemented by the firm t address quality risks. Proposed SQMS 1 requires that the firm determine when an E review is an appropriate response to quality risks.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Besides highlighting the importance of EQ reviews as a response to quality risks by separating it into its own standard, other significant changes include • Enhanced eligibility criteria for EQ reviewers, • More robust performance and documentation requirements, • A two (2) year cooling off period for engagement partners to serve as an EQ reviewer (EQR), and • A preclusion for the engagement partner to date the engagement report until notifica ion from the EQR that the EQ review is complete.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

If an EQ review is required as a response to quality risk, then proposed SQMS 2 requires a cooling off-period of 2 years before an engagement partner can return to serve as an EQR. Consistent with the IAASB quality management standards, the ASB has proposed shifting the dating of the report until after the EQR completes their review.

The ASB’s current rules require the EQR to be performed prior to release date, not report date.

The ASB is interested in scalability, in general, but particularly related to the 2-year cooling off period and new dating requirements.

Proposed Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (Proposed QM SAS) OVERVIEW

The proposed QM SAS clarifies an strengthens the specific esponsibilities of the auditor regarding quality management at the engagement level for an audit of financia statements, and the related responsibilities of the engagement partner.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

The proposed QM SAS impacts audits by introducing changes in: • Engagement-level quality

ASB Extends Quality Management Exposure Draft Comment Period The AICPA Auditing Standards Board is announcing an extension of the comment period on its exposure draft of three interrelated standards that address quality management. Interested parties now have until August 31 (extended from June 11, resulting in a six-month comment period) to submit their feedback to the ASB at CommentLetters@aicpa-cima. com. The ASB has also posted Executive Summaries of each proposed standard, and a comment letter template for those who wish to use it.

You can find he following at the respective web addresses: • Exposure Draft on Proposed Statements on Quality Management Standards http://bit.ly/QMExposureDraft • Executive Summaries of Proposed SASs, SSAEs, and SQCSs and designated Comment Letter Templates https://www.aicpa.org/ research/exposuredrafts/ accountingandauditing.html

• Partner responsibilities • Interaction of a firm s system of quality management and engagement-level quality • Professional skepticism • Relevant ethical requirements • Resources OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Areas of particular interest from the ASB include engagement partner direct responsibilities versus those that can be delegated, the interaction between the firm s (or potentially the network’s) system of quality management and the engagement team’s role in quality management, and scalability.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit their feedback to the ASB at CommentLetters@aicpa-cima.com by June 11, 2021.

Ahava Goldman is an Associate Director of the AICPA’s Audit & Attest Standards Team.

Sara Lord is the Chief Auditor and Member of the Board of the Directors at RSM US LLP and the ASB’s Quality Management Task Force Co-Chair. Jon Heath is Co-Chair of the ASB’s Quality Management Task Force.

May/June

17

WHAT NOW? TECHNOLOGY IN A POST-PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT THOMAS G. STEPHENS, JR., CPA, CITP, CGMA Business leaders across the globe are now focusing on rejuvenating their businesses in a post-pandemic environment. No doubt, the past eighteen months have been challenging for everyone. But now, as organizations seek to regroup and recover, managers must consider carefully the state of their organizations’ technology and what adjustments and investments they should make to maximize their organization’s chances to succeed. This article examines several critical technologies that leaders should have near the top of their lists.

Remote Work Environments Demand Better Planning OK, let’s face it. In March of 2020, we got pushed into a world few could have imagined.

In a single week, managers told millions to pack their desks, go home, and figu e

18

ASCPA Connections

out how to work remotely with, in many cases, little, if any, assistance from the IT department. Although challenges and failures materialized, most workers innovated and found creative solutions to their challenges.

Now, with many workers choosing to work remotely on at least an occasional basis, it is time to assess the state of these environments and see what we can and should do better.

These issues certainly include technology.

Do our team members have optimal bandwidth to connect and communicate?

Have we adequately secured team members’ internet connections? Should we equip our remote workers with additional peripheral devices, such as scanners? But these types of questions are just the tip of the iceberg when implementing remote work strategies for the long haul.

For example, have we addressed issues such as ergonomics in the home office Keep in mind that workers’ compensation issues still exist, even when team members work from home. Therefore, employers generally must provide a safe workspace, even if that workspace is remote. Similarly, have we addressed potential overtime issues and conflicts in emote work situations involving non-exempt team members? If non-exempt team members work more than eight hours a day or forty hours a week, generally, employers must pay overtime wages. Therefore, appropriate scheduling and monitoring tools should be in place.

Collaboration Tools Are Essential No doubt, the popularity of collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoho Connect, and Google Workspace make it

easy for team members to communicate and share documents. The usage of these platforms exploded almost overnight with the pandemic’s – Microsoft, for example, experienced an 894% increase in Teams usage from March through June 2020. Now that team members are accustomed to these platforms, it’s time to leverage them for better productivity while simultaneously striking an appropriate balance over data control. For example, we should ensure that team members know how to take advantage of multi-user, simultaneous to standard document types such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Additionally, we need to safeguard against storing redundant copies of data files in our co laboration platforms. When used properly, these tools elevate productivity, but they can become a managerial nightmare when used haphazardly.

Security Issues Continue To Proliferate A notable trend observed during the pandemic was the explosion of phishing attacks. Many security professionals believe that these attacks grew because of perpetrators seeking to exploit lesssecure home networks. Most of these same professionals agree that security attacks will continue to haunt organizations of all sizes and types for the foreseeable future.

Accordingly, security needs to remain a topof-mind consideration in all organizations.

Examples of critical security measures you should consider implementing include: • Utilizing password management tools; • Implementing Zero Trust Security Models; • Ensuring ongoing updates to operating systems and applications; • Encrypting data at every opportunity; • Backing up data on an ongoing basis and regularly testing your backups; • Maintaining physical control of all devices; and • Using Mobile Device Management software.

Consider Implementing Innovative Tools Of course, innovation provides an everexpanding list of technology tools to improve productivity and efficienc . Some of these are tools found in everyday applications, such as Excel. For example, Excel’s Power Query feature provides extraordinary capabilities for linking data into Excel and creating

transformations to clean up the data and make it more useful. Yet, very few Excel users take advantage of this feature. Similar productivity-boosting features frequently appear in other applications we use on an everyday basis.

Beyond new features in familiar applications, we should consider the potential positive impact of newer technologies. For example, where do you and your organization stand with automating workflows and app oval processes? Did you know you can do precisely that by taking advantage of Power Automate, a solution already available in many Microsoft 365/Office 365 subscrip ions? With Power Automate, you can create a custom workflo and approval process that facilitates automating approval processes.

Likewise, have you considered the ever-growing list of third-party applications that can enhance your accounting solution? From eCommerce integration to document management to enhanced financia reporting, third-party solutions are available for virtually every accounting application and service in use today. These tools provide functions and features not otherwise available in your accounting application and eliminate rote, manual processes often implemented as stop-gap measures. Accordingly, they can have a tremendous positive impact on productivity.

Another innovative technology that merits consideration is Liscio, a client-focused collaboration tool. Instead of using email to request documents, you can request documents easily in the Liscio platform, and clients can securely provide these documents to you. Moreover, private messaging, task tracking, and eSignature capabilities are available in the platform too.

Liscio makes it easy for accounting firms mortgage originators, law firms, and simila organizations to interact with their clients and provide superior service.

Training Is More Critical Than Ever Of course, none of the technologies mentioned above will provide the promised benefits if team members do not know how t use them effectively. More than ever, training is a crucial driver for all types of businesses to achieve their goals in a post-pandemic environment. A significant component o your post-pandemic planning should be devoted to ensuring that team members can access the learning options they need to work

effectively in a post-pandemic workplace.

Team members might choose to participate in formal training sessions – web-based or in-person – or they may take advantage of informal “lunch-and-learn” environments.

Likely, many will participate in both types of delivery methods. When arranging for training options, one critical consideration is not to assume that team members are as fluent wi h common applications – Excel and Adobe Acrobat, for example – as many believe.

Many team members continue to rely on “brute force” methods when working in these applications, even though newer features can allow them to work more efficien ly, accurately, and securely.

Summary No doubt, post-pandemic work environments will be different from those of the past, just as our work environments changed dramatically after the widescale introduction of the personal computer. Some of these changes will be cultural in nature – social distancing, as an illustration – but many will be technological. For example, remote work environments, collaboration tools, addressing security risks, and taking advantage of new breeds of innovative tools all capitalize on the ever-improving world of technology.

When you couple these types of tools – and others sure to emerge – with appropriate training, you are indeed setting the stage for organizational success in post-pandemic environments. Best of luck as you plan for success in a post-pandemic environment!

Tommy is one of the shareholders of K2 Enterprises. At K2, Tommy focuses on creating and delivering content and is responsible for many Firm management and marketing functions. You may reach him at tommy@k2e.com, and you may learn more about K2 Enterprises at www.k2e.com.

May/June

19

BEWARE 12/31/21: THE A&A DEFERRALS ARE OVER! The significant changes in accoun ing and reporting that were supposed to already be in effect were postponed due to the pandemic.

That was the good news. The bad news is most all changes were postponed to the same period: that is, periods ending on or after December 15, 2021 or years beginning on or after December 15, 2021.

So, here we are, already deep in to 2021 and we haven’t yet had the time to review what is coming our way in just a few short months. The purpose of this article is to briefly eview the coming changes in accounting and reporting that will impact most all practitioners, whether in public or industry.

The first set of major changes comes i the form of SSARS 25, “Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions,” which goes into effect for preparations, compilations and reviews for periods ending after December 15, 2021. You can also early adopt for a client if you want to deal with this right now. While SSARS 25 only makes minor changes to the conduct of

20

ASCPA Connections

a preparation or compilation engagement, it makes MAJOR changes to the way most of us conduct a review engagement! The most significant of hose changes are as follows: 1. Establishes a defini ion of “limited assurance” as: “A level of assurance that is less than the reasonable assurance obtained in an audit engagement but is at an acceptable level as the basis for the conclusion expressed in the accountant’s review report.”

I know this creates a lot of excitement for you but, believe it or not, the term hasn’t been defined befo e and that creates issues if you ever find yourse f in litigation relating to what exactly our job is in a review. This is a good thing for us.

2. Defines he term “professional skepticism” as: “An attitude that includes a questioning mind, being alert to conditions that may indicate

possible misstatement due to fraud or error, and a critical assessment of review evidence.”

The standard shockingly requires that we conduct our review utilizing professional skepticism. I certainly realize that most of us already utilize professional skepticism in our reviews of client financial statements, but, as above, it has never been laid out in the review guidance as a mandate.

3. Here is where it starts to get fun.

Paragraphs 19 and 20 of clarified section 90 of the AR-C read like this: .19: The accountant should determine materiality for the financial statements as a whole and apply this materiality in designing the procedures and evaluating the results obtained from those procedures. .20: The accountant should revise materiality for the financial statements as a whole if the

accountant becomes aware of information during the review that would have caused the accountant to have determined a different amount initially.

If you are an auditor, these requirements should sound familiar.

They are pretty much the same.

Prior to doing anything substantive in the review, you need to calculate materiality, both quantitatively and qualitatively, document it and then show its “linkage” to the review procedures performed. I know some practitioners that do this currently, but not many. Expect this to add some significant ime to your reviews.

4. There is a new review report! No, it’s nothing like the new audit report to be discussed next but there is a change in every single report.

A single sentence added to the Accountant’s Responsibility section that reads: “We are required to be independent of XYZ Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements related to our reviews.”

The second area of major change deals with SAS 134, “Auditor Reporting…,” which completely rewrites our audit report for audits of periods ending on or after December 15, 2021. This can also be early adopted. Some of the significant changes b ought by this standard include: 1. The opinion section is presented first.

Right out of the gate we say what we did and how it came out. I personally think this will cause many users to discard the remainder of the report, but that’s just my opinion.

2. Enhanced auditor reporting relating to going concern. The audit report will state that management has the responsibility to evaluate going concern and the auditor has the responsibility to conclude on going concern.

3. An enhanced description of the auditor’s responsibilities. I am a fan of one part of the new wording that, in essence says, an auditor can’t guarantee that the financial

statements are free from material misstatement. Being a veteran of evaluating malpractice cases for the defense, I can tell you that many users believe an audit report that is clean is a guarantee of the statements accuracy. This is a good add for the profession.

4. The ability to add key audit matters (KAMs) directly to the report. The auditor can be engaged by the client to add key audit matters to the report.

Finally, the leasing standard goes into effect for privately-held businesses for years beginning after December 15, 2021. You have probably heard of the standard by now as it was in exposure draft mode from 2010-2016 and fina ized in 2016. You probably know by now that it requires all leases who meet a relatively squirrely defini ion of a lease to be capitalized, whether they are operating or finance lease (new term for capital leases). You probably also know by now that the standard has no real impact on the income statement but can have a massive impact on the balance sheet.

I believe it to be a great idea to calculate the lease liability impact of this standard as of December 31, 2021, so you can inform your client or employer (and, in turn, their lenders or investors) as to what the impact of this statement will be when you publish the

December 31, 2022 financial statements. N surprises should be your adoption year goal for the leasing standard.

Well, there you have it. A lot more stuff to be on the lookout for as of the end of 2021!

I look forward to seeing you in CPE this year to further discuss these fun times (and fun standards)! Isaiah 41:10.

James (“Jim”) Martin, CPA, CGMA is a true “general practitioner” who, for 35 years, has specialized in both income tax and accounting and audit areas. In addition to serving the accounting and tax needs of 150 clients, Jim performs 75-80 continuing education seminars per year for CPAs and attorneys throughout the United States. To date, he has prepared and presented over 2250 full and half-day seminars on accounting and taxation topics. Jim’s philosophy of CPE is simple: spend the class time on topics of applicability and relevance to all and present the topics in an entertaining and fast-moving manner.

Jim also regularly consults with CPA fi ms throughout the United States on a variety of accounting and auditing technical issues and serves as expert counsel in litigation manners.

May/June

21

CPE CALENDAR 002 Internal Control Changes for Telecommuting Worker Thursday, August 19, 2021 9:00 AM – 10:40AM Egnatoff, Karl | 2 AA

011 K2’s Mastering Advanced Excel Functions Thursday, August 26, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Tankersley, Brian F. | 4 TX

003 Controller’s Update: Today’s Latest Trends

012 Section 199A: Applications and Challenges (AIG4)

004 Real World Ethics Update for CPASs in Public Practice

013 Not for Profit A&A Update

Friday, August 20, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Hamilton, Marc | 4 OTHER

Friday, August 20, 2021 8:00 AM – 9:40 AM Martin, Jim D. | 2 Ethics

005 Real World Ethics Update for CPAs in Industry Friday, August 20, 2021 10:00AM – 11:40AM Martin, Jim D. | 2 Ethics

006 The Unique Accounting and Disclosure Issues Spawned by the Pandemic-NEW Wednesday, August 25, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Martin, Jim D. | 4 AA

007 Surgent’s S Corporation, Partnership, and LLC Tax Update (BCP4) Wednesday, August 25, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

008 Unique Considerations When Auditing (or Reviewing) VirtuallyNEW Wednesday, August 25, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Martin, Jim D. | 4 AA

009 Surgent’s Individual Income Tax Update (BIT4) Wednesday, August 25, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

010 Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update Thursday, August 26, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Galasso, Melisa | 4 AA

Thursday, August 26, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

Thursday, August 26, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Galasso, Melisa | 4 AA

014 K2’s Securing Your Data – Practical Tools for Protecting Information Thursday, August 26, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Tankersley, Brian F. | 4 Other

020 Internal Control Planning for the Post Pandemic World Friday, September 17, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Egnatoff, Karl | 4 AA

021 B&I Quarterly Meeting-September Friday, September 17, 2021 8:30 AM – 10:10AM 2 Other

022 Peer Review Update Course

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Brand, Michael L. | 4 AA

023 Succession Planning for the Small Business Owner: Finding the Exit Ramp (BSP4) Tuesday, September 21, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

015 Advanced Trust Issues: A Roadmap for Success in An Increasingly Complex Area (TRS4)

024 Four Tiers of Loss Limitations: A Guide to the New Rules for Passthrough Entities (FTL4)

016 Accounting and Auditing Update

025 2021 Preparation Compilation & Review (SSARS) Update for the Local Firm

Thursday, August 26, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

Friday, August 27, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Brand, Michael L. | 4 AA

017 K2’s Ethics and Technology

Friday, August 27, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Tankersley, Brian F. | 4 Ethics

018 Preparation, Compilation, and Review Engagements: Update and Review Friday, August 27, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Brand, Michael L. | 4 AA

019 K2’s Integrating Data for Improved Efficiency And Control Friday, August 27, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Tankersley, Brian F. | 4 Other

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Martin, Jim D. | 4 AA

026 Select Estate and Life Planning Issues for the Middle-Income Client (PMI4)

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

027 2021 Accounting and Auditing for Tax People Who Absolutely Detest Accounting and Auditing Wednesday, September 22, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Martin, Jim D. | 4 AA

028 Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits (SSR4)

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Frost, Michael A. | 4 TX

029 Revenue Recognition and Disclosure Changes for Not-forProfits-NE

Thursday, September 23, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Martin, Jim D. | 4 AA

030 Performing and Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagement Under SSAE 19-NEW Thursday, September 23, 2021 12:30PM – 4:00 PM Martin, Jim D. | 4 AA

031 Becoming an AICPA Peer Review Team or Review Captain Case Study Application-PART ONE Tuesday, September 28, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Brand, Michael L. | 4 AA

032 Real World Ethics Update for CPAs in Public Practice Tuesday, September 28, 2021 8:00 AM – 9:40 AM Martin, Jim D. | 2 Ethics

033 Real World Ethics Update for CPAs in Industry Tuesday, September 28, 2021 10:00AM – 11:40AM Martin, Jim D. | 2 Ethics

034 Becoming an AICPA Peer Review Team or Review Captain Case Study Application-PART TWO

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 8:00 AM – 11:30AM Brand, Michael L. | 4 AA

035 B&I Quarterly Meeting-December Friday, December 17, 2021 8:30 AM – 10:10AM 2 Other

ABM ASCPA’s Annual Business Meeting Tuesday, June 15, 2021 10:30AM – 12:00PM Miller, Karen R. | 1.5 Other

ACM ASCPA’s Annual CPE Meeting

Thursday, September 30, 2021 8:00AM – 3:30PM 4 OTHER

GO TO WWW.ASCPA.ORG FOR NEW CLASSES AND MOST CURRENT INFORMATION. 22

ASCPA Connections

BI2 Forensics and Fraud for CPAs in Business and Industry (B&I Quarterly) Friday, June 18, 2021 8:30AM – 10:10AM Hamilton, Marc | OTHER

FAAC ASCPA’s Financial Accounting and Auditing Conference Friday, September 24, 2021 8:00AM – 3:30PM 8 AA

GAAF ASCPA’s Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference Thursday, December 9, 2021 Friday, December 10, 20211 8:00AM – 3:30PM 8 AA

LS06008 Live Stream: CFO Series: Become More Effective (New) Tuesday, June 22, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM 8 OTHER

LS07019 Live Stream Key Tax Issues for Business and Industry: Beyond the Tax Basics - Part 2 (New) Thursday, August 05, 2021 7:00 AM – 10:30AM 4 TX

LS08007 Live Stream: Metrics Management: Choose and Use Key Performance Indicators (New) Monday, August 16, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Farmer, Don | 8 AA

LS08008 Live Stream: CFO Series: Numbers Rule the World (New) Tuesday, August 17, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM 4 OTHER, 2 AA, 2 ETHICS

LS08013 Live Stream: Restaurant Accounting and Controls

Thursday, August 19, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Reis, Michael | 6 AA, 2 OTHER

LS07004 Live Stream: Advanced Accounting, Reporting, and Auditing for the Construction Industry

LS09010 Live Stream: Live Stream: Family Businesses: Boon or Bane? (New)

LS07005 Live Stream: Asset Protection Strategies

LS10003 Live Stream: The Essential Audit Course: Best Practices in Smaller Audits

Monday, July 19, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Ristaino, Gene | 8 AA

Monday, July 19, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Werner, Arthur | 8 TX

LS07008 Live Stream: Tax Issues of Real Estate Development Estate Development and Home Building Tuesday, July 20, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Ristaino, Gene | 8 TX

LS07009 Live Stream: Key Tax Issues for Business and Industry: CFO Tax Essentials – Part 1 (New) Wednesday, August 04, 2021 7:00 AM – 10:30AM Van Der Aa, Douglas J. | 4 TX

Friday, September 24, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Lindell, James | 8 Other

Monday, October 11, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Louis, Jennifer | 8 AA

LS10004 Live Stream: Leading High Performance Teams

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Lindell, James | 8 Other

LS10005 Live Stream: Running a Not-forProfit Li e a Business Thursday, October 14, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Lindell, James | 8 OTHER

LS10006 Live Stream: Lions and Tigers and Numbers, Oh My! Finance for the Non-Financial Manager Thursday, October 14, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Margaritis, Peter | 8 OTHER

LS10018 Live Stream: Criminal Law and White Collar Crime Friday, October 22, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Wiggins, Michael R. | 6 AA, 2 OTHER

LS10021 Live Stream: Value Pricing 2.0 for Accounting Firms Monday, October 25, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Baker, Ronald | 8 OTHER

LS11008 Live Stream: Business Law for Accountants

Wednesday, November 03, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Wiggins, Michael R. | 8 OTHER

LS11038 Live Stream: Successfully Leading 5.5 Generations Tuesday, November 16, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Elder, Jennifer | 8 Other

LS11058 Live Stream: Creative Strategies for Buying, Selling, or Gifting a Business Tuesday, November 23, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Werner, Arthur | 8 TX

LS11066 Live Stream: Audit and Attest Quality Matters That Should be on Your Radar: Avoiding Common Peer Review Deficiencies in SAS SSARS and SSAE Tuesday, November 30, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Louis, Jennifer | 8 AA

LS12003 Live Stream: The Latest Nonprofit Internal Control Scoop: Practical Insights into Mitigating Financial Reporting, Compliance and Other Risks Wednesday, December 01, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Louis, Jennifer | 8 AA

LS12004 Live Stream: Foreign Investment in Real Property (NEW)

Wednesday, December 01, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM 8 TX

LS12006 Live Stream: Preparing and Reviewing Workpapers - Essential Tips for Avoiding Deficient Audit and Other Attest Engagements Thursday, December 02, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Louis, Jennifer | 8 AA

LS12009 Pat Garverick’s Federal Tax Update: Individual and Business Current Developments Friday, December 03, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Garverick, J. P. | 8 TX

LS12011 Live Stream: Excel Dollars and Sense (Bring Your Own Laptop) Monday, December 06, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Calhoun, Charlton P. | 4 AA, 4 OTHER

LS12027 Live Stream: Don Farmer’s 2021 Federal Tax Update (CFP) Tuesday, November 16, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Farmer, Don | 8 TX

LS12031 Live Stream: CFO Series: Emotional Intelligence (New) Tuesday, December 14, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Farmer, Don | 6 OTHER, 2 ETHICS

LS12054 Live Stream: Don Farmer’s 2021Federal Tax Update (CFP) Tuesday, December 07, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Farmer, Don | 8 TX

LS12064 Live Stream: Don Farmer’s 2021 Individual Income Tax Workshop (CFP)

Wednesday, December 08, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Peters, David | 8TX

LS12065 Live Stream: Don Farmer’s 2021 Corporate/Business Income Tax Workshop (CFP Thursday, December 09, 2021 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Peters, David | 8TX

ASCPA Connections

23

LS13001 LIVE STREAM: 2021 Real Estate Conference

SUB12 Final Preparations for the Leasing Standard

TXBT2111 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 11

LS13026 LIVESTREAM 2021 Employee Benefit Plan onference

SUB13 SSARS 25 is Live!

TXBT2112 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 12

Thursday, June 17, 2021 7:00 AM – 3:15 PM Martin, Jim D. | 8 Other

Thursday, May 13, 2021 7:05 AM – 3:25 PM Clark, Gregory | 8 AA

Thursday, January 20, 2022 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

Thursday, February 17, 2022 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

LS13040 LIVE STREAM: 2021 Technology Conference

SUB4 New SSAE 19: Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements: A Very Efficient New Way to Do AUPs!

LS13050 LIVE STREAM: 2021 Personal Financial Planning Conference

SUB5 A Refresher on Growing Concern Responsibilities of Management and the Accountant

PLAN What You Need to Know About Succession Planning

SUB6 Ethics Update for All CPAs Part 1

Thursday, July 15, 2021 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM McClelland, Lawrence A. | 16 Other

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM 8 Other

Friday, July 16, 2021 12:00PM – 1:00PM Frost, Michael A. | 1 TX

SEC Summer Education Conference Sunday, July 18, 2021 – Thursday, July 22, 2021 8:00AM – 3:30PM Brand, Michael L. | 6 AA, 4 OTHER

SPW Succession Planning Workshop Friday, July 30, 2021 9:00AM – 11:00AM Frost, Michael A. | 2 TX

SUB10 Getting Ready to Implement SAS 135- 140 (Other New Auditing Fun) Thursday, November 18, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

SUB11 ASU 2020-07: Disclosures of NonFinancial Donations to a Not-forProfit Thursday, December 16, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

Thursday, May 13, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

Thursday, June 10, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

Thursday, July 15, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 Ethics

SUB7 Ethics Update for All CPAs Part 2 Thursday, August 12, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 Ethics

SUB8 Getting Ready to Implement SSARS 25 (Big Changes for Reviews)

Thursday, September 16, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

SUB9 Getting Ready to Implement SAS 134 (Brand New Audit Reports) Thursday, October 14, 2021 12:00PM – 1:15PM Martin, Jim D. | 1.5 AA

TXBT2110 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 10

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

Friday, August 13, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

TXBT2113 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 13 Thursday, September 23, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

TXBT2114 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 14 Tuesday, October 26, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

TXBT2115 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 15 Friday, December 10, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

TXBT2116 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 16 Friday, January 14, 2022 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

TXBT2117 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Episode 17 Thursday, February 10, 2022 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

TXBT21-9 Live Stream Series: Tax Bites with Art Auerbach: Funding the IRS, Cybercurrency Reporting, Payroll Tax Credits and Nexus Thursday, May 06, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00AM Auerbach, Arthur | 2 TX

GO TO WWW.ASCPA.ORG FOR NEW CLASSES AND MOST CURRENT INFORMATION. 24

ASCPA Connections

SELF-STUDY CPE SCHEDULE BUNDLE40 ASCPA’s Build Your Own 40-Hour Bundle ASCPA | Self Study | Other: 40

BUNDLE20 ASCPA’s Build Your Own 20-Hour Bundle ASCPA | Self Study | Other: 20

IAT-JM Impairment Accounting Toolkit for the Local Practitioner ASCPA | Self Study | Other: 4

ASEA-JM ASCPA’s The Corona Virus Accounting ToolKit for the Local Practitioner ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

AAAU-JM ASCPA’s A&A Update For the Local Firm ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

BCNI08 ASCPA’s Business Combinations & Non- Controlling Interests ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

AAGE-MG ASCPA’s What’s Changing in A&A for Governmental Entities ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

AUGN-MG ASCPA’s Annual Update for Governmental and Not-for-Profit ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

FVA09 ASCPA’s Fair Value Accounting 2020 ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

GAU-MG ASCPA’s Governmental Auditing Update: Yellow Book & Uniform Guidance What You Need to Know ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

PEAAE-OL ASCPA’s Understanding The Independence Guidelines of the Accounting Profession ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

SSARS-JM ASCPA’s SSARS Update (Preparation, Compilation and Review) ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

WGASB-MG ASCPA’s What’s Going on at the GASB ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4

ASUT-BE ASCPA’s Sales and Use Tax Highlights for AL CPA’s

ASCPA | Self Study | TX: 2 ASU-OL ASCPA’s Auditing Standards Update CHCOV-SS ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4 COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Webinar with Karen Miller & Lisa NFPAA-MG McKinney ASCPA’s Not-for-Profit Accounting ASCPA | Self Study | TX: 2 Update ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 4 MCCP-MG ASCPA’S Managing Change in an ECPP-JM Ever Changing Profession Ethics For Public Practice ASCPA | Self Study | Ethics: 2

AAAE ASCPA’s Ethics

ASCPA & NASBA Self Study | Ethics: 2

ANAR-JM ASCPA’s SSAE 19 - What a Relief for Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements

ASCPA | Self Study | Other: 1

CHAA-MB ASCPA’s COVID-19 Impact on Your Accounting and Auditing Practice ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 1

ICBA-KM ASCPA’s Refund Opportunities for Individuals & Businesses CARES Act ASCPA | Self Study | TX: 1

ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 2

AEIS-JM ASCPA’s Ethics for CPAs in Industry or Searching ASCPA | Self Study | Ethics: 2

BBB-LS ASCPA’s Small Business Workout & Bankruptcy Strategies

TCJA-KM ASCPA’s State Income Tax Considerations- CARES Act & TCJA ASCPA | Self Study | TX: 1

PDDA Preparing for the Data-Driven Age ASCPA | Self Study | Other: 0.2

ASCPA | Self Study | TX: 1

ASCPA | Self Study | AA: 2

In times like these, invest in what matters.

Investing in our tax-free Alabama municipal bond fund not only helps round out a balanced portfolio, it also supports our state’s education, transportation and healthcare infrastructures.

At Dupree, what works for Alabama also works for you.

Before investing, carefully consider information contained in the Dupree Mutual Funds prospectus, including the Fund’s objectives, risks, and expenses. A Dupree Mutual Funds prospectus is available online at www.dupree-funds.com or by calling 1-800-866-0614.

Dupree Mutual Funds are not available in all 50 states. See the prospectus to learn where Dupree Mutual Funds are available.

Securities are offered through the Fund’s Transfer agent, Dupree & Company, Inc., a FINRA member. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete discussion of the Fund’s risks.

Dupree Mutual Funds’ single state bond fund offers dividend income that is “tax-free” from federal and state income taxes (and AMT) in the state corresponding to each fund.

Residents of states other than the state “named” in the title of the fund may be taxed at the state level. A redemption or exchange of fund shares and any capital gains distribution

by Dupree Mutual Funds may be taxable.

EUPC-KD ASCPA’s Economic Update, Post COVID-19

Tax-free municipal bond funds since 1979

Dupree-Funds.com | 800-866-0614

May/June

25

CLASSIFIEDS

SELLING YOUR FIRM IS COMPLEX. LET US MAKE IT SIMPLE. Accounting Biz Brokers has been selling CPA firms fo over 16 years and we know your market. We have a large database of buyers ready to purchase. Our “Six Steps to Success” process for selling your firm include a personalized, confiden ial approach to bring you the win-win deal you are seeking. Our brokers are Certifie Business Intermediaries (CBI) specializing in the sale of CPA firms. e are here to help you navigate through the entire sales process – from marketing to negotiating, to closing and successfully transitioning the firm. Contact u TODAY to receive a free market analysis.

Listings: NEW: MS Gulf Coast Gross $490k; Huntsville Gross $200k-SOLD; NE MS Tax & Bookkeeping Firm Gross $850k-SOLD. Kathy Brents, CPA, CBI. Cell 501.514.4928, Office 866.260.2793, Ka hy@AccountingBizBrokers.com, visit us at www.AccountingBizBrokers.com

YOUR PRACTICE WANTED Thinking about selling your practice? Accounting Practice Sales delivers results, bringing you the best price, optimal terms and a buyer who represents an ideal fi for your clientele. Contact us today for a confiden ial discussion. Our current listings include: • Dothan area accounting and tax practice grossing $295,000 • Near Huntsville / Decatur / Athens accounting & tax practice grossing $700,000 • Northern Birmingham Tax & Accounting practice grossing $950,000 • SW Mississippi CPA grossing $300,000 For more information on these listings or to sell your practice, contact Lori Newcomer, CPA and Tim Price, CPA at (888) 553-1040 or PNgroup@APS.net, or visit www.APS.net.

CAN WE COUNT ON YOU?

26

ASCPA Connections

ASCPA IS PROUD TO PRESENT

20 CONFERENCES 21 & WORKSHOPS QUARTERLY B&I POPUPS 03.19.21 • 06.18.21 • 09.17.21 • 12.17.21

FINANCIAL A&A CONFERENCE 09.25.21

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

102ND ANNUAL CPE MEETING

06.15.21

09.30.21

SUMMER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

GO ERNMENTAL A&A FORUM

GULF SHORES | 07.18-22.21

12.11.21

FIND THESE & MORE THRILLING CPE RELEASES ON WWW.ASCPA.ORG/CPE

Presort Std US Postage PAID Permit No 131 Montgomery, AL

The Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants 1041 Longfield Court P.O. Box 242987 Montgomery, AL 36124

1 billion+ in Deals Closed!

$

GREATEST # of Listings

GREATEST # of Buyers

UNMATCHED RESULTS!

Our Best-in-class Brokers will help you achieve YOUR goal!

Delivering Results - One Practice At a time 28

ASCPA Connections

Lori Newcomer, CPA & Tim Price, CPA

888-553-1040

PNgroup@aps.net

ASCPA Member

www.APS.net