DATA DRAFT

Nabbing criminals, IRS style

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service

(IRS) is cracking down on fraudulent activity — and it has the numbers to back it up. The IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) 2015 annual report reveals a focus on tax-related identity theft, money laundering, public corruption, cybercrime and terrorist financing. CI is the only federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over federal tax crimes. Stats from the annual report include:

>> CI initiated 3,853 cases in FY 2015.

>> CI had the highest conviction rate in all of federal law enforcement — 93.2 percent.

>> 2015 had some of the most successful cases in CI’s history, including convicting the creator and owner of the “Silk Road” website (sentenced to life in prison and ordered to forfeit more than $183 million).

>> CI is coordinating with police agencies and governments in 33 countries in the ongoing investigation of FIFA.

Check out the full report at http://tinyurl.com/ IRSCIAnnualReport. n

going down

After ranking No. 1 for four straight years, Virginia continues to fall in the Forbes list of the best states for business. Now at No. 7, Virginia is beginning to suffer from higher business costs and a declining economic climate. n SURVEY SAYS >>

Virginia’s tax system is pretty fair

How closely does a state’s tax system

match public perception? That’s what WalletHub wanted to find out. The site analyzed a survey that assessed what Americans think a “fair” state and local tax system looks like, and then ranked states based on how their tax systems matched perception. Turns out, based on public opinion, Virginia’s system is pretty fair, with Maryland not far behind. Rankings are:

1. MONTANA 2. OREGON 3. SOUTH CAROLINA 4. DELAWARE 5. IDAHO 6. MINNESOTA 7. UTAH 8. VIRGINIA 9. COLORADO 10. MARYLAND

Hawaii, Georgia and Washington bring up the rear with the tax systems deemed “least fair.” The survey discovered that most Americans think “fair” state and local tax systems impose higher taxes on higher-income households than on lower-income ones.

Check out where other states land and learn more about WalletHub’s key findings at www.wallethub. com, or scan the QR code with your smartphone. n

>> BY THE NUMBERS

29 percent

The turnout of total Virginia voters in the 2015 November general election, in which 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly were up for election. There were 1,509,864 votes cast. Source: Virginia Board of Elections n

Attention CPAs:

Whether A Decision Maker Looking To Upgrade Your Talent, Or A CPA Looking to Upgrade Yourself/Your Skills, Ask Yourself:

Who really chose who in joining your company? Are you/your professional staff really at the right level where you should be/you need them to be?

Are you/your staff in a position that truly suits your/their personality, values, and professional and personal needs?

Why leave your future to chance?

If you’re seriously interested in making the “right” move for your next hire, I can help you. I am an actively licensed CPA in Maryland and Virginia with over 20 years of experience including public accounting (E&Y) and consulting (KPMG), financial accounting (American Cancer Society), internal audit (Moneyline Telerate), and recruiting (Acsys, formerly Don Richards). As a networker who truly enjoys helping others and sharing my career experiences to guide fellow professionals, here is how I can help you:

Decision Makers:

 Ask you questions, and most likely ask many more questions than other recruiters about your company, duties involved, skills required, corporate culture and more  Work with you on finding the “right” professional that is the “right fit”  Provide you with valuable information about the professionals I work with, the marketplace, what your competitors pay, and more

Career Seekers:

 Guide you on career paths available in public accounting and industry  Enable you to capitalize on your strengths  Coach you on how to put your best foot forward to find the “right fit”  Advise you when to stay in your current position if that is the right move If you’re interested in working with a recruiter who understands your background, skills, and is genuinely interested in helping you find the “right fit” , then I welcome meeting you!

BETH A. BERK, CPA, CGMA

Independent Recruiter Phone: 301-767-0670 Email: BethABerk@msn.com

Specializing in CPA Firm, Accounting & Finance Positions in Metropolitan DC & Nearby Suburbs/Baltimore/Richmond/Tidewater Connecting You To Your Next Hire TM

Contingency & Retained Staffing Solutions matching skills, experience & values with needs