Blog
7 Tips for Attending Meet the Firm Events
August 18, 2022
As you come back to school for the fall, you’re sure to be invited to Meet the Firm events and Career Fairs. Whether you’re new to these events or a seasoned pro, the WSCPA wants to make sure you have positive interactions with firm representatives and recruiters. Here are 7 tips for getting the most out of any Meet the Firm events you plan on attending.
Summer Advocacy is Heating Up
August 17, 2022
While the profession has navigated through the health and economic turmoil of the last few years, the WSCPA Advocacy Team has spent the last several months monitoring the legislative session and preparing for the future.
GASB ED: Certain Risk Disclosures
August 16, 2022
The GASB has issued a proposal around disclosures related to certain risks. The proposal provides disclosure requirements for certain concentrations and constraints. Comments are due September 30, 2022.
WSCPA Moves to New Office
August 10, 2022
It’s official! The WSCPA office—the home of Washington CPAs—has moved to our new location.
ESG Merger Completed
August 09, 2022
This week marked a major consolidation in the ESG standard setting arena. The IFRS Foundation completed its consolidation of the Value Reporting Foundation (VRF). The IFRS Foundation is the parent entity to the IASB who writes IFRS. It will now also be the parent to the new International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB).
Reconciliation Bill Deadline Looms in Congress – Potential Impact on Corporations
July 20, 2022
As negotiations continue on the fast-approaching reconciliation bill, the AICPA remains active in its advocacy efforts, which includes pushing back on the implementation of a minimum book income tax on corporations. With a deadline of September 30, there is little time to pass a bill and sign it into law.
Tax Structure Work Group Continues Looking at Major Tax Changes for Washington
July 07, 2022
The Tax Structure Work Group (TSWG) is nearing the finish line of their five-year exercise to recommend a new fairer tax system in Washington. At their May meeting, the TSWG voted on a number of proposals and decision points in directing the Department of Revenue to model and draft proposal language for different taxes in Washington.
Budget 360 – It’s time to take a big picture approach to the process
June 28, 2022
Most organizations have flaws in the process that can make the budget untenable. There are multiple solutions to this process that can help lead your budget to a better place, and one that is more enjoyable for all.
Ethics Interpretation Proposal: Compliance Audits
June 28, 2022
The AICPA's Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) has proposed some new independence rules related to compliance audits. The AICPA is aware that much of the new COVID-19 related funding is causing many entities who have not been subject to audit requirements or single audit requirements historically to now be subject to them. The proposal adds two definitions and revises the definition of financial statement attest client to help identify which independence rules apply to these engagements. Comments are due September 1, 2022.
FASB ITC: Government Assistance for Business Entities
June 21, 2022
FASB has issued an Invitation to Comment to gather feedback about the operability of leveraging IAS 20 for government grants for for-profit entities in the US. The ITC does not include any preliminary views but is to help the FASB staff gather information from stakeholders about any benefits or issues that should be considered in the project. Comments are due September 12, 2022.
Understanding First-Party and Third-Party Cyber Coverages
June 21, 2022
With cybersecurity threats coming from all directions, it’s important for CPA firms and their staff to be aware of how the risk exposures impact the firm as well as the client. When there is a claim, it is important to understand how cyber insurance coverages work with the legal and technical experts to produce the best possible outcomes for your firm.
Sourcing a Strong Candidate Pool is Pushing Firms Outside Their Comfort Zone
June 07, 2022
No industry is immune from a lack of labor, even in the professional classifications such as accountants. Firms are hiring remote workers in order to stay competitive. Let's look at ways to protect your firm as you hire a remote workforce.
How Your Story Will be Told to a Jury
May 25, 2022
One of the most difficult concepts to communicate to CPAs is how their actions for which they are getting sued will be portrayed to the jury. The gap between the experienced reality and the story told at trial is a chasm, yet it is illustrative of what CPAs need to do today to minimize risk tomorrow.
OMB Issues 2022 Compliance Supplement
May 16, 2022
OMB has issued its 2022 Compliance Supplement. The Compliance Supplement includes new ARPA programs that were not addressed in the 2021 Supplement so this can be very helpful to auditors wrapping up some outstanding 2021 audits. The Supplement should be used for 6/30/22 year-ends and beyond.
Let’s Connect This Summer: Resources for Students
May 13, 2022
Are you looking for ways to stay connected with your fellow students during the summer? Hoping to do some networking while waiting for meet-the-firm events and campus recruiting to start back up in the fall? Well, the WSCPA has just what you need with WSCPA Connect.
Use of a Service Provider in the Confirmation Process
May 09, 2022
The PCAOB has issued a staff spotlight looking at some auditor considerations when using a service provider in the confirmation process. It encourages auditors to evaluate whether they have maintained control over the confirmation and to what extent they can rely on third party controls. This is nonauthoritative guidance to help improve audit quality.
Changes Coming to Peer Review Administration in Washington
May 04, 2022
For more than 25 years Julie Phipps has administered the Peer Review Program for Washington CPA firms on behalf of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Julie plans to retire in May 2023, and the WSCPA has made the decision to outsource the administration of the Peer Review Program to the Colorado Society of CPAs. How will this affect your firm? Read on.
5 Ways to Address Talent Constraints
May 03, 2022
The Great Resignation has been a hot topic of discussion in firms around the country. People are leaving their current jobs — not just for other firms, but for other careers. It’s more important than ever to focus on increasing our ability to get work done with limited resources.
Continuing Education: A Vital Component of an Accountant’s Professional Development Toolkit
May 03, 2022
There has been a seismic shift in the role of accountants. Today’s accountants need to continuously adapt, evolve and improve to keep up with business’ accelerated pace of change. Continuing education is a tool accounting professionals can equip themselves with to build a future-ready career.
Embracing Changes with Agility
May 03, 2022
When thinking of the organizations and companies that have survived and thrived during COVID, practicing agility is usually the most common attribute of success. Here are few of tips for remaining agile, and how the WSCPA is providing resources to guide you through obstacles.