Resources

Many CPAs are considering (or have used) contingent fee billing arrangements to assist their clients with obtaining Employee Retention Credits (ERC). Unfortunately, many believe they’re permitted to accept contingent fees for amending their clients’ payroll tax and income tax returns. But CPAs are not permitted to charge contingent fees for amending these returns to obtain these payroll tax credits. Professional standards prohibit CPAs from charging contingent fees to prepare original or amended returns. Some CPAs erroneously believe these services fit within one of Treasury Circular 230’s or the AICPA Code of Conduct’s exceptions.

The Washington CPA Foundation awarded $30,000 in grants to local organizations this year. These organizations all had programs or events designed to improve the diversity of the CPA and accounting pipeline in our state.

Many Excel formulas are quite manageable, but sometimes a formula can end up spanning two or more rows in Excel’s formula bar. Such formulas are tricky to audit and to edit because they often repeat calculations in two or more places.

Conflicts of interest have long been a major factor in professional liability claims against CPAs. Part of the problem is that potential conflicts of interest are hard to recognize or identify until something goes wrong.

Understanding the wants and needs of today’s young professionals is key to building a sustainable talent pipeline for your firm of tomorrow.

As organizations rapidly pursue initiatives to support their values and meet the expectations of stakeholders, it’s crucial to implement, track, report, and assure standards that accurately define and measure your progress. Implementing an ESG strategy can help achieve these initiatives, while driving further growth and brand loyalty.

The accounting profession needs to increase diversity and inclusion efforts to remain competitive to their workers, customers, and reputation. It’s incumbent on all organizations to implement actionable steps, appropriate to their organization, to move us all forward. Organizations that don’t are sure to be left behind as investors, customers, and their employees demand it.

The challenges of the last few years have changed us individually and how we work. These changes will ripple into the future. The thought of addressing some of these changes may make you feel overwhelmed. Some changes may seem too monumental and paralyze your ability to decide where to start. Fortunately, some of these we can tackle together.

With the 2022 elections behind us, we adjust our focus to the 2023 Legislative Session. As we prepare for the launch of the session, WSCPA members will be meeting with legislators in Olympia during Hill Day on January 19 to discuss key matters expected to come before the legislature.

The WSCPA Board of Directors has been working on devising a strategy for investing in the future of our profession. Sara Bailey, WSCPA Board Chair, shares the five areas that will comprise the WSCPA’s strategic plan.