News
Surprise Victory for Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee’s Proposed Legislation!
July 15, 2024
At the beginning of the legislative session, CTCPA's Governmental Accounting and Auditing (GAA) Committee proposed a change to state law to assist many municipalities and governmental auditors. The committee requested extending the deadline for filing certified reports required by the State Department of Education (SDE) from December 31 to January 31. This extension would provide much-needed relief for municipalities and auditors, recognizing the challenges school districts face in meeting the December 31 deadline and allowing for a more systematic and less stressful process.
The time has come for TikTok accountants
July 15, 2024
Gen Z accountants are using the popular social media platform TikTok to gain clients and increase their brand awareness. Should you be setting up an account?
IRS tops $1 billion in past-due taxes collected from millionaires; compliance efforts continue involving high-wealth groups, corporations, partnerships
July 11, 2024
As part of continuing compliance efforts under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Internal Revenue Service today announced the agency has surpassed the $1 billion mark in collections from high-wealth taxpayers with past-due taxes.
Bridging the finance talent gap with AI technology
July 10, 2024
What can be done to make the finance profession more attractive to the next generation of students? AccountingWEB’s Jake Smith speaks to Cassie Petrie, MD for SMB in EMEA at SAP Concur about tackling the talent shortage and the role technology can play.
Financial restatements drop, a good sign for reporting quality
July 03, 2024
A study conducted by the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) found that the number of financial restatements filed with the SEC fell by more than 50% over a recent 10-year period.
DRS: 2024 Connecticut State Tax Developments
July 01, 2024
The following is intended to provide an overview of certain legislation enacted during the 2024 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly. The information below is not intended to be a complete analysis of each and every aspect of recently enacted legislation but is intended to inform and alert taxpayers and practitioners of the enactment of such legislation. The Department will issue additional and more detailed guidance regarding certain aspects of the legislation and will post such information to its website as it becomes available.
IRS issues final regs. on reporting requirements for digital assets
July 01, 2024
The IRS issued final regulations for reporting digital assets (T.D. 10000) that provide guidance on information reporting and the determination of amount realized and basis for certain digital asset sales and exchanges.
New CT laws taking effect July 1: School discipline, fallen officer benefits
July 01, 2024
Nearly 100 laws that the Connecticut General Assembly passed during the 2024 legislative session go into effect on July 1.
Connecticut June 2024 Special Session - Emergency Certified Bill 501 Passes House and Senate
June 28, 2024
The House adjourned Sine Die on June 27 after passing Emergency Certified Senate Bill 501 in concurrence with the Senate. The bill was immediately transmitted to the Governor, who has said he will sign it. As a reminder, although the main impetus for special session was to address a flaw with the property tax for commercial vehicles, the bill became omnibus legislation impacting a number of different areas.
5 ways to support LGBTQ+ employees
June 26, 2024
Establishing a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees is an essential part of promoting a culture of respect, innovation, and productivity within an organization. Finance leaders and executives are pivotal in championing key inclusion initiatives and setting precedents within their firms.
Connecticut CPA Magazine Excerpt - Effective Automation and AI Implementation: Standing Firm in Efficiency Accounting and Advisory Services and Organization for Client Advisory Services
June 26, 2024
In the midst of the generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) hype, automation often takes a backseat, with the assumption that AI will solve our problems. However, effective automation and AI implementation are impossible without proper processes, technology, and organization. Keeping this in focus, we’ll explore tools to help your firm achieve its goals and foster a healthy work-life balance for your team.
Connecticut Dramatically Expands Paid Sick Leave Law
June 25, 2024
With no grand announcement, Connecticut quietly expanded employee’s paid sick time benefits. The bill greatly expands the law’s reach.
Stamford BDO Counts Team Hosts Week of Service Event
June 25, 2024
The Stamford BDO Counts team recently hosted its first Week of Service event. The team came together to pack and donate an assortment of snacks, non-perishable goods, and essential hygiene items to the New Covenant Center in Stamford. The event was organized and lead by Melissa Siino and Ryan Woodward. With cars loaded to the brim with donations, the team made their way to the donation center, where their contributions were warmly received and deeply appreciated.
Whittlesey Celebrates Annual Community Day with Volunteer Initiatives Across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts
June 25, 2024
Whittlesey continued its annual day of volunteerism with various projects across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. For more than a decade, Whittlesey team members have stepped away from their desks to engage in activities that directly impact the communities where they live and work. This year, Whittlesey mobilized team members throughout the region to collaborate with the Bushnell Park Conservancy, the Diaper Bank of Connecticut, and the Zoo in Forest Park. Volunteers engaged in a variety of activities, including park clean-up efforts, mulching, planting flower beds, and repairing and painting fences. At the Connecticut Diaper Bank, team members sorted and repackaged diapers to support families in need.
529-To-Roth IRA Rollovers: Taking Advantage Of The New Option To Move Education Savings To Retirement Savings
June 24, 2024
Traditionally, the challenge in using a 529 plan to save for higher education expenses has been figuring out how much to save to cover the beneficiary's college costs without overshooting and saving more in the 529 plan than is actually needed.
Engaging with Pride all year round
June 24, 2024
Molly Macfarlane talks to Kevin Drew, managing director of Ascentant Accountancy, about his firm’s ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of sustained support beyond Pride Month.
Workplace inclusivity: Change starts at the top
June 20, 2024
Many LGBT+ employees feel they are at more of a disadvantage now than five years ago, with the US having the highest recognition of discrimination among seven countries, a new survey shows.
2024 Class of Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy Graduates
June 19, 2024
This spring, two dozen Connecticut residents graduated from the 2024 Connecticut Professionals’ Leadership Academy, a program designed to strengthen leadership skills, develop and build relationships, and create a collaborative professional services community. This landmark program brings together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, including accounting and finance, law, insurance and architecture.
Meet CTCPA's Graduates of the 2024 Connecticut Professionals' Leadership Academy
June 19, 2024
This spring, several Connecticut residents graduated from the 2024 class of the Connecticut Professionals' Leadership Academy, a program designed to strengthen leadership skills, develop and build relationships, and create a collaborative professional services community. This landmark program brings together professionals from various industries and backgrounds, including accounting and finance, law, insurance and architecture.
Generative AI and Risks to CPA Firms
June 11, 2024
“Write a 1,200-word article regarding how CPA firms can manage risk related to the use of ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI.” This easy ChatGPT request would have resulted in the production of this month’s column in a far more expeditious manner than writing one from scratch, but would it have been as informative or accurate? ChatGPT is an example of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and its popularity has soared since its introduction to the public in November 2022. Given ChatGPT’s versatility, speed, and ability to engage in human-like conversations, it’s easy to see why.