A theory on the two types of programmers has parallels in the accounting profession: There are two “classes” of programmers in the world of software development: I’m going to call them the 20% and the 80%. The 20% folks are what many would call “alpha” programmers — the leaders, trailblazers, trendsetters, the kind of folksContinue reading “Two types of accountants”
Author Archives: Neil
Audits don’t happen randomly
Commissioner and chief executive of the Canadian Revenue Agency reminds us in a story in the Financial Post that there are no random audits in Canada. If your tax return is selected for audit, the CRA has identified some aspect of your return, be it a deduction claimed or an industry that it is focusingContinue reading “Audits don’t happen randomly”
Cigarettes and the complexity of the tax code
Sometimes people wonder why the legislation surrounding various taxes is so complex, given the relatively straight-forward nature of those taxes. The Tax Foundation provides a telling example in a recent post about the definition of a cigarette: Cigarettes are taxed in New Mexico, as everywhere else, and at a pretty hefty rate. As the taxContinue reading “Cigarettes and the complexity of the tax code”
Enron chronicle provides some holiday reading
I have been on vacation for the last half of this month, and that along with Christmas has resulted in much less activity on this blog than is normally seen. Additionally, I have been immersed in a great book on the Enron scandal, titled “The Smartest Guys In the Room: The Amazing Rise and ScandalousContinue reading “Enron chronicle provides some holiday reading”
Experience requirement completion date nears
Earlier this month I received a letter from the governing body of my profession in this province, the ICAO. I wasn’t expecting it so naturally I was pretty curious. It turned out to be great news: “According to our records, your estimated completion date of the 30-month practical experience requirement is 12/7/2007.” Even before IContinue reading “Experience requirement completion date nears”