Preview Microsoft Office 2007 in the browser

As long as your browser is Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, you can take the latest edition of Microsoft Office for a test drive without having to install a thing. Experience the bliss of the ribbon, the new UI metaphor that has already won my heart over. I loathe still having to do my workContinue reading “Preview Microsoft Office 2007 in the browser”

Bring in specialists to build niche practices

An interesting article in WebCPA talks about how some small firms are building niche practices by bringing in “Champions” from the outside: Someone with an established reputation and contacts who can hit the ground running and jump-start the program in a new organization. Going outside the firm has many advantages: Target growth areas to focusContinue reading “Bring in specialists to build niche practices”

Variety and experience at mid-size firms

I’m going to have a fast-paced week again. This week I’m working on two clients from jobs that have wrapped up field work and two clients whose field work has yet to begin. On the two post field work jobs, I’ll be auditing the consolidation of several large private companies and clearing review notes andContinue reading “Variety and experience at mid-size firms”

Canada gets a variety of tax cuts

The Canadian government released a mini-budget this past week that featured serious tax cuts. The GST goes down another point to 5% and the lowest bracket of personal tax is lowered back down to 15%. Corporate taxes continued their downward trajectory. The CICA focused first on the reduction to corporate taxes: “The government’s commitment toContinue reading “Canada gets a variety of tax cuts”

Grant Thornton insists client remove Chairman, is removed as auditor

Here’s an interesting story coming out of Dallas: Embattled multi-level marketing firm Mannatech has fired its independent auditor, Grant Thornton, after the auditor gave the company an ultimatum: Remove Chairman and founder Sam Caster from the company or find yourself another auditor. So they found themselves another auditor, BDO Seidman, and let Grant Thornton go.Continue reading “Grant Thornton insists client remove Chairman, is removed as auditor”