Having lugged around three thick files representing the full permanent file for an audit client for the past few weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that my firm needs to consider digitizing these things. Perm files for accountants consist of client documents that carry forward year to year. For example, engagement letters are good forContinue reading “The case for digitized perm files”
Author Archives: Neil
MADD situation shows charities have many stakeholders
Recently, the findings from an investigation by the Toronto Star into charities have been released in the paper and they are not good for many charities, primarily MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Canada. The Star found that the charity spends only about 19 cents for every donor dollar on programs designed to help victims ofContinue reading “MADD situation shows charities have many stakeholders”
Shell and reporting sustainability
This piece in the Globe and Mail was interesting: Shell was early with “sustainability reporting†(their first annual sustainability report was published in 1998). They currently have a goal to have their (self-reported) greenhouse gas emissions 5 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010, similar to the Kyoto Protocols. The story was about Shell’s CEOContinue reading “Shell and reporting sustainability”
Sharpening the axe in auditing
A post today at VeraSage provided a perfect metaphor for audit planning: Once upon a time, there were two lumberjacks who challenged each other to see which one could cut down more trees in a day. At daybreak, the first one began furiously chopping down trees. He worked up a sweat and by noon heContinue reading “Sharpening the axe in auditing”
‘Tis the season for giving links
Dan Meyers of Tick Marks is caught up in the spirit of giving in his own way – he’s revisiting his special 12 Blogs of Christmas from last year around this time and giving us all a refresher on the more memorable posts from the accounting blogosphere from the year nearly ended. Since my blogContinue reading “‘Tis the season for giving links”