>  Congratulations to the MSCPA “Women To Watch” Award Winners
The Missouri Society of CPAs, the AICPA, and Robert Half International are proud to jointly announce the five MSCPA members as the winners of Missouri’s 2006 “CPA Women To Watch” Awards. Awards were presented in two categories—Experienced Leaders and Emerging Leaders. MSCPA “Women To Watch” Award Winners will be presented their awards during the CPA Women’s Retreat on August 28 in St. Louis.
http://www.mocpa.org/womenawards.html      

>  BRAND NEW MSCPA CONFERENCE!
Strategic Solutions For Firm Leaders Conference—
October 23 in St. Louis
If you’re ready for a dynamic and ground-breaking learning opportunity for your firm—here’s your opportunity! The Strategic Solutions For Firm Leaders Conference will help you discover revolutionary practices to help your firm achieve a new competitive edge. Featured speakers include Ron Baker, Michelle Golden, and Randy Johnston. http://www.mocpa.org/ssfl.htm  

>  Tax Season Help Is On the Way!
The MSCPA is offering its annual “Part-Time Tax Assistance Program” once again as a member benefit. It’s not too early to schedule additional help or to generate additional income. This free service gives member CPAs in industry, government and education the chance to announce their availability for part-time employment to members in public accounting during tax season.
http://www.mocpa.org/tax_help_main.html

>  The PCPS/TSCPA National MAP Survey is back!
The Missouri Society of CPAs is pleased to be a participating state and partner for the 2006 PCPS/TSCPA National MAP Survey. This invaluable tool enables firms to benchmark management policies and financial results against other firms while gaining strategic guidance to build a more profitable and rewarding practice.

Firms interested in participating in this year’s survey can visit www.aicpa.org/pcps between late June and September 1 for instructions and to view directions on how to complete a response.

Click here for more information on the survey: http://www.mocpa.org/mapsurvey.html

>  Proposed Regulations Issued for Capitalization of Tangible Assets
The Treasury Department and the IRS issued proposed regulations that clarify the treatment of expenditures incurred in selling, acquiring, producing or improving tangible assets. If adopted as proposed, the regulations should reduce the amount of controversy between taxpayers and the IRS in this area.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161172,00.html   

> IRS Begins Outreach to Entertainment Industry on Gift Bags Following Academy Agreement
The IRS announced the beginning of an outreach campaign to the entertainment industry regarding the taxability of gift bags and promotional items. The effort follows an agreement announced last week between the tax agency and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161151,00.html

>  Accounting Firms Take Long-Term Recruitment Approach AccountingWeb reports that Big Four accounting firms are no longer focusing their recruitment efforts on college business schools, now they’re targeting high schools as well.
http://www.accountingweb.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=102473&d=815&h=817&f=816&dateformat=%B%20%e,%20%Y  

>  Most Believe Accountants Tell the Truth
SmartPros reports that after a public-perception downfall following the 2002 accounting scandals, accountants are regaining ground. In response to a Harris Poll, 68 percent of U.S. adults surveyed said accountants tell the truth, up 13 percentage points from 55 percent four years ago. http://accounting.smartpros.com/x54302.xml