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Featured….
IRS Rolls Out New Chatbot Feature for Certain CP Notices
If the Government Shuts Down, How Will it Affect the IRS?
AI Stats and Trends for Small Business Marketing
BDO USA, Two Audit Partners Tagged with Fines for Breaking PCAOB Rules
Contributors….

Becky Livingston

Garrett Wagner

Richard D. Alaniz

Randy Johnston
Webinars….
CPE Webinar September 28, 2023: Source Doc Gathering, Delivery & E-Sign Issues
CPE Webinar September 27, 2023: Guide to Data Security, Compliance, & Outsourcing for Accounting Firms
Events….

Webcast: Sept. 27: Proactive Tips to Future-Proof Your Firm with Automation, AI, and CAS
“Future proofing” has been a ubiquitous post-pandemic buzzword. But how can you actually set your firm up for success? The answer is two-fold: automation/AI and client advisory services (CAS).

Accounting
Reimagining Accounting Workflow: WorkflowCon 2023 Coming in October
This two-day conference promises to equip industry professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary for unprecedented success.

IRS Establishing New Unit to Crack Down on Tax Dodging by Pass-Throughs
Group within LB&I will be tasked with holding large partnerships and other pass-throughs accountable on tax compliance.

AI Systems Take Center Stage in 2023 Innovation Awards
The Innovation Awards are presented to honor new or recently enhanced technologies that benefit tax and accounting professionals and their clients through improved workflow and efficiencies, increased accessibility, enhanced collaboration, greater accuracy, or other means.

IRS Rolls Out New Chatbot Feature for Certain CP Notices
Chatbots will be used to help answer basic taxpayer questions about three notices in the CP series, the IRS said on Tuesday.

If the Government Shuts Down, How Will it Affect the IRS?
With a government shutdown looming, some wonder how IRS operations would be affected. Does the agency have a plan?

AI Stats and Trends for Small Business Marketing
The small businesses who are currently using tools powered by AI overwhelmingly agree that it is making their businesses more successful. They are working more efficiently, saving money, improving customer experiences, and growing quicker.

BDO USA, Two Audit Partners Tagged with Fines for Breaking PCAOB Rules
BDO USA was fined $2 million and two of the firm’s partners were fined a total of $60,000 for failures in the 2017 audit of AAC Holdings.

Only Richest 20% of Americans Still Have an Abundance of Pandemic Savings
For the bottom 80% of households by income, bank deposits and other liquid assets were lower in June this year than they were in March 2020.

IRS Updates 2023-2024 Per Diem Rates for Business Travelers
Taxpayers can use the special per diem rates to substantiate the amount of expenses for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses.

NJCPA Kicks Off Annual Food Drive
The Community FoodBank serves 15 counties in the state, distributing food to charities, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, food pantries and other places of need.

Armanino to Merge in Top 200 Firm Janover
Once the transaction closes on Nov. 1, Janover’s 20-plus partners and more than 200 team members will join Armanino.

IRIS Software Group Expands Human Resources Offerings to the Americas
The new capabilities include Global HR consultancy (HRC) and enhanced HR software enabling organizations in the Americas to seamlessly scale HR operations with confidence in global compliance.

FloQast Launches New Solutions at User Conference
These additions are designed to both improve the way accounting teams work and enhance their professional development.

IRS Gives Tax Relief to Those Affected by Hurricane Lee in Massachusetts and Maine
All individuals and business owners in these two states now have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file their returns and make tax payments.

FTC Warns Five Tax Prep Giants About Possible Fines for Misusing Client Data
Companies could face thousands of dollars in fines for using clients’ confidential data for purposes other than tax preparation.

Five Tips for Giving Employees Gifts That Will Make a Difference
Recognizing employees for their hard work and contributions is a cornerstone of successful employee retention. It’s a way of saying, “We value your efforts, and you are an integral part of our success.”

Office Jargon No-Nos: Avoid Using These Nine Business Phrases
A survey found that most employees agree that jargon is overused while also admitting they often don’t realize they’re using it.

Generational Slang Divide at Work Makes Communication More Difficult, Survey Finds
Nearly a quarter to a third of every generation in the workplace have trouble understanding other generations.

Professionals on the Move: Sept 2023
Professionals on the Move is a round-up of recent hiring and promotion announcements from around the profession.

Xero Partners with PrimeGlobal
PrimeGlobal is an association of independent accounting and business advisory firms comprising more than 300 highly successful independent member firms across 112 countries.

Your Firm and Your Fall Game Plan
What does your game plan for this fall include? It would be best if you took this time to address the top few issues and develop a plan to complete those by mid-December while accommodating tax planning, Client Accounting Services, and cleaning up any other open projects for the year.

How to Accurately Price Advisory Services
It involves an understanding of your clients’ unique needs, the complexities of their business, the value your firm is offering and bringing to the table, and the competitive landscape.

AICPA & CIMA Launch AI-Guided Tool for Students Pursuing Careers in Accounting and Finance
Career Launchpad offers AICPA & CIMA student members an opportunity to access real-world career stories, expert advice, and behind-the-scenes information from seasoned accounting professionals on subjects including salaries, résumé preparation…

7 Steps to Create a Culture that Attracts A-Players
To help you construct a firm culture that will help you attract A-players and unlock your firm’s true potential, I offer you these steps which I have used myself and I have seen work for many entities.

Tipalti Adds Expense Management to Finance Automation Platform
The expense management solution integrates with Tipalti’s platform, which automates AP, procurement, cards and mass global payments to improve financial visibility and reduce errors and fraud.

New NovaTax Research Platform Offers State & Federal Tax Libraries, Analysis and News
NovaTax has partnered with Tax Analysts, a provider of original tax and accounting content, to deliver select federal and state tax news to practitioners through the NovaTax research system.

Avalara Shares New Integrations and APIs in Advance of Avalara NEXT, Its Annual Virtual Conference for Developers
Avalara is the first tax compliance provider available in Salesforce Service Cloud, Salesforce’s customer service software solution used by commercial and retail professional services businesses.

IRS Promises Fewer Audits of EITC Claims
After years of auditing some taxpayers with lower incomes at higher rates, the commissioner of the IRS said that will change.

CohnReznick Puts Down Roots in Denver
The top 20 firm will be opening its 30th office in the U.S. early next month, located in LoDo Towers in Denver’s lower downtown area.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Bid for Jail Release Denied by Appeals Court
The former FTX co-founder has been dealt a series of setbacks as he gears up for his fraud trial, which is scheduled in two weeks.

Most Americans Haven’t Had a Pay Raise in 3 Years
Even as inflationary pressures have risen, most people haven’t seen a wage increase since the start of the pandemic, study shows.

72% of U.S. Workers Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Their Jobs, Survey Finds
A study of employees in 12 countries revealed that many struggle with self-worth, mental health, and feelings of being a failure.

Survey: Two-Thirds of Gen Zers Never Fully Read Job Contracts
Not reading what you’re about to sign can become increasingly problematic as you enter your post-college years.

Marcum Adds 31 to the Partnership
The top 15 firm promoted 31 individuals to partner at the start of September, with women making up 39% of the class.

Microsoft is Rolling Out Generative AI in Windows and Office app
Microsoft’s Copilot-branded AI assistants will provide a unified experience across operating systems, applications and devices.