The Society Scoop

There’s a lot going on in the cubicles and offices of the New Jersey Society of CPAs. “Society Scoop” offers news, updates and articles about what we’re doing that impacts you and your profession. Let us know what you think by posting your own comments.



Considering a Merger or Acquisition? Do the Due Diligence

According to Accounting Today , 2011 saw more mergers between accounting firms than any year since 1998. And the momentum has continued in 2012. Whether it's about getting bigger to better compete, strengthening a niche, finding qualified staff, solving succession issues, expanding their geographic...

Got Questions? NJSCPA Members May Have the Answer

Last week, there was a lively discussion on the NJSCPA Connect Open Forum about whether all New Jersey partnership returns (Form NJ-1065) must be filed by electronic means. Members shared opinions and relayed conversations with the NJ Division of Taxation, until the Division posted a definitive...

What can "A Charlie Brown Christmas" teach us about involvement with the NJSCPA?

Last week, my family and I were watching " A Charlie Brown Christmas " for about the millionth time (and loving it). After 35+ years of watching the holiday classic, I thought I had all the dialogue memorized, but during this viewing I heard a line for the first time -- a line that actually has applications...

Navigating the PTIN Renewal Process

For those of you who continue to experience problems renewing your Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) on the IRS online system, we received a suggestion from the IRS that might help. An IRS rep suggested accessing the online system after 5pm or on the weekend. The info line is only...

Is Your Mailing Address Current?

One of the most common CPA license renewal problems that the NJSCPA hears about is CPAs not receiving the license renewal information from the State Board of Accountancy. Why? Because they didn't update their address of record with the State Board. While license renewal is done online, the State...

New social media features added to NJSCPA Connect profile

We're excited to announce that three new social media features have been added to the profile form on NJSCPA Connect: 1. Import Profile Info from LinkedIn This feature will allow you to pull certain information from your LinkedIn profile into your Connect profile. You will be presented...

Tap Into the Power of the NJSCPA Member Open Forum

The NJSCPA launched NJSCPA Connect last spring as a means for members to "connect" and communicate with their fellow CPAs. Not surprisingly, this tax season the NJSCPA Member Open Forum , the online discussion board and email forum available to all members, has seen a lot of activity as Society...

New Jersey Accounting Firm News

Here is a compilation of news about NJSCPA members and New Jersey accounting firms. J.H. Cohn LLP has announced the election of Jennifer R. Lange, CPA to its partnership. Jennifer is a member of the Firm’s Employee Benefits Plan Practice and its Financial Services Industry Practice. A resident...

Nominate a Young CPA

New Jersey CPA magazine is excited to announce a special section in its July/August 2011 Emerging Leaders issue: “The 30 Under 30.” We'll spotlight the 30 NJSCPA members (Fellow members who are CPAs, or CPA Candidates who have an undergraduate degree and are working toward passing the exam and...

CPA Rocks on American Idol

How cool is this? On last night's American Idol , Steve Beghun, CPA advanced to the next round. Steve, 27, a Big Four auditor from Bloomington, MN, is the first CPA to make it to Hollywood. Check out his performance of "Man Who Can’t Be Moved" . Way to go Stev

Special Program Provides a 'Do-It-Herself' Approach to Financial Planning

For the past several years, the New Jersey Society of CPAs has addressed women's financial planning issues with a day-long financial planning seminar. Financial planning can be a challenge for anyone. Women however, for a variety of reasons, frequently face a special set of obstacles. In fact,...

Ed Mendlowitz of WithumSmith+Brown puts the "social" in social networking with NJSCPA Connect

Since NJSCPA Connect launched in May 2010, more than 4,200 members have logged on to talk with other members, read Society blogs, share information and discover more about their NJSCPA membership community. We think 4,200 members is an impressive number, but the story of one member might impress...

AICPA issues tax alerts on PTIN registration issues and IRS visits to practitioners’ offices

Yesterday, Ed Karl, the AICPA’s Vice President of Taxation, provided updates on two pressing tax issues: PTIN registration issues , and the difficulties that many members are having IRS visits to practitioners’ offices (also known as the “10,000 letters” project) Keep...

NJSCPA Member News

James May has joined Holman & Frenia PC as a staff auditor. Kenneth A. Hofsommer has joined Hunter Group, Fair Lawn, as a senior manager in the Tax Services Group. Wiss & Co. LLP, Livingston, announced a number of new hires: Laura Zindel, Rosa Matias, Lauren Schmitz...

NJSCPA Welcomes Its Newest 100% Member Champion

Yesterday Mercadien, P.C., CPAs of Hamilton became the NJSCPA's latest 100% Member Champion , joining more than 70 other New Jersey firms who are building a stronger profession and a stronger NJSCPA by making sure that 100 percent of their CPA employees are NJSCPA members. Here are a few benefits...