Out at Avantax, ex-1st Global president launches consulting firm

The exit of David Knoch is the latest change at the growing and rapidly pivoting tax-focused IBD formerly known as HD Vest.

Out at Avantax, ex-1st Global president launches consulting firm


Greater scrutiny for conservation easements

They’re still valuable, but require stricter attention to the rules than ever.

Greater scrutiny for conservation easements


Argentina pockets $35B windfall after accounting change

Argentina may be in deep financial trouble, but its central bank is comfortably back in the black — thanks to a small accounting maneuver.

Argentina pockets B windfall after accounting change


Bloomberg vows tougher Wall Street rules, transactions tax

Michael Bloomberg is proposing a financial transactions tax of 0.1 percent and merging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as part of a proposal for regulating Wall Street for a financial system “strong enough to weather crises without harming the broader economy or requiring taxpayer bailouts.”

Bloomberg vows tougher Wall Street rules, transactions tax


Spain plans tax on jumbo tech companies despite U.S. warning

Spain will introduce a digital services tax at the end of the year that would hit the revenue of companies such as Facebook Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google in a move likely to draw the ire of the U.S. administration.

Spain plans tax on jumbo tech companies despite U.S. warning


Balance sheet liabilities jumped after lease accounting change

The new lease accounting standard caused lease liabilities for the average company to increase 1,475 percent, skyrocketing from $4.4 million before the transition to $68.9 million post transition, as operating leases were recorded on the balance sheet for the first time, according to a new study.

Balance sheet liabilities jumped after lease accounting change


The building blocks of firm success

Winding River Consulting’s Gary Shamis, himself the founder of a Top 100 Firm, shares the most important factors in creating a successful organization.

The building blocks of firm success


Art of Accounting: Barry Melancon updated

The AICPA president and CEO gave his annual update at the Accountants Club of America at a sold-out breakfast.

Art of Accounting: Barry Melancon updated


Tech news: AI explained

ACCA calls for a middle ground on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency tools for tax professionals, and more.

Tech news: AI explained


Taxpayers were on losing side more often in SALT lawsuits

Taxpayers prevailed in only 23 out of 55 (41.8 percent) of the significant tax cases involving state and local taxes in the fourth quarter of 2019, and for the entire year only 83 out of 218 (38.1 percent) of the significant tax cases in 2019, according to a recent analysis.

Taxpayers were on losing side more often in SALT lawsuits