Sometimes we see trends or patterns and think they are pretty dumb. Maybe even reach the level of stupid. When those dumb things are at a societal level, we need to realize that is the way the world is working and engage the world as it is, not as we think it ought to be. Read the rest of this entry »
Engage with the world as it is
October 29, 2010, 8:56 pm
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Pondering, Social media | 
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Posted by Jim Ulvog
Marvels of air travel
October 29, 2010, 4:35 pmSince starting my own CPA firm, the amount of time I spend out of town has dropped dramatically. Yeah! That lets me see air travel through a new perspective. You road warriors are bored with the wonders of the modern era. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Jim Ulvog
Current data accumulated by tracking companies is exquisitely detailed
October 25, 2010, 6:50 pmTime to start thinking more seriously about your privacy. One particular online tracking company gathers everything they can about you and accumulates it into a very detailed profile. The cutting edge capacity of one company also aggregates your name and email address. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Jim Ulvog
Crooks stealing money from your account using your computer
October 25, 2010, 11:14 amI’m reading more articles describing cybertheives hacking a business computer (could just as easily be a ministry computer), gaining access to bank accounts, then wiring money out of the country. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Fraud, Internal control | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
SSARS 19 Review reports for NPOs
October 23, 2010, 9:19 amReview reports will change starting December 31, 2010. Two sample reports follow. Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Compilation and review | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
SSARS 19 Compilation reports for NPOs
October 23, 2010, 9:14 amCompilation reports will change starting December 31, 2010. Some sample reports follow. Read the rest of this entry »
6 Comments | Compilation and review | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
Sad example of the need for disbursements controls
October 22, 2010, 8:23 amSee this article for a sad illustration of disbursement fraud. The specific technique was opening credit card accounts in the name of the company and then using the account for personal expenses. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Fraud, Internal control | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
Simple way to improve internal controls over disbursements
October 22, 2010, 8:16 amWhat could you do when there aren’t enough staff to have someone other than the bookkeeper prepare the bank reconciliation? Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Internal control | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
10 leading causes of death in 1850 and 2000
October 21, 2010, 9:51 amFascinating display at the Reuben Fleet Science Museum in San Diego listing the top 10 causes of death in 1850, 1900, and 2000 caught my interest while on vacation. Focus of their discussion is on the change over time, particularly the change from infectious disease to other causes. Look at this list Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Economics, Pondering | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
You don’t need permission to change the world
October 15, 2010, 10:38 pmWish I’d written this: “Where, precisely, do you go in order to get permission to make a dent in the universe?” Seth Godin said that and discusses it further in “Do you need a permit“? To completely restructure his comment for our community — you do not need permission from anyone to change the world for Christ. Go for it!
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Posted by Jim Ulvog
Pushback on Revenue recognition draft – topic 605
October 13, 2010, 10:40 amArticle from CFO magazine, One Size Gives Fits to All addresses the exposure draft on revenue recognition. As expected, pushback against the exposure draft is building. See my post for a bit of background on the draft. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Jim Ulvog
Revenue Recognition exposure draft – Topic 605
October 13, 2010, 9:26 amFASB has an exposure draft out on revenue recognition. This post is a ‘heads up’, not an overall summary. This will be a fairly substantive rule, so if you haven’t heard about it, might be good to take a look. The document has a great summary on the first five pages of the introduction. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Jim Ulvog
One year delay in reporting cost of group health insurance to employees
October 13, 2010, 8:21 amThe health care law passed last March requires reporting to employees the cost of health care insurance provided by their employer. The effective date has been delayed one year. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Non-profit Tax | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
What services do you want from your CPA when they look at your financial statements?
October 11, 2010, 9:58 amThere are three different levels of service that CPAs can provide when we look at your financial statements. We can provide a compilation, a review, or an audit. What are the differences? I have an article here that goes into some detail. It is an extract from one of my books.
The following post explains the differences visually.
1 Comment | Auditing, Compilation and review, Non-profit accounting | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
Visual description of the difference between audits, reviews, and compilations
October 11, 2010, 9:46 amHere is a visual picture that illustrates the different comfort levels someone can draw from financial statements that have been audited, reviewed, or compiled by a CPA.
Here is a picture of assurance levels from reports issues by CPAs.
1 Comment | Auditing, Compilation and review, Non-profit accounting | Tagged: differences between audit review compilation | Permalink
Posted by Jim Ulvog
