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Cities named, registration open for IRS Tax Forums

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IRS headquarters

Bloomberg via Getty Images

Tax practitioners can now register for the 2024 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums taking place this summer, with more than 40 sessions on tax law and ethics, beneficial ownership information, cybersecurity, tax scams and schemes, digital assets, and clean energy credits.

CPAs, Enrolled Agents, Annual Filing Season Program participants, and other tax professionals can earn up to 19 CE credits. A list of seminar courses will be available in May, and this year the number of Spanish-language seminar courses will be increased.

The forums, held Tuesdays through Thursdays, will be in:

  • Chicago, July 9-11 (deadline for the standard rate pre-registration is June 25); 
  • Orlando, Florida, July 30-Aug. 1 (standard rate pre-registration deadline July 16); 
  • Baltimore, Aug. 13-15 (standard rate pre-registration deadline July 30); 
  • Dallas, Aug. 20-22 (standard rate pre-registration deadline Aug. 6); and, 
  • San Diego, Sept. 10-12 (standard rate pre-registration deadline Aug. 27).

Attendees who register by the June 17 “Early Bird” deadline get the lowest registration rate of $255 per person. Standard pricing of $309 begins on June 17 and ends two weeks before the start of each forum. Onsite registration is $390.
Members of the following associations can save $10 on their registration: the American Bar Association, the American Institute of CPAs, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the National Association of Tax Professionals, the National Society of Accountants, and the National Society of Tax Professionals. Members should contact their association directly for a discount code.

“This is a historic time at the IRS, with change taking place across the agency with our ongoing transformation work,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “This summer you’ll have a chance to learn more about these changes. We encourage you to register soon. Some of these locations will fill up quickly.” Werfel also has a YouTube video inviting tax professionals to the 2024 forums.

Additional features of this year’s forums include:

  • A two-day expo with representatives from tax, financial, and business communities offering products and services. Attendees can also visit the IRS Zone to share perspectives with IRS representatives and to learn more about the agency’s transformation and digitalization.
  • Tax pros can bring unresolved cases to the Case Resolution Program Room, where IRS representatives will be able to meet one-on-one with tax pros by appointment (limit one case per meeting). New to the 2024 IRS Tax Forum will be the ability to book an appointment with TAS Case Resolution in advance. More is on the Case Resolution Information Page.
  • IRS staff will be on hand to talk with attendees about jobs currently open in examination and other areas across the agency.
Erin Collins, national taxpayer advocate at the Taxpayer Advocate Service, wears a protective mask during a House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. The hearing is investigating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations during the coronavirus pandemic. Photographer: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/Bloomberg
National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins

Tasos Katopodis/Bloomberg

  • For early attendees, on Mondays, IRS partner associations NATP and NSTP will offer an optional annual filing season refresher course for participants in the AFSP. At 5 p.m., IRS partners will present a 90-minute panel discussion on such practice management issues as attracting and managing customers, increasing productivity and having work-life balance. A Spanish-language version of the panel will be at 7 p.m.
  • On Wednesdays during the Forum Networking Reception, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins will discuss issues facing taxpayers and tax practitioners.

For more information and to register online, visit www.irstaxforum.com.

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Accounting

FASB proposes accounting standards codification changes

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The Financial Accounting Standards Board released a proposed accounting standards update containing a set of targeted improvements to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. 

The amendments in the proposed ASU involve incremental changes to the codification and would affect a wide range of topics. They would apply to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance.

The proposed ASU would address 34 issues, including issues related to:

  • Removing the term “amortized cost” from the Master Glossary;
  • Clarifying the calculation of earnings per share when a loss from continuing operations exists;
  • Clarifying the calculation of the reference amount for beneficial interests;
  • Clarifying the guidance for the transfer of receivables from contracts with customers; and,
  • Clarifying the accounting for certain receivables by not-for-profit entities.

FASB is asking for comments by April 22, 2025.

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Accounting

Ramp announces availability of business and investment accounts for users

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Spend management solution provider Ramp announced the release of Ramp Treasury, which can act as a business or investment account for users. 

Specifically, Ramp Treasury lets businesses store cash in a business account that earns 2.5% interest, or in an investment account with the potential for higher yields, all within the same platform they already use to pay their bills. 

Users can create as many business accounts as they need versus having to juggle multiple accounts and passwords. They can also set a target balance for their Ramp Business Account and top up from their checking account. Upon opening a Ramp Business Account, Ramp will pay users a monthly cash reward, calculated as a percentage of their deposited funds. They begin earning on the first dollar they deposit, and there is no cap to how much they can earn. Earnings are disbursed automatically by Ramp each month. Earnings are paid as cash, versus statement credits or rewards requiring redemption. Instead, the customer can transfer earnings from their Ramp Business Account to be used as cash elsewhere.

Customers can transfer funds in and out of a Ramp Business Account via externally linked commercial or business bank accounts. Funds that are moved may settle as quickly as the same day, but could take as long as five business days. Funds in a Ramp Business Account can be used to pay Ramp statements, Ramp Bill Pay and employee reimbursements. Payments to Ramp statements settle instantly. At this time, the Business Account cannot be used to deposit checks, receive external payments, receive transfers from bank accounts that are not linked to Ramp, or make payments outside of the Ramp platform.

The Ramp Investment Account, meanwhile, allows businesses to invest cash in the Invesco Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio (FUGXX), a money market fund. Securities products and brokerage services are provided by Apex Clearing Corporation, an SEC-registered broker-dealer. The Investment Account is not a deposit product, not insured by the FDIC, and may lose value.

The launch is part of Ramp’s ambitions to automate more areas of the financial tech stack beyond payments.

“The old treasury playbook meant either constant micromanaging of cash positions and payment dates … or just accepting you’ll lose out on interest. The new playbook is refreshingly simple: let technology do the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to,” said Ramp CEO Eric Glyman. “This is why we created Ramp in the first place. We find every cent you deserve so you can focus on moving your business forward. It’s all about the timeless principle of making every dollar and hour work harder, and go farther.”

While the service acts a lot like a bank account, Ramp is not a bank and therefore is not subject to all the same rules and regulations of a bank (though the accounts are FDIC insured, according to the website). The Business Account is a deposit account offered through First Internet Bank of Indiana, which is the one who provides the bank services. There are no account opening or management fees, no deposit minimums, and no withdrawal restrictions. 

Ramp Treasury allows for unlimited same-day ACH, international wires and domestic wires. It also offers alerts before funds are low or if cash is available to invest. The solution provides support for fully integrated workflows from beginning to end, meaning that cash transfers and earnings automatically sync with a connected ERP system and get categorized in the correct general ledger accounts. The security features allow only authorized people to transfer or release money, and the software provides a comprehensive audit trail. Ramp also makes Ramp for Accounting Firms.

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Accounting

FinQuery announces new CEO, COO, executive chairman

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Accounting and contract management solutions provider FinQuery announced a major reshuffle of its executive team, including a new CEO, COO and executive chairman. Joe Schab—the president and chief operating officer—has been appointed to the role of chief executive officer, effective immediately. 

“It’s an honor to be appointed CEO of FinQuery,” said Schab. “I’m incredibly proud of the positive impact we’ve made on our customers, helping them simplify complex accounting processes and gain unparalleled visibility into their committed spend. I’m eager to continue building on this success and deliver even more impactful solutions that meet their evolving needs.”

Meanwhile, George Azih, founder and now-former CEO, will transition to the role of founder and executive chairman, where he will continue to provide strategic guidance and support the company’s growth.

“Joe has been an invaluable partner in building FinQuery into the successful company it is today,” said Azih. “A deep understanding of the technology industry coupled with his strategic vision and operational expertise make him the ideal leader to guide FinQuery through its next phase of growth. I am confident that under Joe’s leadership, FinQuery will continue to innovate and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

In addition to Schab’s promotion, FinQuery also announced the promotion of Justin Smith from chief financial officer to both CFO and COO. Smith will assume responsibility for overseeing the company’s financial and operational performance. It is unknown who the replacement CEO will be. 

Overall, according to Azih, these changeups in the leadership reflect a natural evolution in people’s roles through the years. 

“This transition is about aligning titles with the roles that have already been shaping FinQuery’s success,” he said. “Joe has been serving as president and COO for several years, playing a pivotal role in driving our strategy and operations. His promotion to CEO is a natural evolution, recognizing his outstanding leadership and vision. Similarly, Justin’s move into the dual roles of CFO and COO reflects how closely these two functions have become aligned in recent years, as we prioritize both financial strategy and operational excellence to deliver greater value to our customers. As I step into the role of executive chairman, my focus will remain on guiding FinQuery’s strategic vision while empowering this exceptional team to continue simplifying complex accounting processes for our customers.” 

FinQuery, formerly LeaseQuery, has spent the last few years growing well beyond its original focus on lease accounting, prompting a rebrand early last year. The transition to FinQuery mirrors the company’s expanded vision toward providing comprehensive financial solutions. While lease accounting software remains a core part of its offering, FinQuery represents a more holistic approach to financial management. To this end, the company recently released a prepaid and accrual accounting solution as well as a contract management solution.

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