AICPA Economic Crisis and Recovery Center

Capturing the Bottom-Line Benefits of Sustainability

Accounting for sustainability is the practice of considering the environmental and social costs of doing business when measuring organizational performance. During the recent economic crisis, practicing sustainability has become a competitive business tool and can also be a key contributor to the economic and environmental health of society. See how sustainability initiatives may influence your company's bottom line in ways you may not have considered.

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What Government Entities Need to Know about American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009; New Online Resource for Government Audits

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, signed into law on Feb. 17 to help spur the economy out of recession and enhance employment, could have a significant impact on your organization. This Government Accountability Brief has been prepared to help government entities understand the implications of ARRA. In addition, the AICPA’s Governmental Audit Quality Center has created the Recovery Act Resource Center on its website to assist auditors of governmental entities with finding important information related to ARRA.

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CPAs in Government Establish a Win-Win With Financial Literacy

During these tough economic times for consumers, many government agencies are stepping in to help their staff become more financially literate, and CPAs are leading the process. CPAs in government positions are particularly suited to assist with the issue of financial literacy and can support and educate staff through the economic downturn. To find out what CPAs are doing to help government employees save, read this Government Accountability Brief.

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Out of Work and Not Young Anymore

Forbes.com, May 5, 2009

Finding the right job during an economic downturn has always been difficult, but for many members of the Baby Boom generation it presents its fair share of additional challenges.  Learn how to identify job opportunities and get your resume seen; make experience, skills and loyalty your defining qualities; and leave negative stereotypes behind. 

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Setting Yourself Apart from the Crowd

NewsAccount, Colorado Society of CPAs, May/June 2009

There has rarely been a time when it has been more difficult for job seekers to stand out from the crowd than in today’s ultra-competitive business environment. Yet, with the right mindset, approaches and strategies, you can significantly up your chances of success in a down job market.

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Regulatory Reform Tops Agenda at Opening of AICPA Council Meeting

Talk of financial regulatory reform took center-stage as CPAs from across the country gathered in Washington to open the AICPA’s 2009 Spring Meeting of Council. The agenda for the three-day meeting includes speeches by AICPA leadership, Congressional lawmakers and political pundits. The meeting concludes with visits by CPAs to legislators on Capitol Hill.

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CPAs in Government Offer More Suggestions for Weathering the Financial Storm

CPAs in government are in a unique position to offer their professional skills and knowledge to government programs and operations as federal, state and local entities consider alternatives and options to weather the economic storm. As a follow up to their January 2009 Government Accountability Brief, members of the AICPA’s Government Performance and Accountability Committee (GPAC) provide their practical suggestions for improvement.

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Economic Crisis: A Road Map for Modernizing the Reporting Model

By Jorge Asef-Sargent, Senior Manager, KMPG LLP

Undoubtedly, we are currently experiencing not only an economic crisis, but a crisis of confidence and trust extending from the financial markets to private companies; from not-for-profit organizations to government agencies. As stated by Christopher Cox, former SEC Chairman, at a recent AICPA conference in Washington, D.C., "Transparency is the cornerstone of world class financial reporting." Increasing financial reporting transparency for both internal and external purposes will be paramount in restoring trust and stability in the markets by offering a constant, balanced, high-standard, responsible, and reliant financial information flow.

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CPAs in Government Offer Suggestions for Weathering the Financial Storm: Part I

The current economic crisis will present significant stress on the resources of governments and agencies as well as the people they serve. CPAs in government contribute their skills and knowledge to fundamental analyses and reviews of government programs and operations, offering alternatives and options not only to weather the current storm, but also to offer lasting improvements to how governments and their agencies serve the public. Part I of this Government Accountability Brief provides advice from Government CPAs who are facing the universal issues surrounding the economic crisis.

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Six Workplace Challenges You Need to Master to Survive a Recession

By Robert Half International

Financial professionals didn’t need the government’s official declaration that the economy is in recession to know that these are difficult times. Most have witnessed the signs of a struggling economy in their workplaces. Perhaps there have been layoffs or other troubling developments, such as a suspension of year-end bonuses.

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