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Publications
 The AICPA and AAA (Association for Accounting Administration) have created the single most useful firm management tool you'll ever need. Timesavers is a collection of 225 interactive forms, checklists and surveys. These forms and checklists are actual documents supplied by some of the best-run firms in the country. Timesavers covers all areas of practice management, including: Practice Development – you'll find client data information forms, client interview forms, client referral forms; Administration – you'll find expense forms, staff scheduling forms, consent to release information forms; Personnel – you'll find CPA training evaluation forms, evaluation of interview forms, job descriptions, new employee checklists, and much, much more. All of the forms, checklists and surveys are available as individual documents on the accompanying CD-ROM. For purchasing information, click here
The Association for Accounting Administration has published several manuals, each designed to streamline tasks and help members avoid "re-inventing the wheel." ADA Job Descriptions for CPA Firms (1994) Provides members with sample job descriptions and basic guidelines for their preparation. The job descriptions were prepared for a typical CPA firm with 20-50 employees. Smaller and larger firms may find it necessary to combine or separate essential functions. Members Only Section AAA Survey Manual (1995) A compilation of effective surveys for CPA firms was released. Samples were provided by various members of AAA to help others avoid duplication. AAA followed this compilation with a second collection. Expose Yourself by Marketing: Tools for Marketing Your Practice (1996) A collection of marketing tools ranging from brochures, to announcements, to Yellow Page ads, this sample binder is designed to permit new samples to be added. AAA Yellow Pages (1997) Offers nearly every telephone number an administrator may need. From software manufacturers to consultants, AAA members let their fingers do the walking. Disaster Planning for CPA Firms (1998) So you've been appointed the task of developing the firm's disaster plan. This task is part of a "good news, bad news" scenario. You've been with the firm for many years and have just received more responsibilities--the good news. Buried deep inside your position description is something called the "Firm Contingency Planner"--the bad news. And, to complicate matters, one of the junior partners has asked you what he is supposed to do if the firm had a problem. This publication is designed as a member benefit to members of the Association for Accounting Administration. The information contained in this document is written to apply to member firms of all sizes, specialties and structures. For a downloadable version of the sample intranet, visit the site's Members Only Section A Guide to CPA Firm Administration (1999) Complete with a function matrix, this booklet answers the common questions of those involved in practice management: "What does an administrator do?", "How much should I expect to pay an administrator?", and "How do I assess the administrator's role?" This booklet addresses these questions and provides valuable data for managing partners who are establishing a job description for an administrator as well as serves as a guideline for administrators mapping their career path. Employee Training and Orientation Manual (2000) Designed as a template for firms to use, modify and personalize, this benefit provides member firms with the meat and potatoes of a proven employee training and orientation manual. For a downloadable version, visit this site's Members Only section. Guide to CPA Firm Intranets (2001) Designed to assist professionals managing accounting practices in understanding what an intranet is and how they can improve the management of information resources within the firm. For a downloadable version of the sample intranet, visit the site's Members Only Section. The Funtastic Firm (2002) The information contained in this document was gathered from members over the past several years. Ownership is given where possible. However, due to the strong networking experiences and exchange of ideas by the members, several of the "original" ideas have been massaged, redesigned and passed down from member to member. It's our goal to stress the importance of humor and fun in the workplace. Members are encouraged to use this document to improve the morale of their staff and add some fun to the daily lives of their employees and co-workers. The information gathered in this document was gathered to apply to member firms of all sizes, specialties and structures. Special thanks to Virginia Lowery and the Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association for their support and dedication to this project. For a downloadable version, visit the site's Members Only Section. Guide to Paperless CPA Firm Administration (2003) TFirms have been interested in moving to a paperless work environment since personal computers were introduced to accounting firms in the early 1980's. The prospect of eliminating the physical space needed to store documents, reducing the time spent handling and looking for information, and the opportunity to make better use of firm documents and information all have had very high value to firms. Now, over two decades later, few firms have realized the benefit of a completely paperless environment. This guide, written by Roman Kepczyk, CPA, CITP, InfoTech Partners North America and Tom Davis, CPA, TC Davis & Associates, explains the reasons for the lack of participation by firms and helps educate Firm Administrators on opportunities to move their firm towards a "less paper" environment. For a downloadable version, visit the site's Members Only Section. A Guide to Record Retention and Destruction Policies for CPA Firms (2006) In the past, views on record retention have sometimes differed among attorneys who defend CPAs in professional liability lawsuits. One view holds that retaining records and workpapers helps provide valuable evidence in defending CPAs against malpractice claims. Another view is more skeptical, seeing CPA records and workpapers as a double-edged sword that can be used by an opposing attorney attempting to find inconsistencies, misstatements, errors and omissions as part of a strategy to discredit the CPA’s work. On the other hand, records and workpapers that document professional work and competent advice are considered essential in the defense of such work and advice. Additionally, changes taking place in the profession, have generally imposed stricter documentation standards for the CPA and have shifted the burden of proof to the CPA in disputes over the CPA’s performance in an engagement. Then, add document destruction to the mix and the entire issue becomes very unclear to those responsible for managing accounting practices. This Guide to Record Retention and Destruction Policies for CPA Firms will hopefully assist you and your firm in making sound decisions regarding these issues, communicating your decisions to your staff and clients and developing and implementing your plans, policies and procedures. This reference guide was authored by CAMICO based on an outline developed by input from members of AAA. For a downloadable version, visit the site's Members Only Section. Ordering information . . . AAA Report The association's bimonthly newsletter, full of pertinent and newsworthy information. The newsletter accepts advertisements from vendors to the accounting administration profession and encourages vendor participation and support. For the most recent version visit the site's Members Only Section. |
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