Special feature: benefits of membership in the AICPA.Throughout the year, the top agenda items for the Institute's leadership, staff and member committees include projects and programs that will benefit our members and the profession as a whole. Not only do we take an active role in shaping initiatives that affect the profession, but we also seek out services and benefits that will save our members money or enhance their businesses and careers. This month, The CPA (Computer Press Association, Landing, NJ) An earlier membership organization founded in 1983 that promoted excellence in computer journalism. Its annual awards honored outstanding examples in print, broadcast and electronic media. The CPA disbanded in 2000. Letter Member Benefits feature describes the services and benefits that the Institute offers--from valuable information resources (1) The data and information assets of an organization, department or unit. See data administration. (2) Another name for the Information Systems (IS) or Information Technology (IT) department. See IT. to discounts on products to special rates on insurance. In next month's issue, our Year in Review will focus on the Institute's role in the many professional, regulatory and legislative initiatives that have affected the profession during the past year. Member Benefits That Should Not Be Missed AICPA AICPA See American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). membership offers access to a host of resources, information and tools. AICPA member services help CPAs succeed and expand their professional horizons. Here are some of the many benefits, services, discounts and other savings available to members: Information Needs * The AICPA library service, located at the University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1848, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford and three branch campuses located in Booneville, Tupelo, and Southaven. , is a comprehensive collection of literature related to all aspects of the CPA profession. The University of Mississippi Library staff provides reference and research assistance to AICPA members. To contact the library, call 866/806-2133 or e-mail aicpalib@olemiss.edu. You can also search the library catalog on the Web at www.olemiss.edu/depts/general_library/aicpa. * The Technical Information Hotline offers non-authoritative responses to member queries about accounting, financial reporting, auditing, attestation and accounting and review services. The hotline encourages members to submit questions in writing electronically as an alternative to calling the toll-free number. Questions may be sent to the hotline's special e-mail address See Internet address. e-mail address - electronic mail address at aahotline@aicpa.org. Members may still access this free service by calling 888/777-7077 or faxing 212/596-6233. * The Professional Ethics professional ethics, n the rules governing the conduct, transactions, and relationships within a profession and among its publics. professional ethics liability, n 1. Division's Ethics Hotline offers valuable information and can act as an ethics sounding board to members who face ethics issues in their practices and to members who are not in public practice. In addition, members who notice, suspect or are aware of significant deficiencies in the work of another member should contact the hotline for guidance. The hotline's e-mail address is ethics@aicpa.org and its toll-free number is 888/777-7077, prompt 5 followed by prompt 2. * The AICPA Antifraud & Corporate Responsibility Resource Center provides the tools, technical information and guidance that members need to combat fraud, whether your role is in business or the academic community. This center offers resources that can play a part in helping the profession re-establish confidence among investors, promote ethics and integrity in the workplace and establish clarity in reporting procedures. It is available at www.aicpa.org/antifraud. * The AICPA Competency Self-Assessment Tool (CAT) helps CPAs recognize when new competencies need to be learned and ensure core competencies continue to meet current marketplace needs. CAT's personalized gap analysis--which is free to members--enables CPAs to confirm their strengths to determine their current value; identify learning opportunities; determine where growth is needed; and gain insights and strategies to plan a new career or make a career move. Once members assess their proficiencies, they can compare them against the highest and most valued in a specific area. The competency models available are business valuation, forensics See computer forensics. and litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. services; taxation; fraud prevention, detection and investigation; audit; business and industry/new finance; government; personal financial planning Financial planning Evaluating the investing and financing options available to a firm. Planning includes attempting to make optimal decisions, projecting the consequences of these decisions for the firm in the form of a financial plan, and then comparing future performance against ; and ElderCare/PrimePlus. To learn more, go to https://www.cpa2biz.com/CPEConferences/CAT.htm. * AICPA Online (www.aicpa.org) offers members immediate access to news and special features about the latest developments affecting the profession. The site provides valuable information on standards and other professional and technical matters and news releases, as well as access to online newsletters and magazines. In addition to providing a spotlight on important new AICPA initiatives and the latest hot issues for the CPA profession, the site has a wealth of archival content on professional and Institute activities. * Two of three planned audit quality centers launched. The Center for Public Company Audit Firms and the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center have been established to enhance the quality of audits of publicly traded companies publicly traded company A company whose shares of common stock are held by the public and are available for purchase by investors. The shares of publicly traded firms are bought and sold on the organized exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. and employee benefit plans subject to ERISA See Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ERISA See Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). , respectively. Both will accomplish their objectives through representation and by providing member firms with resources and guidance. The CPCAF CPCAF Center for Public Company Audit Firms will also maintain a peer review program for those firms' non-issuer practices that enables them to meet their state licensing, federal regulatory and AICPA membership requirements. The EBP EBP Evidence Based Practice EBP Enterprise Buyer Professional EBP Education Business Partnership EBP European Business Programme EBP Efficiency Bandwidth Product EBP Electronic Billing and Payment EBP Extended Base Pointer EBP Error Back Propagation AQC AQC Australian Quality Council AQC Adiabatic Quantum AQC Active-Quenching Circuit AQC Aircraft Qualification Course AQC Acquisition Contracting AQC Applied Quality Communications, Inc. will also operate a forum that will allow members to communicate with each other about important issues affecting their audit practices. Lastly, a center for governmental audits will be launched this summer. Marketing Tools For members who want to keep clients up-to-date on important business news and expand their firms' marketing opportunities, the AICPA offers two client service newsletters: the monthly CPA Client Bulletin contains articles on tax and financial planning ideas for individuals and businesses, as well as stories on general business matters; the quarterly CPA Client Tax Letter focuses solely on tax issues for individuals and businesses, including articles on general tax planning Tax planning Devising strategies throughout the year in order to minimize tax liability, for example, by choosing a tax filing status that is most beneficial to the taxpayer. , legislation and cases and rulings. The monthly and quarterly issues of each publication are accompanied by a Resource and Citation Guide for you, the CPA, to facilitate further research into the topics in the newsletter and provide guidance on how you can follow-up with clients and engagement applications. Your name/firm's logo can be imprinted on all copies. For more information, call 888/777-7077. Special Assistance The AICPA Benevolent Fund helps members and their families when they face financial difficulty caused by serious illness, accident, death or other major misfortunes. Contact Elizabeth Cich at 201/938-3490 for assistance or to make a contribution. Elite Values Program The Elite Values Program offers AICPA members exclusive offers and discounts from leading manufacturers and service providers. Members who take advantage of these programs can save on average $900 per year--all because of the AICPA's considerable group buying power Buying Power The money an investor has available to buy securities. In a margin account, the buying power is the total cash held in the brokerage account plus maximum margin available. Also referred to as "Excess Equity. . The companies participating in the Elite Values Program are listed below. Airborne Express Airborne Express (IATA: n/a, ICAO: ABX, and Callsign: Abex) was an express delivery company and cargo airline. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, its hub was at Wilmington, Ohio. (Express shipping) AICPA members save up to 25% off the competition's published rates and save at least 10% off Airborne's standard rates. Call 800/MEMBERS (800/636-2377) for more information and for your free Airborne Express Starter Kit. You can also enroll online at www.cpa2biz.com/elite; click on Airborne Express. Bank One (Consumer and business credit cards) Bank One is the exclusive authorized issuer of the AICPA Platinum Visa credit card, which offers excellent savings opportunities with a low introductory rate for purchases and balance transfers. After the introductory period, you continue to save with a low variable annual percentage rate on purchases and balance transfers. There is no annual fee and your AICPA Platinum Visa comes with Bank One's Free Cash Rewards program, which gives you extraordinary benefits and the power to choose your reward. Call 866/CPA-VISA (866/272-8472) or go to www.cpa2biz.com/elite and click on the Bank One logo to learn more or to apply for the card. Bank One is also offering an AICPA business credit card that features a Free Cash Rewards program, low introductory rate and online tracking of card activity, among other benefits. Call 888/729-1406. Dell (Computer systems and services) AICPA members receive discounts on all Dell product lines. Save 3% on Dell[TM] Dimension[TM] desktops and Dell[TM] Inspiron[TM] notebooks. Save 6% on Dell OptiPlex Dell, Inc. targets its OptiPlex™ line of desktop computers for sale into the corporate, government and education markets. These systems typically contain Intel CPUs, beginning with the Pentium and currently with the Core 2 although Dell sells some models with AMD CPUs as well. [TM] desktops, Dell Latitude Dell's Latitude laptop brand is specifically targeted at the business market which means that standardized parts are used throughout the line and are available for several years for support purposes, as opposed to the Dell Inspiron which is aimed at the consumer market and whose [TM] notebooks, Dell PowerEdge This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. [TM] servers, Dell Precision Dell Precision is a line of workstation computers produced by Dell, Inc.. Current Dell Precision Desktop Models
Hertz (Car rentals) Hertz #1 Club Gold Membership (a $50 value) is free for AICPA members. Special service is available at over 600 locations worldwide. To join, call 800/336-2496 and mention your contact discount program number (CDP CDP (cytidine diphosphate): see cytosine. (1) (Certificate in Data Processing) An earlier award for the successful completion of an examination in hardware, software, systems analysis, programming, management and accounting, #12353). Then show your AICPA membership card or Hertz CDP Card when you pick up your car. To make a reservation, call your travel agent or Hertz at 800/654-2200, or go to https://www.hertz.com/partners_18/partner_quote_fs.jsp. IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) (Computer systems and services) AICPA members get discounts of up to 15% off the direct sale price on a wide variety of IBM products The following is a list of products from the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation and its predecessor corporations, beginning in the 1890s, and spanning punched card machinery, time clocks, and typewriters, via mainframe computers and minicomputers, to microprocessors, PCs, and services and are eligible for ongoing product and financing promotions. Call 800/426-7235, ext. 5245, or visit www.ibm.com/smallbusiness/aicpa. IncAdvantage (Business formation services) Through an arrangement with IncAdvantage, AICPA members can obtain, for themselves or their clients, easy-to-use, low-cost business formation and maintenance services, including state filings, registered agent services, corporate kits and document retrieval The ability to search for documents by keywords and other attributes such as date and author. It implies that the documents have been indexed on all pertinent fields and that keywords have been chosen based upon title and textual content. See document imaging and document management system. . Visit IncAdvantage.com for more information. Netspoke (Web and audio conferencing See audioconferencing. ) Netspoke makes its integrated Web and audio conferencing services available to AICPA members at discounts of up to 60% off standard rates. Features include a single access number, easy scheduling and billing codes for tracking and usage. For more information about Netspoke's services, visit www.cpa2biz.com/elite and click on Netspoke or call 877/611-2255. Paymentech (Credit/debit card processing) Save money on every credit card transaction. Whether you already accept credit cards or you're ready to begin, Paymentech can help AICPA members with fast, efficient and cost-effective processing of both credit and debit cards. AICPA members receive MasterCard/Visa discount rates as low as 1.8%, no application, enrollment or conversion fees, free supplies and 24-hour, 7-day-a-week technical support. For additional information or a no-obligation free competitive analysis, call 800/824-4313. RIA (Rich Internet Application) A Web-based application that approaches the speed and elegance of a local application. An RIA may refer to a browser-based application that uses AJAX or another enhanced coding technique. (Tax/accounting research) RIA, the leading authority on tax and accounting research, saves AICPA members 10% on new purchases and 5% on renewal purchases of its renowned RIA and WG&L tax and accounting information products. RIA can provide information to suit your particular needs, delivered in print, CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). or on the only integrated online tax and accounting information system, CHECKPOINT. For more information or to purchase, call 800/950-1216. Robert Half (Financial staffing/placement) AICPA members can receive exclusive savings on specialized staffing services, including $25 savings on each 40 hours reached on a new Accountemps assignment (up to a maximum of $100 for 160 hours or more), 10% savings on each new Robert Half full-time placement fee, and $50 savings on each 40 hours reached on a new RH Management Resources engagement (up to a maximum of $200 for 160 hours or more). Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts. Call 888/744-4089 and have your AICPA membership number ready. Sprint (Business long distance) AICPA members receive a 5% member-only discount off Sprint's already competitive rates. With Sprint Business Flex[SM] All Calls All Day[SM], for instance, you'll pay a low flat interstate rate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of your spending level. You'll also get special low intrastate and international rates. No commitment or term plans are required. You can also save 5% on Sprint products and services, including Sprint FONCARD[SM] and Sprint Toll-Free[SM] services. Call 800/953-4214 for more information. Staples (Office supplies Office supplies is the generic term that refers to all supplies regularly used in offices by businesses and other organizations, from private citizens to governments, who works with the collection, refinement, and output of information (colloquially referred to as "paper work"). ) AICPA members are eligible for discounts below Staples' standard discount pricing on paper, toner and other products that are most frequently used by accountants. The Elite Values discounts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone, fax or the Staples.com[R] Web site. Members will also be enrolled in Staples Business Rewards[TM] Gold, which provides free delivery on all catalog and online orders and up to 5% back on purchases made at Staples stores, online or via catalog, which can be used like cash at Staples. Members can log onto www.staples.com/aicpa2 for more information. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide (Lodging) As a member of the AICPA you have been automatically enrolled in the Corporate Preferred Level of Starwood Preferred Guest. AICPA members enjoy room upgrades, late checkout, bonus Starpoints and the opportunity to save money on their hotel stays. When making reservations, simply give your Corporate Account number (69569), which provides you with special AICPA rates that offer guaranteed value throughout the year, especially during peak travel periods. For more information, visit www.cpa2biz.com/elite and click on Starwood Hotels. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo armored carriers of bullion. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 1147] See : Protectiveness Wells Fargo company that handled express service to western states; often robbed. [Am. Hist. (Mortgages, home equity loans) You can take advantage of the many convenient features and benefits offered through the AICPA-sponsored Home Mortgage Program provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc. Receive a complimentary 'Getaway' vacation package after closing on a new home purchase or refinance loan through this program, plus a whole lot more in savings and benefits. To learn more, go to www.cpa2biz.com/elite and click on the Wells Fargo logo or call 800/272-1210. Xerox (Copiers, faxes, printers) AICPA members save up to 20% on most Xerox products (excluding service contracts, supplies and personal line copiers). For more information on Xerox products and services or the AICPA/Xerox Partnership, visit www.cpa2biz.com/elite and click on the Xerox logo or call 800/ASK-XEROX (800/275-9376), extension "CPA," or contact your local Xerox sales representative or authorized sales agent. Be sure to reference contact #0706109 to receive special AICPA pricing. Travel Discounts The AICPA has a special arrangement through Carlson Wagonlit Carlson Travel Network Carlson Travel Network can trace its origin back to a travel agency that was founded by Ward Forster in the United States in 1888 and named Ask Mr. Foster. Travel-The Leaders Group that enables members to get travel discounts when they are attending eligible AICPA meetings and conferences. Discounts are valid for round-trip registered AICPA meetings or conferences only. Airline and car rental discounts are available only when you or your travel agent book through the 800 number. (Choose from discounts off applicable fares or Zone Fares.) Save an additional 5% off discounts when you purchase your ticket 60 days prior to the event date. (A transaction fee will apply with every Leaders Group reservation.) Call 800/345-5540. If you prefer to make your own travel plans, use the phone and reference numbers below. American Airlines American Airlines Major U.S. airline. American was created through a merger of several smaller U.S. airlines and incorporated in 1934. It continued to buy the routes of other airlines, becoming an international carrier in the 1970s; its routes include South America, the : 800/433-1790, Index #9375 Delta Air Lines: 800/241-6760, File #200040A United Airlines: 800/521-4041, Meeting ID #516CR US Airways: 877/874-7687, Gold File #63162888 Hertz Car Rental: 800/654-2240, CV #021H0010 (for AICPA Member Discounts) Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run (Northeast corridor This article is about a rail line. For the agglomeration of metropolitan areas, see BosWash. For the New Jersey Transit line, see Northeast Corridor Line. The Northeast Corridor (NEC ): 866/265-1974 Insurance Programs AICPA members receive special rates on a wide variety of programs. More information is also available on the AICPA Insurance Program Web site at www.cpai.com. Term Life Insurance Up to $2 million in group term life coverage with an equal amount of accidental death and dismemberment dismemberment /dis·mem·ber·ment/ (dis-mem´ber-ment) amputation of a limb or a portion of it. dismemberment amputation of a limb or a portion of it. benefits for individual members. Call 800/223-7473. Spouse Life Insurance Up to $2 million in term life coverage combined with an equal amount of accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Call 800/223-7473. Group Variable Universal Life Up to $2 million of coverage with fixed and equity investments of which earnings are tax deferred. Call 800/223-7473. Long-Term Disability Income Plan Provides monthly benefits from $1,000 to $10,000, with up to a lifetime benefit period. Call 800/223-7473. Group Life for Firms Offers members and their firm personnel the opportunity to secure up to $500,000 of coverage. Call 800/223-7473. Long-Term Care long-term care (LTC), n the provision of medical, social, and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis to persons with chronic physical or mental disorders. Insurance Program Up to $300 per day is available to eligible members, spouses, parents and parents-in-law. Call 800/223-7473. Personal Liability Umbrella Security Provides up to $5 million in coverage for injury and property damage claims that exceed primary automobile, homeowners or renters coverage requirements. Call 800/223-7473. Medicare Supplement Provides members, spouses and eligible parents 65 years and older with rates that are not available to the general public and does not refuse coverage because of past or present health conditions. Call 800/957-3195. Catastrophe Major Medical Provides coverage for medical costs that exceed the limits of Basic Health Insurance Plans, with a lifetime maximum of up to $2 million. Call 888/294-0028. Auto Insurance Competitive auto insurance rates available for AICPA members from GMAC GMAC General Motors Acceptance Corporation GMAC Graduate Management Admission Council GMAC Give Me A Call GMAC Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee GMAC Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (Singapore) GMAC Give Me A Chance Insurance. Call 877/999-3626. Homeowners Insurance Comprehensive homeowners coverage for AICPA members through GMAC Insurance. Call 866/366-4607. Commercial Property and Liability Offers firms and sole practitioners a choice of carriers and coverage including business owner's insurance, workers compensation, commercial auto coverage, commercial liability umbrella, international coverages for international businesses, and kidnap, ransom and extortion extortion, in law, unlawful demanding or receiving by an officer, in his official capacity, of any property or money not legally due to him. Examples include requesting and accepting fees in excess of those allowed to him by statute or arresting a person and, with coverage. Call 866/283-7127. Professional Liability Insurance Protection of $100,000 to $20 million for members in public practice against liability claims related to professional services (job) professional services - A department of a supplier providing consultancy and programming manpower for the supplier's products. . Call 800/221-3023. Employment Practices Liability Insurance CPA EmployerGard provides comprehensive protection against employment-related claims, such as wrongful termination wrongful termination n. a right of an employee to sue his/her employer for damages (loss of wage and "fringe" benefits, and, if against "public policy," for punitive damages). , age, race or gender discrimination and other workplace-related lawsuits. Call 800/221-3023. Retirement Programs A new program from Nationwide Financial provides a variety of fund choices and special low administrative and record keeping rates for AICPA member firm plans that qualify under IRC (Internet Relay Chat) Computer conferencing on the Internet. There are hundreds of IRC channels on numerous subjects that are hosted on IRC servers around the world. After joining a channel, your messages are broadcast to everyone listening to that channel. Section 401. Includes a pre-designed bundled solution, the AICPA Member Retirement Trust or customized plan design. Call 888/401-5272. IRA-based plans available from T. Rowe Price T. Rowe Price (NASDAQ: TROW) is an independent global investment management firm and mutual fund manager based in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1937 by Thomas Rowe Price, Jr.. T. at 800/382-4272. AICPA Service Center: [e-mail] service@aicpa.org [telephone] 888/777-7077 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET) [fax] 800/362-5066 [telephone] Voice Mail Box comments, 888/999-9252 |
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