January 2011
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When a Higher Price Pays Off
By Julie Lockhart, CMA; Audrey Taylor; Karl Thomas; Brenda Levetsovitis; and Jason Wise
Full cost accounting and life-cycle analysis can show the difference between low-cost suppliers and low-price suppliers. The authors analyze Clarus’s environmental tank cleaning mechanism called the Tornado to expose the social costs of doing business. In their cost analysis they include usual costs, hidden costs, liability costs, environmental costs, and less tangible costs such as the value of an improved image.
Grooming the Next Generation
By Kasthuri V. Henry, CTP
A steady stream of knowledge workers for service industries requires planning and an understanding of changes in workforce culture and preparedness. Aon Corporation uses an Early Career Development Program consisting of Rotational and Direct Development to guarantee sources of qualified, high-retention employees. The author details the program from recruiting through to success rates.
Why Cloud Computing Matters to Finance
By Ron Gill, CMA, CFM
Using data from a survey of approximately 800 IMA members, the author outlines what cloud services can mean to finance: lower total cost of ownership; access anytime, anywhere; streamlined business processes; easy upgrades; lower capital expenditures; and rapid deployment. He also discusses the concerns created by myths behind cloud ERP: security, customization, reliability, loss of data ownership, and leasing instead of owning the application.
Shedding New Light on Auditor Switching
By Joseph F. Brazel and Marianne Bradford, CPA
The Arthur Andersen “apocalypse” of several years ago, which triggered much-needed reforms in the financial services industry, prompted many companies and auditors to find new partners. This article, based on the results of the authors’ recent survey, examines what types of firms sought new marriages and for what reasons—and whether the switch was worth it.
PERSPECTIVES
Sharing Some Global Perspectives
TOP LINE
Let's Talk about the CPA
TAXES
Economic Substance Codification
ETHICS
How an Embezzler Stole Millions from a Small Company
CAREERS
Keeping Your 2011 Career Resolutions
FINANCIAL REPORTING
One Problem, Three Fixes
IMA LIFE
Post-CMA Exam
SF BULLETIN
• FSOC Recommendations Could Dictate Business Access to Bank Services
• HHS Adds Flexibility on Healthcare Plans under ACA
• NAM Opposes Regulation of Foreign-Exchange Swaps and Forwards
• Congratulations, New CMAs
• Books: Implementing Internal Controls
EXCEL
Blank Cells Become Zero in a Formula Result
ACCESS
The Master Budget Project: Communicating the Design
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Samsung Galaxy Tab, Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard, Nook Color Reader, dtSearch
TECH FORUM
A First-Decade Book Check
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