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Isaac M. O'Bannon

Managing Editor

isaac.obannon@cpapracticeadvisor.com

Isaac M. O'Bannon is the managing editor and digital content manager for CPA Practice Advisor (www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com), drawing on two decades of experience covering the areas of professional accounting, taxation, business productivity and consumer technologies. Prior to CPA Practice Advisor, O'Bannon was a consultant at firms in San Francisco, Denver and Tulsa, serving clients that included Logitech, Polycom, Hilti, Microsoft, the Stanford Research Institute, the University of Oklahoma's College of Engineering and other technology leaders. He is a U.S. Navy veteran. Email: isaac.obannon - @ - cpapracticeadvisor.com

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Firm Management

Five Reasons Accounting Firms Need More Diversity at Partner Level

According to recent surveys by the American Institute of CPAs, there has been a noteworthy increase in the number of traditional minority members and partners at U.S. public accounting firms. According to a new study by accounting association BKR International, however, that change has been slow.

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Income Tax

Is the IRS Doing Enough to Combat Identity Theft?

But with income tax refund identity theft rapidly becoming a scourge, is the less than 300 cases for 2014 keeping up or even putting a dent in the epidemic? After all, in 2013 alone, there were 33,000 claims of identity theft just in Florida, one of the hardest hit states because of the abundance of residents who are at higher risk, particularly the elderly and immigrants.

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Accounting

Business Travelers Rank Favorite Restaurants and Hotels

When it comes to dining, the top priority of business travelers is "affordable convenience," which equates to fast food. But when they have the time for something a little more substantial, they still trend toward casual restaurants.

Accounting

Maryland CPA Society Partners with Avalara for Sales Tax Resources

In a move that will let accounting and tax professionals in Maryland have faster access to real-time sales and use tax information, cloud-based tax automation vendor Avalara has formed a strategic alliance with the Maryland Association of CPAs, a professional membership-based organization comprised of over 9,000 CPAs.

Accounting

Americans More Focused on Personal Finances

Despite continued minor improvement in the economy, most Americans are still worried and are increasingly focusing on improving their personal finances, according to a new report.

Accounting

Healthcare Law May Cost Large Employers up to $5,900 Per Employee

According to a new study by the American Health Policy Institute (AHPI), it could cost some businesses almost $6,000 extra per employee. The report, “The Cost of the Affordable Care Act to Large Employers.” draws on internal cost data shared with AHPI by over 100 large employers (10,000 or more employees each) doing business in the United States.

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Accounting

CFOs Focusing More on Financial Planning for Strategy

A new survey of the top financial leaders in America's businesses shows that they are becoming more strategic in their decision-making, and also relying more on financial planning when developing and guiding their corporate strategy.

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Small Business

The Masters Golf Tournament - By the Numbers

The Masters, one of the world's most prestigious golf tournaments, starts this week. Held annually in Augusta, Georgia, since 1932, the event is more than just four days of the competition between the world's best golfers, it also has a very wide reach economically.

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Small Business

How Men and Women Use Social Media & Devices Differently

How we use them, however, varies greatly not only between people of different generations, but also by gender. A new study shows that men and women definitely use social media and their mobile smart phones for different activities.

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Accounting

The Secret to Small Business Success: Planning and Financial Management

79 percent of companies with a business plan say they are better off financially compared to a year ago, while only a third of small businesses without a business plan can say the same thing.

IRS

Report: IRS Software Management Practices Don't Meet Government Requirements

The IRS Isn't maintaining its computer infrastructure adequately, according to a new report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), a part of the Department of the Treasury that is tasked with overseeing the nation's tax agency.

Income Tax

IRS Extends Income Tax Filing for Washington Mudslide Victims

The Internal Revenue Service has automatically extended the tax return filing and payment deadlines for victims of last month’s mudslides and flooding in Washington state. As a result, those taxpayers will have until Oct. 15 to file their returns and pay any taxes due, with no penalties or interest applied.