Broker-dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with some limited exceptions, are required to be members of Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Before Apr. 1, 2009, the SIPC member assessment was a flat rate of $150 per year. Beginning on that date, SIPC reinstituted an assessment rate of one-quarter of 1% of a member's SIPC net operating revenue,... more >>

The AICPA Minority Initiatives Committee is celebrating its 40th anniversary in several ways, including releasing a free e-book showcasing accomplished CPAs, hosting a leadership workshop and receiving an award for excellence. By communicating these successes, the MIC hopes to increase diversity in the profession and promote the CPA credential to young minority students.... more >>

Users of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification[TM] will now find it easier to access certain information about eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) elements of the U.S. Financial Reporting Taxonomy that link to the codification. The Financial Accounting Standards Board said that a new XBRL functionality at the FASB Accounting Standards Codification[TM] Web site... more >>

In Mar. 2009, in conjunction with their joint project on leases, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board both issued discussion papers titled "Leases: Preliminary Views." Comments on the documents were due in July and the boards are currently considering the feedback. Because of the project's scope and importance, the AICPA has... more >>