Special Issues of The CPA Journal

By Robert H. Colson

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The Journal today embodies the Society’s long-standing commitment to disseminating knowledge about accountancy and enhancing its practice. The Society was active in the occasional publication of “learned addresses” from its beginning in 1897 until 1930. Virtually every monthly meeting of the Society in its first quarter-century had a presentation related to the theory and practice of accountancy, similar to a continuing professional education seminar today; many of those presentations were printed and circulated to members. The Society has also held an enduring interest in the conceptual and intellectual development of accountancy from its inception, organizing its library in 1898 and initiating the creation of the business school at NYU in 1900. Interestingly, the issues covered in the Bulletin are similar to what we find in the Journal today: articles about fraud, independence, accounting standard applications, and changes in the tax code.

In recognition of this 75-year milestone, this year the Journal will publish a number of special articles covering recurring issues and consistent themes in the development of accountancy. The first two such articles are Stephen Zeff’s commentary on “The Evolution of U.S. GAAP.” Although taken for granted today, formal accounting standards began about the same time that the Bulletin became a regular monthly publication.

In addition to these special articles, the editors and publisher of the Journal would like to recognize the 75th anniversary by publishing two additional issues that could lead to new ventures for the Journal. One issue will focus on tax policy and practice; the other, on federal auditing standards.

Tax policy and practice. This special issue represents a new venture for us in several ways. First, the editors invite submissions that deal with the implications of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 by industry, an approach that differs from our traditional one of dealing with a tax act by Code section. The March issue will contain an example of such an article, dealing with applications of the act to the shipping industry. The editors encourage more such industry-oriented tax articles, which we will integrate into the monthly Taxation section.

Second, the editors invite submissions about federal and state tax simplification proposals and changes to Social Security. The Journal is interested in venturing more deeply into the area of tax policy by providing a forum for discourse, analysis, and debate. The next decade will likely see a reconsideration of the fundamental basis for financing the federal government, and CPAs must be engaged in this discourse in a meaningful way. If the number of submissions support it, the Journal would like to publish a special tax policy issue annually.

Federal auditing standards. This special issue will deal with the growing influence of the federal government on audit standards and related standards of practice for independence, quality control, and ethics. The editors are interested in submissions about federal auditing issues that result from research, observation, and analysis, as well as those about approaches, procedures, and techniques to fulfill the goals and purposes of federal audits. The scope of this special issue will include audits performed under PCAOB, GAO, DOL, and other federal agencies’ standards and requirements. Our hope is that this special issue will be the pilot for a quarterly publication.

The ultimate purpose is to provide a forum for disseminating knowledge about federal auditing issues and for increasing competence in dealing with them. The topical agenda for the PCAOB’s Standing Advisory Group contains a list of the federal audit issues that will be important over the next few years. Federal agencies such as the GAO and the DOL also periodically publish reports on audit issues that could serve as a source for ideas for articles about federal auditing issues. On the other hand, the approaches, procedures, and techniques for achieving goals are more likely to become known through implementation by firms. Analysis and discussion across the profession is essential to promoting consistent best practices.

Submissions. Submissions from the grassroots of accountancy are the engine that powers The CPA Journal. Submissions go through a rigorous double-blind referee process (neither author nor referee knows the other’s identity). The editors also assist authors in editing their articles for length and style. Articles are frequently reprinted in other professional journals and textbooks. The Journal also posts all editorial content online at www.cpajournal.

com and through the Publications area of www.nysscpa.org.
The editors invite authors interested in submitting articles for either of these special issues to visit our website to read the submission guidelines (www.cpajournal.com/guidelines.htm). We are especially interested in articles that analyze current issues in accountancy or that demonstrate how to apply standards and techniques to specific professional problems. For those who have already prepared articles that might fit the two special issues, please e-mail them to us at cpaj-editors@nysscpa.org.

Robert H. Colson, PhD, CPA
Editor-in-Chief
rhcolson@nysscpa.org