CPA firm RSM McGladrey has joined up with DePaul University, offering their accountants a degree in taxation. One or more classes are held every week in a specifically assigned distance learning classroom in the firm's Chicago office. The faculty affiliates from the School of Accountancy and Management Information Systems at DePaul University teach the students. The partnership opens an effective means of hiring employees to RSM McGladrey and enrolling students at DePaul.
The long distance programs are hailed by busy professionals. These programs allow the workers to attain degrees essential for their career growth. The distance learning course, offering a master of science in taxation, is probably the first of its kind in the country.
Zoltek swaps accounting firms
Zoltek Cos., Inc., has engaged Grant Thornton, LLP, as its new independent registered public accounting firm after replacing the earlier accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. The St. Louis-based carbon fiber products manufacturing unit informed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that its Audit Committee "participated in and approved the decision to change its independent registered public accounting firm." Grant Thornton has requested that the old accounting firm provide a letter addressed to SEC asserting whether it agrees or not with Zoltek's testimonials.
AICPA declares Karin Wiberg as director of the office of Strategy Management
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) declared Karin Wiberg, an MBA, to serve as director of the office of Strategy Management. In her new role, Wiberg will help the Institute acclimatize with the CPA job, as well as make the mission and goals of the Institute successful. She will also supervise the activities of the organization and handle its policy development matters.
She has previously held the post of strategic planning director at Principal Financial Group. Managing the process improvement activities, Wiberg also worked as a director of operational excellence earlier.
Walker joins Almost Family as CAO
John B. Walker has been appointed chief accounting officer in Almost Family, Inc. Walker will also be joining as vice president of the Louisville-based firm that provides home-health services. Prior to joining the new firm, Walker was designated as president of American Pipe Lining-MidAmerica, Inc. Holding two esteemed positions, Walker, 49, will be given a base salary of $170,000 annually. He has been given the option of buying 5,000 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $23. Prior to appointing Walker to the post, Almost Family's CFO, C. Steven Guenthner, served as chief accounting officer as well.
CSC hold ups annual report over accounting errors
Computer Sciences Corp., CA, (CSC) has held up filing its report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The IT services provider justified the delay by saying that it has uncovered its accounting errors for tax liabilities found in the past fiscal years from 2000 to 2006. CSC termed them as "significant" accounting errors. The delay is due to an additional time required "to finalize the accounting for income taxes related to certain prior-period transactions." The results will be restated by the enterprise by June 13. Rectifying the errors will lead to an increased charge of around $300 to $400 million through the end of the fiscal year.
