Media Coverage
* = PDF download

How To: Choose an Accounting Firm

The search for an accounting firm shouldn't be taxing

" For years Harpoon Brewery got the bulk of its tax advisory accounting services from Big Four firm Ernst & Young. Over that time, the Boston-based brewery came to value not only the resources the large firm provided but also the insight and expertise of the main professional assigned to do its books."

Don't Let Money Squeeze You:

Deal With Rising Interest Rates

"To be sure, no one expects commercial
real estate loans to dry up and
blow away. Commercial banks, insurance
companies and pension funds have been,
and will continue to be, the mainstay of real estate funding. But as interest rates have gradually risen, traditional lenders have become more skittish about “monster” loans – those from $1 million to $1 billion."

Get the ball rolling on estate planning

" Have you done any estate planning yet? If not, you are not alone. Many people mistakenly believe that estate planning is only for the wealthy. We believe that if you love anyone, or own anything, then you are likely to benefit from some estate planning."

Age of associations, networks, and aliances " One of our members shared a significant information on how they were able to build a successful wealth management firm, and provided extensive advice on counsel to ensure the success of our program. Today, our wealth management company has approximately $380 million under management ." QUOTE BY PATRICK B. RILEY

*Implementing the new internal controls audit standard: the time is now, are you ready? "In May 2006, the AICPA’s Auditing standards Board (ASB) issued a Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 112, Communicating Internal Control Related Matters Identified in an Audit. It is one of a number of new audit standards that have recently come out." ARTICLE BY ROBERT S. MILLER

*Key to succesful site selection? Geographic information software "You have made decisions about sites any times – you may even consider yourself an expert. But site selection is a deceptively simple process." ARTICLE BY PATRICK B. RILEY

*Braver Announces Merger With RI Firm “Braver announced that it will expand into the Providence, R.I., area thanks to a merger with Prescott Chatellier Fontaine & Wilkinson…”

*PCFW merging with Mass.-based Braver PC "Braver PC, ranked as the 9th-largest CPA firm in Mass, yesterday announced its merger with Providence-based Prescott Chatellier Fontaine & Wilkinson."

*Braver & Co. to expand to R.I. through merger “Accounting firm Braver said… it is expanding to Rhode Island through a merger with Prescott Chatellier Fontaine & Wilkinson…”

*Braver & Co. to expand to RI with merger “Accounting firm Braver said…it is expanding to Rhode Island through a merger with Prescott Chatellier Fontaine and Wilkinson LLP…”

*PHOTO: Buzz Aaron “Senior tax manager Buzz Aaron juggles 11th-hour returns yesterday at Braver PC in Newton…”

*Area’s Fastest Growing Companies

*Braver may acquire co’s as part of growth strategy “Braver, a private Mass-based business and financial advisor, is in discussions to buy two companies. The acquisitions will give the company presence in Rhode Island, Boston and other areas..."

*Married Couples Can File Taxes Jointly / Separately“Harvey ‘Buz’ Aaron, senior tax manager at Braver, answered readers' tax questions last week. Aaron has been doing individual taxes for about 25 years…” Q&A WITH HARVEY AARON

*The Fine Art of Cross-Selling“The best prospect is often receiving another service from your firm. But getting a financial planning engagement can be tougher than you think…” ARTICLE BY HOWARD WOLOSKY

*Appealing Property Assessments: Abatements“If you believe the assessor is using a value that does not reflect the fair market value of your property, you have the right to appeal the assessment and ask for an abatement…” ARTICLE BY HARVEY D. AARON

*Identifying Incognito Taxes: Paying Too Much?“Truth be told, a surprising number of taxpayers have an effective marginal tax rate that is different from any of the official tax brackets. They are paying “stealth taxes” -a higher tax rate than they originally qualified for…”ARTICLE BY DENNIS PELLECHIA

*Area’s Largest Accounting Firms Braver ranks #9 in the Greater Boston area.

*Braver’s New World“Managing shareholder takes regional accounting firm to new era of growth…PROFILE OF PATRICK RILEY

*Mass. firms once again adding CPAs to the ranks“[Braver]’s cozy feel and big book of business have resonated when recruiting seasoned CPAs…” QUOTE FROM PATRICK RILEY

*Don’t Risk Extra Taxes on your IRA “Why is tracking your tax basis important? If you do not establish your basis, you can essentially be taxed twice on your non-deductible contributions…” ARTICLE BY DEBORAH LEVENSON

*Money MakeoverAn engaged couple meets with fee-only financial planner Deborah H. Levenson of Braver Wealth Management. Levenson helps them to analyze their cash flow, calculate their joint net worth, and review their investment portfolios. ADVICE FROM DEBORAH LEVENSON

*Organizing your way to lower taxes “…The thought of filing your tax return is still fresh in your mind and the last thing you want is to plan for next year. However, now is the best time to perform a few simple tasks to help alleviate much of the stress and anxiety in this process…” ARTICLE BY HARVEY AARON

*Maximizing after your tax returns“Most people have a combination of taxable and tax deferred assets. It is generally appropriate to hold some % of your portfolio in stocks and some in bonds. The question then arises: should the bonds be held in tax deferred accounts or in taxable accounts?” ARTICLE BY DANIEL TRAUB AND CHARLIE TOOLE

*Medicare Part B premiums“One of the least publicized elements of the 2003 Medicare prescription drug legislation impacting high-income seniors will take effect January 2007.  To help you plan for medical expenses, here is an explanation of the changes on the horizon…” ARTICLE BY DEBORAH LEVENSON

*FIN46R: It’s Already Here; What Cos Should Do…“FIN 46 is now a reality. For private companies, the standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2004. It is undoubtedly one of the more complex accounting interpretations we have seen in recent times, and dramatically changes the way we approach the question of whether or not an entity needs to be consolidated…” ARTICLE BY ROBERT MILLER

*Braver Wins HR Award “Braver was recognized in September for their HR and staffing efforts in Inside Public Accounting’s article, ‘Human Resources All Star 2006;” and Practical Accountant’s article, ‘Winning the Staffing Battle.’”

*Pumpkin record? Boston wants to smash it “…Each pumpkin will be numbered… and the tally recorded in a logbook. Thirty-five accountants from Braver will watch the process… [who say] they are trying to remain impartial…”

*Braver PC acquires small firm “Boston-area firm Braver announces the acquisition of the practice of CPA Scott A. Kanter, formerly of Brown & Brown…”

*Boston’s Braver Buys Computer Tech Group “Boston-area firm Braver announces an investment in a majority interest of Mansfield, Mass.-based Andrews Computer Systems…”

*Clean up: Avoid ‘Dirty Dozen’ Mistakes“The one simple secret to successful investing is “Investor, know yourself.” By understanding how to react and where prior investments have gone wrong, you will adopt investment approaches to work for the long run…” ARTICLE BY JUDY LUDWIG

*Newton consulting firm Braver buys Andrews “Braver said this morning it bought Andrews Computer Systems, a Mansfield technology consulting practice…”

*Braver acquires small firm; plans new Boston office “Boston-area firm Braver announces the acquisition of the practice of Scott A. Kanter, formerly of Brown & Brown…”

*CPA firms must switch to corporate management“The world according to accountants has dramatically changed…with the collapses of Enron and Worldcom… CPA firms have more respect and responsibilities than ever, but many firms haven’t made the internal changes necessary to seize these opportunities…” ARTICLE BY PATRICK RILEY