February 2008

News and feature articles from the February 2008 edition of INTHEBLACK.

Feature articles

Always switched on

Unified communications products are finding a place in businesses that need to maintain an 'always on' communications presence.

Shiny happy people

In a worldwide skills shortage it's important to keep your staff happy.

Alternative worlds

Plenty of SMEs are seeing the upside of alternative listing in international markets.

A bounty awaits

The rapid growth of Asia's middle class offers enormous potential for financial planning in the region.

Boom towns rock

The mutually beneficial relationship between world economic powerhouse China and resource-rich Australia still has a long way to go.

Always switched on

Unified communications products are finding a place in businesses that need to maintain an 'always on' communications presence.

Shiny happy people

In a worldwide skills shortage it's important to keep your staff happy.

Alternative worlds

Plenty of SMEs are seeing the upside of alternative listing in international markets.

A bounty awaits

The rapid growth of Asia's middle class offers enormous potential for financial planning in the region.

Boom towns rock

The mutually beneficial relationship between world economic powerhouse China and resource-rich Australia still has a long way to go.

Dossier

Dossier: February 2008

In the dossier this month ... Will we see the end of murky financial instruments after the sub-prime lending crisis?

Asia Islamic accounting February 2008

Islamic accounting: Many differences exist between conventional and Islamic accounting systems. So is it possible for the two to be reconciled? Professor Bala Shanmugam and lokesh gupta explore the issue.

Audit debate February 2008

The fallout of reforms to the audit profession brought about by CLERP 9 have been considerable. But opinion differs as to their overall effectiveness.

Taxing times February 2008

Robert Richards tackles the ATO about two footballers' cases; wonders why engineers can't claim their tools; and looks at the case of a casino and its lessor.

Turning up the heat on tax havens

Tax: The Tax Office is using increasingly sophisticated tools to track tax evaders, says Jennie Granger.

A blueprint for the future

SME succession planning: Well-conceived and executed succession planning provides owners with a means of controlling their own future as well as that of the business, write James Beck and Andrew Rodgers.

Learn to love your super

Superannuation: CPA Australia is reaching out to the general public to become more engaged with their super, write Michael Davison and Rell Hannah.

Ethical dilemma February 2008

Companies that seek out tax havens violate principles of social and civic responsibility, writes Tiina-Liisa Sexton.

A return to safer lending practices

Treasury: Peter Pontikis FCPA investigates how central banks responded to the sub-prime crisis that erupted in the USA last year

Dossier: February 2008

In the dossier this month ... Will we see the end of murky financial instruments after the sub-prime lending crisis?

Asia Islamic accounting February 2008

Audit debate February 2008

The fallout of reforms to the audit profession brought about by CLERP 9 have been considerable. But opinion differs as to their overall effectiveness.

Taxing times February 2008

Robert Richards tackles the ATO about two footballers' cases; wonders why engineers can't claim their tools; and looks at the case of a casino and its lessor.

Turning up the heat on tax havens

Tax: The Tax Office is using increasingly sophisticated tools to track tax evaders, says Jennie Granger.

A blueprint for the future

Learn to love your super

Superannuation: CPA Australia is reaching out to the general public to become more engaged with their super, write Michael Davison and Rell Hannah.

Ethical dilemma February 2008

Companies that seek out tax havens violate principles of social and civic responsibility, writes Tiina-Liisa Sexton.

A return to safer lending practices

Treasury: Peter Pontikis FCPA investigates how central banks responded to the sub-prime crisis that erupted in the USA last year

Regulars

Bookshelf February 2008

Derek Parker encounters new ideas about management, including employee participation.

Downtime February 2008

A love of flying helps Andrew Hoholt CPA combine business and pleasure.

Inspector gadget February 2008

It's a sizeable investment, but think of it like this, the OQO e2 UltraMobile PC could put the future of computing in the palm of your hand.

Asia news in brief February 2008

The Asia divisional AGMs are being held in March, and members are welcome.

Asia upfront February 2008

CPA Australia has now aligned itself with Hong Kong's most successful and authoritative business awards.

Upfront February 2008

Life after an overseas assignment can be a sobering experience for some returning expatriates, according to an international survey of those who have returned home from company initiated international assignments.

Webwatch February 2008

Richard Bajraszewski from the CPA library investigates web collaboration.

Excel yourself: February 2008

Neale Blackwood shows how to connect notes with charts.

Economic outlook: India

Peter Pontikis FCPA says ignore India at your peril.

The job: managing director

Robert Khaw CPA oversees all aspects of Isthmus, KL restaurant.

Advocacy update: February 2008

CPA Australia CEO Geoff Rankin FCPA reports on activities carried out on behalf of members.

In the headlines - February 2008

A selection of CPA Australia's media mentions.

Interview - February 2008

At 69, when many CPAs are relishing retirement, Loh Hoon Sun FCPA is still in the thick of business life as managing director of Singapore-based Phillip Securities.

In the trenches - February 2008

The growing Chinese consumer goods market may give us the greatest lessons about understanding the customer.

Feedback - February 2008

Letter of the month.

President's desk - February 2008

I am excited about this new year 2008 according to the Gregorian (Western) calendar; 4706 according to the Chinese calendar (and Year of the Rat as of 7 February); and the 123rd year in CPA Australia's history.