Risk Management

Considering the various types of information CPA firms encounter every day, file storage and retention can become a big challenge. Improper file storage can lead to liability claims and lawsuits. Today, voicemails, emails, instant messages, fax documents, images, and electronic documents are considered reports that must appropriately be stored.  Because we’re in the digital age, […]

CPAs often find themselves woven into the complex financial affairs of their clients. And when their client’s finances dive for the worse, they usually look to their CPA to help them turn things around.  You can’t avoid every potential lawsuit, but you can take measures to minimize your risks of one. Here’s a look at […]

As a Certified Public Accountant, you are not immune to legal risks. You can find yourself in risky territory more than you would like. Unfortunately, ethical and legal dilemmas present themselves more than you’d imagine. It is something you have to deal with, so having a robust risk management strategy in place is a must. […]

The COVID-19 pandemic is something nobody living today has ever experienced. It’s attacked our health and done extensive damage to our economy and way of life. If that weren’t enough, cybercriminals have added insult to injury by attacking under the COVID-19 guise. Working remotely from home has become the “new normal,” and the trend will […]

Cybersecurity should be a top concern for accounting firms. There are countless cybersecurity tools and best practices to help mitigate the effects of a data breach and the impact they may have on accounting firms. Accountants, in particular, must prioritize cybersecurity as an on-going process as opposed to a one-time item that, once completed, does […]

Cybercrime should be at the top of the list of threats to any business, regardless of size. Accounts, who are responsible for the security of their own data as well as the financial data of their clients, need to recognize cybersecurity as a daily action item. Because accountants are responsible for sensitive client information, they […]

Fiduciary Insurance is designed to protect Plan Sponsors against allegations of breach of their fiduciary duty. Fiduciary Insurance is “first party” insurance, which means it is purchased by the named fiduciary, or Plan Sponsor, of a company ERISA plan. Investment Advisors, Third Party Administrators, and other financial professionals are “third parties” to the ERISA plan, and […]

Professional Liability Attorney, George Rockas, takes time to identify the most frequent causes of malpractice claims and some practical advise on how to avoid them. Every malpractice claim is different, but if you take the time to follow these best-practices, your likelihood of a claim will certainly decrease. Poor Relationship with Client Work to make […]

With change comes the potential for professional liability risk, and CPA firm succession is no different. While the claims databases of professional liability insurance carriers are not teeming with these types of claims, there will be an increase in claims as a result of the succession issues — as well as the explosion of merger […]

By: John F. Raspante, CPA Professional liability claims faced by CPAs will never be eradicated, but they can be reduced if solid risk management and constant adherence to professional standards are followed. Follow these techniques to help lessen exposure in the increasingly litigious environment in which CPAs practice. Client Screening, Selection and Retention Client screening, […]