Latest news with #CPA
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is private equity's pushback on the CPA credential a regulatory issue?
This story was originally published on To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily newsletter. Amid the growing influence of private equity across business — particularly in public accounting — a quiet but consequential trend is beginning to ripple through the profession. Licensed CPAs who don't work in audit or attest roles are being told to remove CPA from their email signatures, business cards and LinkedIn profiles. In some cases, the directive is not coming from private equity owners, but from state boards of accountancy. It's the regulators who are pressing firms to limit the use of the CPA title among licensed professionals in non-attest roles. State boards have expressed concern that CPAs in advisory or consulting positions may inadvertently mislead clients by signaling regulatory oversight where none applies. Regulators worry the public may assume anyone using the CPA title is providing services under the oversight and standards of a licensed audit practice, even when that's not the case. These interventions are often prompting firms, particularly those with private equity structures, to adopt dual-entity models that separate audit and non-audit functions, thus stripping CPA titles from certain professionals accordingly. Firm leaders often cite regulatory caution and legal risk as justification, concerned that clients may assume all services are being performed by professionals working under the CPA license. But the move is sparking backlash among some accounting leaders and raising broader questions about the long-term value of the CPA designation itself. Many CFOs already feel the CPA has been devalued, whether due to burdensome licensure requirements, changes to the exam structure or the limited appeal of public accounting careers for young talent. Now, the rise of private equity ownership and intensifying regulatory scrutiny is introducing a new layer of complexity for CPAs inside firms and for the finance leaders who rely on them. The practice of splitting CPA firms into the dual entity model — one that performs audit work and another that handles advisory or consulting services — is not new, especially among firms with private equity backing. This structure allows firms to navigate ownership rules that prohibit non-CPAs from owning audit practices. However, according to commentary shared on an Accounting Podcast episode from early last month, at least one state board of accountancy has begun pressuring firms to prevent licensed CPAs on the non-attest side from using the 'CPA' title publicly. Blake Oliver, co-host of the podcast, said a listener of the podcast who works at a private equity-backed firm confirmed the decision to restrict CPA usage came in response to this regulatory scrutiny. State boards, the listener told Oliver, are concerned the public could be misled if credentialed staff appear to be offering services under the CPA umbrella when they are technically working outside the regulated audit entity. Oliver also included a statement from AICPA CEO Mark Koziel, who defended the value of the credential and expressed concern over firms limiting its use. 'We support the use of CPA to everyone who has gone through the process of becoming licensed. As I've heard in my listening tour, the passion behind CPA is evident,' said Koziel. 'The CPA and what goes with it — integrity, accountability, objectivity, competence — is the value that we bring to the market, to our clients and to communities. It's what creates trust in firms of all business models, including alternative practice structures.' Oliver said the decision to have non-audit CPAs drop the title may be a countermove from firms against regulation. 'Private equity is calling [the regulators'] bluff,' he said on the episode. 'Private equity is saying, 'well fine, you give us a hassle, we're just not going to call ourselves CPAs period'.' The implications of this challenge have the potential to go beyond firm branding or regulatory semantics. In a recent op-ed in the Journal of Accountancy, AICPA public accounting CEO Susan Coffey warned that the move could undercut recruiting efforts and damage the pipeline. She delivered a message to private equity-backed accounting firms who are limiting the use of "CPA" saying it sends the wrong message to the next generation of accountants. 'This isn't just an issue for current CPAs,' wrote Coffey. 'There could be unintended consequences for our future talent.' Coffey cited a 2023 study by the Center for Audit Quality that found 82% of accounting majors view the CPA license as extremely or very valuable to their career goals. 'Why would a young professional work hard to acquire the CPA, only to have their employer tell them they can't use it?' she wrote. That disconnect between what firms expect of their staff and how they represent them risks weakening one of the profession's fundamentally vital recruitment and skill-building tools. Not only do many CFOs credit their time in public accounting to learning the intangibles of the job, but for many students and early-career accountants, the license is more than a regulatory hurdle. It can be a symbol of credibility, achievement and long-term opportunity. If firms appear to undervalue the credential, some, like Coffey, worry that fewer students will choose accounting in the first place. And while private equity backers may be focused on risk mitigation and compliance, the oversight leaders say the shift could inadvertently damage the profession's public standing. 'We work with market permission,' Coffey wrote. 'CPA licensure helped build that market permission. And that permission equates to tremendous value for us as individuals, for the businesses we work in and serve clients in and for the CPA profession.' This story is ongoing, and we will publish additional findings as we continue to reach out to CPA society leaders for their input. Recommended Reading How CPA licensure changes are affecting CFOs and accounting talent Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
Fox News
11 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
The Side Hustle Blueprint: The Expert's Guide on Turning Passion Into Profit
If you can transform your passion into a lucrative business, what's stopping you? Certified public accountant and attorney Mark Kohler joins Liz to discuss why turning that side hustle idea that's been brewing in the back of your mind into a reality is always worth it, even if it feels incredibly daunting. Kohler walks through how to realistically start up a small business, what risks to consider, and how it can be a real financial game changer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's Why Copa Holdings (CPA) is a Strong Value Stock
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. While you may have an investing style you rely on, finding great stocks is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores. These are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and/or momentum characteristics. Different than growth or momentum investors, value-focused investors are all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under what their true value is before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks. Copa Holdings is based in Panama City, Panama. The company, through its main subsidiaries — Copa Airlines and Copa Colombia — offers airline passenger and cargo services. Copa Airlines was founded in 1947. Copa Columbia was purchased in 2005. CPA is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock, with a Value Style Score of A and VGM Score of A. Shares are currently trading at a forward P/E of 6.6X for the current fiscal year compared to the Transportation - Airline industry's P/E of 9.3X. Additionally, CPA has a PEG Ratio of 0.8 and a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 4.8X. Value investors should also note CPA's Price/Sales ratio of 1.3X. Value investors don't just pay attention to a company's valuation ratios; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $1.04 to $16.64 per share. CPA has an average earnings surprise of 5.5%. Investors should take the time to consider CPA for their portfolios due to its solid Zacks Ranks, notable earnings and valuation metrics, and impressive Value and VGM Style Scores. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Copa Holdings, S.A. (CPA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Community Preservation Committee to hold informational meeting
SOUTHWICK — It often happens at Town Meeting and is often seen on various social media platforms that focus on town issues. Residents want to know: 'Why do we need a splash pad when we can't fix our roads?' For Community Preservation Committee Coordinator Sabrina Pooler the answer is simple. 'The funding for the splash pad comes from revenues generated by the town's participation in the state's Community Preservation Act. The projects are not directly funded by taxpayers,' she said. She did, however, recognize that it can be confusing. 'It's a surcharge that you'll see on your tax bill,' she said. In 2002, Town Meeting voted to participate in the program that had only been signed into law two years before, and it was one of the first. This is how the CPA program's surcharge works. For a property valued at $300,000, $100,000 is exempted. Multiply $200,000 by the current tax rate of $15.57 per every $1,000, and a property owner's tax annual tax bill would be $3,114. That $3,114 is multiplied by the 3% surcharge, which adds $92.82 annually, or $7.73 monthly to the tax bill. But that is only what local taxpayers contribute to the Community Preservation Act fund. The state matches the surplus funds generated by deed recording fees at various percentages. 'After residents adopted the surcharge, there were only a few towns and cities that were taking advantage of the program,' Pooler said. 'For a few years the state was matching 100% of the surcharges collected,' she said, adding that up until a few years ago the town was still getting an 80% match. As the program has been adopted by more municipalities that in turn lowered the state match, she said. Pooler said the state's match this year for the town was at nearly 39%, which amounted to $192,843 based on $487,819 collected in local surcharge fees. When the town adopted the surcharge, it also set it at the maximum allowed: 3%. That allows the town to qualify for three separate payments during the fiscal year. As an example of the difference, in Agawam, it had surcharge collections of $629,673, a quarter more than Southwick's, but the state only matched 18% of collections for a total of $113,000. That's because Agawam's surcharge is 1% of a resident's tax bill. While Town Meeting-approved projects have drained some of the CPA accounts, there is still $2.3 million in its general unrestricted fund, $76.000 in its Open Space account, $724,800 in its Affordable Housing account, and $307,200 in its Historic Preservation account. Projects must fit the criteria for protecting open space, the rehabilitation or new construction of affordable housing, and historic preservation. With those funds available, Pooler said the Community Preservation Committee is inviting residents to an informational meeting to have the program explained in greater detail. It will be held on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m., at Town Hall. 'We really want to educate our residents about this program. And most of the time no one attends this once-a-year this meeting,' she said. She's also hoping that there might be some nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in town that would like to pursue a project that is accessible to all town residents. As an example, she said an organization like the Rotary Club of Southwick might want to build an amphitheater for its summer concert series. To do that, it would need to come up with estimates for every detail of the project from the cost of the property to buying an acoustic shell or bandshell. 'Technically, they're supposed to shovel ready,' Pooler said. But the only way to know if an organization like the Rotary Club or a PTO can propose a project is to submit an application with the details, or if possible, attending the meeting on June 18. Because it might take as long as a year for a project to be approved by the CPC and then Town Meeting. 'We had a Boy Scout come in a want to apply, but he needed the funds nearly right away. It just doesn't work that way,' she said. Since the program started in 2002, $18 million has been allocated for 43 projects, from preserving town documents to repairing the slate roof at the police station. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FINANCIAL ADVISORY & RESTRUCTURING EXPERT ANDREW COWIE JOINS PALADIN MANAGEMENT AS MANAGING DIRECTOR
Cowie draws on 25+ years of experience in complex financial matters to help organizations unlock value and navigate critical transitions NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Paladin Management, a middle-market advisory firm driving value creation through financial, strategic and operational consulting services, is pleased to announce that Andrew Cowie has joined the firm as Managing Director. Based in New York, Cowie will serve Paladin clients globally. "Andrew brings deep expertise to his role at Paladin, providing senior-level advice, innovative solutions, and tailored strategies to clients navigating complex situations," said Scott Avila, Founder of Paladin. "He also excels at building consensus, aligning stakeholders, and crafting strategic plans that drive value - qualities our clients rely on when facing turnarounds, bankruptcy, and complicated stakeholder dynamics." Andrew is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience providing in and out-of-court financial restructuring advisory and crisis management services to clients. He has worked across a broad range of industries including entertainment and media, retail and consumer, and infrastructure and energy in providing value added leadership to address complex business challenges. "The firm's reputation for making smart moves under pressure and staying focused on maximizing outcomes is what drew me to join Scott and the Paladin team," said Andrew Cowie. "Paladin's collaborative, hands-on approach aligns perfectly with my belief in closely partnering with stakeholders, to deliver practical solutions with sustainable results." Prior to joining Paladin, Cowie held senior positions at Berkeley Research Group (BRG), Capstone Advisory Group, and FTI Consulting, advising clients in a range of distressed situations. Cowie holds a B.A. in Economics from Western University and an MBA from York University, Schulich School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor (CIRA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). About Paladin Management Founded in 2019, Paladin Management provides a range of middle-market services across restructuring, transaction advisory, performance improvement, strategic communications and strategic advisory. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. For more information on Paladin, visit Media ContactTisha Kreslerpress@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Paladin Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
