Chair's corner.

• Author: Almonte, Ernest A.

I'm particularly proud to be part of an organization that takes a leadership position on important issues affecting the public and the profession. As trusted financial experts, that's what we should be doing and what others expect us to do.

Now I want to tell you a little of what we're focusing on these days. For our members, one key initiative is the AICPA Economic Crisis Resource Center. Keeping up with all the complicated developments during difficult economic times is tough. The Center includes:

* Videos, articles and guides that you can use to manage your businesses and clients in the current climate.

* A podcast series called "CPA Straight Talk" to help you navigate the economic challenges confronting us.

* Blogs so you can share information and get ideas or help colleagues.

* The new CPA Job Finder resource to help those of you looking for a new position or looking for CPA talent.

We'll be updating the site frequently so you can get timely tools and solutions to help your employers and clients.

The Center is not our only timely member resource, of course. In response to the Bernard Madoff case, we hosted a special Webinar on the scam, legal elements of Ponzi schemes generally and challenges for forensic accountants in unraveling these schemes. Another Webinar focused on dealing with the tax implications for Ponzi scheme victims. The Personal Financial Planninq Community also has a dedicated Web page on the financial crisis, and the Forensic & Valuation Services Community held a Webcast on valuing businesses in a distressed economy. The PCPS Economic Podcast Series offers CPAs real-world reports on what practitioners and their clients are experiencing. To update you on technical considerations, we published an Audit Risk Alert, Current Economic Crisis--Accounting and Auditing Considerations. And for the public, our 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy--campaign features weekly tips and a monthly newsletter to help people better manage their money.

We also have numerous activities and resources to address issues of the day. Most recently, we released a press statement on the FASB's vote to issue new guidance on fair value and our Accounting Standards Executive Committee had sent a comment letter to the...