It's 'see you in September' time again.

• Position: FROM THE EDITOR - Editorial

September in the New Jersey/New York area seems to have an excitement in the air and something to look forward to--that is, if you don't have fall allergies. The cool, crisp autumn days, the leaves starting to change their colors and school terms beginning all feel like the start of something new. There is much excitement in Washington and around the nation, too, as the election season heats up, and it's a time to buckle down and focus on our jobs and businesses.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

We are hopeful this issue of Financial Executive will help readers move ahead. Though the nation's economic doldrums are evident still, as Bob Namar, freelance writer of the cover story, notes: "There are bright spots--glimmers of success illuminated by certain industries." In "Industry Update: What's Hot, What's Not," he highlights some of those successes and also offers a jobs report.

The accounting review feature discusses the status of the convergence initiatives and in particular the three major convergence projects the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board have been working on for the past 10 years. Another article is on creating captive insurance companies and the need to be aware of the increased and more sophisticated regulation and scrutiny on these alternative risk management strategies for middle-market businesses. And, the Financial Reporting column features a report on "The Eurozone Crisis and U.S. Financial Reporting."

Good News for CPE credits: Recall the rules have changed for earning continuing professional education (CPE) credits, as has the method to qualify. We told you in June we'd be back with a new program that meets the new guidelines, and I'm pleased to announce that the program starts with this issue. The CPE credit article...