AICPA launches new member benefit: "CPA Letter Daily" e-newsletter starts this month.

• Position: News update

Since 1973, The CPA Letter has been keeping members informed of important news and developments at the AICPA and in the profession. Readership surveys begun in 1991 have showed members' information needs evolving along with the ever-changing business landscape.

Most recently, a May-June survey of CPA Letter readers revealed 80% of members support the newsletter becoming digitally based so they can utilize Web-oriented functionalities, such as links to relevant Web sites to get more in-depth coverage or to access additional resources, receive breaking tax news and have updates to the monthly articles [see readership research on page 3]. Combined with other recent AICPA research among members regarding the delivery of news, the solution was apparent: a daily e-newsletter aggregating general business and financial news, along with professional and AICPA information. This decision underscores the AICPA's commitment to enhancing information distribution to members in a way that is both IT-smart and environmentally friendly.

Daily News Source for CPAs

On Sept. 15, the AICPA is launching its first-ever daily publication, CPA Letter Daily, which will be available only on an opt-in basis. (E-mail addresses and personal information can only be used by the AICPA and readers can opt-out at any time.)

After a one-week trial period, the free e-newsletter will be distributed daily to those members who elect to receive it. Each day will bring:

* Links to important breaking stories, culled from hundreds of top news sources.

* Summaries of relevant research and articles.

* Wireless functionality for mobile readers.

* The latest information from the AICPA for its diverse membership.

All of its news stories provide links to the original source material, often multiple sources. Videos, analysis and interactive components also will be featured. Links to AICPA and accounting-related Web sites will be included in each issue as well.

Starting Sept. 15, all members with e-mail addresses on file with the AICPA will receive CPA Letter Daily each weekday for one week. During that time, members are encouraged to explore the newsletter's contents to determine if they wish to continue receiving it. Members may opt-in through any issue of CPA Letter Daily they receive or the widget on the www.aicpa.org home-page. A Web-based interactive tool, the widget will house the day's news items for CPA Letter Daily, enable members after launch week to opt-in to receive the...