AICPA 

Press Release
AICPA Survey: Business Executives’ Optimism on U.S. Economy Rises but Coronavirus Concerns Grow
Optimism about the U.S. economy rebounded this quarter, but concern about the impact of coronavirus provides a cautionary note, the latest AICPA Economic Outlook Survey found.
March 5, 2020

Press Release
Emotional Stress of Elder Fraud Outweighs Financial Impact: AICPA Survey
AICPA survey of CPA financial planners examines elder planning issues: financial fraud, elder abuse, diminished capacity.
March 4, 2020

Press Release
Flexible Work Arrangements Can Help CPA Firms Recruit and Retain Female Employees, AICPA Survey Finds
Flexible schedules and telecommuting are two examples of flexible work arrangements that CPA firms say help retain and recruit female employees.
March 4, 2020

CBO

Report
Monthly Budget Review for February 2020
March 6, 2020
The federal budget deficit was $625 billion for the first five months of fiscal year 2020, CBO estimates, $80 billion more than the deficit recorded during the same period last year.

Report
Enhancing the Security of the North American Electric Grid
March 5, 2020
This report discusses a range of threats that could cause widespread, long-lasting disruptions for the electric grid. CBO examines two illustrative approaches to enhance the security of the electric grid and highlights some considerations for policymakers to take into account.

Cost Estimate
H.R. 1380, Big Cat Public Safety Act
March 5, 2020
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on September 18, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 3977, Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act
March 5, 2020
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on December 5, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 2214, National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act
March 4, 2020
As ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on February 12, 2020

Cost Estimate
H.R. 3794, Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019
March 4, 2020
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on November 20, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020
March 4, 2020
As posted on the website of the House Committee on Appropriations on March 4, 2020

Cost Estimate
S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019
March 4, 2020
As reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on November 5, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 3490, Small Business Lending Fairness Act
March 3, 2020
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on November 14, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 5003, Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act
March 3, 2020
As passed by the House of Representatives on March 2, 2020

Cost Estimate
S. 2035, TSA Credential and Endorsement Harmonization Act of 2019
March 3, 2020
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on February 12, 2020

Cost Estimate
S. 2594, Veterans’ Preference Parity Act
March 3, 2020
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on January 29, 2020

Cost Estimate
S. 850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act
March 3, 2020
As reported by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on February 5, 2020

Cost Estimate
An Amendment to S. 2657, American Energy Innovation Act of 2020
March 2, 2020
As posted on the website of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on February 27, 2020

Cost Estimate
H.R. 1140, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020
March 2, 2020
As reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on February 21, 2020

Cost Estimate
S. 2657, AGILE Act of 2019
March 2, 2020
As reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on December 17, 2019

FASB

FASB Announces Leases Roundtable for April 9, 2020  [03/05/20]
Media Advisory

GAO

Bureau of Land Management:
Agency's Reorganization Efforts Did Not Substantially Address Key Practices for Effective Reforms
GAO-20-397R: Published: Mar 6, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 6, 2020.

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers:
Improved Oversight and Evaluation Needed for DOD's Data Access Pilot Program
GAO-20-272: Published: Mar 6, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 6, 2020.

Business Systems Modernization:
DOD Has Made Progress in Addressing Recommendations to Improve IT Management, but More Action Is Needed
GAO-20-253: Published: Mar 5, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 5, 2020.

Data Center Optimization:
Agencies Report Progress, but Oversight and Cybersecurity Risks Need to Be Addressed
GAO-20-279: Published: Mar 5, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 5, 2020.

Defense Logistics Agreements:
DOD Should Improve Oversight and Seek Payment from Foreign Partners for Thousands of Orders It Identifies as Overdue
GAO-20-309: Published: Mar 4, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 4, 2020.

Telecommunications:
Fully Implementing Established Transition Planning Practices Would Help Agencies Reduce Risk of Costly Delays
GAO-20-458T: Published: Mar 4, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 4, 2020.

U.S. Assistance to Central America:
Status of Funding
GAO-20-163R: Published: Mar 4, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 4, 2020.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
Fee-Setting, Billing, and Budgeting Processes Have Improved, but Additional Actions Could Enhance Efforts
GAO-20-362: Published: Feb 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 4, 2020.

Airline Consumer Protections:
Information on the Passenger Experience
GAO-20-475T: Published: Mar 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 3, 2020.

Military Housing:
Preliminary Recommendations to Strengthen DOD's Oversight and Monitoring of Privatized Housing
GAO-20-471T: Published: Mar 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 3, 2020.

Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA's Modernization Efforts Would Benefit from a Portfolio Management Approach
GAO-20-443T: Published: Mar 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 3, 2020.

Science & Tech Spotlight:
Coronaviruses
GAO-20-472SP: Published: Mar 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 3, 2020.

VA Health Care:
VA Faces Challenges in Meeting Demand for Long-Term Care
GAO-20-463T: Published: Mar 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 3, 2020.

Environmental Protection:
Additional Action Needed to Improve EPA Data on Informal Enforcement and Compliance Assistance Activities
GAO-20-95: Published: Jan. 31, 2020 Publicly Released: Mar. 2, 2020

Identity Theft:
IRS Needs to Better Assess the Risks of Refund Fraud on Business-Related Returns
GAO-20-174: Published: Jan. 30, 2020 Publicly Released: Mar. 2, 2020

Payment Integrity:
Federal Agencies' Estimates of FY 2019 Improper Payments
GAO-20-344: Published: Mar. 2, 2020 Publicly Released: Mar. 2, 2020

GASB

GASB Requests Proposals for Crain Research Grants  [03/06/20]
Gilbert W. Crain Memorial Research Grant

IASB

09 March 2020
IFRS^® Interpretation Committee members—Preparer focus

06 March 2020
March IASB meeting papers and agenda available

05 March 2020
Coronavirus—IFRS Foundation meetings updates

05 March 2020
Forthcoming webinar in Spanish on the Exposure Draft General Presentation and Disclosures

03 March 2020
February 2020 IASB podcast available now

03 March 2020
Forthcoming webinar in Korean on the Exposure Draft General Presentation and Disclosures

03 March 2020
February monthly news summary

IRS 

IRS extends April 15 and other upcoming deadlines, provides other tax relief for victims of Tennessee tornadoes
IR-2020-51, March 6, 2020 — Victims of this week’s tornadoes and severe storms in parts of Tennessee, including Nashville, will have until July 15, 2020, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the IRS announced today.

Two updated IRA publications, other online resources can help anyone planning for retirement
IR-2020-50, March 6, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service has updated two comprehensive publications designed to help anyone making IRA contributions or receiving IRA distributions for tax year 2019 or considering making retirement donations before April 15, 2020.

IRS Criminal Investigation veteran selected as new Fraud Enforcement Director
IR-2020-49, March 5, 2020 — As part of a continuing focus on compliance issues, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that Damon Rowe will serve as the agency’s director of the newly created Fraud Enforcement Office beginning in mid-March.

Tax Time Guide: Payment options available for those who owe
IR-2020-48, March 5, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that if they need to make a tax payment or owe and can’t pay, the IRS offers several options.

Tax Time Guide: Check out these free tax return preparation options
IR-2020-47, March 3, 2020 — The IRS reminds taxpayers that free tax help is available in-person at nearly 11,000 volunteer sites nationwide and online through IRS Free File.

NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance

Where’s Your Refund? Find Out Online Anytime
March 04, 2020​

SEC

SEC Proposes Rule Changes to Harmonize, Simplify and Improve the Exempt Offering Framework
2020-55, March 4, 2020 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it has voted to propose a set of amendments that would harmonize, simplify, and improve the exempt offering framework to promote capital formation and expand investment opportunities while preserving and enhancing important investor protections.

SEC Provides Conditional Regulatory Relief and Assistance for Companies Affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
2020-53, March 4, 2020 — Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it is providing conditional regulatory relief for certain publicly traded company filing obligations under the federal securities laws. The impacts of the coronavirus may present challenges for certain companies that are required to provide information to trading markets, shareholders, and the SEC. These companies may include U.S. companies located in the affected areas, as well as companies with operations in those regions.

SEC Amends Rules to Improve Disclosure and Encourage Issuers to Conduct Debt Offerings on a Registered Basis
2020-52, March 2, 2020 — The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to the financial disclosure requirements applicable to registered debt offerings that include credit enhancements, such as subsidiary guarantees. These changes are intended to both improve the quality of disclosure and increase the likelihood that issuers will conduct debt offerings on a registered basis.

SEC Amends Exemptions from Investment Adviser Registration for Advisers to Rural Business Investment Companies
2020-51, March 2, 2020 — The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to two rules in order to implement congressionally mandated exemptions from registration for investment advisers who advise rural business investment companies (RBICs).  These exemptions were enacted as part of the RBIC Advisers Relief Act of 2018, which amended the Investment Advisers Act.

SEC Requests Comment on Fund Names Rule; Seeks to Eliminate Misleading Fund Names
2020-50., March 2, 2020 — The Securities and Exchange Commission requests public comment on its current requirements that restrict the use of potentially misleading fund names. Fund names are often the first piece of information investors see and they can have a significant impact on an investment decision. The request seeks feedback on whether the current requirements are effective and whether there are viable alternatives that the Commission should consider. The request is the latest in the Commission's ongoing efforts to review and improve our existing rules to better inform and protect investors.