Auditing Section Home Page January 15, 1999 - Executive Committee Meeting
January 17, 1999 – Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee
Auditing Section
American Accounting Association
August 15, 1999
San Diego, California
Present: Mark Beasley, Jean C. Bedard, Tim
Bell, Stan Biggs, Barry Cushing, Jack Krogstad,
Karen Pincus, Joe Carcello, Jack Robertson,
Jerry Sullivan.
Guests: Peter Gillett (Chair, Auditing
Standards Committee), Arnie Wright (Editor,
AJPT), Gary Braun (Editor, The
Auditor’s Report), Mark Taylor (Associate
Editor, The Auditor’s Report), Faye
Borthick (Chair, Communications Committee), Bill
Dilla (Chair, CPE Committee), Bev Harrelson (AAA)
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Tim Bell, President. Tim welcomed Stan Biggs, the incoming Vice President-Academic, Mark Beasley, the incoming Treasurer, and Jack Robertson, the incoming Historian.
Maintenance of Operating Manual
and By-laws
Jack Krogstad proposed editorial changes
to the by-laws. The Committee discussed procedures
for maintaining the by-laws and operating manual.
Action
Bell, Pincus, Robertson
Tim will have his office prepare a new
electronic version of both documents, incorporating
the editorial changes suggested by Jack Krogstad.
Karen and Jack Robertson will work to define the
role of the historian in the electronic environment.
Outstanding Educator Award
Tim Bell circulated the Outstanding
Auditing Educator Award Committee’s recommendations
to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee
selected Nick Dopuch to receive the award at the
Year 2000 Midyear Meeting of the Auditing Section.
Outstanding Dissertation Award
Karen Pincus reported that the Nominations
Committee has selected Jay Rich of the University
of Connecticut as this year’s winner. Ira Solomon
of the University of Illinois is his dissertation
chair.
Action
Pincus
The Committee discussed the issue of
candidates for the award who have dissertations
producing multiple papers. It was agreed that
the policy should be clarified to ensure that
only one paper is received from each individual. In
order to accomplish this clarification, the
word "single" is to be inserted
between "a" and "paper" in
future calls for nominations.
Proposal for Section sponsorship
of the
International Symposium on Audit Research
The Committee discussed the application
for Section sponsorship of the 2000 International
Symposium on Audit Research. Factors noted in
favor of the application were: (1) there will be
no cost to Section, (2) the Symposium organizers
have extensive research records and editorial
experience; and (3) past USC/ISAR conferences
have a history of presenting high quality
papers. Some concern was voiced among Executive
Committee members about the editorial process
contained in the proposal, particularly that the
selection of all referees was not under the
control of the Editor of AJPT. Further, the
proposal notes that publication of discussant
comments in the AJPT Conference Supplement is
not planned, which is a departure from the usual
practice for Section-sponsored conferences.
Joe Carcello moved, and Jean Bedard
seconded, that the Committee approve sponsorship
of the 2000 ISAR subject to the current
Editor of the journal having final authority
over selection of referees, and also subject to
the execution of a satisfactory letter of agreement
with the host institution. Noting that the
elimination of published discussant comments
from the supplemental issue is a change from
prior co-sponsorship agreements, we request that
the Editor report back to the XC at the Midyear
2001 meeting with regard to the advisability of
continuing this approach. The motion carried by a
vote of six in favor, zero against.
Auditing Standards Committee
Jerry Sullivan noted that at the Midyear 1999
meeting of the Executive Committee, we had
discussed the disconnect between academia and
practice. In the interim, he brought this matter
to individuals at the Auditing Standards Board,
the Independence Standards Board, the SEC Practice
Section, and the Professional Ethics Division. Based
on this input, his staff has put together a listing
of all projects currently under consideration by
these entities, which could benefit from academic
comment. A 17-page report outlining these projects
was distributed to the Committee. Jerry reported
that the standards setters were very interested in
the availability of the compilation, and also in
the possibility of greater involvement by individuals
with research expertise. The Committee thanked Jerry
for his effort in initiating this report, and noted
the great potential for research/practice interaction
that it contains. Means of dissemination of the report
were discussed, and it was decided to maintain the
latest version of the report on the AICPA’s web site,
to provide a link to the report from the Auditing
Section’s web site, and to regularly notify members
of its presence and content. (See action item
following report of the ASC Chair.)
Report of Peter Gillett (Chair, Auditing
Standards Committee)
Peter presented the ASC’s report,
which was not delivered at the 1999 Midyear
Meeting due to travel difficulties. The ASC
proposes to develop academic responses to a
selected number of proposed auditing standards,
and to publish these responses in an appropriate
outlet, such as AJPT or Accounting
Horizons. The Executive Committee discussed
the ASC proposal, and decided that the most
appropriate outlet for comments on proposed
auditing standards written by the ASC is the
newsletter, not a journal. Further, the report
on auditing standards in process prepared by
Jerry Sullivan provides a new means for the ASC
to facilitate researcher/practice alliances on
topics of mutual interest. The following plan was
devised:
Action
Bell, Sullivan, Gillett
Tim Bell will call Peter Gillett and
request that Jerry Sullivan attend their meeting
on August 16. At that time, Jerry will provide the
ASC with the standards report and seek their input
on how best to utilize it to increase the input of
researchers to the standard-setting process. The
Executive Committee requests that the ASC revise
its charge in light of the report, and present a
new proposal as to how to move forward with this
information.
Action
Adair, Sullivan
The Webmaster, Lyn Adair, will be responsible
for establishing a link to the report on the
AICPA’s web site. Jerry Sullivan will update
the report on the AICPA site quarterly.
Action
Sullivan, Braun
In order to notify members about this important
resource, a short article should be prepared for
the Fall newsletter. This article should introduce
members to the report and tell them how to proceed
if they want to provide input to any particular
standard.
Report of Faye Borthick (Chair,
Communications Committee)
Faye reported that the Communications Committee
had sent a sample of AJPT articles to a commercial
entity that turned them into PDF and HTML files.
She reported that people prefer HTML because it is
more usable (e.g., the files are searchable). She
noted that we would probably want both for publication
of journal articles. The Communication Committee’s
recommendation is to proceed as quickly as we can
to make AJPT available electronically. The cost to
convert the sample of articles was $200 (less than
one journal issue), but this may not represent the
ongoing price. AAA may be in the conversion business
as well, and if so, it is a good path to work with
AAA rather than outsourcing. Tim Bell thanked Faye
for her good service as Chair.
Gary Braun (Editor, The
Auditor’s Report)
Gary provided an update of his research on
the issue of advertising in the newsletter. The
AAA has no objection, and they have a process in
place to give information to potential advertisers.
Craig has been asked to include us in solicitations,
but Gary has not had any contact regarding potential
advertisers.
Action
Bell
Tim will issue a formal solicitation to
AAA for inclusion of The Auditor’s Report in
advertising solicitations, also discuss revenue
sharing arrangements and the possibility of an
internet model.
Arnie Wright (Editor, AJPT)
Arnie reported on his first few weeks as Editor.
He is dealing with 20 Waterloo submissions,
eight new submissions, and seven revise and
resubmits. He has purchased new editorial
software to be Y2K compliant. As much as possible,
all reviewing is being handled electronically, and
this is working well. New initiatives include
appointment of Associate Editors (Jane Mutchler and
Ken Trotman), and inclusion of a practice summary
along with any article published. Arnie has
contacted the Editor of the Journal of
Accountancy, who is interested but wants to view
some examples before making a commitment. Jack
Krogstad suggested that Internal Auditor
may also be interested. Arnie brought to the
Committee’s attention the differential submission
fee for international members ($100 versus
$50 domestic), and noted that given electronic
submission, it is difficult to justify a
differential charge. Other section journals charge
$75 for all submissions, which is justified given
the increased costs of producing the journal.
Karen Pincus moved and Barry Cushing
seconded that we charge $75 to all members for
submission fees to AJPT, effective January 1,
2000. 6 in favor, none against.
Arnie also reported transition procedures from
Bill Felix’s editorship. In order to avoid rushing
the process for articles still outstanding at the
transition, Bill passed these articles on to Arnie
for final decision. In the transition issue, the
Editor accepting each article will be noted.
Arnie also brought to the Executive Committee
issues relating to articles in AJPT appearing
in computerized databases.
Action
Pincus, Beasley
Karen and Mark agreed to follow up with AAA to
gain an understanding of the organization’s
agreement with ProQuest.
Action
Wright
The Executive Committee requests that Arnie
contact the Editor of Internal Auditor
regarding the possibility of publishing practice
summaries of AJPT articles in that journal. Also,
Arnie should consider publishing reviewing
histories of each article (i.e., dates of each
submission and acceptance dates).
Bill Dilla (Chair, CPE Committee)
Bill reported that 50 participants attended the
CPE session sponsored by KPMG at the 1999 Midyear
meeting, and many were turned away. At this Annual
meeting, two courses are being delivered: asynchronous
learning on internet (16 registrants) and synchronous
learning (9 registrants). In terms of ongoing
problems, he reports continued difficulties in
coordination with regional meetings. However,
coordination with AAA is improving with the
emergence of a faculty development committee that
will coordinate with the sections. Bill is a member
of that committee and Jane Mutchler is Chair.
Regarding priorities, Bill notes that the
emphasis has been on education-related CPE courses,
and asks if the Section would like to sponsor more
research-oriented CPE. For instance, presenters at
the Doctoral Consortium, might consider repeating
their presentations in a CPE session.
Beverly Harrelson (AAA)
Beverly reported on AAA activities regarding web
site design and maintenance. The AAA is pleased to
be able to help us design our site. Although the
site is now hosted at Rutgers, it may in the future
be moved to the AAA’s new in-house server to
facilitate ties between meeting registration and
membership lists.
Beverly also discussed electronic production of
journals. Access to the secure site for journals
is password-protected, and is elective for a $20
fee for the three AAA non-Section journals. In
addition, if the Section wants AJPT in a similar
arrangement, the Section would pay AAA $5 for each
person who signs up for electronic access to the
journal.
Joe Carcello (Treasurer),1998-99
Budget
Review
Joe provided up-to-date figures for the current
year budget. He noted that continuing sources
of revenue are likely to be lower than continuing
expenses. Sources of the problem are:
Update: 2000 Midyear Meeting and
Doctoral
Consortium
Karen Pincus reported that KPMG has generously
agreed to support the costs of the Doctoral Consortium
before the 2000 Midyear Meeting. The students’
costs of hotel, meals, meeting registration, etc.,
will be covered. RFP’s have been sent to potential
sites in Houston and Orlando for the 2001 meeting.
Action
Pincus
Announcements of the Consortium will be made
at the Section’s luncheon, in an email, and letters
to doctoral program chairs.
Update: Key Performance
Measures
Jean Bedard distributed a report on Key Performance
Indicators, collected as part of the Strategic Planning
Process. She noted that several officers had not
responded to requests for data. A compilation of
data on Section activities at meetings was included
in the report. The issue of Section input into the
Regional Meeting programs of some Regions (i.e.,
Mid-Atlantic and Ohio) was again discussed. Further
discussion of the report was postponed until Tuesday’s
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM.
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Executive Committee
Auditing Section
American Accounting Association
August 17, 1999
San Diego, California
Present: Jean C. Bedard, Stan Biggs, Tim Bell, Karen Pincus, Mark Beasley
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 AM by Karen Pincus, President. Karen welcomed Stan Biggs, incoming Vice-President-Academic and President-Elect, Mark Beasley, incoming Treasurer, and Jack Robertson, incoming Historian. She extended thanks to Tim Bell for his guidance during her term as President-Elect.
Karen then reported on the Section’s committee structure and on her appointments for the upcoming year. She noted that due to the Section’s three-year appointments, some members might not realize they are still members of a committee after a year or two. To ensure that all committee members are up to date, Karen sent reappointment letters to each to remind them of their assignments.
Academic Standards Committee
The Executive Committee discussed the additional
responsibilities that will be undertaken by the ASC
in their new role as facilitators of research/practice
interaction on the standards-setting process, based
on Jerry Sullivan’s report. (See minutes of the
8/15/99 Executive Committee meeting.)
Action
Pincus
It was decided to add a Vice-Chair who will
normally become Chair in the next year, and Past Chair
in the following year. This system is similar to that
used for other offices in the Section, e.g., the
newsletter Editor, Midyear and Annual Meeting
coordinator positions. The Vice-Chair will assist the
Chair in managing the communication necessary to
fulfill this important responsibility. Also,
due to increased work load and need to interact with
the practice community, the XC liaison for the ASC
will be the VP-Practice.
Communications
Action
Pincus
This committee’s charge will be rewritten as a result
of the addition of web site responsibilities.
Lyn Adair (Webmaster), Arnie Wright (Editor, AJPT)
and Gary Braun (Editor, The Auditor’s Report) will
be added as ex officio members, in order that they
be included in the Committee’s deliberations and
actions.
CPE
Karen recognized the good work performed by Bill
Dilla over his term as Chair of this committee.
DSA
This committee has received several nominees for the
2000 award, and is in the process of making its
selection.
Membership
Karen reported that this is a difficult committee
to fill, due to its current structure (one member from
each region). Tim Bell circulated a report from Mary
Christ outlining the current status of the Section’s
membership. Also, Tim reported a follow-up on last
year’s vote by the Executive to compile a list of
leaders from practice to receive Section materials,
including the newsletter and journal. Jerry Sullivan
is compiling list and Mary Christ has prepared a rough
draft of an invitation letter.
Action
Pincus
Tim noted that this effort to add leaders from
practice to the mailing list should be added to the
Committee’s charge, and that someone will have to
maintain the list.
Jean Bedard reported that she has been receiving
membership lists, and was not aware that the Membership
Committee chair was not also receiving this
information.
Action
Bedard
It was decided that the membership lists should
continue to go to the Section’s Secretary, and that
the Secretary should then send them on to the
Membership Committee Chair as well as to the
Historian.
Stan Biggs asked whether the Membership Committee
has some ideas about how to increase the Section’s
membership. Karen noted that a lot of good ideas had
been generated from past committees. Tim Bell reported
that much of the downward trend is due to retirement.
Midyear Meeting
Action
Biggs, Pincus
Karen asked Stan Biggs to work with Linda
McDaniel to fill out this Committee with members so
that Linda can have a full group. Assuming that the
Doctoral Consortium at the 2000 Midyear is a success,
there is a committee structure specified in the
proposal that will be continued in the future. To
facilitate coordination, Karen will add the CPE
Director and the Chair of the Doctoral Consortium
Committee to the Midyear Meeting committee.
The Executive Committee also discussed the role of
Midyear Meeting program committee in site selection.
Karen and Tim noted that the AAA wants to assist the
Sections in this task, and that the key is to fill in
the AAA’s list of criteria completely.
Action
Biggs
Stan will try to formalize a list of criteria
that Midyear Meeting committees can use in the
future.
Regional Chairs
The problems associated with variation in the role
of Regional Chairs were again discussed.
Notable Contributions
Karen reported that there were few nominations for
this award.
Action
Cushing
Barry Cushing will work on ways to improve the
nominations process. According to its charge, the
Committee may widen the list of nominees.
Nominations
Karen noted that currently this Committee is
selected from the Regional Chairs. This advisability
of this method should be revisited, as it limits the
pool of members from which to select for the important
task of nominating the Section’s officers.
Action
Biggs
Stan Biggs will add to the Executive Committee’s
agenda for the 2000 Midyear Meeting the issue of
selection of this Committee from the Regional Chairs.
Liaison system
Karen reported that liaisons will have difficulty
monitoring committee activities unless the liaison
has a relationship with the committee. She has talked
to all committee chairs about setting goals for the
upcoming year, but sent only general charges to them.
Action
All members
Karen suggests that after this meeting, Executive
Committee members contact their respective committees
to work on development of specific goals. Also, more
frequent reporting deadlines will be set (i.e., three
reporting periods per year).
Study of three-year appointments
Karen recently asked members of the Section’s
committees for their views on the pros and cons of
three-year appointments. She distributed a report
containing their views and suggestions. Those
responding favored the three-year system by a wide
margin, over shorter appointments. Members also
provided useful suggestions for wording of appointment
letters and possible formal evaluation of committee
members.
Practice Advisory Council
Karen stressed the importance of the PAC to the
Section, and the Executive Committee ways to express
our appreciation to,
and approve linkage with, the PAC.
Action
Pincus, Powell
The consensus of the Executive Committee was to ask
Karen and Tom Powell to work on a
new model of interaction with the PAC.
Key dates:
Karen will distribute a list of key dates for the upcoming year.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 AM.
September 30, 1999