In a recent Tax Tip notice, the IRS has reminded taxpayers to file the right forms if there's been a name change due to marriage or divorce. "A mismatch between the name shown on your tax return and the SSA records can cause problems in the processing of your return and may even delay your refund," says the notice.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke quashed any irrational exuberance that anyone might have been feeling by noting that the current labor market not only isn’t normal, but probably will not be normal for at least a few more years, according to Bloomberg.

State attorneys general from 40 different states have accepted the terms of a $25 billion settlement from the nation’s largest banks over their role in the financial crisis, though New York and California, who have been seen as key players in the deal, have not, according to the Los Angeles Times, though this does not prevent them from signing on later.

While the deadline for the proposed $25 billion settlement with the nation’s largest banks over their roles in the economic crisis hits at the close of business today, some of the biggest state players, including California and New York, have yet to officially come on board for the deal, according to the Washington Post, a move that will significantly reduce its value.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board announced yesterday that it would hold a two-day public meeting in March to receive input on auditor independence and audit firm rotation.

A panelist noted that even in New York, non-CPAs can have a certain amount of profit-related bonuses, so it’s really about semantics.

In response to an audience question, Goldfarb said that succession planning was not a good reason for non-CPA ownership, although the audience member noted it might make transitioning easier.

Weinstein says a change would not dilute the brand. A key aspect is signing attest engagements. For other engagements, CPA firms have intense competition from non-CPA firms, he said.