The SEC has issued an initial decision barring Michael Ryan, CEO of Gilman Ciocia and chief compliance officer Rose Rudden from serving in a supervisory capacity at any broker, dealer or investment adviser for one year. Fines were also imposed on the two and on two current and two former employees. The executives and the two current employees are considering alternatives that include filing a petition for review of the decision.

Generally, the price of tax preparation software goes up. While some practitioners must look packages with lots of states and forms, there are many with simple needs that can do with much less in software power.

Although its results declined for the year ended May 31; Paychex sees enough favorable signs in the economy to continue growing its salesforce. In its recent earnings conference call; CFO John Morphy said that the company increased its sales force by 2 percent in fiscal 2010 and expects to increase that by another 2 percent in the current fiscal year. Paychex also reinstituted salary increases on March 1; but it has not decided to start matching employee 401(k) contributions again. Those statements came as the company reported income dropped by 11 percent and revenue by 4 percent for the year ended May 31.