A problem with a survey has led the American Institute of CPAs to abandon its plans to issue a list of Top Technologies for 2014. Although a survey was conducted to provide information to assemble the list, what was described as a "technical issue" caused the AICPA to forego making results public.

Ernst & Young has agreed to pay more than $4 million to settle charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission that its lobbying efforts violated auditor independence rules. An SEC administrative proceeding found that a subsidiary of the accounting firm lobbied congressional staff on behalf of two audit clients.

A Rochester, N.Y.-based CPA has drawn disciplinary action by the Public Company Accounting Board for work for a Chinese client that had been publicly accused of having lying and deception. Nicholas R. Bottini, formerly a partner of EFP Rotenberg, accepted UTG as a client in 2010 even though the predecessor auditor reported having lost confidence in the client's board of directors and audit committee.

Paychex had a strong quarter on the bottom line with net income rising 18 percent for the fourth quarter ended May 31. Earnings for fiscal 2014 increased by 10 percent. Revenue rose by 6 percent for both the quarter and year. Key metrics in the company's payroll business rose while revenue from its human resource products and service went up by double digits.