The American Institute of CPAs has launched a new web site that it says is designed "to spark a profession-wide reevaluation of how CPAs engage in lifelong learning and measure competency in a fast-changing world." The establishment of the site comes as a task force report on the future of learning has been released.

Paul M. Daugerdas, 63, a tax attorney and CPA, was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison for orchestrating a massive fraudulent tax. The Department of Justice says Daugerdas and his co-conspirators, including five former partners at BDO Seidman, generated more than $7 billion in phony tax losses for clients. Daugerdas, who received $95 million in fees, used the same shelters to pay only $8,000 in taxes. Forfeited assets and restitution payments will cost him than $535 million.

The American Institute of CPAs this week ratcheted up its opposition to a proposal by the Internal Revenue Service for a voluntary certification program for paid preparers. The AICPA, which had previously voiced its opposition, now says the program is not lawful.

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