One of the most frequent questions practitioners ask with regard to succession planning is the basic premise of "when should I start? My answer to them is simple: Succession planning ideally begins the day the firm opens its doors for business. But seldom, if ever, is that proactive strategy deployed.

Shannon Bailey, who was been with Wicks Emmett for 12 years, has been promoted to partner at the Roseburg, Ore.-based firm. A native of Roseburg, she specializes in individual, partnership and corporate taxation.

I love my mom. But she's not always the smartest when it comes to making financial decisions. Case in point: just last week, and without telling me, she leased a new Honda Civic. I wish I had known she was going to do this because if I did I would have strongly advised her otherwise.

John Tysseling, formerly chief economist for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, has joined Moss Adams. Tysseling has become a consulting director in the accounting firm's Albuquerque, N.M., office with the goal of expanding the scope of the firms advisory services.