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.

The Internal Revenue Service will limit the number of refunds that can be electronically deposited to a financial account of pre-paid debit card. The New IRS procedures limiting the number to three take effect in January 2015 as part of an effort to combat fraud and identity theft.