Golden Practices Blog

A Special Memorial Day

I'd like to take a moment and thank all of those who serve and who have served in keeping our country and her people, and our fellow human beings safe, all around the world.

Memorial Day, to me, feels very personal recognizing the service in WWII of my beloved Grandpa, may he rest in peace.

My special Memorial Day weekend included spending a full 24 hours with my soldier son who recently returned from a turbulent year in Afghanistan: his third tour in his seven years of service. The joy in this opportunity was only tempered by the knowledge that too many moms and dads, brothers and sisters, spouses, children, and grandkids, weren't able to spend this day with their fallen soldier, sailor, airman, or marine.

Appreciating those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is critically important. But so is thanking those still living who also deserve our gratitude for their significant and permanent personal sacrifices made on all our behalf. Past, present and future generations have them to thank for freedom and liberty that we enjoy every single day, most of us with little understanding of just how fragile this freedom really is.

Edith Orenstein authored a lovely blog post today entitled "Gratitude." I thank you Edith, for mentioning my family among those you touched on in your post. And most of all, I thank you for sharing the message of The Gratitude Campaign.

Maybe you are like me. I pass many military men and women in my daily travels, and am sometimes too humbled, choked up, and sometimes too shy to intrude, but deeply wish to show my appreciation...this is a very cool way to express yourself when words don't seem appropriate.

The Instigator

Howard Wolosky, former editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant and WebCPA columnist, has a moving post today  called "Auditors: Doing the Right Thing?" on his brand new blog (which I immediately added to my blogroll and I recommend you do the same!)

I love how Howard tells the story and makes us stop and take pause.

His blog is named Instigator which I believe reflects a side of Howard we shall see much more of...the provocative side. The particular post that I refer to discusses courage (and fear) in the context of auditors ability to improve and, shall we say, responsibility to help resolve, the failure of the current audit standards and procedures to accomplish part of their intended task--protecting shareholders by providing enough information about the financial position of the company audited. 

I'd love to see his challenge to the AICPA met. And welcome thoughts from auditors here or, of course, on Howard's blog.