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Tag: bad apples

KPMG Insider: Partners Feel Betrayed By Scott London’s Actions

Ed. note: This post was written exclusively for Going Concern by a KPMG veteran employee that wished to remain anonymous. 

Let me start by saying I barely know Scott London. I emailed him a couple of times. I may have met him once in person (obviously it didn’t leave much of an impression). That was the extent of my interaction with him. In that limited time he seemed like a nice enough guy but that’s all I know about him. That statement was echoed by a few people I know who did work with him when this story broke. The general consensus was that it sucks that this happened to a nice guy.

These New IRS Competency Exams Are Going To Be a Hoot

Our resident tax nerd, Joe Kristan, touched on the IRS competency exam a couple of weeks ago but yesterday the IRS officially rolled out the red carpet. So, if you prepare tax returns but aren’t a CPA, lawyer, or enrolled agent, you now have the distinct pleasure of spending $116 to spend a few hours with everyone’s favorite test vendor – Prometric – whose proctors will keep a watchful eye on you to make sure your ostomy bag isn’t a secret answer bank, that you aren’t packing heat and your gum is appropriately disposed of. What’s the point of all this, you ask? IRS Commish Doug Shulman can answer that:

“This is another major step forward in our effort to enhance tax preparation service to millions of taxpayers. People should feel assured that the person they hire to prepare their federal tax returns has a working knowledge of the tax code,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner. “The majority of tax return preparers are reputable professionals but the few bad apples cause great harm to taxpayers and the industry.”

Got it? It’s for the good of the country. Just make sure you don’t have a runny nose on the day of your test. That’ll get you in trouble.

[via IRS via NYSSCPA]