Deduct Your STC Dues

Since you pay taxes in the United States, keep in mind that STC dues are tax deductible. Please note, however, that dues must be deducted from the tax return filed for the year in which they were paid. In other words, dues paid in 2005 may be deducted only from 2005 tax returns. Therefore, if you paid your 2006 dues on or before December 31, 2005, these dues can be deducted only from your 2005 return.

STC Phoenix (2006). Careers>TC>Financial

Tax Tips for Tech Comm Contractors

For those of you who have decided to venture out on your own: congratulations. Now that the celebrations are over, it’s back to reality. Although you have crawled out from under the thumb of a boss, you’ve also given up that comfortable bi-weekly paycheck to become an independent contractor. Having taken this big step a few years ago, I offer a few words of advice on how to keep the clutches of the tax man from grabbing too much of your earnings. I’ll give it to you straight: no weasel words here.

Betler, Scott. STC Phoenix (2006). Careers>Freelance>Financial

How To Justify Conference Attendance

Conference expenses are affected by a number of factors. Before you can even begin to justify conference expenses, you need to calculate what those expenses are. To do so, use the following Expenses Worksheet to develop a cost estimate for attending your selected conference.

Doyle, Michael J. TechCom Manager (2007). Articles>Management>Financial

Information Management Challenges for the Professional Accountant in Business    

Information professionals have fundamental skills that -- if harnessed optimally -- have the potential to be of significant value to professional accountants working in business. The accounting profession is grappling with issues emerging from a changing external environment. The roles, responsibilities and priorities of those with a finance function -- especially those in business -- are evolving, bringing about shifts in information needs. The opportunity for information professionals is to assert and demonstrate the relevance and value of their skill set to the emerging, more strategic finance function. This article provides an overview of the developments impacting accountants in business to highlight potential opportunities for information professionals.

Oades, Caroline. Business Information Review (2008). Articles>Management>Financial>Business Communication

The Current Economy: What’s a Technical Communicator to Do?  

There is a lot of uncertainty swirling around these days about the economy. That’s why we are being bombarded with the 'sky is falling' message wherever we turn. But how much of this is reality and how much is hype?

Davis, Douglas W. STC (2008). Articles>Management>Financial

Ten Ways to Save Money When Publishing a Manual

Several hints on how to produce professional documentation less expensively.

Rosenberg, Nad. TechWRITE (2005). Articles>Documentation>Financial>Project Management

Paid Versus Free Content Is Back in The Headlines

Earlier this year Chris Anderson, who is best known for his book The Long Tail, wrote an article in Wired Magazine called ‘Free’. As the title suggests it is about the “inevitable move towards a price point of zero for content and services on the web.”

SubHub (2008). Articles>Publishing>Financial>Online

Structuring a Competency-Based Accounting Communication Course At the Graduate Level    

The authors describe a graduate capstone accounting class as a basis for building communication skills desired by both accounting practitioners and accounting faculty. An academic service-learning (ASL) component is included. Adopted as a required class for a master of science degree in accounting at two universities, this course supports accounting accreditation. Surveys offer evidence that both accounting practitioners and faculty rate, in slightly different order, the three most important skills as written communication, oral communication, and analytical/critical thinking. Accounting curricula worldwide are under pressure to develop better skills in these areas as well as to meet assessment and accreditation directives and criteria. The authors designed a communication course utilizing ASL that not only meets all of the above objectives but also provides the student with hands-on experiential learning. Information about this course provides a guide to accounting and business faculty who may wish to pursue such an approach in their schools.

Sharifi, Mohsen, Gary B. McCombs, Linda Lussy Fraser and Robert K. McCabe. Business Communication Quarterly (2009). Articles>Education>Financial>Business Communication

Economic Crises and Financial Disasters: The Role of Business Communication    

In the wake of global economic crisis, some of those responsible were summoned to testify under oath before Congressional committees to explain to the public what went wrong. What they said opened a window onto the thought processes and communication abilities of major business leaders. Many of them denied responsibility, failed to explain what occurred, and undermined their own credibility; as a result they were pilloried by Congress and the media. But how are these people connected to those of us who teach and do research in business communication? Unfortunately, these are our alumni, our former students.

Jameson, Daphne A. JBC (2009). Articles>Business Communication>Financial>Education