NO PODEMOS CRUZARNOS DE BRAZOS NI QUEDARNOS CALLADOS FRENTE A LAS DESIGUALDADES: NARRO ROBLES

No podemos permanecer cruzados de brazos cuando Latinoamérica tiene una proporción relativamente pequeña de cobertura en educación superior, en comparación con las naciones de la OCDE; apenas el 28 por ciento contra más del 70. Tampoco podemos conformarnos con que México tenga seis veces la mortalidad de Japón o Suecia, afirmó el rector de la UNAM, José Narro Robles.

Precisó que Latinoamérica es la zona más desigual del planeta en materia de ingreso; además, los rezagos históricos continúan presentes, como los referentes a los pueblos indios, los grupos minoritarios, o las condiciones del analfabetismo.

En medio de todos estos aspectos, sostuvo Narro, se deben poner en el centro de la discusión los valores laicos y sociales, así como refrendar la importancia de la educación, en especial la superior, y lo trascendente del impulso a la ciencia y al desarrollo tecnológico, a las humanidades, a las ciencias sociales, y a las bellas artes.

A su vez, el director a cargo de la sede subregional CEPAL México, Jorge Máttar, al leer el mensaje de Alicia Bárcena, secretaria Ejecutiva del organismo, expuso que la celebración de los 60 años se da en un contexto desafiante, el de la crisis financiera mundial, que se agrega al fenómeno del cambio climático, y que impone dificultades adicionales para alcanzar los objetivos de desarrollo del milenio.

Tips to survive the financial crisis

The Texas Society of CPAs has provided five tips that CPAs can pass along to their clients to calm their financial worries.

Tip No. 1: Don't panic. If your overall asset allocation has been in line with your goals and risk tolerance, don't worry. Doing nothing is often the best course of action.

Tip No. 2: Only invest money you don't need for the next five years. The money you have invested in stocks needs to be able to weather the ups and downs of the market. Don't put money in the stock market that you'll need for living expenses in six months. Instead, invest for the long term.

Tip No. 3: Have an investment plan and diversified strategy. By diversifying your investments, you're better insured to survive in times of financial turmoil. It's best to follow the old saying of not putting all your eggs in one basket. Then, if one of the companies you invested in fails, your money has a safety net.

Tip No. 4: Consider buying shares at low rates. If you have extra cash, consider purchasing shares at the "discounted" rate. Remember to buy low and sell high. Be sure to review the company's business plan before you invest.

Tip No. 5: Talk to your CPA or other financial professional. Consult your CPA or other financial professional about your investments if you still have questions.

Separately, the American Institute of CPAs has provided advice that accountants can offer clients facing job losses:

1. Conserve cash. If you're paying more than the required payment on your mortgage, auto or student loans, pay only the required amount and conserve your cash for your living expenses.

2. Create a new budget. Budget your expenses and figure out which items can be eliminated or at least reduced.

3. Assess your financial situation. Review your assets to determine the best sources to tap for your cash needs. Set up a plan for which assets you'll use and in what order if your unemployment is lengthy.
Make sure you understand the potential tax consequences of each.
- Jordan Amin, CPA, Amper, Politziner & Mattia, P.C., Edison, N.J.

1. Consider purchasing medical insurance outside of COBRA. You may find a better deal.

2. Obtain a home equity line of credit. If you think you might lose your job, and you will absolutely have to borrow money to see you through, it is easier to get this type of loan while you’re still employed.

3. Discuss severance benefits with your employer. Ask about severance pay, outplacement services and medical insurance continuation options.
- Adele Brady Bolson, CPA, Adele Brady Bolson, CPA, PS, Bellevue, Wash.

1. Make sure you have six – twelve months of living expenses. The rule of thumb used to be three – six, but it’s a different world now.

2. Contact your mortgage lender as well as your credit card companies to explain your current situation and ask them to work with you. If you continue to run up your credit you could end up filing for a bankruptcy and that will stay on your records for a long time, making obtaining future loans that much more expensive.

3. Remember that cash is king. It’s going to be harder and more expensive to get credit.
- Michael Eisenberg, CPA/PFS, Eisenberg Financial Advisors, Los Angeles

LA FALTA DE ACCESO AL CÓMPUTO, ELEMENTO ADICIONAL DE EXCLUSIÓN EN MÉXICO: NARRO ROBLES

Hoy día, estar fuera del acceso a los servicios que ofrece la computación, implica una nueva forma de analfabetismo y un elemento adicional de exclusión en México, consideró el rector de la UNAM, José Narro Robles.

Al inaugurar el Congreso 50 años de la computación en México. Reflexión y perspectiva, organizado por la UNAM, comentó que si es lamentable que haya seis millones de mexicanos que no saben leer ni escribir, sería aún más que en algunos años se herede a las nuevas generaciones, esta nueva forma de omisión: no poder acceder a los servicios de esta tecnología.

Ante el jefe de gobierno del Distrito Federal, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, el rector estimó fundamental aplicar políticas públicas específicas y bien diseñadas, y destinar los recursos necesarios para esa tarea. Para ello, se requiere disponer con el presupuesto indispensable, y sumar el esfuerzo de los diversos sectores.

20 sugerencias para el éxito

1. Cásate con la persona indicada. Esta sola decisión determinará el 90% de tu felicidad o infelicidad.

2. Trabaja en algo que disfrutes y que sea digno de tu tiempo y talento.

3. Dale a la gente más de lo que espera y dalo alegremente.

4. Conviértete en la persona más entusiasta que conozcas.

5. Sé indulgente contigo mismo y con los demás.

6. Sé generoso.

7. Ten un corazón agradecido.

8. Persistencia, persistencia, persistencia.

9. Disciplínate a ahorrar dinero aún con el sueldo más modesto.

10. Trata a aquellos que conozcas como te gustaría ser tratado.

11. Comprométete a una constante mejora.

12. Comprométete con la calidad.

13. Comprende que la felicidad no está basada en las posesiones, poder o prestigio, sino en las relaciones con la gente que amas y respetas.

14. Sé leal.

15. Sé honesto.

16. Sé decisivo, aún cuando esto signifique que a veces estés equivocado.

17. Deja de culpar a los demás. Responsabilízate por cada área de tu vida.

18. Sé audaz y valiente. Cuando mires hacia atrás en tu vida, lamentarás más las cosas que no hiciste que las que hiciste.

19. Preocúpate por aquellos que amas.

20. No hagas nada que no hiciera sentir orgullosa a tu madre.

Countries around the world are cutting tax rates

Nations around the world are reducing corporate taxes, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The report found that 21 economies have cut their corporate income tax rates. Eight economies have reduced the number of taxes paid by businesses. Thirty-six economies have made it easier to pay taxes, with the Dominican Republic leading the way in this respect, followed by Malaysia. Twelve have improved their electronic filing and payments systems efficiency.

Among the 30 industrialized countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. has the second highest corporate tax rate. The U.S. has a combined federal, state and local corporate tax rate of approximately 39.3 percent, or 50 percent higher than the 26.2 percent average for the other 29 OECD member countries.

Deloitte sues former vice-chairman for insider trading

Deloitte & Touche has sued former vice chairman Thomas Flanagan, claiming that he profited from stock trades using inside information about the firm's audit clients.

The suit, filed Oct. 29 in a Delaware court, accuses Flanagan of violating Deloitte's policies on independence and conflicts of interest, in addition to improperly trading in the securities of Deloitte's audit clients. Flanagan has been a partner at Deloitte for about 30 years, most recently serving as an advisory partner in Deloitte's Chicago office for a number of audit clients. He abruptly resigned about two months ago after a regulatory agency brought the questionable trades to the firm's attention.

The complaint accuses Flanagan of repeatedly lying to Deloitte about "clandestine" trading activities in his annual written certifications, and concealing the existence of his brokerage accounts to avoid detection of his conduct. Flanagan has still not disclosed all of the facts about his trading to the firm.

According to the complaint, in July 2007, Flanagan purchased stock in the acquisition target of an audit client for whom he served as advisory partner about a week before the acquisition was publicly announced, without disclosing the trade to Deloitte. In August of this year, the firm was asked by a regulatory agency to provide the names and titles of all the personnel who were on the client's engagement team.

Later that month the regulatory agency asked about a number of other clients for whom Flanagan was an auditor or advisory partner. Only after Deloitte questioned him did Flanagan admit that regulators had contacted him as part of the investigation. He became uncomfortable with the regulators' questions, broke off contact, and retained legal counsel, resigning from the firm soon thereafter.

The firm also accused Flanagan of trading in put and call options of at least 12 Deloitte audit clients between January 2005 and June 2008, including seven clients for whom he served as advisory partner.

"Deloitte unequivocally condemns the actions of this individual, which are unprecedented in our experience," said the firm in an e-mailed statement. "His personal trading activities were in blatant violation of Deloitte's strict and clearly stated policies for investments by partners and other professional personnel. Further, it appears that he intentionally skirted our system for reporting and tracking investments. We are taking this very seriously and are conducting our own investigation into the matter."

The lawsuit accuses Flanagan of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and fraud. Deloitte is seeking repayment with interest of all the money Flanagan received following his initial breach of contract and fiduciary duty, along with a declaration that the firm does not owe him any other compensation. The firm is also seeking an award of compensatory damages from him.