It all started with an endeavor which started with an aim to solve some of the common complaints about ASP, especially with regard to separation of presentation and content and being able to write “clean” code. The result was ASP.net, a web application framework that allows programmers to build dynamic web sites, web applications and web services. It was first released in January 2002 with version 1.0 of the .NET Framework. Today ASP.net consulting has emerged as a dynamic profession that caters to the varying needs of global web development industry.
The main reason behind the popularity of ASP.net is its performance. ASP.NET aims for performance benefits over other script-based technologies by compiling the server-side code to one or more DLL files on the web server. This compilation happens automatically the first time a page is requested. This feature provides the ease of development offered by scripting languages with the performance benefits of a compiled binary. Hence, with the help of a .net consulting company a web site development can be a time saving process. Moreover, the web development process in ASP.net is an inclusive one as it encourages the programmer to develop applications using an event-driven GUI model, rather than in conventional web-scripting environments like ASP and PHP. The framework attempts to combine existing technologies such as JavaScript with internal components like “ViewState” to bring persistent state to the inherently stateless web environment. And though it is often argued that 0n IIS 6.0 and lower, pages written using different versions of the ASP framework, the criticism does not apply to ASP.NET. With IIS 7, modules may be run in an integrated pipeline that allows modules written in any language to be executed for any request.
However, web development needs are ever-changing in today’s world and they vary from business to business. So it is extremely important to have a detailed analysis of individual requirements and select a competent asp.net consulting company to achieve success.
ASP.NET: Dynamic Web Development
Attorney Lee Holland of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. urges consumers to learn how to protect themselves from investment fraud
DATELINE: BOSTON, MA…
Do you know how to protect yourself from the next Bernie Madoff when you choose a broker or make an investment? Attorney Lee Holland, of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. of Boston, MA, firmly believes in the age-old adage that if an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true it probably is.
However, Attorney Holland, who is also a Public Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, urges investors to go a step further to arm themselves against the potential of investment fraud.
“Education and information are the best tools against possible investment fraud. As a FINRA arbitrator I see the aftermath of poor choices made by both investors and financial industry professionals. As a result of this experience, I have become a strong proponent of promulgating information to better educate those on both sides of the investment equation and have found FINRA to be a great educational resource,” explains Holland.
Despite the high profile cases of investment fraud in the headlines, the potential for new fraudulent investment schemes may increase as investors, eager to recoup their losses in times of continued economic uncertainty, fall prey to a new generation of scam artists.
To help avoid investment fraud:
1. Verify the license of anyone promoting an investment opportunity:
• For brokers check www.FINRA.org
• For investment advisors visit www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
• For insurance agents check your state insurance department
• For all sellers check with your state securities regulator
2. Verify that an investment is registered:
• Check investment registrations at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
3. Be aware of the warning signs of investment fraud:
• Unreasonable guarantees
• Unregistered products
• Promise of no fluctuations in returns
• Complicated investment strategies
• Undocumented securities or stocks
• Incomplete or inaccurate account statements
• Pushy salespeople warning you must “act now”
4. Avoid fitting the investment fraud victim profile found in a 2007 FINRA survey:
• Victims often own high-risk investments, including penny stocks, promissory notes, futures, options or private investments in foreign currency;
• Victims tend to rely primarily on friends, family, co-workers for investment advice (70 percent)
• Victims can be too open to new investment information (for example, three times as many victims went to a free investment seminar than the national sample)
• Victims may fail to check the background of an investment or a broker
• Victims are often unable to spot persuasion tactics used by fraudsters
Holland urges all investors to invest their time becoming better educated, before investing their money, to avoid the risk of becoming a future victim of investment fraud. Attorney Holland, an Associate in Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ Litigation Group, has extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution, both as an advocate and as a neutral.
FINRA
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through comprehensive regulation. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business – from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms; writing and enforcing rules and the federal securities laws; informing and educating the investing public; providing trade reporting and other industry utilities; and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and firms.
Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C.
Formed in 1991, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive legal services to its clients. Featuring a breadth and depth of experience and perspective usually found only at larger law firms, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers. P.C. offers sophisticated legal counsel to entrepreneurs, businesses, individuals, families, and institutions.
Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ areas of expertise include corporate law, employment matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and dispute resolution, estate planning, taxation, real estate, bankruptcy, and municipal law.
The offices of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. are located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Prudential Center, in Boston, MA 02199. For additional information, or to arrange for a consultation, please call 1-617-218-2000, e-mail info@tbhr-law.com, or visit www.tbhr-law.com.
Private or Public? not an Easy Decision
For all accounting majors one tough decision each of them must make before graduation is whether or not they are going to work in private or public accounting. The usual question students will bring up is which one makes more money. That question should hold very little importance because the 2007 annual salary for first year public accountants was $47,392 while private accountants started out at $47,287. The more important questions are what kind of opportunities will each career path open up in the field of accounting and whether or not you personally feel the public accounting lifestyle is the right fit for yourself.
Public accounting involves the accounting work one does for another company. The “Big Four” are the most recognized companies by college students that deal with public accounting services. Public accountants perform services not only for corporations but also governments, nonprofit organizations, and even sometimes individuals. Private accounting deals with internal accounting work within one company. All companies have some type of an internal accounting department and the employees who work in that department are considered private accountants.
One common thought that the majority of accounting majors think about is becoming a CPA after graduation. This plays a large part in the decisions of many to become public accountants. The requirements of a CPA include passing four examinations but what some accounting majors may not know is that you are also required to have two years of public accounting experience with a bachelor’s degree to be licensed. However, if you graduate with 150 specialized credits and pass the four examinations you only need one year of public accounting experience to be licensed as a CPA. Private accounting experience is also considered acceptable but under more constrictions than a public accountant.
Public accountants perform a wide range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting activities for their clients. There are benefits of working in one of the bigger public accounting firms as well as a mid-size firm. The “Big Four” search through campuses to find the best candidates. This can be very appetizing if you feel that can you not only compete with the best, but shine above them. The stereotype for public accounting is made out to be boring or dull and is usually set in a cubical with little communication. That is misleading though, public accountants tend to be doing work for more than one company which can keep the job very interesting and also leads to many potential opportunities for networking yourself. Another benefit to public accounting is that there are larger projects that require you to work in a team which is essential experience when trying to apply for a higher position.
When working within a public accounting company it is not unusual to rise to a higher level position after two or three years of experience. If you are able to stay within one public firm for a long period you can eventually become a partner which is a position that holds a large salary. Many employees of the “Big Four” companies are not able to stay within the company for even the first year in a lot of cases. The public accounting firms are known to have employees work well over the 40 hour a week mark, and sometimes that is too much for people to handle. A very large trend though is for employees to work for a public company for a couple of years, receive their CPA and then make the move to a private company.
Private accountants perform the analyzing and reporting of various financial statements for a single company. They also ensure that all the steps the company is taking follow the proper government regulations. Private accountants like the fact that they have more responsibility within their company for example making key decisions within a company’s budget. Internal accountants have a specialized role, which leads to them being involved in all internal issues and problems. Private accountants look to gain higher level employment within their own company or another similar company.
Whether you decide on being a private or public accountant is a large decision. Each job can open up many different opportunities. It would be impossible to rank one over the other, the real question is what is right for you?
