Several new readers of our e-zine have asked how they can sample our print newsletter. For that reason we make trial subscriptions available to those who have not taken a trial to our newsletter before. If you are interested, the details follow.

The trial consists of three complimentary copies of Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow. If you like what you see, pay the $279 invoice that will be sent to you and join our family! If you choose not to subscribe, simply write "cancel" on the subscription bill when you receive it and return it to us. In either case, the first three issues are yours to keep with our compliments.

I pay all my bills electronically and having experienced the convenience, don't understand why everyone else doesn't do the same. So we've glommed onto the March Madness concept and are devoting the entire March issue of our print newsletter to the topic of checks - because we consider using them sheer madness.

Actually, we're half joking -we recognize that it isn't so easy in the business world to get away from the paper check. So, the issue will contain information to help you get the most out of paper checks, since most of us will be stuck with them for the foreseeable future. We're just starting to put it together and will have more information in upcoming weeks. By the way, if you have a pet check issue, please feel free to drop me a line about it and we'll try to cover it.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried! Here's a news item about the State of Vermont. In recent years the State of Vermont's Treasurer's Office has increased advertising to get the word out about unclaimed funds and worked to improve the Web site where residents can check to see if they have unclaimed property.

In 2006, more than 7,600 Vermonters collected $4.5 million-but, apparently, the state didn't do such a good job internally. In 2007, state officials made a surprising discovery: The state of Vermont itself had a significant amount of unclaimed property on the books - exactly how much money belonging to departments and agencies of state government was not immediately clear.

If the states can't get it right, it's no wonder overworked professionals have a hard time understanding what is required. That's why we put together the one-day Intensive Unclaimed Property Workshop in Chicago in April. It is designed for both those currently reporting, who want to make sure they are doing everything correctly, as well as those looking to get in compliance. Our speakers have helped numerous organizations do just that - and have all agreed to waive the cost of the seminar against any future fees should you hire one of them.

Please note: Those who also attend the Cash Leakage seminar will get $50 off each seminar. To make arrangements call 302-836-0540 or email publisher@ap-now.com

We ran into the following question on our discussion group and thought it a good one to share with our readers. Here's the post: "Our company only requires receipts for items over $25. We have several travelers who regularly put in for reimbursement of meals at $24+. I suspect most of them are eating at MacDonalds and pocketing the difference - although I certainly can't prove it. Do any of you face the same issue and if so, what do you do about it?" wrote the clearly annoyed manager.

The best way I know to eliminate this problem is to reduce the dollar level for which receipts are required. By taking it down to $5, the problem should go away. This can add a lot of work if you are verifying every receipt. However, if you spot check receipts, it should not increase work all that much. Do you have another solution or thoughts? If so, please send it to publisher@ap-now.com and we'll share all comments with all contributors.

This is the ticking IRS issue, if you will. Why should you care about it? Because, says Cyrus Daftary, an international tax expert, the IRS has a Compliance Initiative Plan to begin auditing Forms 1042. This includes vendor payments and the audits are not limited to financial institutions. Manufacturers, high- tech companies, pharmaceutical companies, energy companies, etc. are also coming under scrutiny, he notes.

Daftary will share his expertise on February 11 at a Webinar sponsored by Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow. If you make payments to foreign persons, this is one session you cannot afford to miss.

You may remember we asked last week about professional resolutions for the New Year. We heard from quite a few readers with the resolutions falling into three broad categories as follows:

• Learn a new skill
• Become a better manager
• Focus more on my career & win a promotion

Thanks for listening.

Mary Schaeffer
Editorial Director
Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow, a CRYSTALLUS, Inc. publication