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This article discusses the emerging issues task force (EITF) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the United States. When the certified public accountants (CPA) serving private and small public companies learn about the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) emerging issues task force (EITF), and gain an understanding of what it is designed to do, they see that EITF deliberations can change accounting practice. Since its formation in 1984, the deliberations of this group have applied to businesses of all sizes, and the FASB staff estimates that well over half of the issues discussed by the EITF either affect small business or might be of concern to small business in the future. The CPA who is not aware of the questions being discussed by the EITF and how to locate information not only loses a valuable tool but may also be at a considerable competitive disadvantage. Many CPAs share a view that the task force is a valuable service to large businesses only--namely, Fortune 500 companies. Regular communication with the FASB small business advisory group leads us to conclude that this is a misperception. INSET: AN EXAMPLE OF EITF CONSENSUS.