CPA News June/July 2010

 

In this Issue:

·                    Chapter News

·                    Chapter Calendar

·                    Job Openings

·                    CPE

·                    TSCPA News

CHAPTER NEWS

CHAPTER Board of Directors begin new year

Meet Lyn Kuciemba, our new Chapter president.  (Click here.)  Other officers and directors elected in January are Rodney Horrell, Vice-president/President-elect; Amber Bass, Treasurer; Carolyn Record, Secretary; Verna Smith, Career Awareness; Jodi Jones, CPE; Mohammed Hussain, Membership; Tracy Stewart, Newsletter; Joe Dunn, Past President and TSCPA Board of Directors; and Kay Dobbins, TSCPA Board of Directors.  Public Relations Co-chairs will be James Larkin and Amy Restivo.  James and Amy were recently appointed by the Board to replace Bill Wantuck, who has moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Spreading Financial Literacy in the Brazos Valley

Last month, Kay Dobbins & Mohammed Hussain made a big difference in the lives of several Brazos Valley residents. Read Kay’s account of her experience.

Members on TSCPA Statewide Committees

Our Chapter has more members on state committees than any TSCPA other small chapter. As a matter of fact, we are rather known for our remarkable participation at the state level of TSCPA. We start a series of articles about your fellow Chapter members who volunteer their time on statewide TSCPA committees. Read about two of our members…

Members Making History

The Ingram family has added a third generation of CPAs. Read about their rich history…..

Member Wins Newman 10 Award

Congratulations to Chapter member, Ed Slovacek CPA, who has won a Newman 10 Award. He founded his firm in 1974 and has had sales growth of 99%.  Ed has five employees who provide tax, accounting and consultation services to Brazos Valley clients. He credited his clients for much of his success and said he strives to form partnerships with everyone he works with.

The Newman 10 awards were established in 1994 to recognize small businesses with a positive economic impact in the community. To qualify, businesses had to have a sales profit of more than $50,000 but less than $25 million in fiscal year 2005, and gross sales had to increase annually from 2007 through 2009. Only businesses nominated and who applied for the award are eligible to win.

Have Your Voice Heard at TSCPA Annual Meeting

In San Diego on July 2-3, Chapter President, Lyn Kuciemba, will be representing our Chapter and convey Chapter member concerns. The meeting will include group discussions on five key topics as a prelude to the Strategic Planning process later this year. If you have any opinions, suggestions or concerns about any of the following topics, please let Lyn know with an email or a phone call to lyn@tdccpa.com or 979-260-9696.  The five topics include:  TSCPA Membership, TSCPA Nominations Process, Board of Directors Meetings, CPE-TSCPA CPE Foundation, and Members in Business & Industry.

Chapter Calendar

Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update CPE June 21

June 21, 2010   8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  8 CPE credit hours                   

$225 TSCPA member & non-CPA staff; $285 non-member

Click here for details

Bombers Baseball Night !  July 23^rd will be our first annual Brazos Bombers Night. Come out to enjoy a picnic and watch the Bombers play ball at the Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark in Bryan! Part of the proceeds go toward our local accounting students’ scholarship fund. More details here.

Chapter Financial Literacy Volunteer Opportunity

There will be a volunteer opportunity at the Education Fair at Post Oak Mall on Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The objective of the Education Fair is to educate parents on the programs available in the community related to adult learning, special needs, GED programs, ESL programs, dropout prevention, financial literacy, etc. and also to support these programs. The Brazos Valley Chapter of the Texas Society of CPA's will be participating by promoting financial literacy. If you are interested in helping out with this wonderful cause, please contact Linda Johnson at Linda@bvcpa.org or 936-435-9989

Job Openings

STAFF ACCOUNTANT position, Kay Perrone & Associates.  Click here for details

SENIOR MANAGER, FINANCIAL REPORTING, Texas A&M System Offices

Got to System web site for details: http://apps.system.tamus.edu/jobsearch/JobDetails.aspx?JobID=10818

TSCPA Local CPE

ACPEN Satellite Broadcast

June 23                        Not-for-profit Accounting Auditing and Tax Update

July 21                         Governmental Accounting & Auditing Update

August 25                     Compilation & Review Update: Advanced Issues

September 22               Representing Clients in the Marriage Dissolution Process: Estate & financial Planning Issues

October 6                     Accounting & Auditing Update

November 10                Business Fraud, Internal Control & Forensic Analysis

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at KAMU-TV/FM Studio on Texas A&M campus at Houston & Russell St.

$195 for members and $320 for non-members

To register and/or for additional information, log on to TSCPA http://www.tscpa.org/Content/cpe/satellite.aspx  click specific course description,

or phone the CPE InfoLine 800-428-0272 Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm

Park in garage at Koldus building (not included in the cost)

To be an Onsite Coordinator and receive a refund for 50% of the course fee, contact Linda Johnson at 936-435- 9989 or Linda@bvcpa.org. Duties include taking care of a sign-in sheet, giving out the handouts, collecting evaluation forms, handing out certificates, and mailing evaluations to TSCPA.

FROM TSCPA

CPA Examination to Change in 2011

There will be significant changes to the Uniform CPA Examination starting in January 2011. Among the revisions will be new uniform CPA Examination Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs), including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In addition, a new release of authoritative literature (with codified FASB Accounting Standards), a new research task format, and much more will be introduced. Students, candidates and employers should be aware that there are two remaining testing windows in 2010 (July/August and October/November) before the changes take effect.
Learn more.
Check out TSCPA Exam Review discounts.
TSCPA Exam Information page.
Uniform CPA Examination.

New CPA Introductory Membership

Do you have a new CPA on your team? Be sure to take advantage of TSCPA's offer of free membership for newly-licensed Texas CPAs. What a wonderful way to introduce your new CPA colleagues to the profession and their professional association! Share this online application link https://secure.tscpa.org/secure_apply2.asp with your new CPAs, or contact Member Services for an application. Phone 800-428-0272, ext. 271, or e-mail ganwuzia@tscpa.net. An offer table indicates the term for the free membership offering: https://secure.tscpa.org/FreeOfferTimetable0210.pdf

Which TSCPA Member Benefits Are Best for You?

TSCPA has more than 28,000 members in various career stages. Whether you’re just starting out in the profession or you’re planning to retire in the next few years, TSCPA members run the gamut in regard to longevity in the profession, chosen employment sector, interests, aspirations, family obligations, and more. To illustrate how TSCPA’s benefits apply to different types of members, the Society has created a Member Benefits Matrix. Take a look at how these fictional members can utilize TSCPA benefits that are just right for them. You might see yourself in one of these scenarios and discover a new TSCPA resource that’s perfect for you.

View the Member Benefits Matrix at http://www.tscpa.org/Content/50789.aspx

TSCPA Annual Meeting

Any TSCPA member may attend the Annual Meeting of Members, to be held July 2-3 at the Omni Hotel in San Diego. Hotel reservations for this sure-to-be-sold-out holiday weekend should be made now.  Meeting information and registration forms are available online at http://tscpa.org/Content/50955.aspx.  Or you may contact Judy Neathery. (E-mail jneathery@tscpa.net; phone 800-428-0272, ext. 235 or 972-687-8535.)

TSCPA Member Resource: Ask a Member

This is a new member resource that plugs you into the vast wealth of experience and knowledge owned by your fellow Texas CPAs. Members can call or e-mail when they have a question, concern or situation outside their area of expertise. Ask a Member volunteers provide quick, informal assistance on an as-needed basis. The service provided by these volunteers does not include extensive research or written reports, just a brief telephone conversation or reply to an e-mail. This is an additional resource that TSCPA has created to cater to your professional needs. Check out our other member programs available to you so you can get the most out of your membership. Ask a Member: http://www.tscpa.org/Content/50726.aspx

TSCPA’s Mentor Network: http://www.tscpa.org/content/legacy/mentornetwork/body.aspx

Succession Planning Resource for TSCPA Members Only

TSCPA has created a strategic alliance with the Succession Institute, LLC to develop the Texas Society Practice Management Institute. We know you have multiple, competing demands for your time, and TSCPA offers you a place focused on Firm Management and Practice Management issues. As a TSCPA member, you have free access to five chapters of Succession and Practice Management content. Make plans to visit this latest TSCPA resource to take full advantage of the special arrangement made especially for you.

Learn more at https://www.tscpa.org/Content/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fContent%2fresource%2fpublicpractice.aspx&emi=1

Young CPAs Conference

The third annual Young CPAs Conference will be held on Friday, June 25 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel & Conference Center in Austin. This daylong event designed for young CPAs, CPA candidates and accounting students will feature sessions on business skills for the workplace, social media for businesses, diversity in the workplace, negotiation and conflict resolution, a professional issues update, technology, and more. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this day-long CPE event on June 25. More details will be available soon, including registration information.

Attention All Tweeters

TSCPA has created a new Twitter page to help keep you updated on the latest news, notes, notices and all things involving TSCPA. Tweet with us as we keep tabs on upcoming events, conferences, meetings, and special occasions.  We invite you to follow along and let us know what’s on your mind. It’s easy to do! Just go to http://twitter.com/KellyTSCPA, click on the Join Today tab and start tweeting.

TSCPA Leadership Nominations for Year 2011-2012

The Nominations Committee needs input for key leadership positions. TSCPA members can submit suggestions for next year's Executive Board, directors-at-large (Board of Directors) and Texas members for the American Institute of CPAs Council. The deadline for sending nominations is Aug. 16.

To get the form online, use this URL: https://secure.tscpa.org/executive/nominations1112.asp?u6625vq=FDKHFJ&u662500nzr=&u6625s0nzr=eu10qn&u6625y0nzr=Yrqor66r4&u6625oqn6r=E/E/EMHD&u66250nzr=eu10qn%20U.%20Yrqor66r4 and log in.  The form will also be available in the July/August issue of Today’s CPA magazine.

Financial Literacy

Between tornadoes and hurricanes (and sometimes both), all parts of Texas are vulnerable to storm damage. Put your financial disaster plan in place before it's time to batten down the hatch. An online publication by the American Institute of CPAs, the American Red Cross and other partnering organizations covers recordkeeping, buying insurance, protecting your property, qualifying for government benefits, and more. Access it through this link http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/FinRecovery/FinPlan/ at TSCPA’s Financial Literacy website, www.ValueYourMoney.org.

Accounting Careers Education

TSCPA would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped out with TSCPA’s Accounting Careers Education (ACE) program for the 2009-10 year.  ACE volunteer members donated their time to travel to schools across the state and deliver presentations to students, host workshops and seminars for teachers and counselors, and provide speakers to university and college business and accounting programs.  Thank you again for volunteering and promoting TSCPA and the CPA profession.

For more information about TSCPA’s ACE Program, contact Donna Fritz. (E-mail dfritz@tscpa.net; phone 800-428-0272 ext. 201 or 972-687-8501.)

Student Membership

§  TSCPA’s student/candidate membership category has grown to an all-time high of more than 2,300 members! Thanks to our chapters and members for spreading the word and welcoming these students to TSCPA.

§  Do you know student members who are looking for more cash? TSCPA holds a random drawing each autumn for four $250 tuition/book reimbursements (provided courtesy of the Accounting Education Foundation of TSCPA). To be eligible, a student member majoring in accounting must renew or join by Sept. 30 to be entered in the drawing. For more details, contact Donna Fritz. (E-mail dfritz@tscpa.net; phone 800-428-0272 ext. 201 or 972-687-8501.)