President's Message
May 6, 2009
By Martin Goni, CPA
 Another busy season is over! Hopefully yours was a success and you can now enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. With the end of busy season and the advent of summer comes the end of my term as chapter president. I would like to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your chapter president this past year. I look back at our many events (Day of Caring, Student Night, CPA Day at the Capitol, and our first Golf Tournament, among others) and am very proud of the things we accomplished as a chapter over the past year.
I am also glad that I had the opportunity to meet many of you, as well as many of our fellow colleagues from around the state. I would like to thank all those who helped our chapter reach its goals in some fashion this past year. We could not have done it without your support. I look forward to our next year under the leadership of Joel Bock. It promises to be another great one for the Bakersfield Chapter and I look forward to seeing your continued involvement and support.
As always, if you have any questions regarding our chapter, do not hesitate to contact myself, our board of directors or Kay Coffin. Thanks again!
— Martin Goni, CPA
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Chapter News
By Joel Bock, CPA
As we emerge from yet another busy season, it is my pleasure to greet you as the Bakersfield Chapter’s president for 2009–10. I would also like to congratulate the newly elected chapter officers, directors and committee chairs. I look forward to working with this talented group over the next year.
Over the course of the next year, it is my hope to continue the momentum of certain successful events of the past, such as Student Night, Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) networking events and the Bakersfield Chapter Golf Tournament, as well as provide useful and pertinent CPE events, “Lunch and Learns” and other networking opportunities. I welcome any comments and suggestions regarding areas for improvement. Additionally, I would encourage you to get involved in chapter activities. We are always looking to further utilize the resources of our local membership.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the upcoming July 1 deadline for the Les Watts Memorial Scholarship applications. This scholarship is available to sophomore, junior or senior accounting students at Bakersfield College and CSUB. If you know anyone who meets the criteria, please encourage them to apply. Download an application.
I look forward to serving you over the course of the next year. Please do not hesitate to contact any of our officers, directors or committee chairs with questions, comments or suggestions.
— Joel Bock, CPA
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On behalf of the Bakersfield Chapter’s officers, directors and members, we extend our warmest of welcomes to our new members …
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CalCPA News
The new year brought new peer review and quality control standards effective Jan. 1, 2009, that require written documentation of a quality control plan and written independence confirmations from staff. These standards apply to all firms with attest engagements, including firms that issue only compilations.
Make sure you’re in compliance by attending this free, two-hour webcast featuring Linda McCrone, CalCPA’s director of peer review, Wednesday June 3, 10 a.m.–noon.
Register online.
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You can post your résumé—for FREE—on CalCPA’s online classified page. Get in front of local employers looking to hire CPA professionals—post your résumé today.
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It’s getting tougher and tougher to earn a living in this profession. The economy is causing many clients to try to reduce fees by cutting back on the amount of services they have been receiving. It’s also getting more difficult to bring in new business when unemployed bookkeepers are hanging out shingles calling themselves accountants. Are they allowed to do that and if not, what can be done about it?
— Don’t need a bail-out but could sure use some stimulus
Dear In the Company of a Lot of Other CPAs,
Unlicensed people are allowed to use the title “accountant” if they indicate that they are an unlicensed accountant or that the accounting services they provide do not require a license. In my opinion, however, it is virtually impossible for the California Board of Accountancy to monitor this requirement on a state level. I am told that the CBA, when presented with proof of a violation (copy of an advertisement, picture of a sign or building listed, etc.), will send the individual a cease and desist letter and has the ability to fine the individual for practicing without a license. There are complaint forms on the CBA’s website. The best stimulus that I can give you is that I think that CPAs are in a better position than most to ride out this recession so hang in there.
— CalCPA’s A&A
(800)922-5272 ext. 2355
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CalCPA’s Committee on Taxation meets annually with members of the IRS and FTB, and maintains a liaison with the Employment Development Department and the Board of Equalization, to discuss problems the profession is experiencing in the broad range of tax areas in which these entities and professionals interact. You can assist the COT liaison effort by suggesting questions for discussion with these agencies. All questions must be submitted by May 15.
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