President's MessageSo, Let’s Dance!September 26, 2008
The other day, I was driving to work listening to the soundtrack of Mamma Mia!, which, as you probably know, is a movie with lots of singing and dancing as the characters meet and overcome life challenges. I was thinking about how, in the accounting profession, we often face unforgiving deadlines and stressful situations, and I began reminding myself of why we do our work anyway. What came to me was that there could be a lot of joy in the opportunities we have to make a difference to individuals or organizations. Whether we’re preparing financial reports or tax returns, performing an audit or a forensic investigation, or executing almost any accounting-related task, we’re helping to uncover the story. Often, there are many ups and downs in the accomplishment of any given project. The numbers we deal with reflect the tale of the business or the individual—how well (or not) things are going for the entity and any parties touched by the entity’s endeavors: owners, employees or even legal adversaries. Our role as advisers and collaborative professionals allows us to “dance” with our clients and often each other through the process as the picture unfolds, accomplishments are celebrated and challenges met. In this dance of making a positive difference, myriad opportunities allow us to engage in a variety of roles at all levels of involvement. CalCPA gives us many such possibilities. For example, our chapter just hosted (read “celebrated”) another hugely successful and well-attended ABC (Attorneys, Bankers and CPAs) Night, which gave us a chance to connect with other professionals who help our clients deal with their financial affairs. Thanks, Rob Anderson and committee! Also, a good time was had by all at our chapter’s golf tournament, hosted in San Francisco at Harding Park. Thanks to Steve Willis for keeping us connected there. Don’t miss the many other chances to get involved that are coming up in just the next few weeks! For example, our chapter is participating in an Oct. 4 financial planning/literacy event being spearheaded by the local chapter of the Financial Planning Association, Assembly member Sandré Swanson and the city of Oakland. We will take part by facilitating seminars to members of the local community. This is expected to be a large event with several hundred attendees. Our next chapter meeting, Sports Night, is Tuesday, Oct. 28 and should be very enlightening and great fun. Then, be on the lookout for the Estate Planning Symposium and the Partners Forum coming in early November, plus all of our chapter’s committees and discussion groups. So, as we work in this profession that provides us with so many opportunities to make a difference—let’s join in the dance! — Michele Day, CPA Chapter NewsScholarship Applications Being Accepted
It’s time to apply for the East Bay Chapter’s scholarships. Last year the chapter awarded over $20,000 to students attending East Bay colleges. The scholarship application deadline is Friday, Oct. 31. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview and scholarships will be awarded at Honorees Night in January. Don’t miss out on the opportunity for a scholarship starting at $1,000! Thanks to our generous scholarship fund donors who make this possible. To make direct donations to the chapter’s scholarship fund, make checks payable to CalCPA Institute; East Bay Chapter and mail to: Attn: Soco Davenport; 1235 Radio Road; Redwood City, CA 94065. 13th Annual Estate Planning Symposium
Our annual Estate Planning Symposium will cover proposed regulations related to preparer penalties; estate and gift tax cases and rulings; donating real estate to charity; and the pitfalls of using LLCs and limited partnerships in estate planning, among other topics. This year’s keynote speaker will be Kip Dillinger, CPA, author of The Practical Guide to Federal Tax Practice Standards for CCH and chair of the AICPA’s Tax Practice Responsibilities Committee. Other speakers include Chris Nicholson, San Francisco Foundation; Kevin Crilly, director of gift planning, University of California, Berkeley; Andrew Zabronsky, Evans, Latham & Campisi; and Michael Burnstein, Heller Ehrman, LLP and an adjunct faculty member at Golden Gate University School of Law. October Chapter Meeting: Sports Night
Hey sports fans! Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite college or pro team’s cap during our October chapter meeting, where special guest Joe Fonzi, KTVU-TV weekend sports anchor, will give us an inside peek inside the Bay Area sports scene. Meet the Board: Scott Haislet
Scott Haislet’s first career ambition was to “get that blessed CPA parchment,” he says. Something sound religious about his wording? This might help explain it: “My dad suggested I become a CPA when I was 16 years old. You have to know my dad—I thought it was a commandment, not a suggestion, but at least he suggested something extremely worthwhile,” he says. “That was in 1976, long before there was a labor shortage in public accounting. I think he figured that I would never get rich (in dollars), but I would always have a decent job. I have become rich (not in the money sense) for adopting his suggestion; I think it is still a great suggestion for young people today.” Today Haislet has his own practice as a 1031 exchange intermediary, attorney and CPA, at Lafayette Exchange Corporation and 1031 Connection, Inc. He’s a graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Haislet is a rare breed in that he loves public speaking, and gets his fix by teaching for the California CPA Education Foundation and presenting various continuing education programs for CalCPA chapters. He says the key to being a good CPA has more to do with listening than talking. “The number of questions a CPA should ask should be at least triple the number of answers a CPA should give,” he says. “Also, with the understanding that sincere people want to please, a CPA should forgive errors with encouragement that next time the person will not repeat the error and will learn from the experience. People only grow by stretching and making mistakes.” 2008 CPA of the Year Award
Nominate the CPA who impresses you the most. This could be your boss, a peer, a subordinate, a teacher or a friend you know. Download a nomination form today. CalCPA NewsExecutive Education
The California CPA Education Foundation has partnered with UCLA to offer the following executive education courses for financial professionals: Oct. 30: Making Informed Capital Investment Decisions: Nov. 14: Acting Ethically and Detecting and Preventing Accounting Fraud: CalCPA Leaders Wanted
If you’re interested in helping shape the next group of CalCPA leaders, nominate a member for the job. Or, if you’re interested in a leadership role, self-nomination is the best way make your interest known. The CalCPA Nominations Committee is accepting nominations until Dec. 1 for 2009–10 CalCPA officers and council members at large. Learn more and download an application. Celebrating Women CPAs
Join CalCPA Dec. 3 for a day of leadership development, professional growth and recognition at the 2008 Women’s Leadership Forum. From tips and strategies for attaining leadership positions within the profession to handling difficult situations, mentoring and public speaking, this event designed by women CPA leaders will feature top speakers dedicated to helping women advance their careers. Register today! Plus, a lunchtime celebration will feature winners of CalCPA’s first Women to Watch Awards presented in cooperation with the AICPA. Download a nominations form. Then join other women as they finish the successful day of networking at the Women’s Leadership Forum with a networking dinner. |
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