President's Message
May 7, 2009
By Denise M. Patterson, CPA
 The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee passed Senate Bill 691 April 27. SB 691 provides for a revision of the existing law regarding licensure. Under the bill, candidates for licensure would require proof of completion of a minimum of 150 semester units prior to licensure and one year of qualifying experience (in addition to a baccalaureate degree and successful completion of the CPA Exam). The current Pathway 1 (completion of a baccalaureate degree with completion of at least 24 semester units in accounting and 24 semester units in business related subjects, board exam passage, and two years of qualifying experience) would be eliminated.
Voting in favor of the bill were committee members Aanestad, Correa, Florez, Oropeza, Walters, Wyland and Yee. Three members—Corbett, McLeod and Romero—did not vote.
In addition to a number of CalCPA members, approximately 20 students and candidates attended the hearing to express their support of the bill. SB 691 will next go to the Senate Appropriations Committee. A date for this next hearing is not yet known. If the bill clears that committee, it would then go to the floor of the Senate.
You can find more information SB 691 on the CalCPA website. If you would like to send a letter in support of this legislation, please contact Kay Coffin for a sample letter, as well as the address to which the letter should be directed.
In other news, be sure to register for CalCPA’s 100th anniversary gala celebration. The event will take place Friday, June 19, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. In addition to dinner and dancing, the evening will include a reception and silent.
This is my final President’s Message. Next month, our new officers will take the reins of the chapter. I wish our incoming officers great success! Sheryl Yardumian, Elaine Reule, Jodie Rolih and Laura Cullen will do a tremendous job for the Fresno Chapter.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who served as chapter officers and board members this past year: Sheryl Yardumian, Elaine Reule, Jodie Rolih, Laura Cullen, Tim Baker, Kristi Miller, Norman Wong, Paul Chen, Ron Hickok and Adrienne Cantrell. And a special thanks to Kay Coffin for keeping chapter operations running so smoothly! It has been my utmost pleasure to work with this group of wonderful professionals. I also want to thank all the chapter members for their input and participation in the various meetings and events this past year. Your support and involvement in the chapter is incredibly generous. Thank you all!
— Denise M. Patterson, CPA (FL)
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Chapter News
By Sheryl Yardumian, CPA
I hope this first newsletter of our 2009–10 fiscal year finds everyone restored and refreshed after a busy tax season. For those of you who are auditors, I hope you are finding a break between the calendar and fiscal year audits.
As the incoming chapter president, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the board members, committee members, volunteers, administrative staff and you (the members) for making 2008–09 a huge success. As a result of everyone’s support and dedication, our chapter was able to transfer more than $17,000 to our scholarship fund.
For those of you who are not familiar with our scholarship fund, it is used to award scholarships to deserving students pursuing accounting careers. Last year, we awarded six junior college scholarships (a total of $6,000) to students attending Madera Center Community College and Fresno City College. These scholarships were awarded to the recipients at our annual Student Night, which was held in September.
My challenge to you for this year is to raise even more money for our scholarship fund. This will not be an easy feat given the current economy. However, I am confident that with everyone’s support, we will be able to reach this goal. So, please keep your eyes out for upcoming events, including CE opportunities, and support your local chapter. With everyone’s help, 2009–10 will be an even more successful year.
— Sheryl Yardumian, CPA
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On behalf of the Fresno 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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