President's MessageProviding Clients With the Best—Not All—ServicesSeptember 30, 2008
Not surprisingly, one of the biggest things on our clients’ minds right now is the economy and security over their financial investments. Many of my clients ask for financial advice. I can give them the basics, but I also recommend that they sit down with a certified personal financial planner and make sure that they have a proper financial plan in place. For example, when my parents passed away, certain realities were driven home that reinforced to me the importance of financial planning. The most significant of those realities was the difference between a nursing home versus 24-hour home care. There is no comparison as far as quality of life when considering the ability for someone to continue living in the dignity and comfort of their own home. But this benefit comes at a large cost and requires that you plan properly. As I explain to my clients, this planning is for their own piece of mind and for their children and others who care about them. As CPAs and our clients’ trusted advisers, we have a responsibility to provide the best service possible. If we are not proficient in a certain type of service, then we have the responsibility to refer our clients to someone who is proficient. I don’t think our clients want or expect us to know everything. What they do want and expect from us is someone who cares about them as individuals and, if the situation arises, someone who feels their pain and will help guide them through tough times. — David F. Veyna, CPA Chapter NewsIn Memoriam: Frank Ruzzo
From time to time our chapter recognizes CalCPA members who have come before us and paved the way to opportunities that we enjoy today. One such member is Frank Ruzzo, who died Aug. 24. Ruzzo first scouted out San Jose while serving in the U.S. Air Force and moved here after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University in 1947. His first job was in the San Jose office of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG), where he eventually became senior partner. He left Peat Marwick in 1966, along with Ray Scholl and Jim Murphy, and the trio founded Ruzzo, Scholl & Murphy, a firm that is still going strong today. Ruzzo was a great supporter of both San Jose and California. He was a board member of San Jose Hospital and the Center for Performing Arts. He was a life member and early leader of CalCPA, having joined in 1953, and served as chapter president in 1959 and CalCPA director from 1964 to 1966. Frank loved the CPA profession and dedicated his life to being a CPA. Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations
During our upcoming Honorees Night Wednesday, Jan. 28, we will award an individual who best epitomizes a lifetime of achievement, both within and outside of our profession. Past winners include Alexander W. Berger (2003); John Bellitto (2004); Robert B. Stringham (2005); Joseph P. Mori (2006); Robert A. Petersen (2007); and Anthony S.C. Yau (2008). All have been leaders with a legacy in our profession, as well as tireless and invaluable volunteers in our community. Where do you come in? We need your help to nominate those people whom you admire or find to be an inspiration in or out of our profession. Send your nominations, along with a paragraph describing their accomplishments, to Dan Morris or Ben Mozzetti Jr. Please don’t delay. Nominations close Thursday, Nov. 13. Community Service Event—CPAs Who Care
This year our chapter will join the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” a noncompetitive walk in the fight against breast cancer. Please plan to walk with us. Everyone is welcome (members, family and friends). Click here to access our team page on the American Cancer Society’s website where you can join or donate. Date: Saturday, Oct. 25 Why Wait Until the End of the Year to Give?
Get a jumpstart on your charitable giving and consider making a donation to the Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter Scholarship Fund. Every year at our January Honorees Night, our chapter awards scholarships to the best and brightest accounting students from 13 local junior colleges and universities. Please help us continue this great work by donating today. Download a donation flier 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. Women’s Leadership Forum
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. Learn more or 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. |







