Printable PDF - Houston CPA Society

Transcription

www.houstonCPA.org
CPA
AT A GLANCE
2014 Golf Classic
19-22
Classified Ads
13
CPA Aces
7
CPAs Helping Schools
17
CPE News Flash
4-5
Diversity Awards Nominations 16
Facility Party Rental
4
In Remembrance
6
Logo Merchandise
11
Member Benefits
9-11
Member News
6
New Members
8
Referral Service Registration 6
Social Media – Get Connected 9
TSCPA "ROI"
6
Volunteer Opportunities
HCPAS Holiday Projects 23
Santa CPAs Fundraising Drive23
DECEMBER 2014, NO. 12
HOUSTON CPA SOCIETY
HOUSTON TSCPA
FOUNDATION
Telephone No.
713.622.7733
Admin. Fax No.
713.622.0522
CPE/Order Fax No.
713.622.3327
Email Address:
[email protected]
Web Site:
www.houstonCPA.org
Annual Membership
Meeting…Officer and
Director Election
Join current and incoming members of the Society's
leadership at the Annual Membership Meeting from 6:00
to 9:00 PM on January 21, 2015 at The Junior League
of Houston. This meeting will provide members with the
opportunity to socialize, elect new officers and directors
(see slate of nominees in the November 2014 issue),
and hear TSCPA Chairman – and past HCPAS president Mark D. Lee, CPA, provide a professional update (1 CPE
credit hour).
Be sure to register early as the first 100 members to
register will receive complimentary registration. Late
member registrants, nonmembers and non-CPA guests
and spouses may attend for a fee of $40. All absent preregistered complimentary attendees will be charged a
$40 "no-show" fee.
Register online in the Event Calendar at www.houstoncpa.org, or contact Vicki Hart at the Society office
(713.622.7733; [email protected]) to submit your
registration.
Community Service
Holiday Projects
Star of Hope Food, Toy & Clothing Drive (December 7)
Santa CPAs Fundraising Drive
…get all the details on page 23.
Save the Date
Do You Need A 2015 CCH
Master Tax Guide?
The HCPAS hasn't sold the Master Tax
Guides since 2008, but members may
purchase the 2015 edition directly from
CCH at a 25% discount. Remember to
use Houston CPA Discount Code Y5457.
Go to page 12 for more information.
Welcome To Our Newest
Team Member…Amy Newell
The season was not the only thing
that changed the end of October.
Long time Houston CPA Society
CPE Director Judith Butcher retired
to care for her elderly mother, and
Amy Newell joined the staff as CPE
Manager.
While originally focused on a law
career, Amy interned at the Harris
County District Attorney's office
before embarking on a career in education, teaching
social studies for 11 years for Houston ISD. As a result of
her years in public service, she brings much to the
Society – stellar organizational skills, outgoing personality ("people person"), and easygoing but determined style.
When she's not reading psychological or political thrillers
or watching the Food Network – though not skilled in the
kitchen – she spends time with husband Jeff, daughter
Skyler three, and son Connor 20 months.
Welcome Amy next time you visit the office or call with a
CPE question.
Saturday Evening
February 21, 2015
Houston Country Club
Honorees
Barry Margolis, Jan Phipps and
Tommy Wright
See page 2 for sponsorship and individual ticket information.
LOGIN to www.HoustonCPA.org to make your purchase online in the Event Calendar.
Visit the 2015 Scholarship Extravaganza web site at www.scholarshipextravaganza.com.
FORUM FEATURES
2
Benefiting
Accounting Scholarship Fund
Accounting Scholarship Endowment
and CPAs Helping Schools
Saturday, February 21, 2014
6:29 to 11:00 PM
Houston Country Club
One Potomac Drive
Houston TX 77057
Honorees
Barry Margolis, Jan Phipps
and Tommy Wright
THANK YOU for joining us in support of our profession and our schools.
UNDERWRITER LEVELS:
Summa cum Laude
$20,000 (4 Scholarships) *
Magna cum Laude
$10,000 (2 Scholarships) ~
Cum Laude
$ 5,000 (1 Scholarship)
SUPPORTER LEVELS:
Presidential List
Dean's List
Program Supporter
Individual Tickets
Underwriter Levels include dinner for eight (8), open bar,
venue signage, video and podium recognition, listing in event
invitation and program (print deadline January 9, 2015), and
acknowledgement in media print ads, CPA newsletter and CPA
web site.
~
*includes 4 extra tickets
includes 2 extra tickets
$2,500+
(Venue signage; 4 dinner tickets, open bar; listing in event invitation,
newsletter, web site and program)
$1,000+ (Venue signage; 2 dinner tickets, open bar; listing in event invitation,
newsletter and program)
$ 500+ (Venue signage; listing in event invitation and program; tickets not included.)
$ 150 X ___ = $ _____
DEADLINE FOR INCLUSION ON EVENT INVITATION: DECEMBER 20, 2014
Sorry! I will be unable to participate under the listed options. However, please accept my contribution of $
.
PAYABLE TO: Houston TSCPA Foundation/2015 Scholarship Event, 777 Post Oak Blvd. #500 Houston 77056-3212
My sponsorship/ticket purchase is (check one):
Corporate/Business
Name
Company/Firm
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone
Fax
FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT: AMEX
Card No.
Personal/Individual
Email
VISA
MasterCard Discover
Exp Date
Auth Code
CSC Number
CSC is the three digit verification number on the back (or four digit on the front for American Express) of your card.
Cardholder Name (please print)
Signature
Card Billing Address
Zip Code
(if different from above)
Fax Credit Cards Only to 713.622.3327 For more information, contact Nancy Toberman (713.622.7733 x250 [email protected]).
You may also download this form at www.ScholarshipExtravaganza.com
FORUM FEATURES
DECEMBER 2014
Generating
Success for
Generations
of Texas
Families
CPA
The Forum is published monthly by the
Houston Chapter, Texas Society of
Certified Public Accountants.
Carol G. Warley
President
Nancy A. Rutledge
Executive Director
Elyse A. Turla
Editor
Newsletter Deadline
3rd Thursday of the
month prior to issue date.
Forward information to:
Houston CPA Society
777 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77056-3212
Voice Phone: (713)622-7733
Administrative Fax: (713)622-0522
CPE/Order Fax: (713)622-3327
E-mail: [email protected]
3
Standing: Judy Bozeman, Donnie Roberts, Allen Lewis,
Michael Ringger and Elizabeth Leicht
Seated: Bill Cunningham, Maureen Phillips, Rick Morales
and Tom Williams
s Investment Management
s Financial Planning
s Trust and Estate Services
More Than 30 Years of Building
Successful Financial Futures
Learn more at
www.woodwayfinancial.com
10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 650sHouston,
Texas 77024
[email protected]
Help insure the continuation of the profession!
Contribute to the Accounting Scholarship
Endowment Fund and help provide an
education to aspiring new CPAs. For an updated
donor listing, CLICK HERE
SALT ROUNDTABLE
Kicks Off in January
State and Local Tax groups are gaining attention in the Houston area. Under the leadership of Michael Regan (Weaver), a group of
SALT practitioners has planned a series of
Roundtables, the first of which will be held
January 19. Topics for these Roundtables will
initially include (beginner and intermediate)
Texas Franchise Tax; Sales Tax Audit, Defense
Donate to the CPAs Helping Schools initiative
which supports Houston area schools PreK-12.
and Process; Sales Tax, Credits and
Incentives. It is envisioned that future programs will include all areas of state and
municipal tax including income/franchise,
fuels tax, abandoned property, sales and property tax.
The two-hour programs will be held at the
firm of the presenting speaker(s).
Registration fees for these programs will be
$25 for Houston CPA Society members/nonCPAs and $40 for nonmember CPAs.
The first program is scheduled for Monday,
January 19 at the BKD offices (2800 Post Oak
Blvd #3200). Speakers Michael Regan
(Weaver) and Dallas Packer (BKD) will speak
on (Beginner) Texas Franchise Tax and
(Intermediate) Texas Franchise Tax for one
hour each.
For registration information, check the
Society's monthly CPE Circular, or LOGIN to
register online in the CPE Calendar on the
Society’s website at www.Houstoncpa.org.
4
CPE NEWS FLASH
Let the Houston TSCPA Foundation help fulfill your required CPE needs…
Registration information on the courses featured below can be found in the monthly CPA CPE Circular
(https://www.houstoncpa.org/IMIS15/pdfs/Monthly_CPE_Circular.pdf) distributed by email and USPS mail to all
members. Or, LOG IN and register online in the Event Calendar at www.HoustonCPA.org.
Becker Professional Education And
The Houston CPA Society:
Joining Forces To Offer You An
Incredible Member Benefit
Not only are Becker Professional Education's webcast and on-demand
CPE courses available to members at a reduced subscription rate but
members will now be able to benefit from purchasing individual ondemand courses as well.
Becker's comprehensive CPE course offerings provide the
most current information for today’s most critical and
challenging business issues, empowering you for the
next level of success.
To register visit https://learn.beckercpe.com. "HOUSTON TSCPA"
should be listed in the "Company Name" field when registering.
Key Topics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
IFRS
U.S. GAAP
Fraud & Corruption Prevention
Forensic Accounting
Engagement & Project Management
Taxation
Government
• Revenue Recognition
• Strategic Management
•
And much more
For more information, contact Rob Foster at Becker
(630.353.3702; [email protected]) or Amy Newell
at 713.622.7733 x260; [email protected].
All Houston CPA Society Members now have
the opportunity to purchase a 1 year unlimited
subscription to Becker's entire Continuing
Professional Education course catalog that
includes over 190 courses for only $325 per
year or individual courses for $79 each.
Annual Tax Seminar
Lineup - Registrations
Now Being Accepted
The annual full-day tax update sessions featuring premier speakers Steven J. Tillinger, CPA,
and Blaise D. Bender, JD, CPA, have been
scheduled. Mark your calendars and plan to
register well in advance for these popular and
informative programs.
Federal Tax Update
(Steven J. Tillinger, CPA)
Friday, December 12, 2014
Need A Place For Your
Holiday Party?
The Society's Got
Space For You!
With the economy in its current state, it's
becoming increasingly difficult to find a convenient and reasonably priced facility for your
holiday party. Did you know the Houston CPA
Society rents its training facility, including
tables, chairs, and kitchen privileges?
Restaurants and hotels charge premium rates
To view the Becker Course Catalog visit
becker.com/cpe
®
(https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst
onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM031.F)
Friday, January 16, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Individual Federal Tax Update
(Blaise D. Bender, JD, CPA)
Monday, January 26, 2015
Just think…if you subscribe by the 1st day
of your birthday month, you can get in two
years' of CPE for one year's subscription fee!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Business Tax Update
(Blaise D. Bender, JD, CPA)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Look for registration information in the monthly CPE Circular or LOGIN to
www.HoustonCPA.org and register in the CPE & Calendar > Event Calendar section.
for room rental, catering and beverage service,
plus an increasingly higher add-on service
charge. Use the Society's facility and bring
your own food and beverage…saving the service charge! Use your favorite caterer, bring in
your own wait staff and bartender; do it yourself and get more party for your dollar. Society
staff can also recommend catering and beverage services.
Centrally located one block west of the 610
Loop at Post Oak Boulevard and Uptown
Park/Hollyhurst near the Galleria, our fifth
floor suite of rooms provides up to 3,000
square feet of carpeted comfort, including a
marble sideboard, a massive coffee bar, and
lounge area with television and Wi-Fi. FREE
covered parking is a plus with four elevators
to provide your employees and guests with
convenient, all weather access.
Attention Society Members: Book your office
party with the Society and receive a discount
on room rental!
The training facility is also ideal for meetings,
seminar and staff training. A rental rate sheet
with schematic can be found on the HCPAS
web site. Contact the Society office
(713.622.7733; [email protected]) for
assistance in planning your function.
DECEMBER 2014
25th Annual
TAX EXPO
are federal tax and expenditure policy, state
and local public finance, and the construction
and simulation of computable general equilibrium models. His current research focuses on
the economic effects of corporate tax reform,
the economic and distributional effects of fundamental tax reform, individual portfolio allocation in the 2000s, and various other tax policy issues.
Tuesday's luncheon guest is Secret Service
Special Agent Kevin Cooke. He will provide
better understanding of "Identity Theft and
Cyber-Crime" in the 21st century and how to
protect your assets. Cooke has been a special
agent for 16 years with assignments in
Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C.,
including five years in the Presidential
Protective Division and two years in the
Washington Field Office. He has extensive
knowledge on identity theft, financial crimes,
cyber-crime, and money laundering investigations. His presentation is fun, educational and
thought-provoking – don't miss it!
New to Tax Expo is Clark Sackschewsky from
BDO, providing information you requested on
"Alternative Minimum Tax: What You Need
to Know," and Devin Hall from
PricewaterhouseCoopers, who will address
"Final Tangible Property Regulations."
A special Social Security session with two
mini-presentations closes out Tuesday.
Andrew Loftus of Blackrock Investments
speaks on "Securing Your Retirement," followed by local attorney John Driskill addressing the "Disability Enrollment Process."
Maintaining the Tax Expo tradition of providing a running start on the upcoming tax year
by offering multiple tracks with a specific
focus on tax, in 2015 we again offer additional
topics in Track 4 that do not have a direct tax
focus yet are important to your business. Such
subjects include "The ESOP: An Alternative
Buyer of Company Stock" with Bruce
Armstrong of Menke & Associates from San
Francisco, "10 Steps to Effective Disaster
Preparedness" with YEHUDA CAGEN of
Xvand Technology, and "Excel Update" with
BOBBY DOSS. If you have Excel-related
questions for Bobby to answer in his session,
you may send them in advance to
[email protected]
Sugar Land Town Square provides complimentary self-parking in multiple garages, easy
access from the Southwest Freeway. A special
overnight hotel rate of $169 is available at
the Sugar Land Marriott Hotel until
December 19. For reservations: Call the
Sugar Land Marriott (281) 275-8400; Group
name: Houston CPA Society
Special Overnight Room Rate
of $169, while available!
DO NOT MISS…The 25th annual CPE Tax
Expo, January 5 and 6 at the Sugar Land
Marriott Town Square. Committee planners
have an informative, exciting line-up of repeat
and first-time presenters to get you ready for
the upcoming tax filing season!
In 1990 the Houston TSCPA Foundation Tax
Exposition Committee was formed with Laura
Nowicki and Bill Henry leading the small
group in planning the first conference specifically for tax preparers. Several of these dedicated individuals remain active today, ensuring the quality of speakers, topics and the
overall event. In our 25 years, some things
have changed yet many have remained the
same.
• Provide high quality CPE at reasonable
cost
• Offer timely topics to prepare the tax practitioner for the filing season
The two-day Tax Expo consistently invites top
speakers, both local and national, to share the
latest developments and procedures from the
federal, state and local taxing reporting
authorities. The topics are for the professional
accountant with a tax or consulting practice,
and for those in industry, law, and financial
services. Public practice or industry, the 2015
Tax Expo provides educational information for
anyone impacted by tax legislation!
For many years, STEVE TILLINGER has
updated Texas CPAs on the latest tax law and
rule changes for individuals and small businesses. He will return to open the conference
on January 5 with the latest in tax news. If
2015 is your year for TSBPA approved Ethics,
you will need to register early for a limited
spot to attend DAVID HOLT's four-hour session Tuesday on "Ethical Business Decisions
for Texas CPAs."
Monday's luncheon "Tax Reform" presentation
is from John W. Diamond, Edward A. and
Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public
Finance at Rice University's Baker Institute.
Dr. Diamond is an adjunct professor of economics at Rice University and CEO of Tax
Policy Advisers, LLC. His research interests
5
Handouts include numerous sample letters,
such as penalty abatement letters, engagement letters, Examination Appeals, Request
for Third Party Contacts, FOIA request, and
filled-in IRS forms (i.e. 2848, 8821, 9423,
12153, 911).
JANUARY 5-6, 2015
Sugar Land Marriott
Town Square
2015 TAX EXPO – Celebrating 25
Years
MEMBER BENEFITS
W
Tuesday is a busy day with the return of CPAAttorney Martin Davidoff. Mr. Davidoff visited
in 2013 and your comments included "truly
refreshing, excellent detailed handout and
dynamic speaker," and "liked the audience
interaction." "IRS Offers in Compromise: A
Case Study" is a comprehensive workshop
taking attendees on a hands-on journey
through the entire IRS OIC process, including
how to effectively complete the appropriate
financial disclosure package for individuals
(form 433-A (OIC)). Next, Davidoff provides
procedures for "Navigating the IRS," covering
how to represent your clients before the IRS
from the first phone call through the resolution of the problem. The program details the
steps in a tax controversy, describes tools and
provides practical guidance in dealing with the
IRS, and discusses alternative resolution scenarios in dealing with collection matters.
The Tax Expo experience is more than CPE.
You will have time for networking so bring
plenty of business cards to exchange between
sessions, at the employee/employer job
exchange table and at lunch. The location provides you an opportunity to visit the Sugar
Land Town Center restaurants and relax in the
evenings. In addition, by purchasing a binder
with all printed course materials, you can
catch up on presentations you are unable to
attend.
As always, 18 hours of CPE is available and
continuing legal credit will also be available.
There will be designated sessions offering continuing education credit for Certified
Financial Planners®, and, new in 2015, for
Enrolled Agents. Share this exciting educational opportunity with your colleagues.
Look for your 2015 Tax Expo brochure in
your mailbox. For online registration, LOGIN
to www.HoustonCPA.org, or register by phone
by contacting the Houston CPA Society office
at 713.622.7733. Any questions can be directed to our Staff Liaison Carol Spencer at
[email protected] or 713.622.7733
x320.
6
MEMBER NEWS
Member News
2800 Post Oak Blvd #3200, Houston 770566167 (713.499.4600).
Onward and Upward
Camaron E. Thorson CPA, has been
named partner in the firm of KPMG LLP,
811 Main St #4400, Houston 77002-6124
(713.319.2000).
Steven Elliott, CPA, has joined the firm of
GBH CPAs, PC, as tax manager at 6002
Rogerdale Rd #500, Houston 77072-1655
(713.482.0000).
Green & McElreath announces the relocation of its offices to 600 Travis #6150,
Houston 77002-3039 (713.228.1040).
In Remembrance
The Houston CPA Society would like to
express deepest sympathy to the family of
Jay Bahme, CPA, a Texas Society Life
Member and Houston CPA Society 40-Year
Member, who received Texas Certificate No.
1831 in 1949.
ASE  AFL
Kristin D. Morgan, CPA, has been promoted to director in the firm of BKD, LLP,
Accounting Scholarship Endowment  Assisting Future Leaders
Parking at CPA
Office Building
777 Post Oak Boulevard (parking
entrance on Hollyhurst, behind
building)
Visitor Parking is on lower level of
garage. If that area is full, return
to first level and proceed up ramp
to second level where there is a
card access box with a push button. Depress the button and tell
whoever answers that you are visiting the Houston CPA Society
offices and need a parking spot.
They will raise the gate so that you
can proceed to an upper level
(third or fourth floor) to park.
Special needs accessible parking is
also located on the garage second
level.
Visit the Resources > Sharing the Legacy page at www.HoustonCPA.org to find out
more and/or to make a contribution.
CPA Referral Service:
It's A Client Magnet
What is the potential client base of the
Houston CPA Society CPA Referral Service?
Everyone in the Greater Houston area who
picks up the Yellow Pages and turns to
"Accountants" or looks online at
www.HoustonCPA.org.
Just imagine what this Society public service
could do for your practice. Through the online
Referral Service Request Form, prospective
TSCPA: Explore ROI
(Responsibility Of Individuals)
The Texas Society of CPAs knows how valuable
your CPA license is. You represent all that it
stands for, and you work each day to be an
example of honesty, integrity, and the high
ethical standards CPAs are expected to uphold.
In a word, you could say CPAs are responsible. Responsible to many – your clients, your
employer, your family, your community, yourself, and your profession. The responsibility of
individuals, your ROI if you will, is maximized
when combined through membership in and
with support of your professional association.
clients receive referral information immediately. A list of firms with contact information
matching the user defined criteria (area of
expertise and/or foreign language search) is
returned in zip code order so the user can
identify a conveniently located CPA.
With the costs of doing business increasing
across the board, the Society is bucking the
trend. By joining now, your firm will be entitled to an entire year's membership for only
$100.00 – just in time for tax season. Think
about it…fees generated by that one special
new client more than covers your yearly fee.
TSCPA exists for you, the CPA, and only you.
Without you, TSCPA cannot effectively protect
the profession you worked so hard to be a part
of. There is strength in numbers. People listen
more. Businesses listen more. Legislators listen more. The collective voice of 28,000 is
more than your individual voice.
It's your duty to help ensure these efforts continue for the good of the profession and the
good of those you serve so responsibly. The
investment of your membership dues is a
small price to pay for the protection of a profession you hold dear. We are here to help you
uphold your many professional responsibilities
and pay it forward for the future of Texas
CPAs.
If your firm did not participate in 2014, please
contact Carla Sanders at the Society office
(713.622.7733 x310;
[email protected]) to receive a
detailed application and registration form. All
firms that participated in 2014 will receive
an invoice this month. The Referral Service
operates on the calendar year; so join today to
take advantage of the busy tax season!
NOTE: Members of the Referral Service
must be a TSBPA licensed firm practicing
full-time.
Allow us to help you connect with what you
need when you need it. Use the links below, or
contact our member service team for personal
assistance (800/428-0272 or
[email protected]).
Questions about membership categories, dues,
or benefits can be directed to the TSCPA
Member Service Team
([email protected]; 800.428.0272).
To learn more about recruiting activities by
the Houston CPA Society, contact Membership
Marketing Manager Frances St. Cyr
([email protected]; 713.622.7733 x240).
DECEMBER 2014
MEMBER NEWS
7
We Love CPAces!
Join the CPA Aces — another way for you
and your business to be recognized as a
leader in the Greater Houston community
and brought to you through the Houston
CPA Society.
Membership is easy and FREE. The CPA
Aces are comprised of companies and firms
employing at least one CPA with 100% of
CPA employees being members of the
Houston CPA Society. The Aces program is a
great way to recognize the Houston businesses that demonstrate a top-flight level of support and commitment to their employees as
well as those employees' local professional
association where they receive quality continuing education, grow professionally, develop
leadership skills, and maintain contacts of
benefit to the individual and business alike.
It's a win-win partnership, which, as the 3rd
largest local chapter in the nation, allows
Houston's CPA professional society a strong
voice.
Benefits of membership in CPA Aces
include:
• A Listing in the Resources Section of the
Society web site at www.HoustonCPA.org
linked toYour Firm or Company's site
(based on availability);
• A Certificate of Membership suitable for
framing; and
• Periodic Recognition and Promotion in
the FORUM and eFORUM, and at Society
Events.
If all CPAs in your firm are members of the
Houston CPA Society, then join today! As
stated above, there are no additional costs,
just supplementary recognition and promotion within the Society and the community
for your firm. If not, contact the Texas
Society of CPAs (800.428.0272 x260;
www.tscpa.org) for a joint membership application. First time members are afforded a
discounted first year rate, and reinstating
members may request their reinstatement fee
be waived. To check your employees' membership status, contact Elyse Turla at the
Society office ([email protected];
713.622.7733 x290).
MEET OUR NEWEST CPA ACE
VOELKEL COMMERCIAL ADVISORS LLC (WWW.VOELKELCA.COM)
JOINING THE GROWING LIST OF COMPANIES AND FIRMS EXCELLING . . .
in their profession, in their leadership, in their commitment to keeping their business flying high and staying on top.
adm CPA P.C. (www. admcpapc.com)
Kristi Albaugh, PLLC
All Reverse of Texas LLC
ABIP, PC. (www.abipcpa.com)
John A. Anderson, PC
(www.johnandersoncpa.com)
Mark H. Andrus, Attorney at Law
Bickley, Prescott & Co., P.C.
Bowles, Womack & Company, PC
(www.bowleswomack.com)
Boxer Property Mgmt
(www. boxerproperty.com)
Brooke Staffing Companies, Inc.
(www.brookecompanies.com)
Charles K. Burns, Jr., CPA
Byrd Interior Construction, LP
(www. byrdinterior.com)
Cenikor Foundation Inc. (www.cenikor.org)
Clanton CPA, P.C.
Conklin Hruzek & Co., P.C.
(www.chco-cpa.com)
Carol A. Cooper, P.C. (www.carolacooper.com)
Cornelius, Stegent & Price, LLP
(www.CPAdvisers.com)
Thomas J. Crayton, CPA
Cummings & Houston, LLP
(www. cummingshouston.com)
DWG CPA PLLC (www.dwgcpatx.com)
Dabney Investment Consulting Associates, Inc.
(www.dabneyinvestmentconsulting.com)
Dao CPA, P.C. (www.accountinginabox.com)
Day West & Associates, Inc.
(www.daywestinc.com)
Decker Consulting (www.deckerusa.com)
Durio & Company, PC (www.durio.cpa.pro)
E B F Office Products, Inc.
(www.ebfofficeproducts.com)
Edward Jones Investments
Ramon Fernandez
Firefly Business Group
(www.fireflybusinessgroup.com)
Fitts, Roberts & Co. P.C.
(www.fittsroberts.com)
Ruth Hughes Fletcher, P. C.
Genesis Partners (www.genesispartners.info)
Global Custom Commerce, LP
(www.blinds.com)
Robert D. Goldstein, CPA
Goodman Financial Corporation
(www.goodmanfinancial.com)
Joanne L. Gore, CPA, LLC
Green & McElreath (www.1cpa.com)
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center
(www.giveblood.org)
Hahn & Clay (www.hahnclay.com)
Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.
(www.harperpearson.com)
Heartspring Methodist Foundation
(www.heartspringmethodist.org)
L. Wendell Hefton CPA
Herzstein Investments, Inc.
(www.herzsteininvestments.com)
Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC
(www.hsskgroup.com)
David M Hoffman & Co., P.C.
Joanna Hoover, CPA
Interdyn BMI (www.interdynbmi.com)
International Cellulose Corporation
(www.spray-on.com)
Don F. Jones PC
Kathleen Jaap CPA
(www.prosperitycoachingnow.com)
KSBJ Educational Foundation Inc.
(www.ksbj.org)
Kaminski & Company, P.C.
(www.kaminskico.com)
L. Klein & Company, P.C.
(www.kleinwealthmgmt.com)
Klodosky & Company, PC
Karen B. Lipshy-Goldberg
Allan J. Maierson Inc.
Susanne Mariga, CPA, PLLC
(www.susannemarigacpa.com)
McCall Gibson Swedlund Barfoot PLLC
(www.mgsbpllc.com)
Robert M. Mendell, Attorney at Law, PC
(www.mendellgroup.com)
The Mitchell Family Corporation
Moore, Reichl & Baker, P.C.
(www.mrbcpas.com)
Morris, Ligon & Rodriguez PC
(www.mlrcpa.com)
Mosher Seifert & Company, CPAs
(www.cpa1099.com )
Nathans & Rust, Inc.
Marie H. Newton, CPA
Katherine Nixon, CPA/PFS
(www.knixon.com)
The Personagram Institute Inc.
(www.personagram.com)
PLS Advisory, LLC (www.plsadvisory.com)
Darlene Plumly, CPA (www.plumlycpa.com)
Thomas G. Post, CPA (www.texastaxman.com)
Prince Food Systems, Inc.
(www.princefoodsystems.com)
Charles P. Quirk, Jr., CPA, CVA
Charles V. Raimond, CPA
Ralph & Ralph CPAs
Continued (See CPA Aces on page 8)
8
MEMBER NEWS
CPA Aces (Continued from page 7)
Ridgeback Capital Management
(www.ridgebackcm.com)
Michael Rose, CPA, PC (www.mrosecpa.com)
Rose G. Rose, P.C.
Ruderman Financial Group
(www.rudermanfinancialgroup.com)
Sawtooth Capital Management, LLC
(www.sawtoothmanagement.com)
Seefeld Lawson Moeller LLP
(www.seefeldcpa.com)
Sentinel Trust Company
(www.sentineltrust.com)
WM Shirley & Associates
(www.wmshirley.com)
Shrieve Chemical Company
(www.shrieve.com)
New Members
The following licensees, candidates, and students became Society members in October
2014. Perhaps you work or have come in contact with one of these new members. Help us
welcome them! We look forward to their active
involvement in Society activities.
Members in Good Standing
Hannah C. Abalos (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Babatunde Akinrinmade
(Spectra Energy Corporation)
Amanda L. Bailey
Courtney N. Bates (Whitley Penn LLP)
Kevin T. Bates (Hein & Associates LLP)
Horatius K. Boateng
Lawrence A. Boe
(Consolidated Asset Mgmt Services)
Adam T. Bridgman (JP Morgan)
David A. Casso (KPMG LLP)
Josh M. Chambers
Stephanie L. Cole
(Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP)
Marilyn R. Cook (Forte International Tax LLC)
Nathan D. Cragun
Kristin N. Craig
Ariel H. Cretu (Parker + Lynch)
Jamison D. Curry
(PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
John A. Dame (IDEV Technoligies, Inc)
Ning Ding (DoerenMayhew PLLC)
Denise B. Downey (Grand Mesa CPAs LLC)
Natalie R. Drummond (Ernst & Young LLP)
Chen C. Dunlap
Kyle D. Eason (Ernst & Young LLP)
Amie T. Edling (Crossroads Baptist Church)
Jennifer D. Eslava
Brian M. Feldott (Newpark Resources, Inc)
Craig S. Fortson (Fortson & Company, P.C.)
Amanda Gerstmann (Ann Thomas CPA PC)
Oliver Glass (Ryland Homes)
Miriam S. Gratvol
Mary Elizabeth Smith, CPA
V L Snider, P.C. (www.vlsnidercpa.com)
Solis Medical Laboratory
(www.home.earthlink.net/~mmsbcs/)
E. Mike Spartalis, CPA, CPC
Texas Chiropractic College (www.txchiro.edu)
Michael W. Thurman, P.C.
Steven J. Tillinger, CPA
Deborah K.P. Touchy, CPA, Attorney at Law
TriEagle Energy (www.trieagleenergy.com)
TriFlex Staffing Solutions, L.L.C.
(www.triflexstaffing.com)
Turlington, Reeves & Richard, PLLC
(www.trrcpa.com)
VLS Recovery Services, LLC (www.vlsrs.com)
The Vanek Consultancy Group, LLC
(www.vanekconsultancy.com)
Evan K. Harche
Thomas J. Henderson
Nora Hernandez (Puffer-Sweiven, Inc.)
David T. Herring (KPMG LLP)
Ariel E. Hirsch Pels (UHY Advisors TX, LLC)
Nicole N. Hoang (Spectra Energy Corp)
Joanna D. Hodges (Aycock & Company PC)
Danielle C. Hubenak
Faraz Hussain (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Alec D. Hyvonen (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Kyle P. Jungels (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
Chea M. Kelly (Premiere, Inc)
Derrick J. Knight (Anadarko Petroleum Corp.)
Erica Knight (McGladrey LLP)
Sharon G. Lee (Direct Energy)
Jie Li
Yang Liu (Harris County Auditor's Office)
Jennifer L. Long
Henry M. Lummis
(Lummis Consulting Services LLC)
Denise Malone
(ASRC Energy Services Transamerica LLC)
Rimple Y. Mashruwala
Lexington M. May
Chelsea M. McDaniel (Hines)
Andrew P. Metzger
Jessica L. Meyer
Amir H. Mirab
(Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.)
Joanna Mironko (LyondellBasell)
Marissa Moleres-Robert
Suzanne M. Mondalek
(Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Christopher M. Mukhar (The Claro Group)
Falilu O. Ojugbele
Anne N. Orji (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Tempestt Parker
Ryan T. Payne
Benjamin J. Percell
(Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP)
Lisa Y. Ren (Deloitte Tax LLP)
Viebig, McCommon & Associates
(www.vmatax.com)
John B. Wardlaw (www.johnbwardlawcpa.com)
Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC
(www.houstonelderlawyer.com)
Barry M. Wuntch, LLP
Jess H. Young & Co.
Zientek & Co., PC (www.zientek.com)
Contact Elyse Turla at the Society offices
(713.622.7733 x290; [email protected]).
She will research the membership status of all
CPAs in your office, and your firm or company is
well on its way to becoming a member of CPA
Aces.
Morgana Rickard (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Stephen A. Ripper (Hein & Associates LLP)
Joseph J. Rosenberger
(Murphy's Corporate Lodging)
Etta D. Rouquette
(Murphy Exploration & Production Co.)
Daniel S. Russell (McGladrey LLP)
Tiffany L. Shum (Transocean Inc)
Michael Stiles (Cudd Energy Services)
Kathryn J. Tears (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Trinh T. Tran
Ken H. Tsang (Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP)
Meeya Vahsholtz (Invesco Aim)
Kenneth A. Veasley (EP Energy)
Laurence F. Verret
(MiddletonRaines+Zapata LLP)
Dallas T. Vincent (Deloitte & Touche LLP)
Dustin G. Weatherford
(Toshiba International Corp.)
Jin Xia (Halliburton Energy Services Inc)
Mark B. Young (Alvarez and Marsal)
W. Sherry Zhang
Candidates for Membership
Mariangeles T. Leon
Israiza Linares
Tai P. Ma
Katrina Stakemiller (Griffing & Company, P.C.)
Ruihan Xia (Halliburton Energy Services)
Student Auxiliary
Chinelo Aralu
Phillip Arvanetakis
Harold Cabiles
Tasha L. Carey
Megan Iselin
Bobby Jennings
Darien Kearney
Ji H. Kim
An D. Pham
Tamara Pinkerton
LaShawndra Proctor
Brandon J. Smith
Valdemar Tamez
Maria C. Wolpert
DECEMBER 2014
MEMBER BENEFITS
9
Questions about Houston CPA Society member benefits? Please contact Society Membership
Marketing Manager Frances St. Cyr (713.622.7733 x240 or [email protected]).
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Discount Program
The Houston CPA Society Membership
Committee provides a benefit program
exclusively for Houston CPA Society members. The committee has arranged for a
Corporate Card Program that entitles you
to 20% off regularly priced merchandise at
all Jos. A. Bank Clothiers nationwide. And,
as a preferred customer, you will receive
advance notification of sales and events.
To enroll in the Houston CPA Society /Jos.
A. Banks Program, remember Program ID
number 21035. Visit your local Jos. A.
Bank store and give this ID number, call
800.285.2265 toll-free and request your
free Corporate Program card, or email
your request to [email protected]. Again, remember to indicate
the Program ID number 21035.
Accountants Confidential Assistance Network
TOLL-FREE HOTLINE: 866.766.ACAN
Legal Notice: All information, communications, reports received, gathered or maintained by
ACAN are strictly confidential and protected under penalty of law under Chapter 467 of the
Texas Health & Safety Code.
Stay Updated On Your
Profession!
The Houston CPA Society is now on
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! If you aren't
active on these websites, now is the time to
get involved!
1. Facebook
While Facebook is a great way to keep up
with personal friends and family, it's also a
fantastic networking tool. Like the Houston
CPA Society for updates on what we’re doing.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/TSCPAHouston
or search "Houston CPA Society"
2. LinkedIn
This is where you can stay connected with
other Houston area CPAs. Discussions, questions, and articles are more than welcome.
LinkedIn is the professional social network.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=152559
7&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr or search "Houston
CPA Society."
3. Twitter
If you want a go-to place for news about the
Accounting profession, follow the Society on
Twitter. It's the fastest way to receive news,
so stay on top of the latest information.
https://twitter.com/#!/tscpahouston or search
@tscpahouston.
Selling Your Practice?
Start selling right now.
www.facebook.com
www.twitter.com
www.linkedin.com
Houston CPA Society and
Social Networking…
YOU DON'T WANT TO
MISS A THING!
Unparalleled resources. Marketing
superiority. Ready to Start Now.
Give us a call today so that we can start
working to remove your selling headache
and to obtain the goal you desire.
Wade Holmes 888-847-1040
www.AccountingPracticeSales.com
[email protected]
MEMBER BENEFITS
10
Member Affinity Programs Brought To You By The Membership Development Committee
NOW AVAILABLE:
Thomson Reuters'
Quickfinder Products
Handbooks, Package X, tax tables…and more!
Thomson Reuters is offering its line of Quickfinder handbooks and
tax products at a discount to Houston CPA Society members.
Through a partnership with the Houston CPA Society, members
can purchase the popular 1040 Quickfinder Handbook, the Small
TM
CCH
a Wolters Kluwer business
The Houston CPA Society and CCH have joined forces to offer you an
incredible member benefit that provides exclusive discounts on any of
the more than 175 CCH tax and accounting books, including the U.S.
Master Tax Guide®, U.S. Master™ Depreciation Guide, Internal
Revenue Code, Income Tax Regulations, and the State Tax Handbook,
among many others!
2015 TAX GUIDE DISCOUNT: Members can enjoy 25% off the regular price on the U.S. Master Tax Guide®, 2015 and gain the guidance
on today's federal tax law and timely, precise explanations of federal
income tax law for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates and
trusts. Go to the CCH Member Direct Partner Page to order one today!
Looking for High Quality Self-Study Courses? Save 30% on over 150
courses on Tax, Accounting, Audit, and Tax Legislation. $294 for 12
months access to current, accurate, CCH quality courses. Try a FREE
course at www.CCHLearningCenter.com or visit your Partner Page
(see below) for ordering information.
EXAM REVIEW DISCOUNT...CCH and CPAexcelTM have partnered
with the Houston CPA Society to bring a new CPA exam review course
Business Quickfinder Handbook, IRS forms and instructions sets,
and more, at discounted prices.
In addition, the Chapter will receive a donation for each product
purchased using the Houston CPA Society discount code (Q877).
To see a list of all the products and pricing available, and to place
your order, go to http://www.quickfinder.com/index.htmx . You
may also log in to the Members Only section of the Society web site
at www.HoustonCPA.org and access the Exclusive Member Benefits
page to find the Quickfinder link.
to our soon-to-be-CPA members. CPAexcelTM delivers the knowledge
and expertise of the top team of accounting professors and review
course instructors to CPA Exam candidates in a powerful online multimedia format. CPAexcelTM students pass the CPA Exam at exceptionally high rates—and pay half the price of other leading courses.
Go to http://www.cpaexcel.com/partners/houston-cpa-society to get all
the details and order information.
CCH Apps for Your Mobile Devices Available at
http://www.cchgroup.com/store/mobile-onthego
• Tax News Highlights (Free)
• Tax Rates and Tables 2013 ($2.99)
• Applicable Federal Rates 2013 ($2.99)
• Code and Regs 2013 ($39.99)
Members receive a 25% discount on all CCH tax and accounting titles,
unless otherwise stated. This discount is only available on orders placed
through the CCH online store with your Association discount priority code.
Visit www.CCHGroup.com/members/houstoncpa and remember to use
DISCOUNT CODE Y5457 at checkout. Go to the Current Book
Specials for the entire list of 40% off bargains.
Houston CPA Society
CCH Member Direct Partner Page
(www.CCHGroup.com/members/houstoncpa)
Member discount code: Y5457
The CCH® Expert Treatise Library offers valuable guidance on complex tax topics. Written by practicing, prominent experts in all fields — CPA, legal and academic
— these treatises offer numerous examples and insightful analysis, and also allows users to easily access cited cases, regulations, IRS rulings, the Internal Revenue
Code and other authoritative sources via links to the primary source documents. Visit your CCH Monthly Specials page to receive your Special View of this guidance.
Your savings just got
better with the UPS
Savings Program –
exclusively for HCPA
members!
Save up to 36% on UPS shipping as a member of the
Houston CPA Society (HCPA)
HCPA is proud to bring its members valuable discounts on the
products and services they need the most. Take
advantage of some of the most competitive rates
available on UPS® shipping services. With more
service options, superior ground-delivery coverage and overnight delivery by 10:30 a.m. to more
zip codes than any other carrier, it’s time to put
the power of logistics to work for you. Take
advantage of special savings on UPS shipping
offered to you as a member of the Houston CPA
Society.
Simple shipping! Special savings! No cost to
sign up!
HCPA members can save:
• Up to 36% on UPS Next Day Air®
• Up to 34% on Worldwide Express® and
Worldwide Expedited® services
• Up to 32% on UPS 2nd Day Air® and 3 Day
Select®
• 10% on select Business Services, including
the following, at participating The UPS
Store® locations
o Fax services
o Mailbox service
o Black/White & Color Copies
o Office Supplies
For complete details or to sign up, click here,
visit savewithups.com/houstoncpa, or call the
UPS Association Program at 1-800-325-7000.
Y
A
D
I
HO L E
SAL T!
N
U
O
C
DIS
MEMBER BENEFITS
DECEMBER 2014
Houston CPA Society
Merchandise Wear The "Mark Of The Pros" - Long
and Short Sleeved CPA Logo Shirts
Polo Style...comfortable 100% Pima cotton
interlock in dark navy blue with a white
embroidered Society logo. Men's (S – XXL)
and Women's (XS – XL) sizes.
Sale Price: $30.00 (including tax).
Dress Up...long-sleeved blue (60% cot-
Sold to:
Quantity
11
ton/40% polyester) oxford logo shirts with
wrinkle-resistant finish which provides
easy care machine wash and dry. These
comfortable shirts come in men's and
ladies styles, with and without a left chest
pocket.
Sale Price: $30.00.
Logo Lapel Pins - 1" diameter - $10.00
Call 713.622.7733 for more information or
to place an order.
Use this order form to fax your credit card
order or mail a check.
Ship to:
Item
Description
Size
Unit Price
Shirt
NAVY PIMA POLO (Men’s/Women’s)
30.00
Shirt
BLUE L/S OXFORD (MEN’S) (no XL)
30.00
Shirt
BLUE L/S OXFORD (LADIES’) (S & L)
30.00
Lapel Pin
LAPEL PIN
10.00
TOTAL
OTHER
Subtotal
Houston
CPA Society
A Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs
Tax
Included in price
Houston TSCPA Foundation
Shipping
www.HoustonCPA.org | (713) 622-7733
TOTAL
FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT:
Card No.
AMEX VISA MasterCard Discover
Exp Date
CV Number
CV# is the three digit verification number on the back (or four digit on the front for American Express) of your card.
Cardholder Name (please print)
Signature
Card Billing Address
Zip Code
Auth#
12
DECEMBER 2014
CLASSIFIEDS
PRACTICE PURCHASE/SALE/ MERGER
CPA Firm Would Like To Purchase the
audit clients of CPA firms no longer wishing
to do audit work or to joint venture the audit
work, with the referring CPA firm retaining
the tax, consulting and other client services
work. Reply to Confidential Box No. 1223.
Retirement Minded Practitioner, SW
Houston, with $785,000 in annual revenues,
75% tax, is looking to merge with growing
CPA firm. Call Robert at 713.774.2111.
Practices For Sale: Gross revenues shown:
West Houston $1.9M; Coastal Bend CPA
$1.2M & $160K; Houston CPA $980K;
Victoria area CPA $303K; Sugar Land $140K;
West Houston tax $128K; Gonzales area tax
$87K. Call 888.847.1040 x2; or email
[email protected].
OFFICE SPACE
HOUSTON – ONE GREENWAY PLAZA
Class A Space Available For Sublease. 1st
floor, vaulted ceilings, garage parking,
Complimentary CPE
Vouchers to Unemployed
Society Members
If you have been unemployed from
full-time work for over
six months and need financial
assistance in obtaining your
continuing education…
The Houston TSCPA Foundation
has a policy of granting qualified,
unemployed Houston CPA Society
members up to $200 of
complimentary continuing
professional education (CPE)
vouchers per year within
specific guidelines.
Contact CPE Director Judith Butcher
(713.622.7733 x260) with questions
or requests for
guidelines and applications.
phones, internet, large conference room,
receptionist, kitchen area. Available: 1 window office (150 s/f), 2 interior offices 116 s/f
or 183 s/f), 1 hall space (54 s/f), 3 virtual
offices. Lawrence @ 713.650.1222; email:
[email protected].
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
NEED A CPA To Work For Small Law Firm
Inside The Loop Specializing In Federal
Tax. You will assist attorneys in drafting documents, writing tax opinion letters, requesting private letter rulings, doing tax research,
meeting with clients, assisting in IRS exams,
appeals and Tax Court, and many more equally challenging projects. No overtime
required. Salary and advancement opportunity very competitive. Must have at least five
years public accounting experience. Send
resume to Toni Embrey at
[email protected].
CONTRACT/PER DIEM
"Hands On"” CPA With Big Four Audit And
Industry Accounting Experience seeks contract/interim/part time assignments/projects.
CLASSIFIED
13
Randy Streetman [email protected]
713.320.8376.
Former Tax Manager With 29+ Years Varied
Tax Experience seeks contract assignments
for tax season 2015 and beyond. Review or
preparation. Specializing in complex 1040s,
closely held businesses, oil & gas, nonprofits,
multistate. Email
[email protected].
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Business Valuation Appraisals: For corporations, partnerships, medical practices
(gift/estate tax,"C" Corp conversions, selling a
company, corporate planning purposes).
David Palmer, CPA, ASA, CFF. Call
713.828.1751.
Tax Problems? Audits, appeals, non-filer,
Federal and State; CDP, US Tax Court, SOAH,
Texas tax courts, US Bankruptcy Court, US
District Court. E Rhett Buck, Attorney-CPA,
[email protected]; 713.868.9447.
(Send replies to Confidential Box Nos. to
Houston CPA Society, 777 Post Oak Blvd.
#500, Houston 77056-3212.)
14
COMMITTEE BUZZ
Society Goes To
Paperless Newsletter
hours, and keep your calendar up to date
with committee meetings and other activities and special events. There will also be
links to the printable and digital versions
in the left menu.
Effective immediately, the Houston CPA
Society Board of Directors has voted to eliminate the printed and mailed Forum newsletter. This move will provide significant reduction of the Society's budget bottom line.
Members will still have several print and viewing options. All versions of the newsletter will
now be produced twelve (12) months a year!
 NEW DIGITAL FORMAT will be available
via a link on the Home Page, and in the
Resources>Forum Newsletter page of
www.HoustonCPA.org. This format will be
searchable, be shareable, and feature
hotlinks to outside references and
resources.
 Printable PDF – you can still print all or a
portion of your newsletter to take with you
on your travels, to the gym, or to keep in
your briefbag for easy reference.
 Online eForum – will continue to be dis-
tributed the first Tuesday of each month.
Each section will have a "Printer Friendly
Version" tag at the bottom of the page.
Provide the Society with a valid email
address so you can plan for your CPE
Gain Fortune 500 buying power and
powerful strategic oversight by
bringing on a partner.
Broussard Logistics will reduce transportation costs
for 300+ client companies this year. In addition to nearly a billion dollars of
accumulated buying power, these clients gain access to:
· Negotiated discounts
· Leading-edge technology
· Supply chain best practices
· Broussard’s thirty years of expertise
Learn how to get a customized market analysis at no cost……
www.BroussardLogistics.com
877.875.1613
DECEMBER 2014
Student Auxiliary
Advocate
Monthly Meetings
Monthly Meetings - held the third Friday of
each month - will resume with a tax panel on
January 16, 2015. All meetings are held in the
Houston CPA Training Facility (777 Post Oak
Blvd #500) from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
NEW Online Resource for Accounting
Students
The open education site, AcademicEarth.org
has recently added a comprehensive resource
for accounting students. In addition to a database of free online courses, it now features an
extensive list of blogs, open access journals,
scholarships, internships, and national organizations, all focused on the field of accounting.
Check it out at http://academicearth.org/onlinecollege-courses/.
Becker CPA Exam Review Discount
Student members of TSCPA receive a voucher
redeemable for a $300 discount off the full
four-part course tuition for either Live, Online
or CD-ROM self-study review course formats.
Membership in TSCPA also gives students
exclusive discounts on many other CPA exam
review programs and materials. Login to the
Student Lounge at www.tscpa.org for details.
Computer-Based CPA Exam Testing
Window Opens
The next window for the computer-based
Uniform CPA Examination is October 1
through November 30, 2014. There is no filing deadline. Candidates may schedule and
take each section of the CPA Exam only once
during a testing window.
The CPA Examination is currently comprised
of four sections.
AUD
Auditing & Attestation
BEC
Business Environment & Concepts
FAR
Financial Accounting & Reporting
REG
Regulation
Uniform CPA Examination Updates
Content Specification Outlines (CSO) and
Skill Specification Outlines (SSO) changes
effective January 1, 2014 have been published on the AICPA web site at
www.AICPA.org behind the Become A
CPA/CPA Exam tabs. Also to be found
through this section of the website is information on candidate guidelines, examination
content, passing rates, and psychometrics.
This site also offers helpful tips for exam candidates and a tutorial each candidate should
review.
AICPA Offers Tips for CPA Exam
Candidates
Preparation for the computerized CPA Exam
requires more than command of accounting
COMMITTEE BUZZ
and business knowledge. Important tips on
the exam's navigation, functionality and content are now available. If you have staff members planning to take the exam, be sure to
pass along the following web address: How To
Prepare (http://www.cpaexam.org/cpa/how_prepare.html).
CPA Exam Score Release Timetables
AICPA has posted the U.S. CPA Exam score
release timelines in response to overwhelming
requests from candidates. Scores for the CPA
Exam are released by the National Association
of State Boards of Accountancy to individual
state boards of accountancy based upon the
CPA Exam Score Release Timetable.
Check Out The Student Section On
TSCPA.org
As a student or candidate member, TSCPA has
a variety of resources available for you which
can be found in one central location. The
Student section on includes helpful links to
CPA exam information, TSCPA's campus rep
program, scholarship information, TSCPA's
student blog and all of our social media profiles. Stop by today and familiarize yourself
with all of the benefits of your TSCPA membership!
Audits are complex.
Audit software shouldn’t be.
VOLUNTEER
[vol-uhn-teer] noun 1. A person who voluntarily offers
himself or herself for a service
or undertaking.
Get Involved with Your
Profession - Join A
Committee TODAY!
Benefits of active participation include ... Current
Topic Updates ...
Professional Development ...
Networking Opportunities
… and More!
15
AuditFile is the first entirely cloudbased audit, review, and compilation
solution for CPA firms.
For more information on improving efficiency and
effectiveness of audits, read our white paper at
www.auditfile.com/white-papers
Sign up for a FREE TRIAL at www.auditfile.com
16
COMMITTEE BUZZ
Back to Basics: Top
Risk Management Tips
By Ric Rosario, CPA
Submitted on behalf of the Management of an
Accounting Practice (MAP) Roundtable
Discussion Group, John A. Anderson, CPA,
Chair
Despite the variety of changes that continue to
take place in the regulatory and professional
standards for CPAs, the fundamental principles of risk management for CPAs have
remained remarkably constant over the years.
This constancy is mainly due to the high
expectations the public has for CPAs, which
are often expressed in the form of jury verdicts, sometimes referred to as jury or claims
standards. Such standards have almost always
been higher than the standards the profession
has established for itself. CPAs who pay proper
attention to their professional liability exposures gear their risk management techniques
not only to what the profession expects of
them, but also to what the public expects of
them.
Even if you selected your clients carefully,
your relationship with them may change, or
the client may change his or her attitude or
posture toward you. Sometimes the client
whose integrity previously was unquestionable
can become questionable.
You may use a formal checklist, or you may
discuss clients and their current engagements
during staff meetings, for example. If there are
any problems, you will probably uncover them
at one of those meetings.
When your firm changes, you may also need
to change your client base. The loss of a partner with expertise that the other partners
don't possess will require a decision by the
firm regarding continued service to the former partner's clients. You may decide that you
no longer want to continue performing a particular type of work. Or you may decide to
grow your business in new directions. Review
your client base whenever your firm changes
in order to determine whether or not all existing clients still fit the firm.
Most liability problems are preventable, and
they rear their ugly heads when CPAs don’t
follow basic risk management guidelines.
What follows is a “top five” list of some of
those basic guidelines:
2. Due care vs. "dabbling." CPAs must know
how to perform the services the client engages
them to perform. That means practicing a
type of service often enough in a particular
industry or profession to be good at it, and
staying current with regulations and standards of care through continuing professional
education and self-study.
1. Client screening. CPAs must be careful
about their choice of clients. Background, reference and credit checks are invaluable. The
quality of your clients has a direct impact on
your practice. Client screening is not a onetime event. CPAs should analyze their book of
clients on a regular basis, at least annually.
CAMICO claims data show high loss ratios for
services that comprise less than 15 percent of
a firm's work. By the same token, loss ratios
are low for services that comprise 65 percent
or more of a firm’s work. In other words, "dabbling" is dangerous, and practice makes perfect (or close to it).
New Diversity &
Inclusiveness
Award—Nominations
Now Open!
As the Houston CPA Society continues to
increase its efforts to highlight diversity in
the accounting profession, three organizations will be recognized for their outstanding and continuous contributions to promoting diversity within the accounting profession through the newly implemented
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Award. The three categories are: Large CPA
Firms (with a Houston presence of 100+
employees), Small CPA Firms (with a
Houston presence of fewer than 100 employees) and an Industry or Nonprofit Business
(Accounting Department).
The Diversity Committee would greatly
appreciate your help and support in finding
organizations to nominate who fit the criteria of these awards.
Criteria for the 2015 Excellence in
Diversity and Inclusion Awards:
• Hiring practices
• Recruiting policies
• Written HR policies
• Diversity training for leadership
• Percentage of minority employees
• Attrition and upward mobility for
minority employees
If you would like to nominate someone for
the award, please submit the nominations
form to Frances St. Cyr by January 15,
2015. We will contact the firm or company
directly for the criteria information needed
for the award.
3. Engagement letters/documentation. CPAs
must reach an understanding with the client
about the engagement, and they should put
that understanding in writing with an engagement letter. At a minimum, the letter should
cover the nature of the work, the limitations
of the work, the expectations the CPA has of
the client, and the work to be performed by
other professionals.
CPAs should also document the engagement
as it evolves and changes, indicating advice
given and decisions made. CAMICO has long
advocated that CPA firms have a record retention policy in writing and that such a policy be
applied consistently to all clients. The company's claims experience shows that good documentation and record retention are crucial
components of a firm’s defense against a lawsuit.
4. Disengagement. Proper client disengagement procedures should be used in order to
avoid causing a loss for the client. When the
firm decides to disengage, the relationship
should be terminated professionally and formally, in writing. At a minimum, the disengagement letter should always contain the following:
• A clear statement that the firm is disengaging, and the effective date of the disengagement;
• A description of any work that is in process
or unfinished; and
• A statement of any due dates or filing deadlines that exist with regard to the work,
whether finished or unfinished.
5. Getting expert advice from outside. Firms
can explore different options to best serve the
client, such as alliances with other professionals or organizations that specialize in other
areas. The upside of alliances is that CPAs can
supplement their own expertise and better
serve the client by utilizing other professionals for specialized knowledge and expertise.
The downside of alliances is that there are
dangers in partnering with organizations that
can expose the CPA to excessive liability. This
is especially true with strategic alliance agreements that shift liability from the other party
to you or your firm. Be sure to consult with a
qualified attorney or risk advisor before entering into an agreement. CPAs can perform due
diligence on other professionals, vendors or
service providers by obtaining background,
reference and credit checks in much the same
way that new and continuing clients are
screened.
Ric Rosario, CPA, is president and CEO of CAMICO.
Previously, he was executive vice president of risk
management, with executive oversight of underwriting, claims, marketing and communications for the
company.
Volunteer Services
CPAs Helping Schools
DECEMBER 2014
How CPAs Help Schools
Books for classrooms, libraries and home; science lab equipment; math manipulatives;
graphing calculators; after-school programs;
educational materials for physical education
activities; anti-bullying programs; peer-to-peer
reading and math tutoring; technology for
classrooms; musical instruments; and more.
These are programs that CPAs Helping
Schools (CHS) has helped to fund in recent
years through grants.
While a campus is eligible for up to $5,000 per
school year in funding, the need far outweighs
the available funds. In 2013-2014, CHS
received requests for $279,092 from a total of
75 applicants. After review of these requests,
CHS members provided partial or complete
funding for 31 programs at an average of
$1613 per school. At the recent October
review, members studied a total of 38 applica-
Share The Harvest
With Your Neighbor Do Your Holiday Shopping At Kroger
and Randalls
The Houston CPA Society and its Community
Services Committee has teamed up with the
Kroger Community Rewards® Donation
Program to raise funds for community service projects focusing on our senior citizens.
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS for
linking your Kroger Plus Card to the
Houston TSPCA Foundation. YOU MUST
RE-ENROLL each year – starting August 1
- to continue supporting HCPAS community service projects.
All supporters must have a registered
Kroger Plus card account online to be able
to link their card to an organization. Do you
use your phone number at the register? Call
800-576-4377 and select option 4 to get your
Plus Card number. If you do not have a
Kroger Plus Card, you can obtain a digital
Kroger Plus Card when creating an account
online or at any Kroger store.
Link your card at
www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com.
If you have an existing account, click on
"Sign In", otherwise click on "Register."
tions and provided funding to 21, averaging
$1180 per program.
CHS receives part of the proceeds of the 2015
Scholarship Extravaganza, plus Silent
Auction proceeds to provide annual funds for
our grant program. The February 21, 2015
event at the Houston Country Club promises
to be a fun evening with music, dancing, dining and auction. Our auction committee is
working to gather donations from local entities to include some special "BoomtownHouston" related offerings, highlighting the
best of Houston's past, present and future.
Many opportunities exist for you and your colleagues to HELP Schools and CHS:
• Underwrite CPAs Helping Schools programs through your financial support of
the annual Scholarship Extravaganza, with
the additional option of designating your
donation to PreK-12 educational programs
If you are a new online customer:
• You will need to enter your email address,
create a password, enter your zip code,
click on favorite store, and agree to the
terms and conditions.
• Once you are done entering your information you will get a message asking you to
check your e-mail inbox and click on the
link within the body of the e-mail that
was sent to activate your Kroger account.
Already have a Kroger.com account?
• Enter your email address and password to
proceed to the next step.
• Click on “Edit” in the “Community
Rewards” section.
• Enter your organization’s number or
name and then click on “Search”.
• Select your organization and click on
“Save”.
• To verify that you enrolled correctly, you
will see your organizations name on the
right side of your account settings page.
Once you are linked, you can start earning
rewards immediately toward the organization
you are supporting. (Note: The message saying that you are supporting an organization
through the Kroger Community Rewards
program will start printing on your receipt
COMMUNITY SERVICE
17
MAKE A HOLIDAY
DONATION TO THE
HOUSTON TSCPA
FOUNDATION
We make it easy. Using Just Give
(https://npo.justgive.org/HCPAS
), at the click of a button you can
select the amount and program
you wish to support.
Consider one or more for this
holiday season and
“pay it forward.”
• Provide donations for Silent Auction and
Big Board: restaurant gift certificates; tickets to local performing arts; tickets to local
sporting events; wine for special baskets;
anything you would like to bid on and win.
Continued (See CHS on page 18)
about 10 business days after you linked your
card.)
The committee is also enrolled in the
Randalls Good Neighbor Program. By using
your Randalls Remarkable Card at least 1%
of total Randalls purchases is donated back to
the Community Services Committee. In
order for Randalls to begin recording your
purchase prices, simply tell your checker
(prior to checking out) that you want HOUSTON CHAPTER ACCOUNT NUMBER 2373
linked to your Remarkable Card. You may
also download a Good Neighbor Program
Link Form to register at your Randall's
Courtesy Booth. Once linked, every time you
shop at Randalls, your purchase price will be
recorded into the Houston CPA Society
account upon presentation of your
Remarkable Card.
All funds received from Kroger and Randalls
are placed in a restricted account for exclusive use by the Community Services
Committee for community service projects
benefiting our senior citizens. Thank you for
your support, HCPAS members!…from the
committee and the area community organizations it serves.
18
COMMUNITY SERVICE
TSBPA CPE Forms
Available
Have you taken continuing education
from a nonregistered sponsor?
Are you eligible for exemption from continuing education?
If you have attended a CPE program sponsored
by a vendor who is not registered with the Texas
State Board of Public Accountancy, you may still
be able to claim credit. Also, if you think you
may be eligible for exemption from required
CPE, the State Board will review and take action
on your request. The State Board has a committee which meets quarterly to review requests for
CPE credit and exemptions. If you need one of
following request forms to complete and return
to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy,
call the Society office at 713.622.7733, or download these forms online at www.tsbpa.state.tx.us.
•
Request for Continuing Education Credits
from Nonregistered Sponsor of Continuing
Education
•
Exemption for Continuing Education
Is Our Web Site
Giving You Trouble?
You may have Internet Explorer issues.
With the most recent release – IE11 –
Microsoft no longer gave users the option
to decline the update. If your computer is
set for "Automatic Update", you are now
using Internet Explorer 11. The Society's
web site – along with many other web sites
and services – is not compatible with IE11.
However, there is a simple fix: Add
HoustonCPA.org to the Compatibility
View Settings under Tools in your browser.
Just add it once and you're good to go!
You may also use another browser such as
Chrome or Firefox. The Houston CPA
Society has no immediate plans to upgrade
the association database software application to be compatible with IE11. This
upgrade would require a major production
migration, which is not in the current IT
systems' near future. If you need help
accessing
the web site, send a message to
[email protected] or call
713.622.7733.
WI-FI is available at no charge in the
CPA Training Facility. Access Code and
Passkey cards are available at the coffee
bar
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
WE HAVE A COMMITTEE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT!
GO TO WWW.HOUSTONCPA.ORG >>ABOUT US >> BECOME A VOLUNTEER
CHS (Continued from page 17)
opportunities and school needs
• Advise CPAs Helping Schools if your
employer offers a matching funds program
or community grant opportunities
• KEEP US INFORMED of your volunteer
support and any needs your school may
have
• Donate funds to CPAs Helping Schools
through dues payment, or by stand-alone
donation
In additional to providing grants, CHS hosted
a reception in August for our local school district partners. Representatives from local
Partners in Education (PIE) departments of
several area school districts attended the
event, hosted by members of the Houston CPA
Society's Board of Directors. President Carol
Warley, CHS Chair Paul Vanek, Vice Chair
Kristie Ondracek, and member Brad Elgin
welcomed the guests, then provided a general
overview of the Society's programs that assist
students in grades PreK-12.
• Become more environmentally conscious,
offering used equipment and overage of
supplies at your company to schools in
need (we can help you locate a need)
• Promote awareness in your local community (work, church, family, neighbors, etc.)
of the needs of local schools, in ALL districts
• Volunteer at a school by tutoring a class;
mentoring a student for a year through
weekly meetings; helping with landscaping, repairs or upkeep
• Be a school district liaison: maintain a
line of communication between Society
To further expand our reach into the educational communities, CHS continues to initiate
and expand relationships with all local school
districts through their PIE offices. At the
reception, our partners learned about our
PreK-12 Grant Program, opportunities to
request volunteers for special projects within
the district, and Career Day presentations
available to schools through the Society's
Accounting Career Education Committee.
CHS is recognized by members of the
Houston CPA Society, and the members of the
education community as a positive force in
education and as a group that can be relied
upon to support and encourage worthwhile
education endeavors; promotes academic
excellence by meeting schools' needs through
a variety of creative ways; devotes most of our
efforts to schools in need.
CPAs Helping Schools appreciates your continued support of our programs through your
monetary donations, auction donations, direct
donations and volunteer assistance to local
schools, and anything else you do to Help a
School. If you want to be involved in a school,
on the committee, or have any questions or
comments relating to CHS, please contact
Society Staff Liaison Carol Spencer
(713.622.7733 x320,
[email protected]).
COMMUNITY SERVICE
DECEMBER 2014
19
2013 Golf Classic Celebrates Blockbuster Year
The Annual Golf Classic Committee renewed its fight against the economic downturn
to host a smaller, but still stellar event for loyal past sponsors and auction high bidders. A field of 120 golfers took to the links sunny Monday, October 27, 2014 for the
25th Annual Houston CPA  Make-A-Wish Golf Classic. The committee was
proud to be able to raise close to $50,000 to help grant wishes for children associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana.
Golfers arrived ready to have some fun, checked in at the registration desk,
picked up their player gift bag along with a logo golf shirt, and purchased Games Packages and Raffle Tickets before heading to the staging
area to pick up their box lunch. Some hit the putting green, others
enjoyed lunch provided by Willies Grill & Icehouse. Many thanks for the
continued support of the sponsors, players, volunteers and contributors
who once again gave generously to support this premier event. Players
and their guests enjoyed an Italian buffet dinner, vied over a stellar selection of Live Auction items, and perused over 50 Silent Auction items and
packages. Finally, congratulations to the tournament winners and high bidders in the silent
and live auctions. In these difficult times, your steadfast support continues to help make one of
Houston's most recognized Charity Golf Tournaments a proud testament to community spirit!
Pecan Course
Awards
Longest Drive – Casey Copeland
Straightest Drive – Mack McDonald
Closest to the Pin – Ben Smiths
Cypress Course
Longest Drive – Tom Berry
Straightest Drive – Tom Berry
Closest to the Pin – Mark Gibennus
1st Net (51.4) – (l to r) The Primoris Energy Services Corp. Team:
Mark Thane, Casey Copeland, Jory Jared and Ramiro Cuellar
2nd Net (51.6) – Mack McDonald, Ken Rowley, Colin Taylor,
Lincoln Ward
3rd Net (53.8) – Karen Carter, Kenny Carter, Quitman Moon,
Jim Owrey
Low Gross (57) – Paul Cashiola, Logan Herring, Marty Herring,
Steve Toomey
Low Gross (58) – Mike Baches, Kenneth Hughes, Frank Kelske,
| Brian Ron
1st Net (50.7) – (l to r) The MW Cleaners Team of Terry Quinn, Chuck
Haddox, Ron Garrett and Mike Nesbit receive their Wish Art Award
Plaques from Wish Child Isaiah and Golf Classic Chair David Borda.
2nd Net (53.2) – Cynthia Dopjera, Bill Goetz, Kevin Horton, Gary
Owens
3rd Net (53.2) – Dick Rutledge, Nancy Rutledge, Vernon Wells
Low Gross (57) – Tom Berry, Kenneth Hughes, Justin McGaughey,
Brian Ron
Raffle Winners:
Callaway Driver
Callaway Hybrid
Taylormade Putter
Adam Cox
Karen Brown
Jeff Barton
Taylormade Fitted Irons Logan Herring
Taylormade Golf Bag
Renee Andrepont
Callaway Fairway Wood Michael Desormeaux
20
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Auction/Donations
LIVE AUCTION
Robert H. Barr, Jr.
Mary & Jerry Goldberg
Golf Club of Houston
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans
RJs Custom Boots (Rocky Carroll)
Sprint Pipeline Services
Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans
Wish Child Isaiah
SILENT AUCTION
A.D. Players
Adventure Sports Ministry, Inc.
AJ's Landscaping & Design
Al Torres Photography
Armando's Mexican Bistro
Beck's Prime
Bell Mountain Vineyards
Benjy's
Bradford Rennaissance Portraits
Buffalo Grille
Canongate Golf Clubs
Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano
Cheesecake Factory
Comedy Sportz
Concerto Networks
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Cypresswood Golf Club
Dave & Busters
Elaine Turner Designs
Events Gifts
Gittings
Mary and Jerry Goldberg
GolfTEC
Goode Company
Hamilton Shirts
Hilton Houston Post Oak
Houston Ballet
Houston Symphony
I.W. Marks Jewelers
Katy Chi Omega Alumnae
Kaye Marvins
Lakeway Resort & Spa
Laurenzo's El Tiempo Cantina
Mark's American Cuisine
Marquita Masterson
MAW Volunteers
Messina Hof Winery & Resort
Mister Hotshine
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Neiman-Marcus
Palace Bowling Lanes
Pico's Mex-Mex
Raveneaux Country Club
River Ridge Golf Club
Roula's Nail Spa
Saint Arnold Brewing Co.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Society for the Performing Arts
Sorrento Ristorante
Double Eagle Sponsor
($10,000)
Eagle Sponsor ($6,000)
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Birdie Sponsors ($3,000)
Plains All American Pipeline LP
Solar Supply/Luxaire Air Conditioning
Par Sponsors ($1,500)
Addison Group
Advantage Business Capital
Amegy Bank
Robert H. Barr, Jr.
City Bank Texas
Fitts Roberts & Co.
Grant Thornton LLP
Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C.
Ham, Langston & Brezina
Harper & Pearson Company, P.C.
Houston CPA Society
T.F. Hudgins, Incorporated
Passmore & Associates
Tindall & England P.C.
Willis Group of Companies
WM Shirley
Individual Foursomes ($1,000)
& Individual Players ($250)
Aycock & Co., P.C.
Mike Bless/Mecor USA
Paul Cashiola, CPA
Randy Eubanks/Mecor USA
Marcel Frey/Frey Financial Group
McGladrey LLP
Johnny McLaughlin
Tom Newton/Serimax North America
Primorus Energy Services Corp.
The Rouxpour
Texan Bank
Vanek Consultancy
Pin Flags ($500)
Briggs & Veselka Co.
Melissa and Bob Frazier
Goodman Financial Corporation
Horn Solutions, Inc.
Stages Repertory Theater
Sweetwater Country Club
Taste of Texas Restaurant
The Capital Grille-Galleria
The Clubs of Kingwood
The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
The Wine Man
Twin Oaks Cleaners
Kim Voehl
Walden on Lake Conroe
John B. Williamson
Willow Creek Golf Club
YMCA of the Rockies
Zazzles LLC
DECEMBER 2014
Double Eagle Sponsor Moonbird Foundation … Jerry
Goldberg (center) sponsored in honor of Gail "Moon"
Goldberg for whom the foundation is named
Birdie Sponsor Quitman Moon of Solar
Supply/Luxaire Air Conditioning
(l to r) David Borda, Quitman Moon and Isaiah
Special Thanks
Celebrity Host
Wish Child Isaiah
Auctioneer
Steven Mayers, Bold Bids, L.L.C.
Hole-In-One Cars
Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land
Golfers Lunch
Willie's Grill & Icehouse
Course Beverages
Houston Coca Cola Bottling Company
MillerCoors
Printing and Graphics
Aaron Brothers Art & Framing
Airline Graphics
Document Imaging Technology
Fairway Recognition
Speedy Picture Framing
Player Gift Bag
Creative Financial Staffing
Document Imaging Technology
Edwin Watts Golf
Gayla Inc.
Golf Galaxy
Golfsmith
Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP
Steering Committee
David Borda, Chair
Carol Warley, President
Debra Seefeld, Coordinating Officer
Teri Andrepont, President
Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Chapter
Nancy Rutledge, Executive Director, HCPAS
Frances St. Cyr, Membership Marketing Mgr, HCPAS
Elyse Turla, Communications/Technology Mgr, HCPAS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Bob Barr
Bill Cockrell
Tom England
Marcel Frey
Jerry Goldberg
Vicki Manning
Shawn Marino
Lina Martinez
Horn Solutions, Inc.
Morgan Garris LLC
The Parking Spot
Sweetwater Country Club
Willis Group
WM Shirley
Gary Noble
Stephen Parker
Don Passmore
Mark Shirley
Mike Spartalis
Chad Spencer
Paul Vanek
21
22
COMMUNITY SERVICE
…and to our FANTASTIC volunteer force - coordinated by Mike Spartalis - who helped make this event a success…
Rae Kelly
John Foster
Kimberly Cook
Dawn Hodges
Brittany Stump
Sarah Broussard
Stacey Cheek
Lynn Menard
Thomas Schultea
Erica Burns
Gary Savage
Katherine Sabom
Jaclyn Cheslock
Hope Hartman
Chris Hintz
Arely Mendoza
Eddy Mok
Stephen Sutton
Charles Kelly
Frank Riccelli
Don Jones
ADP
AT&T
Aycock & Company, PC
Broussard Logistics
CGG
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
Carriage Services
Creative Financial Staffing
Draka
First Data
Harris, Scott and Associates Broker
Houston Astros
Don F. Jones PC
Georgia Messemer
Tammy Mihail
Jim Stinson
Vicki Manning
Saya Abdraimova
Tim Davis
Michelle He
Lina Martinez
Guadalupe Reyes
Serena Tian
Eric Zhou
Melissa Cruz
Carolyn Bauerschlag
Deana Lieberman
Laura Simpson
Dewey Bullmer
Elaine Priesman
Stacey Soriero
Aaron Steward
Yehuda Cagen
Make-A-Wish
Parmet, Chapman & Madsen, P.C.
Retired Professor
Stinson & Levit
Student
Student
Student
Student
Student
Student
Student
University of Houston
Veracity Search
Veracity Search
Veracity Search
Willis Group
Willis Group
Willis Group
Willis Group
Xvand Technology Corp.
Remember that we do this every year!
We’d love to have your participation as a volunteer,
as a golfer or as a bidder in the auction.
HOUSTON CPA
2015
GOLF CLASSIC
Monday, October 26, 2015
(location to be announced)
23
COMMUNITY SERVICE
HCPAS Holiday Projects –
Share In The Spirit Of The Season
CPAs, Seniors Send Holiday Cheer To
The Troops
For the past five years, the Community
Services (COM) Committee and residents of
the Holly Hall Retirement Community have
combined forces to prepare care packages for
our troops serving overseas. Society volunteers joined the seniors on Saturday,
November 15, 2014 to assemble decorated
boxes of snack crackers, nuts, tuna, jerky,
gum, cookies, energy drinks, socks, razors,
sewing kits and games for 72 members of our
armed forces. For that personal touch, a
Christmas card containing a personal message
from a resident, a holiday greeting from project sponsor Briggs & Veselka Co., and a flier
outlining the project with email contact information were also tucked in each box. From
the box stuffing assembly line to the colorful
packing table and then on to the wrapping stations and finally to the sticker brigade decorating center, Santa's "elves" had everything
packed and ready in about 90 minutes. A big
cheer to Project Coordinators Michael Palmer
(ABIP PC) with Tamyra Palmer; COM Chair
Cheryl O'Brien with Jay O'Brien; committee
members Edith Fong (Direct Energy), Juliane
Graham (LaPorte CPAS & Business Advisors)
with Gary Graham and the grandkids, Ella
Mahon (Chaney & Chaney), Nina Perez and
daughter (Briggs & Veselka Co.), Wendy
Pineda (DWG CPA PLLC) with friends Lucia
and Alessandra Benitez, and Tonja Rodriguez
(Harper & Pearson Co., P.C.); and HCPAS
member volunteers Rebecca Fieler (UHY
Advisors TX, LLC) who provided the instant
coffee and cocoa packets and Steve Ruderman
(Ruderman Financial Group), along with
Society Executive Director Nancy Rutledge
and Communications/Technology Manager
Elyse Turla for their hard work. Special
thanks to Holly Hall Resident Life
Enhancement Coordinator Jeanie Smith for
providing administrative support as well as
coffee, cold drinks and pastries for the volunteers.
Is Santa CPAs On Your Gift List?
One of the most exciting events of the year
happens this month. No, it's not the afterChristmas sale at the mall. It's the 44th
Annual Santa CPAs Holiday Drive benefiting
over 7,300 underprivileged preschool aged
children participating in the Head Start and
Early Head Start programs. The Community
Services Committee would like to remind you
that now is the time to send your tax
deductible check made payable to Houston
TSCPA Foundation-Santa CPAs to the
Society office (777 Post Oak Blvd. #500,
Houston 77056-3212). Credit card contributions (Amex, Visa, MasterCard or Discover)
can be faxed to the Society at 713.622.3327.
You may also download a full-page contribution form from the Society web site.
Your donation will provide an age appropriate
book and gift bag, stuffed with an apple,
healthy snack and oral hygiene kit for each
child. This worthwhile cause has brought joy
into the hearts of countless children over the
43 years the Society has supported Head Start.
Unfortunately, as costs have risen, donations
have continued to decline. Consider donating
that $10 you are now saving on gas. Or, that
$20 you used to eat out last night instead of
having leftovers. These children don't watch
the stock market or balance a checkbook. All
they know is Santa is coming. Please send
your donation today!
On behalf of the committee and Head Start
children who may not otherwise get a visit
from Santa, thank you for your generosity.
"In faith and hope the world will disagree, but
all mankind's concern is charity."
Alexander the Great (356BC - 323BC)
School Seeks Volunteers
We are off and running for another school
year and I am happy to report that our
students improved well with our scores
last year. We want to thank your organization for its contributions of grant
money and time in talking with the students, as it played a part in our success.
We are participating in the Junior
Achievement BizTown venture this year
and are in need of a couple of volunteers
to accompany us on the trip. I know that
your organization partners with Junior
Achievement and they will allow you all to
come work with the kids as a work day.
Lastly, we would be honored to have
another representative or two come out
and speak to our fifth graders again this
year, whenever possible. Thanks again for
all that you do for Pleasantville
Elementary School!
Everett A. Hare, Sr.
Vanguard & After-School Coordinator
Pleasantville Elementary School
Assist A Nonprofit
Through The Society
One of the Houston CPA Society Community
Services Committee's charges is to assist
qualifying nonprofits with technical assistance
pro bono or at a reduced fee. Qualifying nonprofits must complete a request form and
provide proof of their nonprofit status, if available. The request is then distributed to a database of members who have worked with nonprofit clients and are willing to assist with
these requests. Any fees involved are independently negotiated between the volunteer
and the organization. Areas in which help is
offered include:
Tax:
Application for exempt status under 501(c)(3)
(Preparation of Form 1023)
Preparation of tax returns and/or annual 990s
Accounting / Financial Reporting:
Accounting policies and procedures
Financial reporting policies and procedures
General ledger set up consulting
Assist with the preparation of client-prepared
audit schedules.
Other Areas:
Silent Auction Management Assistance
Know of an organization that needs assistance? Contact Elyse Turla at the Society
office (713.622.7733 x290;
[email protected]).
If you are interested in volunteering to experience the satisfaction of helping a worthwhile
cause, please complete and return the You'll
be glad you did!
DECEMBER 2014
COMMUNITY SERVICE
24
Houston
CPA Society
A Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Houston, Texas
Permit No. 7165
Houston TSCPA Foundation
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
O f f i c e C lo s e d
F o r t h e H o li d a y s
W e d n e s d a y & T hu r s d a y ,
D e ce m b e r 2 4 & 2 5 a n d
T hu r s d a y , J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 1 5
Happy N ew Y ear
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM
Name
Date Taken
Preferred Forum delivery: ______Email Only ______Mail Only ______Both
PREFERRED MAILING ADDRESS
HOME
OFFICE
Business Change
Residential Change
New Firm
New Address
New Address
New Phone
New Phone
Email Address
New Fax
New Employer
Unemployed
Working in Residence
Firm ID _____________
Name Change only
Return to the Chapter office by Fax (713.622.3327) or mail (1700 West Loop South, Suite 750, Houston 77027-3084)

Printable PDF - Houston CPA Society

Transcription

Similar documents

Bela-Bela Communal Property Association

Brochure

Flyer-9300_Synott

View brochure

Greater Houston Port Bureau, Capt. Bill Diehl

DiverseWorks presents L`esprit de l`escalier June 29 – August 17

Houston Rap Tapes

Untitled - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Weslayan Plaza - Regency Centers

Houston Chronicle