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Newslink -
April 2009
Written by and produced for
the express use of Region of the Americas
firms
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Message from the Chair: Reach
out to your JHI colleagues to survive tough times
By Ken Kirkland, CPA, MST
Chair, Region of the Americas
It is amazing how fast the
seasons change. To all of my Northern Hemisphere friends I wish you a
joyous spring. To all my friends below the equator, I am sorry that
your summer is ending. Either way I wish everyone a belated Happy Passover
and Easter.
Read the complete Message.
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Remember the Past: Challenge the Future at
San Antonio conference June 24-27
 Built around this
theme, the Region of the Americas Annual Conference and Annual
General Meeting
offers an interesting line-up of in-demand speakers in the accounting field.
Don’t miss:
Chris Frederiksen,
one
of the most highly rated seminar leaders in the world and consultant to
accountancy firms worldwide, presenting the "Building the Firm of the
Future" session.
Read
complete article. |
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An
investment in training: JHI University in Boston June 1-3
I n
this difficult economic time, JHI firms can rely on JHI University for a level of training and engagement that may be
prohibitively expensive to provide in-house. The
fourth installment of JHI University, Level Three: Beginning In-Charge
Training and Level Five: Management Skills Training being held June 1-3 at
the
Sheraton Braintree Hotel in Boston, will build on the success of past
sessions.
"Since the formation of JHI University we
have been able to offer world class training to our staff," says
Andy Silverstein, CPA, Partner, Dorfman Abrams Music LLC,
and a JHI University Committee member.
"This has really
helped in our recruiting efforts, as we can now offer the same high quality
of training provided by larger firms. In addition, the ability of our staff
to interact with staff from other firms enables them to develop professional
and personal relationships that they can grow and develop throughout their
careers. This is a tremendous tangible resource for them and our firm."
The Registration Form and
hotel registration form and online link are available on the
website.
Questions?
Contact
Shannon Bott, Conference Director, Phone
416-494-1440
ext. 229 or 259,
conferences@jhi.com, and watch the
website and Jeffnet
for updates.
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Valuable
tips, knowledge and alliances on tap at IT Conference Sept. 21-23 in Toronto
By Dan Harris
Conference Co-Chair
Following the very
successful 2008 IT Conference, the IT Special Interest Group is planning an impactful meeting for
Sept. 21-23, 2009 at
Novotel North
York in Toronto, ON,
Canada. Key topics will be:
Read complete article.
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In
Profile
BBR: Newer RoA firms based in San Francisco Bay area
By Gary Bong, CPA
Managing Partner
BBR LLP is a
full-service CPA firm based in Walnut Creek, California (San Francisco Bay
area) providing auditing, accounting, tax and consulting services to
individuals, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Our mission is to
provide the highest level of service by maintaining and developing
competent, experienced personnel who can respond to the diverse needs of our
clients in a timely and accurate manner.
Read complete article.
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Names in the News
Here is a sample of news from Region of the
Americas firms. Send news about your firm to Editor
Becky Dowd,
bdowd@kafgroup.com.
Read the complete article.
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In Print:
Recent articles and
publications by JHI firms The nonprofit consulting
division of
McCrory and McDowell, Dewey & Kaye,
recently published a research study that provides a practical model for
developing nonprofit leaders. The study,
Nonprofit Leadership Development: A model for
identifying and growing leaders within the nonprofit sector,
was based on in-depth research over 18 months with a group of
successful nonprofit leaders and their boards.
Leslie Bonner, Senior Consultant, McCrory & McDowell, is the
study author. See highlights from the study on
Jeffnet under "Announcement."
"State
Data Protection Laws, Seven key steps financial executives and CPAs
must follow to ensure compliance", written by
Barry MacQuarrie, CPA, CITP,
Director of Technology, KAF Financial Group, was published in the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Corporate Finance Insider (Dec. 4, 2008).
The article focuses on
new Massachusetts Privacy Regulation and what CPAs and businesses must do
to be in compliance. |
Change in Washington: The
outlook for taxes
Note: This is the first in a
series of commentaries that JHI conference sponsor alliantgroup, LP is providing
for Newslink. They are written by Dean Zerbe,
former Tax Counsel for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. Dean will also
be a speaker at the Region of Americas Annual Conference in June.
By Dean Zerbe
National Managing Director, alliantgroup, LP
As they
clean up the confetti and roll up the dance floor, Congress and the new
administration turn to the business at hand, the economy. Forbes
recently asked me to give a preview of the near-term (the stimulus bill)
and long-term tax outlook for small and medium businesses in
"Relief for Small Business? Not Much." You will see on the Forbes website
that this is part of a series of several interesting articles on tax
issues (estate, AMT, etc.) that you may find useful.
There are a few points that I
didn't cover in Forbes that may be of interest in the recent
stimulus bill proposed by the House (the Senate has yet to make a
definitive statement on the stimulus package):
Read the complete article.
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New Member Benefits: Watch
for Becker CPE courses and Doc.It suite
| Watch your email and the
website about new Member Benefit offers on
Doc.It
document management and workflow
technology and
Becker CPE courses. |
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News Notes: INSIDE Public
Accounting survey, case studies
and 2009 Blue Book
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Could your firm be one of the next INSIDE
Public Accounting Best of the Best Managed, Top 100 or All-Star firms?
Complete INSIDE Public Accounting's
2009 Annual Survey and Analysis of Firms (for fiscal year-end
2008-09) to find out. Firm size is not a criterion to participate and there
is not cost to participate. Visit
http://plattgroupllc.com/2009survey/ to find the survey and details
about the benefits for respondents or phone (317) 733-1920. The submission
deadline is June 8.
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Case studies, demonstrating how JHI firms work
with JHI their counterparts in other parts of the world to serve clients, are needed
for the website. If you have a prepared case study that is ready for posting
or can provided information that can be developed into a written report,
contact RoseMary MacVicar-Elliott,
communications@jhi.com,
(416)
494-1440, ext. 224.
- The 2009 Blue Book will reach most Region
of the Americas firms by the end of April. If you need more information,
please contact RoseMary, as above.
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Conference Corner 2009
Circle these dates and watch for more details on
Jeffnet, the
website and via JHI emails.
May 21 - 23
Europe/Middle East/Africa Region Annual Conference &
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
Munich, Germany
See the complete
Calendar.
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Message from the Chair:
Reach out to your JHI colleagues to
survive tough times
Ken Kirkland, CPA, MST
Chair, Region of the Americas
It is amazing how fast the seasons change. To
all of my Northern Hemisphere friends I wish you a joyous spring. To all
my friends below the equator, I am sorry that your summer is ending.
Either way, I wish everyone a belated Happy Passover and Easter.
I am sure the economic troubles have touched all of
us in some way or another. The challenges ahead for all our firms will be great
and I hope as we begin to see the light at the end of tunnel, we are able to
successfully chart courses for our firms so that the next economic upturn will
be rewarding for all us. When times likes these come along I feel more comfort
knowing that my firm is in a great organization like JHI. Just knowing I have
the ability to reach out to many associated firms to see how they are doing or
what creative ideas they have to survive theses times brings peace of mind to my
partners and I. Just remember we are all in this together, and as they always
say, there is strength in numbers. JHI can be that rock for all us. So remember
don’t try and do things alone. We have many talented people and firms within
this organization. Reach out if you need advice because I know from the people I
have met at JHI that everyone in this organization will do whatever it takes to
help a fellow member solve problems.
Popular speakers in San
Antonio June 24-27
The Region of the Americas (RoA) continues to move forward through the loyal
commitment of the RoA Executive Committee members. I thank all of them for
their hard work and dedication to keeping this region strong and vibrant. I
promise that the Regional Conference in San Antonio June 24-27 will be exciting
and educational. (See details on website
http://www.jhi.com/americas/conference2009.htm.)
Bill Jennings and his most trusted associate
Kristen Deo-Martinez have worked very hard to put together what I
think is the program for the ages. When Bill took on the Chair’s role for this
conference he wanted to bring change and change he did. We have more outside
speakers than ever. Both Chris Fredrickson
and Bruce Tulgan are two of the most sought
after speakers in the accounting industry today. So please try and make this
conference. I think more than ever we need to be together and I know this
conference will make the trip and cost all worthwhile.
Growing Membership
Rob Pritchard has put together a membership
committee dedicated to creating growth in JHI. Rob and his committee have
revamped the entire process for recruiting new members and the seeds they have
planted today will help membership growth prosper in the future. A
letter-writing campaign has begun to recruit new members in Texas, Colorado,
North Carolina, Missouri, Florida and Arizona.
Rob and his committee have personally invited all prospective new members to
attend a welcoming reception for them in San Antonio. I truly believe what
they have started is exciting and will be a success in the long-run for
recruiting new members.
Reserve June 1-3 for JHI U
JHI University Levels Three and Five is scheduled for
June 1-3 in Boston. Please look for the brochure that will be
coming to you soon. My firm is excited about the young
members of JHI coming to our town. We are currently planning many events for
them so that their stay in Boston will be both educational and a lot of fun.
Please consider JHI University for your staff’s continuing education needs. JHI
University alumni have sent us many emails telling us how wonderful the courses
are and how many friends they made at the sessions. Please send your staff to
Boston this June – I promise they will thank you when they get back.
I look forward to seeing all of you in San Antonio.
Until then, I wish you safe and happy times. Remember there is strength in
numbers. JHI will prosper and so will you if you actively participate in all
the great programs JHI offers. Finally, thank you for allowing me to be Chair of
this great region. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my
professional career. (Ken’s term as Chair ends at the RoA Conference in June.)
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Remember the Past:
Challenge the Future at San Antonio conference June 24-27
Built around this theme, the Region of the Americas
Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting offers an interesting line-up of
in-demand speakers in the accounting field. Don’t miss:
-
Chris Frederiksen,
one
of the most highly rated seminar leaders in the world and consultant to
accountancy firms worldwide, presenting "Building the Firm of the
Future";
-
Bruce Tulgan
an internationally recognized expert on young people in the workplace,
leadership and management, leading “It's Okay To Be The Boss™: The Step by
Step Guide to Becoming the Manager Your Employees Need”;
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Dean
Zerbe,
alliantgroup LP's National Managing Director and former Tax Counsel for the
U.S. Senate Finance Committee, will delve into short and long-term changes in tax
policy as well as ways accounting firms can help their clients lower their tax
bill.
Dates
to remember:
Enjoy Early Bird conference registration rates until
May 15. Reserve at the gorgeous
Westin La Cantera Resort,
offering six
swimming pools, a par 71 golf course, health club and spa and much more, by
May 24.
Book online or using the hotel reservation form on the website.
Questions?
Contact
Shannon Bott, Conference Director, Phone
416-494-1440
ext. 229 or 259,
conferences@jhi.com, or visit the website or Jeffnet.
Conference
Sponsor
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IT Conference
offers valuable tips, knowledge and alliances Sept. 21-23 in Toronto
By Dan Harris
Conference Co-Chair
Following the very
successful 2008 IT Conference, the IT Special Interest Group is planning an impactful meeting for
Sept. 21-23, 2009 in Toronto, ON,
Canada. Key topics will be:
Other
possible sessions include Disaster Recovery Planning and Open Source
Software (alternate session title: "How to Send Bill Gates Less Money"). Our sponsors,
including Doc.It, will be providing resources and insight, especially in
the areas of paperless workflow and document management.
John Shamash CA-IT,
Partner,
Ruby Stein Wagner, Montreal,
discusses the conference benefits.
"Each time we attend the
annual IT conference I am amazed at the incredible value our firm receives
through tips and knowledge obtained from the successes and challenges faced
by fellow JHI firms. We also benefit from the alliances we forge and the
resources that we call upon to help us meet the IT challenges facing us
during the year that follows."
Regardless
of which side of which pond your firm is located on, you'll be hard
pressed to find a more cost-effective way to improve technology
utilization...and to get the most from your firm's JHI membership. We look
forward to seeing every JHI IT manager/administrator AND Partner in charge
of IT in Toronto!
Questions?
Contact Dan Harris,
conference Co-Chair,
dharris@en-terpret.com, 773-868-4381, and check the
website and
Jeffnet,
for postings.
Conference Sponsor
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In
Profile
BBR: Newer RoA
firm based in San Francisco Bay area
By Gary Bong, CPA
Managing Partner
BBR LLP is a full-service CPA firm based in
Walnut Creek, CA (San Francisco Bay area) providing auditing,
accounting, tax and consulting services to individuals, nonprofit organizations
and businesses. Our mission is to provide the highest level of service by
maintaining and developing competent, experienced personnel who can respond to
the diverse needs of our clients in a timely and accurate manner.
The firm was founded in Walnut Creek in 1973. Over the last few years, the firm
has established a presence on the Monterey Peninsula with mergers of two
longstanding firms. The combined efforts of all the BBR partners allow the firm
to provide additional resources and benefits to all clients. The firm serves a
diverse client base and provides a broad spectrum of financial reporting and
advisory services.
Long-term relationships
Our clients come to us with a variety of business and financial concerns and
trust our firm to respond with constructive ideas and innovative solutions. We
honor that trust and work hard to maintain long-term relationships. The
financial professionals at BBR come to the firm with many years of practical
experience. We continually update our knowledge of changing legislation,
accounting, and tax theory through professional seminars and advanced education
courses.
BBR is large enough to provide a broad range of services. We remain committed to
providing responsive and quality client service.
We recognize the importance of actively participating in the social fabric of
our community. The BBR team is encouraged to take active leadership roles within
their communities.
We joined JHI last fall after exploring other networks and have been very
pleased with the resources and warm welcome we have received. Our hope was to
join an organization to expand our expertise, to network on best practices with
other firms and to provide a training resource. We have been very happy with the
relationship and look forward to becoming more involved in the future.
Contact Information
BBR LLP
1676 North California Boulevard
Third Floor – Growers Square
Walnut Creek, CA USA 94596
Phone: 925-954-0100
Fax: 925-954-1068
Email: gbong@bbrcpa.com
Website: www.bbrcpa.com
Contact Partner: Gary Bong
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Names in the News
Here is a sample of news from Region of the
Americas firms. Send news about your firm to Editor
Becky Dowd,
bdowd@kafgroup.com.
JHI is ranked fifth out of 13
networks and associations of independent firms for Argentina in the March 31
International Accounting Bulletin. The ranking is part of the article, “Argentina
survey: Are the good times over?”, posted on the
website and Jeffnet, under JHI Communications. The Argentinean firms are
Ratto-Villares
y Asociados and Razzetto López
Rodriguez Córdoba & Asociados.
Dunlap & Associates, P.C., in
Chalfont (Philadelphia), PA, has announced that:
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Stephanie L. Ryan and Andrew T. Przyuski
have passed Intuit’s QuickBooks®
Certification coursework and become Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors®. |
Dan Pickering has been promoted to
Senior I Accountant in the accounting services department. |
Daniel
Kesner, CPA,
has joined Marks Paneth & Shron LLP
(MP&S) as a Partner in the Family Office and Business
Management Group, based at the MP&S Manhattan, NY office.
Zix Corporation has
signed
en-terpret.co in Chicago, as an email encryption partner.
en-terpret.co, a participant in
the
JHI Member Benefit Program, now offers ZixCorp’s policy-based Email
Encryption service. See the related news release, “Zix Corporation signs en-terpret.co
as Email Encryption” on
Jeffnet under “Press Releases.”
Kirkland Albrecht & Fredrickson, PC (KAF) in Braintree, MA (Boston area),
has announced these appointments and elections:
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Peter
Brown, CPA, Partner, was elected to the Board of Directors for the New
England Wildlife Center in Braintree;
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Becky
Dowd, Chief Marketing Officer, appointed to the Board of Directors of
the South Shore Chamber of Commerce in
Quincy,
MA;
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Peg
Fredrickson, CPA, Partner, appointed to the Board of Directors of the
South Shore Economic Development Corporation;
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Ken
Kirkland, CPA, MST, Partner, elected Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors for
the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA;
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Mark
Robinson, CPA, ABV, Partner, appointed Chairperson of the Massachusetts State
Board of Accountancy.
In addition,
Mark Robinson delivered the opening remarks
to more than 400 attendees at the National Organization of State Boards of
Accountancy Conference last fall in Boston.
Marks Paneth &
Shron LLP (MP&S), based in Manhattan, NY, has merged with Westchester-based
accounting firm Montalto CPA, LLC.
(See related
News
Release.) The merger expands MP&S's tax and
family office and business management services offered to small businesses and
high-net-worth individuals in Westchester County, the northern suburbs and
Connecticut. A partner, Anthony V. Montalto, CPA, one senior tax manager,
Lucille Murray, and four supporting staff members will join the MP&S
Tarrytown, New York office.
Robert
Pritchard, CPA, JD,
President, Pritchard, Bieler,
Gruver & Willison, P.C. in suburban Philadelphia, discusses the impact of
the economic crisis on accounting in the U.S. and JHI in the International
Accounting Bulletin (IAB) article,
“U.S.
survey: A whole new ball game.” His
comments are featured extensively in this annual report about the state of the
profession in the U.S.
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Conferences: Coming up in 2009
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May 21 - 23
Europe/Middle East/Africa Region Annual Conference &
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Sofitel Munich Bayerpost
Munich, Germany
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September/October
(Dates & Location to be Determined)
JHI University
Level One: Basic Staff Training
Level Two: Experienced Staff Training
Level Five: Experienced In-Charge Training
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June 1-3
JHI University
Level Three: Beginning In-Charge
Training
Level Five: Management Skills Training
Sheraton Braintree Hotel
Boston, MA, U.S. |
September 11
- 13
Managing Partners' Summit
Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Atlanta, GA, U.S. |
June 24 - 27
Region of the Americas Region Annual Conference & AGM
Remember the Past: Challenge the Future
The Westin La Cantera
Resort
San Antonio, TX, U.S. |
September 21 - 23
Information Technology Conference
Novotel North York
Toronto, ON, Canada
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July
5-8,
Asia-Pacific Region Annual Conference & AGM
Cruise from on SuperStar Virgo
Departs from Singapore and visits Langkawi Island, Malaysia and Phuket,
Thailand. Concludes in Singapore.
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October 2-4
JHI University
European Region Audit & Tax Conferences
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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Visit Education &
Conferences
at
www.jhi.com
Jeffnet
(Conferences)
for details.
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November 4 -
8
International
Conference & AGM
Dublin, Ireland
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Newslink
April 2009
Published by JHI Region of
the Americas. NOTE: Do not forward outside JHI.
JHI is a Forum of Firms Member
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