Path to Leadership is Wide Open
California CPAs are the driving force behind one of the world’s largest economies. As a member of CalCPA leadership, you can be more involved in shaping California’s economy and use your skills for the betterment of the CPA profession.
So, where do you start? The CalCPA Nominations Committee is accepting nominations for 2008–09 CalCPA officers (chair, first vice chair, treasurer and two vice chairs) and council members at large, as well as for positions on the AICPA Council. More complete information on the positions and the nominations process is available at www.calcpa.org/nominations.
To make the leap to leadership less daunting and unfamiliar, California CPA asked a number of our active member leaders to share their experience about what the jobs entail—and what they get back.
Why did you decide to serve in a leadership position for CalCPA?
John Samore III, CPA, True Partners Consulting LLC: My first involvement started when I was asked by the chair of the Los Angeles Chapter’s Litigation Committee to assist in locating speakers and coordinating the event. A relationship was built and my involvement has continued to grow.
Patricia Cochran, CPA, Vision Service Plan: I was motivated by the opportunity to give back to the CPA profession, which has been such a benefit to my life. This seemed like such a small commitment compared to the substantial benefits that being a CPA has brought me.
Violeta Cristobal, CPA, Cristobal & Company CPAs: I wanted to surround myself with, and learn from, leaders who have given so much to their community and peers. By donating my time and talents, I hope other upcoming leaders who are willing to donate their time and talents will follow me.
Christopher Yahng, CPA, Collins, Mason & Coté LLP CPA: It came naturally. When I set up my own practice, I wanted to have a network of professionals, from both large firms and small firms, with whom I could compare notes and use as resources. The natural place for me to start was with my local chapter. As I became involved, it was only natural for me to go into chapter leadership, which culminated in being CalCPA Chair.
Were you able to achieve your goals as a volunteer leader?
Cristobal: Definitely. When I was a new member, I saw the need for small changes that would nurture a more welcoming environment, which in turn would encourage more professionals to join. When I become chair of the AP&AS Committee, I fostered more camaraderie, which increased attendance at committee meetings. I’ve carried this welcoming environment with me in all the positions I’ve held.
Gregg Wind, CPA, Wind Bremer Hockenberg LLP: Most definitely. I wanted very much to help CalCPA achieve its goals and play a part in keeping our association vibrant. I also wanted to make a connection with those outside of the profession. I have been able to do both. I have had an opportunity to do a myriad of different things through CalCPA’s community outreach and financial literacy efforts.
Describe your experience as a CalCPA volunteer leader.
Marc Parkinson, CPA, Petrinovich Pugh & Co LLP: It was great fun, a great challenge, extremely rewarding and hugely beneficial for my career, my firm and me.
Yahng: In the process of networking, I met a wonderful group of people at the local level and the state levels. Being involved in AICPA leadership, I was able to meet some very memorable leaders of the profession and the country.
Kathy Yu Liu, CPA, Louis Raphael: I learned how to positively influence and motivate others to create results and attain a common goal. I benefited from observing other effective leaders resolve conflict among members and make difficult decisions.
Were there any big surprises or notable memories?
Parkinson: The biggest surprise was how quickly it ended. The most notable moment was addressing the Mexican CPA Society as the keynote speaker in both Spanish and English with my parents in the audience.
Clifford Baugh, D.B.A., CPA, CIA, Matrix Financial Services, LLC: The Leadership Institute was a great experience for me. I loved the camaraderie and ability to learn about members in leadership in other chapters throughout the state.
Adrienne L. Cantrell, CPA, Baker Peterson & Franklin CPA LLP: My biggest surprise is how involved I’ve become. I never thought I’d become president of our chapter. However, I have found the experience to be fun and rewarding. The interaction and cooperation with our other board members has made the journey much less intimidating because we really work as a team.
What was your proudest accomplishment during your tenure?
Cochran: The implementation of a doctoral scholarship program to assure new faculty members are available to teach our future accounting students.
Liu: My ability to work under adversity. I don’t mind criticism or negative thinking from others; my eyes stay focused on the goal to achieve the chapter or state goal. This year our chapter successfully formed an ABC mixer planning committee. Through teamwork, we’ve received tremendous support: two law firms, seven bankers and five CPAs as sponsors of the event.
Wind: I was given the opportunity to restart a CPA-Bankers Committee (now called the Financing Clients Committee). With the help of a steering committee we were able to generate a lot of interest between CalCPA members, the lending community and attorneys. Several of these early meetings drew more than 250 people. I am pleased to report that the committee is doing very well.
Please share a lesson learned during your tenure.
Liu: I learned to work with people using different leadership styles.
Baugh: To never quit or listen to naysayers.
Wind: Great people really can accomplish great things!
D. Paul Regan, CPA, Hemming Morse Inc CPAs: The California Board of Accountancy and the California Legislature can have a huge impact on our profession, good and bad, and CalCPA must have an effective voice in their work.
How did the experience help you professionally?
Yahng: For one, it connected me to another CPA entity that has now become a major part of my succession planning. And my confidence in front of groups has also increased significantly.
Baugh: It gave me more visibility, respect and insight.
Cantrell: Where do I begin? I have met so many colleagues and other contacts. I have this incredible network from which I can gain expert assistance in areas where I may not have a particular expertise. I also have been able to refer clients and receive referrals. I have met a number of other resource contacts in complimentary businesses. Most important, I feel I am not in competition with the numerous professionals I’ve met.
Margaret S. Hesse, CPA, Lapp Fatch Myers & Gallagher Accts: Clients and even potential clients are impressed that you are serving in a leadership position, and I feel like other CPAs seem to respect you for the commitment that you have made.
What do you think are the major concerns of CPAs today and how should CPAs get involved in addressing those concerns?
Yahng: A couple major issues are:
1.) Attraction of emerging professionals into the profession. CPA’s can help by educating young people as to what the profession is about and serving as role models for young people. The AICPA and CalCPA are offering fellowships to individuals to become accounting professors because we are losing more accounting teachers than gaining.
2.) Globalization of the profession. CPAs can be involved in easing of interstate and international restrictions on licensing of the profession.
Baugh: Accountants need to reach out to our growing and diverse constituency, and embrace and market to all accountants in the profession. We need to get more professionals in the teaching pipeline to fill the void in accounting academia. CPAs need to be proactive in addressing potential international accounting concerns. We need to embrace new technology. Finally, CPAs need to deal with the growing level of financial illiteracy and consumer debt by being the premier financial advocate and educator of the consumer.
Wind: For several years now, surveys have indicated that one of the most critical concerns is the recruitment and retention of new practitioners. I have had a wonderful time speaking with students, some of whom had not been previously aware of what being a CPA was all about. Many schools have “career days,” which provide speaking opportunities. I would encourage anyone who would be interested in participating to contact their chapter leaders.
How did your service help give back to the profession?
Cristobal: Hopefully, the biggest contribution was my ability to inspire young CPA professionals. I recently was touched by a letter I received from a colleague who said she became a CPA because of my dedication to the profession. I know she will also give back to the profession, and the cycle will continue.
Liu: I enjoy serving my fellow CPA members at the chapter level and participating in community service such as Tax-Aid. As a CalCPA Council member, I have the opportunity to understand the ongoing issues facing CalCPA, collaborate with leaders from other chapters and work together towards our common goal.
Cantrell: Our annual Student Night is one of our largest events each year. The money we make on various events during the year provides much needed scholarships for university and junior college accounting students. Awarding those scholarships and seeing the direct effect our efforts have on these students’ ability to continue their education is the greatest gift!
What advice do you have for those considering taking the leadership plunge?
Yahng: First get involved with the chapter leadership by volunteering for committees they are interested in. If they are already involved with local committees, they should think about serving as a committee chair. This would greatly increase their networking within their local CPA community and getting them involved for later progression.
Wind: Identify first what is of greatest interest to you. Do you enjoy participating in discussions about technical issues? Do you enjoy meeting students? Perhaps you have an interest in government relations.
Samore: My recommendation would be to start slow. The individual should identify a committee directly related to their expertise and participate with that group to help meet its goals and objectives. You will meet some great people, resources and want to get involved in other areas of CalCPA.
Baugh: Start going to the chapter meetings. Go to a council meeting as a guest or the annual meeting. Talk to someone in leadership. Tag along on a high school class career in accounting visitation.
Hesse: If you get the opportunity attend a CalCPA Council meeting or event such as Celebrating Women CPAs, the next Financial Literacy Summit, CPA Day at the Capitol or the Young Emerging Professionals Conference. I think you will find the enthusiasm to be contagious.
How did you justify the sizeable time commitment it to takes to be a volunteer leader for CalCPA to your firm/business?
Parkinson: It never was an issue. Mom always used to say, “If you need something done, give it to the busiest person you know,” and it’s true. You learn to delegate and be much more organized and effective.
Cochran: The time commitment is not as extensive as one might imagine. For example, our Foundation Board meets four times a year for one-and-a-half days. We hold conference calls with staff and each other to address issues during the interim. The time commitment can be managed.
Liu: I consider serving CalCPA as my obligation as a member and my employer believes the same. The success of an organization is dependent on the effort contributed by individual members. Besides, the experience I had helped to improve my leadership skills at work.
What qualities do you think make a great volunteer leader at CalCPA?
Samore: What’s great about CalCPA is the diversity of the membership and the professional experiences. Being a great volunteer leader does not mean giving up your personal life or sacrificing your career—it’s more about the little things one can do. A good leader is able to balance both life and career while giving a little of their time back to society, and is thankful for what they have accomplished—and really enjoy sharing those experiences with others.
Cochran: A great volunteer leader will have an open mind and a passion for the CPA profession. They’ll be inspired to continue the great traditions, while improving the current areas of concern, in the spirit of giving back for the benefits that they have received during their career.
In what ways do you think CalCPA helps nurture leaders?
Cochran: CalCPA’s Leadership Institute is one excellent nurturing opportunity. The staff is always willing to provide research and information to assist leaders so they are informed on the issues.
Cantrell: The state committees and the Redwood City office personnel are a tremendous support network. I had not been exposed to the state leadership too much prior to this year as president, but now that I’m on council, I’m seeing a whole new aspect of the society that I find very exciting.
Wind: CalCPA has always endeavored to encourage those who are interested in becoming involved in leadership. There is a statewide Leadership Identification and Development Committee, chaired by Dennis Young, which is an excellent resource for aspiring leaders. And, of course, each of us past and present leaders are always happy to chat about involvement in CalCPA.
Tara Eastwood, CPA, Bowman & Company LLP: The staff is very encouraging and helps out tremendously, so we don’t feel we’re alone and overwhelmed. The current leaders are also a very good example to those of us who are new to leadership roles. They make it look like so much fun, and it is.
Interested in serving as a CalCPA officer or on AICPA Council?
Download a nomination form at
www.calcpa.org/nominations. Submission deadline is Dec. 1, 2007.
Education Foundation: Experts in Demand
The California CPA Education Foundation is seeking nominees for its Board of Trustees. Job descriptions and nomination forms are available at www.educationfoundation.org/facts.
If you prefer to be in the trenches and directly influence the quality of conferences, the Education Foundation always is looking for experts to serve on planning committees. Planning committee members share their professional insight to help identify compelling, relevant content and speakers. In appreciation for your time, usually less than eight hours, you’ll attend the fabulous event you created for free. Interested? Learn more at www.educationfoundation.org/conferences.
Want to really show how much you know? New course proposals are always in demand as well as technical reviewers and curriculum committee advisers. Be recognized for your expertise. Learn more at www.educationfoundation.org/instructor.
