May 2008 | Channel Counties Bulletin

TOOLS

---

 

CalCPA NEWS

CPA Day at the Capitol

Help legislators understand key issues facing California CPAs including the importance of CPA mobility and achieving substantial equivalency in our state. California is a part of a national effort to remove unnecessary barriers to providing services across state lines, which is unjustly costly to the clients of CPAs and may in fact interfere with consumer choice.
   The connections you make will prove to be crucial in educating legislators and their staff before they vote on issues important to you as a California CPA.
   You will establish meaningful relationships that ultimately will create a more favorable business environment for CPAs throughout California.
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Time: 9:30 a.m./registration; 10–11 a.m./issues briefing; 11 a.m.–3 p.m./appointments with legislators; 3:30–4 p.m./debrief
Location: Sheraton Grand Sacramento; Sacramento
RSVP: Online

 

CHAPTER EVENTS

Awards Night

Speaker: Joyce Holiday, CPA [new speaker]
Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 6–9 p.m.
Location: Santa Barbara Club; 1105 Chapala St.; Santa Barbara (space is limited, so RSVP early to reserve your seat).
CPE: 1 hour
RSVP: Online

Chapter Retreat/Installation of Officers, Directors

Date: June 6–8
Location: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe; 111 Country Club Drive; Incline Village
RSVP: Rita Williams or by phone (801) 571-1558

 

DISCUSSION GROUP MEETINGS

AP&AS (Santa Barbara)

Date: Thursday, June 19
Info: Interest Group Chair Tim O’Keeffe

AP&AS (Ventura)

Topic: The Effective Use of Analytical Procedures in Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Speaker: Debra L. Warnacutt, CPA
Date: Wednesday, May 28
Location: Soares, Sandall, Bernacchi & Petrovich
Info: Raj Acharya or (805) 485-7965

Conejo Valley Discussion Group (Thousand Oaks)

Date: Wednesday, May 21
Location: TBD
Info: Interest Group Chair John Jackson

Santa Barbara CPA Discussion Group

Date: Tuesday, May 20
Info: Interest Group Chair Cindy Young or chapter program associate Rita Williams.

Ventura CPA Discussion Group

Topic: TBA
Date: Thursday, May 22
Info: Interest Group Chair Garry Jones at (805) 778-1858 or chapter program associate Rita Williams.

 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Time Flies

By Cindy Young, CPA

It’s easy to understand now why most chapter presidents, at the end of their terms, note how quickly the year has passed. Here I am, writing my final president’s message, and feeling like it was just last week when I wrote my first one last June. We had an action-packed year, all the way from the discussion group-level to the CalCPA Council meetings. And guess what? It’s not over yet.
   CPA Day at the Capitol in Sacramento is just around the corner. I hope to be joined at the Tuesday, May 13 event by a Channel Counties Chapter contingency.
   Thursday, May 15, is our Awards Night, when we will bestow nearly $12,000 in scholarships to students representing six colleges and universities within our chapter area. We might be able to squeeze you in if you haven’t yet RSVP’d. Contact chapter program associate Rita Williams. We have a great speaker lined up, so you’ll receive an hour of CPE in addition to a great dinner and the opportunity to meet the award recipients.
   Chapter board members will be “retreating” June 6-8 to Lake Tahoe. We’ll be joined by friends, family and fellow chapter members, who know from experience what a great time we have at our annual retreat. Once again, there might be a chance that you can join us if our block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe at Incline Village hasn’t filled up. If you would like to come along, be sure to check with Rita or register online.
   During brunch on Saturday morning, June 7, we’ll continue our long-standing tradition of installing officers for the upcoming year.
   It’s been my honor to serve on the chapter board with our incoming president, Tom Letus, soon-to-be first vice president Susan Jacobson, second vice president Patricia Krout, secretary Gail Anikouchine, treasurer Jeff Dottl and seasoned director Mike Ray. These individuals, along with past president Juan Soto, and, of course, Rita, worked diligently over the past year to ensure the success of all our chapter’s endeavors. With Rita keeping us on task and making sure we have the tools (and venues) we need to accomplish our mission, we truly work as a team to make sure your chapter is serving your needs.
   My term as president has been challenging at times, but as a board, we have achieved our goals because of the support of these brilliant, engaged and committed people. I cannot thank my fellow directors enough for their dedication and contribution of that most valuable resource: Time.
   I’m delighted to inform you that our new board members for this coming year are Jason Janzen, CPA, of Bartlett, Pringle & Wolf, and Raj Acharya, CPA, of Soares, Sandall, Bernachi & Petrovich. Raj and Jason have both given their time and expertise to our chapter in the past.
   Raj stepped up to head the Ventura AP&AS Discussion Group a couple of years ago when the continuation of the group was threatened due to lack of leadership. Under his direction, the discussion group has greater attendance and attracts some excellent speakers.
   Jason, in addition to being a regularly attendee of the Santa Barbara CPA Discussion Group breakfasts, has agreed several times to serve as a presenter. As the point person in his firm’s commitment to going paperless some years ago, Jason filled the room when he led that particular discussion group meeting. Without a doubt, our chapter will benefit from the addition of these two new directors.
   Next month you’ll see Tom’s handsome face above this column. I wish him good luck as I look forward to serving my final year on the board as past president. No doubt Rita has already ordered my nifty new brass past president nametag! I am humbled to join such a prestigious and distinguished group of CPAs as those who have served as our chapter presidents.
   Meanwhile, see you in Lake Tahoe next month! We’re going to have a fabulous time.
—Cindy Young, CPA
[Back to top]

CHAPTER NEWS

New Members

On behalf of the Channel Counties Chapter’s officers, directors and members, we extend our warmest of welcomes to our new members: Marc Pounds, Lisa McFadden, Luis Oliveira... [see all new members]

2008–09 Directors, Officers Proposed Slate

The Nominating Committee of Cindy Young, Tom Letus and Juan Soto nominated the following individuals to serve as 2008–09 officers and directors:

President: Thomas A. Letus
First Vice President: Susan P. Jacobson
Second Vice President: Patricia Krout
Secretary: Gail Anikouchine
Treasurer: Jeffrey R. Dottl
Director: Michael L. Ray
Director: Raj Acharya
Director: Jason Janzen

Acticle V, Section 1 of the Channel Counties Chapter Bylaws state that the chapter may choose to hold an annual business meeting of the chapter members in May or June of each year and on such day and place as the Board of Directors shall designate. This meeting shall be for the purpose of the election of officers and directors for the operating year.

Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Santa Barbara Club; 1105 Chapala St.; Santa Barbara
Info: Chapter program associate Rita Williams or chapter Secretary Tricia Krout
[Back to top]

CalCPA NEWS

Rising CPAs, Networking

CalCPA’s 2008 Young and Emerging Professionals Conference will provide an overview of what’s on the horizon for young CPAs, tips on becoming the “most trusted adviser” and feature keynote speaker Christopher Gardner, who will discuss his strategy for defining, finding and attaining success and focus.
   Other topics will include networking, creating a business image and learning the ins and outs of communications. And new this year will be a look at the do’s and don’ts of CPA fashion.
   The conference will take place May 7 in Los Angeles and May 9 in San Francisco.
   Register online.
[Back to top]

RESOURCES:

Channel Counties Chapter Leadership