November 2007 | Channel Counties Chapter Bulletin

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DISASTER RESOURCES

What to Do in an Emergency

Whether you or a client has been affected by the Southern California fires, CalCPA has resources to help you through the crisis, including comprehensive tax resources and other important disaster recovery information.
   CalCPA also is coordinating volunteer efforts to assist victims of the Southern California wildfires—and we need your help.
   There are opportunities for CPAs statewide to provide pro bono financial and tax assistance to fire victims who are in need. Even if you are not in Southern California, you can sign up to offer assistance by phone.
   Each volunteer receives a comprehensive Volunteer Handbook that contains virtually everything you’ll need—especially when combined with your professional expertise—to assist fire victims.
   To volunteer, update the volunteer portion of your personal profile.
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CHAPTER EVENTS

2007 Technology Trends

Date: Monday, Nov. 5
Speaker: David Ciesak, CPA
Time: 8:30 a.m./registration; 9 a.m.–Noon/CPE
Location: Ventura Beach Marriott; 2055 E. Harbor Blvd.; Ventura
CPE: 3 hours
RSVP: Online

Top 5 Individual Tax Planning Issues for Your Client’s Well-Being

Date: Monday, Nov. 5
Speaker: Noelle Allen
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 6
Time: 8:30 a.m./registration; 9 a.m.–Noon/CPE
Location: Fess Parker Doubletree Resort; 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.; Santa Barbara
CPE: 3 hours
RSVP: Online

Estates & Trusts

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008
Speaker: Mary Kay Foss
Time: 8:30 a.m./registration and breakfast; 9 a.m.–Noon/CPE
Location: Hotel Mar Monte (Vista Room); 1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd.; Santa Barbara
CPE: 3 hours
RSVP: Online

Chapter Board Meetings

For more information on chapter board meetings, or if you wish to attend, e-mail chapter program associate Rita Williams or call (805) 571-1558.
Date: Monday, Nov. 5
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Ventura Beach Marriott
 
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 5
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort
 
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 8
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Hotel Mar Monte
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INTEREST GROUP MEETINGS

AP&AS (Santa Barbara)

Date: Thursday, Dec. 13 (no meeting in November)
Info: Interest Group Chair Tim O’Keeffe or (805) 963-1837.

AP&AS (Ventura)

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 28
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Soares, Sandall, Bernacchi & Petrovich; 405 E. Esplanade Drive; #300; Oxnard
Info: Raj Acharya or (805) 485-7965.

Conejo Valley Discussion
Group (Thousand Oaks)

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 14
Info: Interest Group Chair John Jackson.

Santa Barbara CPA Discussion Group

Topic: Research & Development Tax Credits
Speaker: Brad Mols, AlliantGroup
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 27
Location: Santa Barbara Club; 1105 Chapala St.; Santa Barbara
Info: Interest Group Chair Cindy Young or chapter program associate Rita Williams.
RSVP: Online

Ventura CPA Discussion Group

Date: Thursday, Nov. 29
Info: Interest Group Chair Garry Jones at (805) 778-1858 or chapter program associate Rita Williams
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SAVE THE DATE

Chapter Retreat/Installation of 2008-09 Board of Officers and Directors

Date: June 6–8, 2008
Location: Hyatt Regency, Incline Village, Lake Tahoe

 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Want CPE? We Got It

By Cindy Young, CPA

By the time this article is published, we’ll have wrapped up the 2007 Channel Counties Chapter Golf Tournament and, hopefully, replenished our scholarship fund. Thank you to our dedicated tournament committee, Rita Williams (our program associate extraordinaire), the accomplished staff at Montecito Country Club, all our generous sponsors and especially all you golfers! Our tournament in 2008 will return to Saticoy Country Club Oct. 20, so go right ahead and mark your calendars.
   Continuing education scheduled for Monday, Nov. 5 will feature a technology update with tech guru David Cieslak. David is an expert in micro-computer accounting systems, information security, systems development and basically all things technologically related that’s essential to practicing CPAs. 
   Noelle Allen will be the guest speaker at our Dec. 5 chapter event, provided by the California CPA Education Foundation. Noelle’s presentation will include: the ins and outs of Roth IRAs; retirement plan overview for practitioners who do not specialize in pension and profit sharing plans; a review of the rules relating to all interest expense deductions, with an emphasis on home mortgage rules for both regular tax and AMT (including pitfalls associated with the deduction); the basic rules of Health Savings Accounts and who should and shouldn’t have them; and tax implications of long-term health insurance, who ought to have it and insights on what to look for when buying this kind of insurance policy.
   Our final CPE event before tax season will be Tuesday, Jan. 8 and feature Mary Kay Foss, who will discuss estates and trusts.
   One other event I’d like you to consider attending takes place May 13, 2008, in Sacramento: CPA Day at the Capitol. Our profession faces serious consequences as our ability to advise and prepare returns for our clients with filing requirements in other states continues to be threatened. The controversy concerning mobility—the ability of California CPAs to practice outside of our state—is just one of a number of legislative matters that can only be properly resolved with our input.
   Please plan to attend. Besides advocating for our profession, this is an opportunity to see the legislative process in action. This is our chance to make a difference in the outcome of legislation that has a direct impact on our practice and our clients. I plan to attend and I hope you’ll join me.
   Until next month, I extend to you warmest wishes for a bountiful Thanksgiving.
—Cindy Young, CPA
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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: Yolanda Coronado, Robert Whitney, Mathew Andresen... [see all new members]

Changes to Your Record?

Have you moved recently? Planning a move? New e-mail address? Make sure you let us know. Update your records online or send your updated information to chapter program associate Rita Williams or call (805) 571-1558.

2007 Golf Tournament Sponsors

We’d like to give thanks to our generous golf tournament sponsors: ADP; Alliantgroup; Bartlett Pringle & Wolf; California CPA Education Foundation; Camico; Carmichael Associates; Community West Bank; County Commerce Bank; Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner & Morrisset; David G. Junod, CPA; Garrett & Tully; McGowan Guntermann; Montecito Country Club; Nasif Hicks Harris & Co; Rabobank; Robert Half International; Sandpiper Golf Club; Vance Thrift & Biller; and Wells Fargo Private Client Services.
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CalCPA NEWS

Leaders Wanted: Become a CalCPA Officer or AICPA Council Member

You are the driving force behind one of the world’s largest economies. Isn’t it time you put your leadership skills to use for the betterment of the CPA profession?
   The CalCPA Nominations Committee is accepting nominations until Dec. 1 for 2008–09 CalCPA officers and council members at large. Officer positions include chair, first vice chair, treasurer and two vice chairs. Three council members at-large also will be elected.
   Members can apply for more than one office and will be considered only for the positions to which they apply. Download a nomination form, review job descriptions and ideal leadership characteristics.
   For more information, contact John Angelo or Nominations Committee Chair D. Paul Regan.

Another Way to Serve—AICPA Council

If you’re an AICPA member and interested in representing your peers on AICPA Council, let us know. The Nominations Committee will recommend candidates to AICPA Council, which establishes AICPA policies and procedures, and enacts resolutions that are binding on the board of directors, officers, committees and staff.
   If you’re interested, send a letter of intent and your professional and volunteer history to: Nominations Committee; c/o D. Paul Regan, chair; 330 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 710; Glendale, CA 91203.
   All letters must be received by 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The AICPA makes the final selections.

CalCPA Member Discounts on CCH Tax Guidebooks

CalCPA members can order CCH’s U.S. Master Tax Guide 2008 and the Guidebook to California Taxes 2008 at significantly discounted rates:

2008 U.S. Master Tax Guide (Expected ship date, late-December 2007): $41/members; $61/nonmembers.

2008 Guidebook to California Taxes (Expected ship date, late-January 2008): $39/members; $59/nonmembers.

Order today.
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RESOURCES:

Channel Counties Chapter Leadership