April/May 2007
Chapter News Chapter Events Committee Meetings View all East Bay Chapter Events
Chapter Activities Passport
Garcia Award Nominations Wanted
Member Anniversaries
Welcome New Members
Installation & Awards
Post–Busy Season Celebration
Internal Controls for Small Business Biotech Companies
NAASA Leadership Conference
Business & Industry
Contra Costa Discussion Group
QuickBooks Users Group
Personal Financial Planning
California CPA Education Foundation CPE in the East Bay Chapter
CalCPA News President’s Message Chapter News Garcia Award Nominations Wanted [PDF] Welcome New Members Licensed Members Candidate Members Student Members Chapter Events Post–Busy Season Celebration [PDF] Thank you to our sponsors Bridge Bank and ADP. Internal Controls for Small–Business Biotech Companies NAASA Leadership Conference Committee Meetings CalCPA News Resources
IRS, FTB Liaison Meetings: Questions for 2007?
Busier Than Ever
By Bob Johnston, CPA
The 2007 busy season is behind us. But for many CalCPA East Bay Chapter members and other CPAs, it seems that busy season never ends. Maybe it is no longer “busy season,” but rather “busier season.”
CalCPA’s 2006-07 year will also be behind us soon. And, like the members we represent, CalCPA seems to be busier then ever.
The Final Four is behind us, but the boys of summer have begun their long quest for a World Series victory—that is equivalent to 32.4 work weeks, assuming one game per day. Talk about a long busy season.
Of course the A’s, like all major league teams, have new personnel, new energy, new plans and new hopes and aspirations. How appropriate that we begin our new year by holding our installation celebration with the Oakland A’s.
The chapter also has new personnel, new energy, new plans … and more. Rob Anderson, my sidekick for three years, is our chapter’s incoming president. Rob is an awesome guy: hardworking, creative, reliable and a solid supporter of our profession. He has been instrumental in the two firm luncheons we have held, as well as the “Meet the Firms” luncheon. He was a key player in ABC Night by obtaining our chair and serving a critical role on the committee. We are grateful that Rob, with the support of his firm, Burr, Pilger and Mayer, has taken on this chapter leadership position.
Michele Day is the incoming vice president and is a real people person. She has done more than anyone I know in terms of welcoming people to CalCPA and, indeed, our profession. She has been active in the Low-Cost Education and the Young Emerging Professionals committees. This year, Michele and her membership and hospitality teams called and e-mailed every new East Bay Chapter member and she organized two very successful orientation meetings. If our chapter continues to follow Michele’s lead in being open and welcoming to new members, we will be the most active chapter in the state.
Incoming treasurer Joelyn Carr-Fingerle brings the knowledge and wisdom she gained from prior experience with the Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter, where she served in various capacities, including president. Last year in the East Bay Chapter, Joelyn took over as “super liaison,” which means she learned a great deal about each liaison and their respective committees. She also put together and published a Chapter Booklet, which lists all committee chairs, committee members, board members, officers and more. This has been a great resource for all of our members.
Scott “1031” Haislet (who has at least one shirt without “1031” embroidered on it) is the incoming secretary. Scott has chaired the Contra Costa Discussion Group for a long time and was a member of the board of directors and chair of our inaugural ABC Night, which was a fantastic success. He will also continue as chair of ABC Night.
Our other board members who served this past year were Lynn Gardner of Johnston, Gremaux & Rossi; Virginia Smith, chair of the Accounting Department of St. Mary’s College (who did a fantastic job putting together the inaugural Student Outreach Luncheon); Mary Geong of the FTB; Matt Noonan of Lautze & Lautze; Sue Tulis of Marzluft, Giles, Tulis and Foss; and Patt Mayer of Patt Mayer Consultants.
New board members include A.J. Major of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Company; Jamie Menasco of Bio-Rad Laboratories, who was chair of the Low-Cost Education Committee, active in YEP and was part of Michele’s membership and hospitality teams; and M. Weldon Moreland.
We also had great committees this year. Tom O’Sullivan, despite working in San Francisco and enduring a long commute, did a terrific job as YEP Committee chair and the final meeting of the year was a fantastic success. A special thanks also goes to Patt Mayer and Jenise Gaskin of BPM on the Business and Industry Committee; Miranda Beasley and Ching Fong of Clorox on the Scholarship Committee; and Bonnie Nagayama of the QuickBooks Users Group.
Alan Olsen of Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Company, was chair of the South Bay Discussion Group; Chal Daniels of Harvest Financial was chair of the North Bay Discussion Group; Loella Haskew of Buckley, Patchen & Riemann was chair of the Tax Committee; and Michele Matlin of Fuhriman, van Gemeren & Matlin was chair of the Financial Literacy Committee.
Peter van Gemeren of that same firm served as chair of the very active PFP Committee and Olga Martinez served as Bulletin editor. Also, Leslie Dawson of Glenn and Dawson was chair of the Litigation Committee, and Anna Maria Galdieri was chair of the Estate Planning Committee, both of which organized very successful programs.
And we can’t forget Rob Healy, our former president and board member, for continuing to provide his sage wisdom and advice. A special thanks to former presidents Bob Jones and Hank Levy, who just love CalCPA (especially the East Bay Chapter), as is evidenced by their commitment of time and energy. And thank you past president Rob West for chairing the Garcia Award Committee.
As each of you look back on your “busy season” or “busier season,” you will think of those folks who are always there for you even during the hectic days and long nights. We also are very fortunate to have chapter coordinator Soco Davenport and CalCPA staff liaison Vince Chin helping us every day. Thank you.
Also, I received a great deal of support from the partners and staff at Johnston, Gremaux & Rossi. I especially appreciate all the help, support, handholding and patience of my longtime co–worker Mary Munson. Thank you, Mary.
Although my “busy season” is over, I am hopeful and optimistic that both the A’s and the East Bay Chapter will have a terrific new year. How can they not, with such a terrific group of dedicated professionals?
— Bob Johnston, CPA
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Chapter Activities Passport[PDF]
Purchase the Chapter Activities Passport and save 45% of the regular cost for eight chapter events. With a CAP card you can attend eight chapter events: the annual installation dinner (May 16); Past Presidents Night; ABC Night (formerly Bankers Night); the 12th Annual Advanced Estate Planning Symposium; Tax Night; and Careers in Accounting Night; plus an eight–hour CPE seminar sponsored by the California CPA Education Foundation and another eight–hour CPE event sponsored by the Low-Cost Education Committee. Invite a guest at half price or transfer your CAP to someone else.
The CAP costs $285 and you will receive approximately 21 hours of CPE, meals at most events and countless opportunities to network.
Mail in the attached flier or sign up online.
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The LeVerne W. Garcia Award for Outstanding Achievement was instituted to recognize an East Bay Chapter member for his or her distinguished service to the profession of public accounting, to the community or both.
Take this opportunity to recommend a deserving member.
Please submit nominations to committee chair Bob Jones by Tuesday, May 15.
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Philip Andrews, Philip J Andrews CPA
Timothy Brophy, Johnston Gremaux & Rossi, LLP
Cindy Huang
Michele Jordan, Kaiser KPIT
Janice Kay, County of Sonoma Human Service Dept.
Beth Trafton, Armanino McKenna LLP
Preeti Agrawal, TriNet Employer Group Inc.
Sangmi Chang
Arnold Cristobal, Kaiser Permanente
Brett Cummings, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Maria Munoz
Debra Parker, James P. Nettleton A/C
Timothy Robinson
Winter Tsang
Tricia Veneracion–Millena, Jones Henle & Schunck
John Werhan, Thomas Wirig Doll & Co. CPAs
Xiaohua Zhu
Matthew Dennis, Cal State East Bay
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Installation & Awards
Join us as we welcome the chapter’s incoming leaders and thank the outgoing ones at McAfee Coliseum. We will enjoy social time and a delicious barbeque dinner at the Eastside Club North Room before heading to our seats to cheer on the A's.
Date: Wednesday, May 16
Time: 5:35 p.m./gates open and social; 6 p.m./dinner and installation; 7:05 p.m./game
Cost: $35/adults; $20/minors
Buy the CAP card, and this event is “free” and a guest is half price. Download CAP card application [PDF].
RSVP: To register with guests, please download the flier [PDF] or register online.
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Join us for an amazing celebration at a unique and beautiful venue in the Bay Area. The Blackhawk Museum presents one-of-a-kind coach built and limited-production automobiles, dating from the early 1900s to the present.
Take a tour with a docent and learn about these beautiful cars, or just relax and enjoy the company of others and the fine food. Be sure to bring friends and co-workers and celebrate in style!
Date: Tuesday, April 24
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Blackhawk Museum; 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle; Danville
Cost: $50 (includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages).
Note: There is a 20 percent discount for firms with 10 or more registrations; 50 percent discount available for young/emerging professional members (students, candidates and professional staff with less than five years’ experience) and a guest. Registration with discounts by mail or phone only.
RSVP:Online
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Topics: What is a Control Environment?; A Commitment to Corporate Governance; and Keeping it Simple: Effective Use of Monitoring Controls
Speakers: David Wittrock, audit committee chair, California Micro Devices Corp.; Richard Brounstein, executive vice president, Capypte Biomedical Corporation; Clark Keeler, director, BPM; Roy Maynard, partner, BPM; and Scott Taylor, partner, BPM (moderator)
Date: May 24
Time: 8:30-10 a.m.
Locations: Burr Pilger Mayer; 600 California St., Suite 1300; San Francisco
Simulcasts available at BPM; 2 Palo Alto Square, Suite 250; 3000 El Camino Real; Palo Alto; or BPM; 100 Pringle Ave., Suite 340; Walnut Creek
CPE: 1 hour
Cost: $15/members; $25/nonmembers (includes breakfast)
RSVP:Online
Info: Janice P. Oeming, (415) 421-5757.
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CalCPA chapter members are invited to attend the National Asian American Society of Accountants’ leadership conference, Saturday, June 9. This is a CalCPA-sponsored event aimed at enhancing the presence and influence of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the accounting and finance professions.
The conference includes roundtable discussions about career paths, networking opportunities, leadership/mentorship programs and dinner, among other topics.
Date: Saturday, June 9
Time: 1:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Hotel Nikko; San Francisco
Cost: By May 1: $75/members; $100/nonmembers ($120 thereafter); $35/full-time students
Register:www.naasa.org
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Business & Industry
Topic: The Best Ways to Get the Leads and Clients You Want
Speaker: Joanne Black, No More Cold Calling
Date: Wednesday, May 2
Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Scott’s; 1333 N. California Blvd.; Walnut Creek
CPE: 2 hours
Cost: By April 30: $20/members; $25/nonmembers (add $5 thereafter)
RSVP:Online or call (925) 926–0189
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Topic: Benefits of Cost Segregation Studies
Speaker: Tom Flynn, JD, Quantum Engineering Associates, Inc.
Date: Tuesday, May 8
Time: 12-2 pm
Location: Massimo’s; Walnut Creek
CPE: 1 hour
RSVP:Online or call (925) 926–0189
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Topic: Data Transfer and Other QuickBooks Setup Issues
Speaker: Bonnie Nagayama
Date: Tuesday, May 15
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Sunrise Bistro; 1559 Botelho Drive; Walnut Creek
CPE: 2 hours
RSVP:Online or call (925) 926–0189
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Topic: The Challenges of Converting Traditional Clients to Financial Planning Services
Panel: Rob Healy, CPA/PFS, CFP; Greg Desmond CPA, CFP; and Colleen Soares, CPA, CFP
Date: Thursday, May 17
Location: Massimo’s; Walnut Creek
CPE: 1 hour
Cost: By May 14: $25/members; $30/nonmembers (add $5 thereafter)
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IRS, FTB Liaison Meetings: Questions for 2007?
CalCPA’s Committee on Taxation is accepting questions for its fall 2007 tax liaison meetings. In addition to the IRS and FTB, you can pose questions to the Employment Development Department and Board of Equalization.
To submit a question, due May 18, contact Cindy Durst at (916) 441–5351 or cindy.durst@calcpa.org.
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East Bay Chapter Leadership
Contact Chapter Coordinator Soco Davenport
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