May 2008 | Los Angeles Chapter Bulletin

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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

Chapter Board Meeting

Join us as we discuss issues relating to our chapter and CalCPA.
Date: Thursday, May 8
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: UCLA Faculty Center; Westwood
Info: Chapter program associate Sandy Benitez

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Join us for a night at the ballpark as we install our 2008–09 officers and directors, celebrate another successful year and embark on an exciting year to come—as well as take in a Dodger game.
   Come and meet the new leadership team and support the organization that supports California CPAs. We also will award scholarships to the top accounting students and will recognize CalCPA lifetime members.
   A Special Recognition Award will be given to those members who were nominated by their peers for their achievements and dedication to our organization.
Date: Friday, June 6
Time: 5:30 p.m./registration; 6:30–7:15 p.m./installation and awards ceremony; 7:40 p.m./Dodger game (vs. Cubs)
Location: Dodger Stadium (Loge Terrace)
Cost: By May 26: $50/members and their guest (each); $65/nonmembers (after May 26: add $10) Price includes game ticket.; Tickets will be available until 5 p.m. Monday, June 2. No walk-ins or pay at the door purchases will be accepted on event day.
Note: Parking: $15/general (pay at gate); $30/preferred
Info: Chapter program associate Sandy Benitez

2008 Annual Income Tax Seminar [PDF]

Date: Friday, June 20
Time: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Whittier Law School; Costa Mesa
Cost: $100/pre-paid; $120/at the door; Materials only: $50
RSVP: Online
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SAVE THE DATES

Chapter Mixers

Date: Thursday, July 17
Location: Minx Restaurant; Glendale
RSVP: Online

Date: Thursday, Aug. 14
Location: Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles
RSVP: Online

Date: Thursday, Sept. 25
Location: X Bar; Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
RSVP: Online

Date: Thursday, Oct. 23
Location: Woodland Hills Country Club
Mixer is jointly sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal

Hollywood Bowl Night with Donna Summer

Date: Friday, Aug. 22
RSVP: Online

Tax Night 2008

Date: November 5
Location: Luxe Hotel, Sunset Boulevard

Fourth Annual Power By Numbers 5/10K Run/Walk

Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
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OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

Members Invited

The Los Angeles Metro Chapter of Ascend (formerly the National Asian American Society of Accountants) invites CalCPA members to its launch celebration—“Embrace, Enhance, Empower”—featuring guest speaker California State Controller John Chiang.
Date: Thursday, May 15
Location: Japanese American National Museum; 369 E. First St.; Los Angeles
Info/RSVP: Online
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

And the Mission Continues

By Vee Cristobal, CPA

English historian and philosopher Arnold Toynbee said, “It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself, but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.” I am reminded of his words this month, my last as chapter president.
   When I began my tenure, I hoped to have 10,000 members; we are a mere 716 members short. I’m confident that John Samore and his new board will continue to aim for this goal—and beyond! And I promise to continue to support the mission.
   Let’s take a trip down memory lane to look at the accomplishments we’ve enjoyed, being sure to position the group for future success:

• The chapter has added about 500 members. As we go forward, remember that our chapter is distinguished by its size (we are the largest in the state) and the quality of our members. The more members we have, the more likely we are to benefit from the CPA community’s collective knowledge. To keep our membership strong, remember to renew your membership, promote awareness of CalCPA, invite young CPAs to join our organization and encourage associate members to attend a meeting.
• We began the mentoring program (headed by Mike Allmon), which is dedicated to sponsoring students to become chapter members and lead them in their professional growth. Consider this: If each of our 9,284 members committed to sponsoring just one student, we would invite 9,284 additional members into our great professional organization and lead them on their path to becoming our successors and future leaders. We would also double the power of our team.
• We sponsored the Power by Numbers 5/10K Run/Walk Nov. 16. As the winner of my age category, I have to say this was perhaps my favorite event of the year! As chapter president, I was overcome with pride for our team, which raised $5,000 for the Venice Boys and Girls Club, as well as canned goods for the Westside Food Bank. A special thanks goes to chapter program associate Delia Rincon for her directions and to event committee chair Mitzy Barreto.
• The Member Networking Mixer at the Standard Hotel in August was a smashing success, with a record number of members attending. Keep coming to the mixers! They are among the best ways to meet and interact with thousands of fellow CalCPA members.
• We had a blast (and firecrackers blasted) at the Hollywood Bowl Night with Gladys Knight July 27.
• The Annual ABC Networking Breakfast chaired by Eddie Glickman raised more than $14,000 for scholarship funds. Almost 400 of us attended, many of whom were sponsors. Let’s give a big thanks to the Financing Clients Committee for a job well done.

With the incoming board, this list will grow ad infinitum. A board’s success is largely driven by the participation and support of the members, so if you are not involved, now is the time to step up to the plate! Join a committee (I’ve chaired the Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards Committee for four years), sponsor new members and stay involved. Let’s start by pledging to become the strongest, most supportive membership in CalCPA’s history. Can you find a sponsor for John Samore’s installation? Can you invite a young CPA to the president’s first meeting in June? Can you simply lend a helping hand where you see it is needed?
   Remember that our board members are unpaid volunteers. The upcoming board, particularly John Samore, will devote much time and energy into serving you and CalCPA. Remember to thank these volunteers regularly.
   To that end, I want to thank my board members for their dedication: First vice president John Samore, III; vice president Jenny Bolsky; vice president Barry Hensiek; secretary Marianne Sfreddo; treasurer and budget chair Dan Delaney; and directors Loni Ang, Gary Bachrach, Mitzy Barreto, Marissa Bueno, Richard Ellwood, Barbara Gottileb, Linda Heineman, Carrie Hidding, Catherine Hyodo, Jonathan Karp, Mark Pribble, Martin Seiden, Michael Spindler and Ronald Stone.
   I extend a special debt of gratitude to the past presidents who graciously attended our board meetings, gave their support and shared their experience and knowledge to help grow the chapter to include more benefits to our members. As any active board member understands, time spent fulfilling board obligations extends far beyond time spent at meetings. Often, our board members’ colleagues and family members must make sacrifices so that CalCPA can continue moving forward. I know my team at work—and my family—has patiently allowed me to focus time and energy on CalCPA. To them, as well as the chairs of our chapter’s 27 committees and discussion groups, I owe a giant embrace.
   And how could I have survived without the guidance of chapter program director Gary Hammond and chapter program associates Sandy Benitez and Delia Rincon?
   Finally, to the CalCPA membership: Thank you for your ongoing support, the time you spent nurturing me and helping me grow into my position and for allowing me to lead the greatest group of CPAs to grace the earth.
   With ongoing admiration,
—Vee Cristobal, CPA
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CHAPTER NEWS

New Members

On behalf of the Los Angeles Chapter’s officers, directors and members, we extend our warmest of welcomes to our new members: Amolika Bajaj, Howard Brenneman, Peter Choe... [see all new members]

A New Way

As we approach a new CalCPA membership year, there will be procedural changes for the Los Angeles Chapter:

The following will become effective May 1:

• Chapter technical committees and discussion groups will no longer keep petty cash accounts. Therefore, participants paying with cash must have the exact amount. To process CPE credits efficiently and timely, the following preferred registration payment options are available:
1. Online
2. Check
3. Credit card
   
   
• To reduce costs the chapter will no longer mail technical committee and discussion group meeting notices. Meetings will be promoted on the chapter’s website and with e-mail notifications.

• A nonmember rate will now be incorporated to all chapter committee and discussion group meetings.

We value your membership and commitment to CalCPA, the Los Angeles Chapter and the CPA profession.

Chapter Mentoring and Internship Program

A dozen chapter members, along with student members from Loyola Marymount University and Cal State Los Angeles, have started the chapter’s Mentoring and Internship Program. Go online to find out what it’s all about.
   For more information, contact program associate Sandy Benitez.

Chapter Sponsorship Opportunities

Showcase your business while building your relationships and creating lasting impressions with CPAs at your numerous and varied events. Sponsorship offers you face-to-face contact with your target market and provides exposure for your business to more than 9,000 CPAs and financial professionals in the Los Angeles area. We will work with you to maximize your marketing dollars and reach your target audience by helping you select programs that meet your specific needs.
   For more information, contact program associate Sandy Benitez.

USC Marshall School of Business

USC’s business school has a number of undergraduate and graduate students who are available for internship and full-time opportunities.
   If you have any open opportunities, please contact Peter Guilioni at USC.
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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.

Register Online

Register and pay for CalCPA events 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit CalCPA.org’s Master Calendar to search for CPE and other events by chapter or key word. Explore the possibilities online.

RESOURCES:

CPE Calendars:
Area Discussion Group
Technical Committee Calendars

Los Angeles Chapter Leadership