June 2008 | Los Angeles Chapter Bulletin

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CHAPTER EVENTS

Chapter Board Meeting

Join us as we discuss issues relating to our chapter and CalCPA.
Date: Thursday, June 12
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

June 6 – 2008–09 Installation of Officers and Directors at Dodger Stadium
July 17 – Chapter mixer at Minx Restaurant, Glendale
Aug. 14 – Chapter mixer at Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles
Aug. 22 – Hollywood Bowl Night with Donna Summer
Sept. 25 – Chapter mixer at X Bar, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
Oct. 23 – Chapter mixer jointly sponsored with the San Fernando Valley Business Journal and the San Fernando Valley Bar Association at Woodland Hills Country Club
Nov. 5 – Annual Tax Night Program
Nov. 16 – Fourth Annual Power by Numbers 5/10K Run/Walk
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Meeting Your Expectations

By John Samore III, CPA

I look forward to representing all of the Los Angeles Chapter members as president for 2008–09. For the past several years, I have had the great opportunity to actively participate in CalCPA’s leadership by serving in various capacities, such as Los Angeles Chapter treasurer, secretary, vice president and first vice president, as well as represent the chapter on the state council.
   My involvement has allowed me to meet and work with CPAs who offer a range of specialties and with other professionals from a variety practice areas who have varying levels of expertise . I look forward to further building upon those relationships and developing new ones. However, my number one goal is to meet your expectations both as president and as a constant promoter of what CalCPA membership offers you and what your membership contributes to the profession.
   The Los Angeles Chapter is heading in the right direction, and I plan on continuing our progress. My most recent predecessors instituted some very successful programsrelated to young and emerging professionals, financial literacy, adopt-a-school and scholarships. I am going to build on the foundations and programs established by both CalCPA and the Los Angeles Chapter.
   I cannot do this alone. I need you, your experiences and your involvement to make this happen. I am asking each member to take more pride in this organization, share with others what being a member means to you and treat this organization as if it were your career, your company and your family. We need to take care of our own and positively promote the CPA profession. You do not only represent yourself, you represent CalCPA, and reputation is everything.
   The work we do as professionals, leaders and mentors directly impacts all facets of society. I look to our chapter’s seasoned professionals to welcome and embrace the young and emerging professionals. I ask our young and emerging members to actively participate and take leadership positions. I ask all members to donate a minimum of two hours a month and share their diverse and professional experiences or teach financial literacy to college and high school students.
   I believe in CalCPA and this chapter as much as I do in the profession. Throughout my term and in future messages, I will share examples of what can be derived from being active and visible in CalCPA.
   Thank you to everyone who motivated and supported me to lead such a fine group of individuals. I especially want to thank Sandy Benitez and Delia Rincon for the dedication, hard work and discipline that they show and provide to the Los Angeles Chapter members. Remember to thank them every once in awhile.
   To conclude my first message, I want to stress that I am here for you. I will be actively involved as president and accessible to all members. I welcome all comments, questions and concerns, and I will address each of them accordingly, appropriately and with passion.
—John Samore III, 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]

Something New

As we approach a new CalCPA membership year, we have a few procedural changes for the Los Angeles Chapter:
Effective May 1:

• Chapter technical committees and discussion groups will no longer have petty cash accounts. Therefore, participants paying with cash are encouraged to bring exact change to the event. The following preferred registration payment options are available:
1. Online
2. Check
3. Credit card
   
   
• To reduce costs the chapter will no longer be able to 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 at sandy.benitez@calcpa.org.

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 at sandy.benitez@calcpa.org.

Calling All Runners

The Los Angeles Chapter is gearing up for its fourth annual Power By Numbers 5/10K Run/Walk Sunday, Nov. 16. We are looking for CPA members who are interested in lending their time and energy to make this a successful event. If you are interested, please contact Program Associate Delia Rincon at delia.rincon@calcpa.org.

Young and Emerging CPAs Committee

If you are interested in participating in this committee, complete and returned this committee interest form to CalCPA at the address listed on the form.

Scholarship Awards

The Scholarship Committee has awarded scholarships totaling $18,000 to the following students:

$3,000 scholarship
Si Qi Yeo, USC
Leale Magat, LMU
Mark Grant, LMU
Daniel Kim, CSUN

$1,000 scholarship
Travis Michael Peters, CSUN
Cathleen Trunnel, University of La Verne
Cori Ueda, CSUN

Endowment Scholarships
Kevin Gomez, LMU ($1,500/$10,000 total)
Tyler Galbraith, LMU ($1,500/$10,000 total)
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CalCPA NEWS

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.

And the Winner Is ...

Congratulations to Jerry Butterfield of the San Joaquin Chapter, who won the free VP membership courtesy of the Education Foundation. And thank you to everyone who has renewed.
   If you haven’t already renewed—your dues were due May 1—now is the perfect time.
   It only takes a minute, www.calcpa.org/renew

2008 National MAP Survey: New and Improved

Find out how your firm stacks up against others by taking part in the PCPS/TSCPA National MAP Survey, which covers key practice management issues, from billing rates and salaries to services as a percentage of fees.
   Survey results will allow you to compare your firm’s management policies and financial results to other firms, gain strategic guidance to build a more profitable and rewarding practice; and help make core business decisions.
   Changes to this year’s survey include 40 percent fewer questions, targeted and “user-friendly” results, a free summary results report for all participants, and results made available months earlier than in previous years.
   The summary report will contain an extract of the survey’s key performance metrics, such as number of hours charged/compensated, major income statement statistics and more. The comprehensive report, available for purchase and free to PCPS members, will include all of the performance metrics crossed against many relevant comparison groups, as well as additional ratios and statistical analyses.
   The survey is open through July 11.
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RESOURCES:

CPE Calendars:
Area Discussion Group
Technical Committee Calendars

Los Angeles Chapter Leadership