May 2008 | San Francisco 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

Fourth Annual Chapter Luncheon

Don’t miss this special occasion to honor our chapter board. Our guest speaker will be Vic Lee, KGO-TV reporter, who will discuss stories of local news, city politics and personalities, and reporting on Asia. 
Date: Wednesday, June 11
Time: 11:30 a.m./registration; noon–2 p.m./program and lunch
Location: Le Colonial; 20 Cosmo Place; San Francisco
Cost: $35/members; $45/nonmembers
RSVP: Online

2008 Asia Business Forum

China has become one of the fastest-growing markets in the past decade, and an increasing number of U.S.-based companies have established significant manufacturing and sales operations within the country.
   Our 2008 Asia Business forum will explore economic, accounting, tax, legal and cultural issues that are important to U.S. companies considering or establishing a presence in China.
   This event is co-hosted by CalCPA’s Peninsula Silicon Valley and Silicon Valley San Jose chapters in association with Ascend and the South Bay Chapter of the Haas Alumni Network, and is sponsored by Deloitte LLP, Morrison & Foerster and United Commercial Bank.

Topic: China: Strategic Implications, Challenges of Doing Business in the World’s Hottest Market
Keynote Speaker: Paul Tiffany, Ph.D. and senior lecturer, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Location: Sun Microsystems Auditorium; Santa Clara
CPE: 4.5 hours
Cost: $50/CalCPA, Ascend and Haas alumni members; $75/nonmembers
RSVP: Online
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COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Pension Audit

Topic: Current Developments in Pension Plans
Speaker: Dianne Aaron, Esq., Buffington & Aaron
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: Noon–2 p.m.
Location: Burr, Pilger & Mayer, LLP; 600 California St., suite 1900; San Francisco
Cost: $15/members and nonmembers
CPE: 2 hours
RSVP: Online

Marin Discussion Group: Elder Law

Topic: Elder Law: Steps in Taking Care of Aging Parents
Speaker: Karen Stein, Esq., estate planning and elder care attorney
Date: Wednesday, April 30
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Location: Marin Nonprofit Resource Center; 555 Northgate Drive; San Rafael
Cost: $15/with advance reservation (lunch included); $5/at the door (no lunch provided)
CPE: 1 hour
RSVP: Online

Marin Discussion Group: Home Equity

Topic: New Vehicles to Tap Into Home Equity
Speaker: David Hellman, Esq.
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Location: Marin Nonprofit Resource Center; 555 Northgate Drive; San Rafael
Cost: $15/with advance reservation (lunch included); $5/at the door (no lunch provided)
CPE: 1 hour
RSVP: Online

International Tax

Topic: Tax Treaties: Beyond Withholding Taxes
Speaker: Richard C. Morris, senior manager, Transaction Advisory Services – International Tax, Ernst & Young, San Francisco
Date: Thursday, May 22
Time: 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Location: 601 Montgomery St., Suite 405 (community conference room); San Francisco
Cost: Free
CPE: 1 hour
RSVP: Online

Estate and Personal Financial Planning

Topic: Distribution Planning: Inherited IRA and Annuity/Owner’s 401(k)
Speaker: Dan Worthington, CFP, CLU, ChFC, and Frank Lavin, CFP, ChFC, AxA Advisors
Date: Thursday, May 22
Time: Noon–2 p.m.
Location: AxA Advisors LLC; 88 Kearny St., 20th floor; San Francisco
Cost: $20/members ($25/member at the door); $30/nonmembers
CPE: 2 hours
RSVP: Online

Litigation/Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards

Topic: The Impact of the New Business Valuation Standards on Auditing & Accounting
Speaker: Donald A. Glenn, CPA/ABV, CVA, CFE, partner, Glenn & Dawson, LLP, Walnut Creek
Date: Wednesday, June 4
Time: Noon–2 p.m.
Location: Bankers Club; 555 California St.; San Francisco
Cost: $40/members with reservation; $45/members without reservation; $50/nonmembers
CPE: 1.5 hours
RSVP: Online

Young Professionals

Joint meeting with the Bar Association Barristers Club
Topic: Real Estate: Tips for the First Time Buyer
Speaker: Doug Burrows, MLS Corp., and Matt Hughes, Hughes Estates
Date: Wednesday, June 11
Time: 6–7:30 p.m.
Location: KPMG (10th floor training room); 55 Second St.; San Francisco
Cost: $10/members, $15/nonmembers; free/student members (light refreshments included)
RSVP: Online
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OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

Excel Users Group

The IMA’s Excel Users Group, co-sponsored by CalCPA, offers the next program in its series of Saturday seminars on Excel topics.
Topic: IF Commands, SUMs and Formatting
Date: Saturday, May 17
Location: Dinah’s Garden Hotel; 4261 El Camino Real; Palo Alto
RSVP: Online

Ascend Leadership Conference

The San Francisco Bay Area Ascend/NAASA Chapter is hosting the Second Annual “Inspiring Across Generations” SF-Bay Area Conference & Anniversary Dinner.
Date: Saturday, June 7
Location: Four Seasons Hotel; San Francisco
RSVP: Online
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Changing of the Guard

By Kathy Yu Liu, CPA

This is my last president’s message, so I write this with some emotion coupled with many fond memories.
   It has been an honor serving as your chapter president this past year. My sincere appreciation goes to the chapter board members, officers, committee chairs and discussion group leaders for their input and support. They all have provided long hours of work and made significant contributions to our chapter. I also extend gratitude to our program associate, Jane Dunbar, and program director Gary Hammond for jobs well done. They have been a great help with all aspects of my responsibilities as chapter president.
   Serving as president has been a humbling experience, having served and worked alongside our many talented and energetic chapter members. Our profession continues to evolve and growth. As leaders of our profession, we must remain at the forefront of this change and continue advocating on behalf of CPAs.
   As I pass the torch to incoming president Jerry Sample, I know he has an excellent plan for the coming year. Jerry brings many years of experience serving on the chapter board, CalCPA Council, California CPA Education Foundation and various chapter and state committees. As a practicing CPA, he is passionate about serving the needs of all members, including small and medium-sized accounting firms. Jerry’s leadership will take our chapter to new levels of success.
   Our chapter is having its fourth annual luncheon at Le Colonial restaurant Wednesday, June 11. This is our annual summer celebration to honor our incoming chapter board. As I mentioned in my previous messages, the officers and the board are here to serve you, the members. This luncheon provides you the best opportunity to meet and speak to the new leadership team at the beginning of a fiscal year—and you also will enjoy food from one of San Francisco’s top restaurants.
   Our guest speaker will be KGO-TV reporter Vic Lee, whose stories have received local and national recognition. He has won numerous Emmys and awards from the Associated Press, RTNDA, Society of Professional Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association. I’m sure you will enjoy this fun-filled event.
   While I will continue my involvement in the chapter, I shall look back on my term with fondness. Thank you all for your support of CalCPA and of my presidency during this past year.
   Sincere regards and best wishes.
—Kathy Yu Liu, CPA
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CHAPTER NEWS

New Members

On behalf of the San Francisco Chapter’s officers, directors and members, we extend our warmest of welcomes to our new members: Kim Barr, Seth Blackman, Carole Bozzelli... [see all new members]
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CalCPA NEWS

Don't Miss This Year's California Summit on Financial Literacy

CalCPA and the California Jump$tart Coalition are hosting the second California Summit on Financial Literacy at the Sacramento Convention Center Wednesday, April 23. And given the current credit crisis facing the state and the nation, the timing could not be better.
   Participants will connect with a variety of programs, organizations and dedicated individuals working to improve the level of personal financial education of all Californians.
   As the most trusted adviser, CPAs have a responsibility to address this important issue, and the Summit will offer ideas for everyone concerned.
   More program information can found at the California Summit on Financial Literacy homepage, along with registration information and a video from the highly successful 2006 Summit.

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.
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RESOURCES:

San Francisco Chapter Leadership