June 2006

Event HighlightsCPE Extravaganza: Ethics
Financial Literacy Summit
Chapter Luncheon: Food and Fun

Chapter News
Committee Sign-Up Time
Golf Tourney: Sponsors, Tee Prizes and Raffle Items Needed
Local CPAs Provide Free Tax Help
Welcome New Members

View all San Francisco Chapter Events

California CPA Education Foundation CPE in the San Francisco Chapter

Other Events of Interest
State Bar Taxation Section Annual Income Tax Seminar
Estate and Trust Committee/Peninsula Community Foundation

Chapter Interest Groups and Committees
Estate and Personal Financial Planning Interest Group
International Tax Committee
Litigation Services
Pension Audit Special Interest Group
Marin Discussion Group
Santa Rosa Discussion Group

CalCPA News
You're Hired!
Online Learning Pass: One Price, Unlimited CPE

CalCPA Committee News
BIC Audio Conference: E-crime Prevention

Resources

President’s Message
A Beginning and an Opportunity
By Andrea G. Cope, CPA
I’ve just read last month’s message by outgoing president John McWilliams about his goal to be an active member in CalCPA. John is much too modest––he is incredibly active in our chapter and at the state level. I have big shoes to fill this year. As we begin the new year at CalCPA, our new and even more seasoned members may be asking, “How do I become involved?” “Are there monthly meetings?” “Will I learn something?” Let me assure you, there are plenty of opportunities to become involved in CalCPA.
  John mentioned our 18 interest groups and four discussion groups. These are easy ways for new members to check out what CalCPA has to offer. You can find descriptions of our interest and discussion groups and upcoming meetings and events at www.calcpa.org/sf.
  Our next chapter meeting is a luncheon June 14 at Boulevard Restaurant. Our guest speaker will be Josh Kornbluth, who will discuss his latest comic monologue, “Love & Taxes.” The monologue “begins as the sad tale of a tax delinquent (Josh), who tries his best to get out of his obligations (both financial and romantic).” But by the end of the story, his attitudes have changed. We’ll have other opportunities to meet as a chapter throughout the year. Check the website and read the monthly Bulletin for information.
  Many of the interest groups offer continuing education as an added benefit. In May and early June of each year, we host the CPE Extravaganza, which offers current issues and CPE at a low cost. We are also part of Bay Area Regional Education, along with the three other Bay Area CalCPA chapters. Each chapter hosts an annual eight-hour, low-cost CPE program donated to us by the California CPA Education Foundation. Proceeds from the CPE Extravaganza and BARE events go to our scholarship fund.
  You get the education and our local accounting students, our profession’s future, get the benefit of scholarships we offer each year. Everyone wins.
  These are just a couple of easy ways to get involved with your chapter. Find an interest or discussion group and start attending on a regular basis. You’ll meet new friends, stay informed of the issues and concerns of that group and become an active participant of CalCPA. Come to the June luncheon and laugh at the antics of Josh Kormbluth.
  As this new year starts, I want to thank John and the rest of the officers and board members, interest and discussion group leaders and CalCPA staff for their dedication. Most of us are volunteers and we are active because we are passionate about our profession and the development of the younger professionals—and because it’s fun. I look forward to continuing with the goals we have put in place over the last several years for our chapter and CalCPA. And I look forward to your involvement.
—Andrea G. Cope, CPA
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Event Highlights
CPE Extravaganza: Ethics [PDF]
Date: Friday, June 2
Location: San Francisco
Cost: $150
CPE: 8 hours
RSVP:Online
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Financial Literacy Summit
By John McWilliams, Past President
I was proud to be a CalCPA member at the April 26 California Summit on Financial Literacy in Sacramento. I met many CalCPA members who were committing a day of their valuable time to improve the financial literacy of Californians. I also met representatives from nonprofits, high school teachers, community college students, representatives from financial institutions and accounting students representing Beta Alpha Psi. CalCPA, in collaboration with the California Jump$tart Coalition, hosted the event, which brought together diverse constituencies with the common focus of improving financial literacy.
  The speakers focused on three key questions:
     • Where we are today? 
     • Where do we want to be?
     • How do we get there? 
 Nationally recognized experts sharing their experiences and insights demonstrated the importance of addressing this issue. The results of the recurring annual survey of high school students continue to deliver troubling outcomes. The complexity of California’s economy and the need to change past behavior was made clear.
  A description of the efforts of the U.S. Treasury Office of Financial Education and the passionate words of John Bryant of Operation Hope laid out the incredible improvements that derive from a more financially literate public. The descriptions of past and current activities of many organizations illustrated the many actions that can produce beneficial change.
  It is absolutely clear that CPAs can be valuable in this very important effort. CalCPA will continue our public outreach, which includes high school and college students. With the summit, we have publicly announced our dedication to this issue and met many incredibly talented individuals and organizations that are potential future partners.
  You can find more details on the summit at www.calcpa.org/public/FLC/, where you can also volunteer and become part of this important effort.
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Chapter Luncheon: Food and Fun [PDF]
The marriage of KQED’s Josh Kornbluth, whose humor is turned toward the usually solemn topic of taxes, and the cuisine of San Francisco’s famed Boulevard Restaurant, is a winning combination.
  Space is limited for this lunch, so make your reservation now. We are also inviting the local members of the Institute of Management Accountants to join us for this event, so you will see some new faces, as well as meet our incoming board members.
Guest Speaker: Josh Kornbluth, KQED-TV host and creator of a series of comic monologues, including “Love & Taxes.” 
Date: Wednesday, June 14
Location: Boulevard Restaurant; 1 Mission St.; San Francisco
RSVP:Online
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Chapter News
Committee Sign-Up Time [PDF]
Which chapter interest groups and committees are relevant to your practice? It’s time to sign up and let us know—there’s no obligation, it just means that you’ll receive meeting notices for the group.
  For more information, visit www.calcpa.org/SF.
  Note that you do not have to be a member of an interest group to attend its meetings. Being a member, though, does give you a chance to take part in planning meetings and, if you choose, to become a leader.
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Golf Tourney: Sponsors, Tee Prizes and Raffle Items Needed [PDF]
The net proceeds from our Sept. 25 golf tournament provided a major source of income for our scholarship fund. Last year we awarded $14,000 in scholarships. We need your help to continue that momentum.
  Sponsors, as well as donations of tee prizes and raffle items, are needed to make this event a success.
  If you or your company can help, contact chapter coordinator Jane Dunbar at jane.dunbar@calcpa.org.
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Local CPAs Provide Free Tax Help
Hundreds of CalCPA members from the San Francisco, Peninsula and East Bay chapters participated in Tax-Aid this year and provided free tax preparation services to nearly 3,000 low-income families in the Bay Area. “These hard working families received more than $3 million in tax refunds,” says Kenneth Lee, CPA, president of Tax-Aid. “They very much need this money to make ends meet, especially with the high price of gas and other necessities.”
  Tax-Aid, a nonprofit organization offering services at 18 locations in five Bay Area counties, also helps families to open bank accounts, learn budgeting and financial management skills, and access other benefits to help them get ahead.
  For more information on volunteering for Tax-Aid or to learn more about the organization, visit www.tax-aid.org.
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Welcome New Members