ascpa magazine dec 2013 jan 2014

ANNUAL STUDENT ISSUE

ALABAMA CPA MAGAZINE DECEMBER2013/JANUARY 2014

2 ThE ALABAMA CPA MAGAZINE

The AlAbAmA CPAmAGAZINe

Alabama Society of

Certified Public Accountants

P.O. Box 242987

Montgomery, Alabama 36124-2987

1-800-227-1711

334-834-7650

www.ascpa.org

OfficersRenee B. hubbard, ChairDon McCleod, Chair-Elect

Dr. Lowell S. Broom, Vice-ChairJames R. L. Carroll, Secretary-Treasurer

Steven A. Shelton, Past Chair

BOard Of directOrsJames Adam Causey

Allison h. GuicePaul Marcus hamilton

Kate J. hamSharon S. Jackson

Robert Rush Letson IIIBradford A. Lynch

Jason L. MillerAmanda N. Paul

Michael C. ReiblingMatthew T. Roeder

Lewis T. ShreveChasity L. Sweatmon

Daniel K. TewAlison Nicole Cunningham, Young CPA

Lindsey S. Weems, Young CPA

aicPa cOuncil MeMBersWilliam h. Carr

Renee B. hubbardE. Lamar Reeves

Jimmy L. Williamson,

Past Chair, AICPAThe Alabama CPA Magazine is published by Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants as a membership service to Society members. Views and opinions appearing in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the ASCPA. The deadline for submitting materials for publication is the first of the month preceding issue date.

Jeannine P. Birmingham, CPA, CAE, CGMA

President and CEO

Diane L. Christy, Editor

Students at hazel Green high School with Young CPAs Leah DellaCalce

and Michelle Jenkins.

message from the Chair...When I graduated from Auburn in 1985, the CPA exam was much different

from today. Then, you could only take the exam during two windows per year (May and November). If you were taking it in Alabama it meant 2 ½ LOOOOOONG days at the Montgomery Civic Center. There were four parts to the exam in 1985 – Accounting Practice I/II, Accounting Theory, Audit and Business Law and each time you registered for the exam, you were required to take ALL the parts that you had not passed. I guess there are some things that are still the same though – the exam is stressful, it requires a huge time commitment and passing provides a major sense of accomplishment. Since many of the colleges and universities today have incorporated a CPA review course into their graduate program, students have passed some, if not all, of the exam before they start their career. While the new graduates may have the CPA exam behind them, the learning never ends. Being a CPA and a trusted business advisor is a journey, not a destination. As CPAs, we have made a commitment to lifelong learning, and I believe that it is our commitment to learning that makes our profession like no other.

Part of that commitment means reaching back to high school and college students. The ASCPA supports the development of students, both at the high school and college levels. Our Young CPAs recently completed the 2013 classroom blitz – Pay it Forward. This year they visited 45 high schools across the state and reached over 3180 students. If you know a young CPA that participated in this event, please thank them. By reaching out to high school students, we believe that we have a chance to influence their college career choice while also helping them become financially savvy. In the case of college students, the ASCPA Educational Foundation provided 33 scholarships during 2013/14 to students all across our state. The relationship is not one-sided, either, since we want them to become CPAs and future leaders in the Society. They become our Campus Ambassadors and invite us to campus.

Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the AICPA Fall Council meeting and learned of yet another opportunity for us to reach students early. In 2010, the AICPA and AAA came together to form the Pathways Commission on Accounting higher Education. The Commission studied many things, including adding an AP accounting course to high school curricula across the country. This new AP course will be tailored for college-bound students interested in accounting as a profession. This will require a grass roots effort and some time to get off the ground but will be just one more tool available to introduce high school students to accounting at an early age. As part of a push by the AICPA to keep abreast of education trends, Jeannine has been selected to serve on the AICPA Future of Learning Task Force. She will update us periodically on their findings.

While technical knowledge is very important, we also have a responsibility to be community leaders. The ASCPA Leadership Academy Class IV will get started in May 2014. CPAs from our Firm have participated in each of the classes. These classes are led by Rainmaker Companies of Nashville and the classes provide each candidate with life skills that extend well beyond debits and credits. I asked a recent participant what she had learned from the Leadership Academy and she commented, “It has taught me that leadership has less to do with title and position and more to do with motivation and influence.”

As 2013 comes to a close, I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2014!

May the glow of the holiday season remain with you throughout the year.The ASCPA staff looks forward to serving you in 2014.

ThE ALABAMA CPA MAGAZINE 3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

You are talented and able students. This accomplishment is one among many as you begin your accounting career.

The ASCPA looks forward to having you as a member and professional colleague for many years to come.

Congratulations to YOU!

STUDeNT SUCCeSS

1 Katherine Andrews University of Alabama

2 Kelsie Baer Samford University

3 Lacourtez Banks Troy University

4 Emelia Brooks University of Alabama at Birmingham*

5 Bidisa Chandra University of Alabama at Birmingham Pearce Bevill Minority Scholarship

6 haiye Egli Troy University Dothan

7 Sheldon Foster Tuskegee University

8 Laura Giles University of North Alabama

9 Michael Kernahan Spring hill College

10 James Knight University of Alabama at Birmingham

11 Jessica Lowery Alabama A & M University

12 Cassie McGowan Jacksonville State University

13 Andrea McGregor Auburn Montgomery

14 Julie Monell Auburn University

15 Ann Nurse Alabama A & M University*

16 Wofai Offem Troy University Montgomery*

17 Rosaline O’Steen University of Alabama Kassouf & Co.

18 Phillip Otwell University of Montevallo

19 Mala Patterson Athens State University*

20 Samantha Peters Auburn University* Kassouf & Co.

21 Charles Pickett University of West Alabama

22 Alexandria Taylor University of Alabama*

23 Erin Taylor University of Mobile

24 holly Vernon Troy University

25 Joshua Walters Troy University*

26 Warren Ward huntingdon College

27 Andrea Ware Alabama State University*

28 Morgan Washington Miles College

29 Abby Whitt Athens State University

30 Blake Wilson Alabama State University

31 Kelly Zajac University of South Alabama

*Chairman’s Awards

PhOTO NOT AVAILABLE


STUDeNT SUCCeSS

WhY JOIN The ASCPA?The cost (none)

The swag (cool toys to keep and share)The networking (get to know CPAs)

The internships (at the ASCPA and elsewhere)The news (Alabama CPA magazine – you’re reading it!)

The cards (you get business cards identifying you as a member)The events (visits to your campus, Interview Skills Workshops)

The career (you start it just by joining)

Go to www.ascpa.org. Done.

Chair-elect mcCleod Starts Conversations with Alabama hbCUs

Don McCleod, Dothan sole practitio-ner, chair-elect of the ASCPA Board of Directors, member of the AICPA’s

National Commission on Diversity and Inclu-sion, and subject of the 2004 award-win-ning video Pillars of Success is hitting the road.

he’s been attending diversity events at the invitation of the AICPA and was a key speaker at the Accounting Leadership De-velopment Conference which the ASCPA hosted last June. The conference is an an-nual AICPA event and brought 30+ students from the southern tier of states to the AS-CPA for a day and a half program. You can read about it in the July 2013 magazine.

McCleod felt that the Alabama Society could do more to increase diversity in the profession and decided to begin conversa-

tions with six of Alabama’s historically black colleges and universities. The schools that he and CEO Jeannine Birmingham will visit during late fall and spring are Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Oak-wood College, Stillman College, Tuskegee University, and Miles College.

“We want to know several things about their accounting programs and to ascertain where the ASCPA can help them fill gaps or offer resources. Some of the schools partic-ipate in all our programs, some participate in a few activities, and with a couple there is no relationship established”, McCleod said. “This is a great opportunity to hear from them, directly, and to see what role we can play in supporting and encouraging their students.”

Are you a graduate of an hBCU? Do you

The ASCPA continues its intern program into 2014, recruiting students from schools in central Alabama. This fall’s intern was James White, son of Barbara White, CPA and ASCPA member, who is on faculty at huntingdon College where James is a se-nior. The students do routine administrative work as well as special projects. They’re encouraged to participate in as many pro-grams as possible while with the ASCPA. Both James and summer 2013 intern Ashley Clark attended Annual Meeting.

know a CPA who is? have you taught ad-junct at one of these schools? Do you serve on an advisory board? Contact either Don McCleod, [email protected] or Jean-nine Birmingham, [email protected], to provide feedback on your own experi-ence.

FAll INTerN James White


NATIONAl meeT The FIrmS Week The ASCPA supports the National Meet the Firms Week and College Frog as another way for accounting majors to get matched up with public accounting firms. In September 2013, Alabama was represented by 14 firms and 264 students from 16 schools. Alabama’s participation grew 41% since the spring, representing the 4th largest increase among states. Alabama currently ranks 9th in student profiles and 6th for registered firms.

STUDeNT SUCCeSS

kelsie baerIn the fall of my sophomore year, as a

French major, I took my first account-ing class. It was completely different than I expected, and for the whole semester, I

dreaded my French class and looked forward to my accounting class. The ma-terial clicked with me, and I liked the way account-ing is more like putting to-gether a puzzle than sim-

ply crunching numbers. My teacher, Mrs. Sharon Jackson, clearly communicated the job opportunities and security that an ac-counting major gives. I quickly realized that I belonged in the business school, and after discussions with Mrs. Jackson and with my family, I switched my major to accounting. The audit practice in particular was attrac-tive to me because of the client interaction and the opportunity to learn how many dif-ferent types of businesses work. Account-ing has been a great choice for me, the job market is very good, and the recruiting pro-cess gave me strong guidance in finding an internship.

I plan to attend Samford’s MAcc pro-gram next fall and take the CPA exam in the fall and early spring. I hope to pass all four parts of the exam several months before graduating with my masters, enjoy the summer off, and then begin work at a public accounting firm. At this point, I don’t have many plans beyond starting work. One thing I would like to experience is an overseas tour, which is one of the biggest reasons I chose to work at a Big Four firm. After a few years at a firm here in the States, I would love to be transferred to an overseas office and spend time in another culture. I believe this will only benefit me and the people around me, and I think that having a global mindset is absolutely vital in today’s business environment.

laura Giles It’s funny how I decided on accounting as

my major. I actually took accounting in high school to get out of having to take physics! I ended up loving every minute of

the class and realized in the process that I was also very good at it. I researched some more, and I saw that job security was great and the pay was very promising once the proper education

was obtained. My accounting teacher, Mrs. Carlton, pushed me to consider accounting as a major in college. My father is a self-employed farmer, and I have always liked

ThANk YOU, beCker revIeW!A huge thank you, once again, to Becker Professional Review. Each semester they generously provide a half-scholarship to an Alabama accounting student preparing for the CPA exam. Quini-ta Jackson of Troy University received the scholarship in fall 2013. Ms. Jackson is completing her graduate year at Troy, attended the Accounting Leadership Development Conference in June 2013 and was a recipient of an Educational Foundation Chairman’s Award in 2012/13.

the thought of owning my own business one day, so I knew accounting skills would make me more successful when I launched.

I will complete my undergraduate work this December, and I will begin my MBA, with a concentration in accounting, in January here at the University of North Alabama. I plan to finish the program by next December. I will begin sitting for the CPA exam both during this time and directly after graduate school.

Long-term, I hope to obtain a job with a Big Four accounting firm in the southeast region, and to get at least ten years of experience in public accounting. I would then like to open my own practice somewhere in middle Tennessee/north Alabama.

Campus Ambassadors (recipients of Educational Foundation scholarships) have invited Young CPAs and ASCPA staff to eleven accounting clubs, NABA or Beta Alpha Psi meetings during the 2013/14 academic year. The following visits occurred this fall, with the balance scheduled for the new year.

• University of Alabama NABA chapter Wofai Offem• Samford University Accounting Club Mallory Bradley and Bree Holland• UAB Beta Alpha Psi Heather Benoit and Mary Beth Terrell• UNA Accounting Club Allison Blair• Auburn Montgomery Accounting Club Sheri Jones• Auburn University Beta Alpha Psi William Hughes and Amanda Reeder • University of West Alabama Accounting Club ASCPA staff and Charles Baughman, ITAC• Troy University Accounting Club Valiece McKelvey

In addition, staff also attended these events:• University of Alabama Meet the Firms, sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi• Troy University Accountancy Day and Meet the Firms • Auburn Montgomery Meet the Firms • Joint Leadership Development Conference sponsored by the Alabama State Department

of Education.

This last program was a day and a half for 5700 high school students from all over the state at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. It was an amazing opportunity to meet with middle and high school students and their teachers.

CAmPUS AmbASSADOrS


UPDATe

Notice to membership:Proposed by-law Amendment

The ASCPA Board of Directors met August 23, 2013 and unanimously voted to submit to the membership a by-law amendment changing the ASCPA’s governance structure.

The proposed by-law amendment would reconfigure the board to a flexible number of members (11-15) in the following way: 3 executive officers – chair, chair-elect and immediate past chair 6-10 board members serving three-year terms2 AICPA Council representatives

from the ascPa Governance task force:Board members should be able to address complex issues occurring in a radically changing environment. They should also possess excellent communication and leadership skills. The current issues facing associations like ours include time constraints, membership diversity, generational values, competition and technology. Thus, board members must be competency-based, diverse and willing to actively serve.

The ASCPA Nominations Committee would be responsible for selecting/nominating the slate of board members in addition to officers of the board. Chapters and individual members will be encouraged to nominate leaders for officers and members of the board of directors.

You can access the complete language of the amended by-laws on the ASCPA website, www.ascpa.org/aboutus, along with FAQs about the proposed changes. The vote will take place via email, and members will receive their ballots on February 3, 2014. There must be at least 400 ballots returned by the due date in order for a quorum to be declared and two-thirds must be in favor of the proposed changes for them to take effect. Upon approval of the by-law amendment, board members will be elected by members at the ASCPA Annual Meeting.

alaBaMa sOciety Of cPascondensed schedule of activities for the years ended april 30 compiled from consolidated audited financial statements

Alabama Society of CPA'sCondensed Schedule of ActivitiesFor the Years Ended April 30 Compiled from consolidated audited financial statements

Charges for 2013Services, Dues, Net Revenues Over

Expenditures and Contributions (Under) ExpendituresPrograms::

Professional Development Seminars 918,130 187,052,1 $ 156,233 $ $ Membership 55,491 850,357 765,796 Quality Review 129,650 040,041 093,01 Public Relations 241,093 )390,142( Scholarships and awards 81,425 519,001 094,91 Newsletter 69,943 747,32 )691,64( Conferences & committees 288,153 223,752 )138,03( Chapter activities 217,236 184,281 )557,43( Political Contributions 500 030,21 035,11

Total Program Services 2,001,621 473,027,2 $ 357,817 $ $

Management and general expenses (523,847)$ Net realized/unrealized gain on assets 126,452 Other revenues 82,840

Net Revenues Over Expenditures 404,198$

2012Net Revenues Over

(Under) Expenditures chapter rev chapter exp

398,859 00.094,53 $ (86,139.00) 645,304 00.364,38

19,619 (227,522) )00.954,2( 419,573 )00.401,97( (49,947) (29,541) 00.104,16 (49,534.00)

8,829 13,019

1,198,193$

(517,017)$ 61,842 87,371 00.721,2

830,389$ 182,481$ (217,236)$

(included on separate line item; pulled from workpaper TB-04)

Chapter Activity


Selected Financial Information - expenses 2013alaBaMa sOciety Of cPas

Selected Financial Information - revenues 2013alaBaMa sOciety Of cPas

Membership28%

Other Program Charges1%

Newsletter1%

Investment Income6%

Quality Review5%

CPE Seminars44%

Conferences & Meetings11%

Contributions4%

Selected Financial InformationRevenues 2013

Alabama Society of CPAs

Selected Financial InformationRevenues 2013


Magazine

Membership2%

Other Program Costs10% Newsletter

3%

Public Relations10%

Administration21%

Quality Review5%

CPE Seminars40%

Conferences & Meetings9%

Selected Financial InformationExpenses 2013


Selected Financial InformationExpenses 2013


Magazine


PAY IT FOrWArD CLASSROOM BLITZ

45 schools, 50 presentations, 57 volunteers and 3184 students spread over the week of November 18-22. The numbers continue to stagger, moving closer to 20,000 students who have learned from a CPA how to be more

money smart. hats off to chapters who mobilized their members to sign up, especially to tiny Wheeler Basin who filled their slots really quickly, and to Leadership Academy alumni who stepped up. This year, accounting faculty volunteered as well as scholarship recipients. It’s a testament to the ASCPA family that participation included members from so many backgrounds. A special thank you goes to Dawn Morrison of the Alabama State Department of Education for her valuable support of this program.

VOLUNTEERS

Sam Allison Mike McCutchin Gary McCombs Dan Post

Connor Jones Susan hogeland Scherri Nix Cheryl Naugher

Scott Sanders Jeff Sims Patrick Barker Derrick Keith

helen Gabre Williams hughes Amanda Reeder Lisa Albritton

Laura Taber Mary Beth higgins Michelle Jenkins Leah DellaCalce

BJ Gilbert Charles Brinson Michelle Dooley Kristi Daughtery

James Wishon Tashantia Stewart Jeannine Birmingham Andrette Munnerlyn

Matthew Lazenby Emma Cole Wofai Offem Laura Giles

Marilyn Watson Ben Wallace Daniel Tew Billie Ann Taylor

Joshua Bowen Thomas Parish Tracy Suggs Diana Russell

Bryan Robinson Amy Jordan Keena Calloway PJ Talley

Kris Walters Fernanda Luiken Viki Gryksa Rob Pearson

Melanie Grace Jennifer Taylor Robert haynes Chantelle Miner

Tara Speigle Matt Stanford Emily Reischman

SCHOOLS

Vestavia hills Oak Mountain Shelby County hewitt-Trussville

Woodlawn Chelsea McAdory Calera

Curry G.W. Carver Auburn Opelika

Reeltown hazel Green Murphy Alma Bryant

Spanish Fort Robertsdale Robert E. Lee Carver

Autauga County Tech Bullock County Tech Sheffield Florence

Sardis Gadsden City Pike County Charles henderson

highland home headland Enterprise Daleville

Slocomb Carroll Northview holt

Northridge hillcrest Tuscaloosa Career Tech Paul W. Bryant

Demopolis Fairview hartselle Lawrence County Tech


PAY IT FOrWArD CLASSROOM BLITZ

“We had a wonderful time

at the Demopolis high School!

This is an awesome program

and I hope to participate for

years to come.”Melanie K. Grace, CPA, CGMA


SAVE THE DATEYOUNG CPA ChArITY GOlF TOUrNAmeNT

Sponsored by

June 4, 2014

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – Oxmoor Valley


DOING IT beTTer

ASCPA staff love meeting members; at the Annual Meeting, during conferences and seminars, at chapter meetings and events here in the office. But there is a ton of

communication that happens with non-CPAs, whether by phone or email. And these relationships help keep the wheels rolling by sharing news about members of their firms, about community events they sponsor or awards they received. Other firm staff, sometimes identified as firm administrators, plan and manage education events.

In order to create closer relationships between these vital staff members and the ASCPA a free half-day workshop was held on November 19. Jamie Thomas, Association of Accounting Marketers (AAM) 2013 Marketer of the Year was the star of the day. She is the marketing director of the LBA Group in Jacksonville, Florida and flew in to be the morning’s guest speaker. She brought plenty of bright ideas to share; solid practices which have helped her firm quadruple their annual billing in the 14 years she’s been on board.

The response to the workshop was overwhelmingly positive and the ASCPA plans to make it an annual event. Please contact Diane Christy, [email protected] or Jennifer Oleksa, [email protected] to add your marketing or education staff to the invitation list for 2014 or to schedule CPE for your staff.

Thank you to those who attended: • Joy Breedlove, Pearce Bevill Leesburg Moore• Dana Schmidt, Warren Averett• Jerry Weisenfeld, Warren Averett• Cindy Scott, Jackson Thornton• Rebecca Baker, Aldridge Borden and Company• Joel King, King and Company• Angela Cocke, Russell Thompson Butler and Houston• Lacey Bacchus, Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith• Craig Snell, Carr Riggs & Ingram• Tanjia Foster, Bern Butler Capilouto & Massey• Chambliss Brister, Smith Dukes Buckalew

bright Ideas Workshop


Promotions and New PositionsAldridge Borden & Company announced that Ashley lough has been promoted to firm administrator and Jessica hudson has been promoted to manager. Lough began her career with the firm after graduating from the University of Alabama. She has primarily served in the firm’s assurance services division, where she had been instrumental in the develop-ment, implementation and maintenance of the firm’s quality control functions. Jessica hudson primarily works in the attestation group and specializes in nonprofit organiza-tions, governmental entities and single au-dits.

hall Albight Garrison & Associates of hunts-ville announced the promotion of rachel bowers to manager in the audit and attestation department.

Jennifer league has joined Mid-South Bank in Dothan as senior vice president and chief fi-nancial officer. League will oversee financial reporting, budgeting, investments and asset/liability management. League is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and received her master’s degree from University of Alabama in hunts-ville. She has more than 14 years of financial experience.

Awards and New Designationslori hall, Bank Independent of Sheffield Assistant Comptroller has graduated from the Alabama Bankers Association Alabama Banking School. The school is a three year course and hall was one of 52 bankers who completed the course. hall is a graduate of University of North Alabama with her under-graduate and graduate degrees.

Anglin Reichman announced that Chris Taylor has earned the designation of Cer-tified Valuation Analyst.

Community NewsAdam Finesilver and Garrett Cook have formed a new firm, Cook & Finesilver, LLC. It is a full-service accounting firm locat-ed in The Waters of Pike Road (Montgomery area) starting in January 2014.

Willis, boatner & Whiteside, llC has changed its name to Willis boatner

Ashley Lough

Rachel Bowers

memberS IN MOTIONPugh, llC. The firm was founded in Gads-den, Alabama by Sanford A. Willis in 1986 and continues its long-standing tradition of client centered services. See us on the web at www.wbp-cpa.com.

Warren Averett has been named Lead-ing Edge Alliance (LEA) Global’s 2013 In-novative Firm of the Year. This award was announced at the annual conference of LEA Global in San Francisco. “One LEA firm stood out as the most innovative firm of the year, not just for this organization, but per-haps for the entire profession,” stated Karen Kehl-Rose, President of LEA Global. “In

two years, this firm has transitioned from a large regional firm to a Southeastern power-house. Their expansion has been strategic and deliberate, allowing them to recognize lucrative opportunity while also ensuring smooth transitions and uninterrupted op-erations.” Warren Averett has grown sub-stantially over the last few years to become one of the largest accounting firms in the Southeastern region, ranking among the top 30 firms in the United States. With more than 800 employees and 340 CPAs, the firm offers depth and experience in a variety of industries.


Uncom promising

Albert Schweitzer

We believe the most significant investment made is the investment in a life of uncompromising commitment.

welchhornsby.com


eDUCATION ExprEss Field of AICPA Early Bird *Registration Non-Member No. Date(s) Study Title Location Discount Member Fee Fee Fee

The 2014 Women to Watch Awards for the Alabama Society of CPAs will

be given at the 2014 Women’s Summit on May 8, 2014. Awards will be given in two categories, Established Leaders and Emerging Leaders, as defined below. It should be noted that evidence of every item listed is not required for consideration, but nominees should have made significant contributions in at least two of the criteria listed below. Submissions are due to the Alabama Society of CPAs no later than December 20, 2013.

experienced leadersDefined as one who has advanced to a higher level or leadership position within the organization. Titles include, but are not limited to: partner, owner, elected official or appointee, executive, etc.

• Authorship of articles

• Major or unique contribution to the profession

• Public and/or community service

• Mentoring other professionals*

• Improvement to the workplace

* More heavily weighted than other criteria

2014 Conferences 4 Save the DatesWomen’s Summit May 8 BirminghamAnnual Meeting June 5 BirminghamBeach Clusters June 23-26 Gulf ShoresSandestin July 20-24 Destin, FL

Small Practitioners August 6-7 MontgomeryTech & Industry August 18-20 BirminghamFinancial A&A Conference September 19 MontgomeryGovernmental A&A Forum December 3-4 Birmingham

Nominate Someone YOU know for the Women to Watch Awardsemerging leadersDefined as a professional who has made significant contributions to the profession and her community, but who has not yet reached the highest levels of advancement.

• Public and/or community service

• Demonstration of leadership

• Contribution to the profession

• Creation and implementation of unique initiative(s)

• Involvement with alma mater or other local colleges and universities

For nomination forms and more information about the nomination process, membership status, requirements, or nomination categories, please contact Melissa Wellander with the Alabama Society of CPAs at 334.834.7650 or [email protected].

WEB170 12/12/13 Other Social Security Benefits: Advising Clients WEBCAST WEBCAST $230 $255 $305WEB171 12/16/13 AA Dealing with Venture Capitalists WEBCAST WEBCAST $230 $255 $305 WEB172 12/17/13 Tax Preparing Form 706: The Federal Estate Tax Return WEBCAST WEBCAST $230 $255 $305 181-13 1/6 and 1/7/14 Tax AICPA’s 1040 Tax Return Workshop by Sid Kess Montgomery $30 $500 $525 $575175-13 1/8/13 Tax Surgent McCoy’s Federal Tax Camp Birmingham $250 $275 $325 182-13 1/9 and 1/10/14 Tax 2013 Corporate Income Tax Boot Camp by Sid Kess Montgomery $30 $500 $525 $575 WEB035 1/15/14 Other health Care Conference WEBCAST WEBCAST $230 $255 $305WEB048 1/17/14 AA Finding and Evaluating Frauds: A Case Study Approach WEBCAST WEBCAST $230 $255 $305 WEB061 1/22/14 Other College Financial Planning Webcast WEBCAST $230 $255 $305 WEB088 1/29/14 Other Nonprofit Financial Management Critical Competencies, Knowledge and Tools WEBCAST $230 $255 $305WEB081 1/29/14 AA1/Tax7 Tax Accounting Basics Webcast WEBCAST $230 $255 $305

view all upcoming courses and webcasts at www.ascpa.org


WOW! Snorkeling in Florida with cow-nosed

rays is so cool. Want to swim with dolphins this afternoon but have to complete

education credits instead?

Let the ASCPA’s web-based offerings take the sting out of

your dilemma.All you need is your laptop, a

shady spot by the pool and WiFi.

www.ascpa.org/CPEFlipper never had

it so good.

DOING IT beTTer

S O L U T I O N S

H A R D S H O E S T O F I L L ? Where filling someone’s shoes is concerned, we get it. Fit goes beyond the shoe’s size to the style and comfort of the wearer. Otherwise, wouldn’t everyone walk around in the same shoes?

We believe that when you connect the right person to the right job and the right individual to the right company, the shoes will be just right. We’re here to help you find the person to step into these shoes, And to make sure they can HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

www.itacsolutions.comTECHNOLOGY | CORPORATE PROFESSIONAL/CLERICAL

GOVERNMENT/ENGINEERING | ACCOUNTING/FINANCE Providing temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire staffing solutions.

Birmingham | Mobile | Huntsville | Nashville

By Stephen Black

SaveFirst trains college and graduate students to offer free, IRS-certified tax preparation services and opportunities

for economic improvement to low-income, working families—especially targeting those eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit, the federal government’s largest and most successful antipoverty program for low-income, working families. however, 75% of Alabama’s EITC recipients pay an average of $200 to commercial tax preparers just to access this benefit. In Alabama, more than 500,000 families claim an estimated $1 billion through the federal EITC each year. however, these families lose millions of dollars through fees to a predatory, largely uncertified tax preparation industry that specifically targets families eligible for these high-refund credits. In just its seventh year alone (2013), SaveFirst trained over 425 college, graduate, and law students from sixteen campuses who prepared tax returns for more than 6,200 working families in Alabama—helping them to claim $11.7 million in refunds and saving them approximately $1.9 million in commercial preparation fees.

We’re asking members of the Alabama Society of CPAs who may not be actively practicing to join with us in this effort. As a volunteer tax assistant for SaveFirst, your professional experience will help ensure that low-income families receive the highest quality service. You will assist site coordinators by answering complex tax questions, preparing advanced tax returns, and providing quality reviews of returns. Prior to volunteering at the site, you will need to attend a brief training in IRS/VITA requirements, TaxWise filing software, and SaveFirst site logistics, and pass the IRS certification test. The sites open at the end of January and remain open

SaveFirst is looking for a few good CPAsthrough early March. SaveFirst requests a volunteer commitment of 25 to 40 hours over the course of the 6-week period, but we are more than happy to work with you at the level of commitment best suited for you.

The sites we coordinate are in Birmingham, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Auburn, Mobile, Dothan, Decatur, huntsville, Florence, Anniston and Jacksonville.

For more information, contact Sarah Louise Smith, Executive Director, Impact Alabama, 205.876.4282, [email protected].

Presorted StdUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 131Montgomery, AL

The Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants

1041 Longfield CourtP.O. Box 242987

Montgomery, AL 36124

DECEMBER 2013 JANUARY 2014

PRACTICE FOR SALE IN HUNTSVILLE – Grossing $75,000, primarily from tax prep. For more information, please contact Lori Newcomer at 888-277-6040 or [email protected] or visit AccountingPracticeSales.com.

YOUR PRACTICE WANTED: We are North America’s leader in practice sales. Let us navigate the complexities, locate the best match from a deep pool of qualified and serious buyers, and optimize your return on the years invested in building your practice. If you are considering a change, contact Alabama broker Lori Newcomer, CPA, at (888) 277-6040 or [email protected] for a confidential discussion.

ClASSIFIeD

send us your tired, your poor….

No, not immigrants, struggling to find

their place in a new country, the ASCPA

wants your old STUFF. Specifically,

materials for our growing archive. Look

for old photos, CPA certificates, and

other memorabilia and send it to us

for preservation as we move towards

the celebration of the Society’s 100th

anniversary in 2019. Who knows? Your

grandfather’s old ledger books may be a

visual reminder of members who paved

the way for today’s professionals.

Certificate #34 belonged to Mr. Rex

Ashdown and recently came to the

Society from his widow.

Contact Jeannine Birmingham for more information,

[email protected], 334.386.5750.

C H A N G E I S I N E V I T A B L E . D I R E C T I O N I S I N T E N T I O N A L .

PANGEATWO successfully matches clients with talented professionals. Our seasoned understanding of human potential,

including individual strengths, lets us design far-reaching and personalized workforce solutions for employers. Our

experience gives candidates an advantage and creates common ground between companies and professionals.

PANGEATWO is a leader in recruitment and staffing solutions in accounting and financial services. Call today, and we’ll

help you connect talent and potential.

Birmingham, AL 205.444.0080 | Mobile, AL 251.732.3000www.pangeatwo.com

ascpa magazine dec 2013 jan 2014

Documents

cpa exam

high school students

aicpathe alabama cpa

editor students

development of students

case of college students

cpa review course

young cpalindsey