Los Angeles Affiliate

Transcription

1 Los Angeles Affiliate SPRING 2006 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2 Message from Sue Richman, incoming president I want to thank all of you who responded to our recent survey. Your input has been invaluable in helping the Board decide on the future of our affiliate. In response to the input of our members, we are planning on changing the emphasis of our meetings. Many members still want meetings that offer CPE, but you have also said that you want networking opportunities. We are planning meetings where there will still be a CPE presentation, but we might try to combine it with a Bring a Fellow Woman Professional (banker, attorney, etc.). We may also try to web-cast a CPE session as another way to offer CPE without the schlep. The Board has proposed reducing its size to be more in line with the number of board members we have had over the last couple of years. We re also going to reduce the number of meetings from six to four per year, in part to reduce the burden on the Vice- President of Programs, and in response to the questions about how many meetings the survey supported. As a way of keeping in touch and serving our members, we would like to devise a member resource directory a contact list of our members that includes their various specialties. One of the best things about this organization is the depth and breadth of experience of our members. I know that, if I have a question in a specialized area, I can often call another AWSCPA member for help and advice. A resource directory would make that knowledge base better available to the entire membership. We are also going to set up a membership committee to work on revitalizing our affiliate. We re planning to send mailings to the CPA pass list, as well as approaching small- and mid-sized firms for more support. (Yes, we could use a few volunteers so we can spread the work around.) As a result of the mailing to our members we are very pleased that four members have volunteered to serve on the board next year, Usha Murthy, Inna Littman, Karen Ton and Irene Perea. Their participation has enabled our affiliate to continue its existence. In summary, we re aiming for an organization that will be more focused on what you ve asked for: networking and mentoring opportunities along with CPE. I think we ve come up with a solid plan, and I look forward to a great year. Sue Richman, CPA Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 1

2 Scholarship Awards dinner meeting and Installation of 2006/2007 officers and board of directors What: When: Where: Annual scholarship awards dinner meeting May 3, 2006, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Bamboo Cuisine Ventura Blvd Sherman Oaks, CA Phone: Cost: $45 for members and guests $25 for students with id Our speaker for the evening is Olivia Goodkin. Olivia has many years of experience in HR employment law, and will be providing us with an Employment law update. Please join us in welcoming Olivia to this wonderful evening of awards presentation. RSVP: See the form on the last page of the newsletter for reservation details. Monthly Lunch Meetings Would you like an opportunity to meet and network with members and friends of AWSCPA Los Angeles Affiliate in your area? Or just a chance to get out of the office? Come to a lunch group meeting: The Westside lunch group meets at noon, on the first Friday of the month at a Westside location. For more information Louise at: [email protected] or call (310) The Valley lunch group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at noon. For restaurant location and more information Carolyn Fox: [email protected] These locations not too convenient? How about forming your own lunch group meeting in your area, downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, South Bay or West Valley? If you are interested in starting a local lunch group meeting, contact Louise Teeter or Jenny Bolsky for details. Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 2

3 Donations Needed!! This year AWSCPA-LA is again collecting clothing and toiletries for Chrysalis Do you have work clothes, suits, jackets, pants or shoes you no longer wear? Do you travel a lot and wonder what to do with those tiny bottles of shampoo and lotion? Why not collect and donate these items to help homeless people get off the street and back in the work force? We will be collecting clothing, non-perishable lunch items, personal care products, office equipment, and computer equipment to be donated to Chrysalis. We will be accepting donations at each meeting. We had a great start to our collection effort last year at the Holiday Party in December. Let s see if we can continue with contributions at every event. Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. It currently helps more than 2,000 individuals a year change their lives through jobs. If you would like to find out more about this organization please visit their website at AWSCPA--LA Souvenirs and Gift Items AWSCPA-LA cups and pins are available for purchase at our meetings or through the board members. Cups and pins are $5 each. Be sure to visit the AWSCPA website to see the new stock of Logo Merchandise available. Cups, T-Shirts, and Notepads to mention a few of the items. Visit the AWSCPA Virtual Mall and Logo Shop at Do you know about the National Membership Campaign? Stock up on gift cards and have a chance in September to win a Spa Finder gift certificate for helping to grow AWSCPA! The AWSCPA is pleased to announce a new membership campaign to all of our members. And we re making it worth your while! For every new member you enlist, we will send you a $10 gift card from Barnes & Noble. Yes, every new member you refer gains you a gift card. There are no limits and no minimums. In addition, for each new member you recruit, you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Spa Finder Gift Certificate to be awarded in Las Vegas at this year s Joint National Conference, held September The campaign period begins now will have semi-annual drawings for grand prizes. All new members signed up will be listed in our national newsletters see New Member article. If you see a name on that list that you personally recruited, simply notify the National Office and your reward will be on its way. So, get started!! We re expecting big things from you! Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 3

4 The AWSCPA Los Angeles Proposed Board of Directors and Officers for the Year 2006/2007: President: First Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: VP Programs: VP Public Relations: VP Member Services: Director at Large: Volunteer: Susan Richman, Susan Richman, CPA Open Position Louise Teeter, Louise Teeter, CPA Inna Littwin, Rose, Snyder & Jacobs, CPAs Irene Perer, Irene Perer, CPA Usha Murthy, Los Angeles Regional Foodbank Karen Ton, PricewaterhouseCoopers Geralyn Ryan, Sandler, Powell, Jacobs & Berlin, CPA's Open Position AWSCPA Los Angeles Affiliate Member News Valerie Goldsmith, member, has accepted a position with Miller, Kaplan & Arase in Studio City. Congratulations! Suzanne Cloutier, member has relocated her offices to Westlake Village, CA. Job Opportunity Part time position available for person with QuickBooks skills that can do month-end closing and audit schedule preparation for small companies. Contact: [email protected] Note: If you have any personal and/or professional news you would like to share with other AWSCPA-Los Angeles members please contact Louise Teeter at [email protected]. Your contribution will be shared in the next newsletter publication. The AWSCPA--Los Angeles Affiliate Newsletter is published quarterly. Please submit items for publication to the newsletter editor, Louise Teeter at [email protected] This NEWSLETTER is prepared for members and affiliates of AWSCPA. The articles and information in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All rights reserved Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 4

5 News from Your National Organization The AWSCPA recognizes the individual achievements of its members and nonmembers with the following awards. The awards are presented at the AWSCPA Annual Meeting each year. The Woman CPA of the Year Award recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the accounting profession. Criteria for this award are professional accomplishments, demonstrated leadership, and contributions that further the advancement of women in the profession. Such contributions may include but are not limited to participating in successful mentoring relationships, implementing flexible work schedules or other family-friendly arrangements, advocating programs that promote women within a company, and supporting diversity programs. Nominations should include background information on the nominee and the reason why she should be selected. The Educator of the Year Award recognizes excellence in teaching in the accounting field by a woman faculty member of a two- or four-year college. The Public Service Award recognizes a member who provides a significant contribution of time and talent to public services outside of the accounting profession. The Woman of Courage Award recognizes a member for achievement under difficult conditions. If you know someone who deserves to be nominated in any of the above categories consider submitting an application. Self-nominations are welcome for all awards The nomination forms and information may be obtained from the National Offices of AWSCPA at Applications are due by June 30, The nomination process can be an opportunity to learn more about the professional accomplishments and contributions to the community of affiliate members and members-at-large. Star Affiliate Awards are given out each year to affiliates that have excelled in various achievements. Last year affiliates were recognized for effective communication, use of national resources and marketing development, programming excellence, pursuit of corporate sponsorship and various other achievements. Los Angeles Affiliate has been recognized in past years for many outstanding achievements and will strive to be recognized again this year at the JNC 2006 National Awards Gala in Las Vegas. Joint National Conference For those already planning to attend the 2006 Joint National Conference, the event will be held at Bally s Las Vegas on that famous Las Vegas stretch of road. The two-and-a-half day event will begin on Monday, September 18 and conclude with our Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, September 20. For more information visit the AWSCPA website at Make your hotel reservation as soon as possible - spaces are filling up fast Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 5

6 AWSCPA 73rd Annual National Conference CALL FOR PAPERS The American Woman's Society of CPAs (AWSCPA) seeks to promote the study and greater understanding of the effects of gender on accounting, auditing, and the accounting profession. AWSCPA is especially interested in supporting research on the impact of gender on professional issues and lifestyle concerns. Requirements: Unpublished papers of recent date. Topics address current issues of direct relevance to accounting professionals. Three copies of paper. Length: No restrictions 8-10 pages preferred Style: Not specific Recommend using the American Psychological Association Format: Double space Readable by Practitioners, not primarily for Academics Deadline: June 30, 2006 Judging: AWARDS A panel of academics and practicing professionals Up to three awards of $500 each Opportunity to present papers at AWSCPA annual/regional meetings during Publication in AWSCPA publications with author's permission Submit three copies of manuscript to: AWSCPA National Office 136 South Keowee Street Dayton, Ohio AWSCPA1 Fax [email protected] MAKING OPPORTUNITIES COUNT The American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA) is a national organization dedicated to serving all women CPAs. The AWSCPA provides a supportive environment and valuable resourcesfor members to achieve their personal and professional goals through various opportunities including leadership, networking and education. Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 6

7 Los Angeles Affiliate - Making Opportunities Count WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2006 Employment Law Update, Scholarship Awards Dinner and Installation of 2006/2007 Officers and Directors What can employers do to prevent liability? We are pleased to announce that Olivia Goodkin, employment law attorney, will talk about this topic at our May 2006 meeting. Olivia has spoken at several well-received presentations for us in the past. She will discuss how to prevent wage and hour claims, discrimination lawsuits and sexual harassment claims. She will explain the different kinds of leaves of absences and how to terminate an employee in a manner to best avoid wrongful termination claims. Olivia is a shareholder of Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff, a Century City law firm. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in History and earned her law degree at USC. Her specialty is employment law. She advises companies on all areas of employment laws, and represents them on wage and hour claims, payroll tax disputes, wrongful termination claims, sexual harassment and retaliation MP. Whether you have employees of your own or want to advise your clients on employment issues, this should be an interesting and timely topic. The evening program will include our Annual Scholarship Award presentations to deserving accounting students from local colleges and universities and Installation of the 2006/2007 officers and board of directors. This meeting will qualify for one unit of CPE. DATE: Wednesday May 3 rd, 2006 TIME: 6:00 6:30 Registration / Networking 6:30 7:30 Dinner 7:30 7:45 Introductions and Scholarship Awards 7:45 8:45 Speaker Olivia Goodkin LOCATION: PRICE: Bamboo Cuisine Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA (818) $45 for members and guests $25 for students with ID Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 7

8 We need an accurate count for the restaurant Please send your reservation check and RSVP by Thursday, April 27, 2006 Bring-A-Friend and get a $5 coupon for your next meeting AWSCPA Meeting Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at Bamboo Cuisine Please reserve as early as possible as we need an accurate count of attendees. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 27, $45 members & guests (Students $25) Make your checks payable to AWSCPA of Los Angeles and send to: Annette Berko Kirsch, Kohn & Bridge Ventura Blvd., Suite 1100 Encino, California (818) The meal will be served family style and will include a variety of dishes that we hope will please everyone. If you have a special meal request please indicate below and we will try to accommodate your request. Special Meal Request: Please update your records with this new address, phone and/ (below) Name: Mailing address: Phone: Speaking with one voice for women in the profession. NEWSLETTER? Spring 2006? Page 8