December 2014 CPA Forum by Houston CPA Forum

www.houstonCPA.org

CPA AT A GLANCE

2014 Golf Classic 19-22 Classified Ads 13 CPA Aces 7 CPAs Helping Schools 17 CPE News Flash 4-5 Diversity Awards Nominations 16 Facility Party Rental 4 In Remembrance 6 Logo Merchandise 11 Member Benefits 9-11 Member News 6 New Members 8 Referral Service Registration 6 Social Media – Get Connected 9 TSCPA "ROI" 6 Volunteer Opportunities HCPAS Holiday Projects 23 Santa CPAs Fundraising Drive23 DECEMBER 2014, NO. 12 HOUSTON CPA SOCIETY HOUSTON TSCPA FOUNDATION Telephone No. 713.622.7733 Admin. Fax No. 713.622.0522 CPE/Order Fax No. 713.622.3327 Email Address: cpamail@HoustonCPA.org Web Site: www.houstonCPA.org

Annual Membership Meeting…Officer and Director Election Join current and incoming members of the Society's leadership at the Annual Membership Meeting from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on January 21, 2015 at The Junior League of Houston. This meeting will provide members with the opportunity to socialize, elect new officers and directors (see slate of nominees in the November 2014 issue), and hear TSCPA Chairman – and past HCPAS president Mark D. Lee, CPA, provide a professional update (1 CPE credit hour). Be sure to register early as the first 100 members to register will receive complimentary registration. Late member registrants, nonmembers and non-CPA guests and spouses may attend for a fee of $40. All absent preregistered complimentary attendees will be charged a $40 "no-show" fee. Register online in the Event Calendar at www.houstoncpa.org, or contact Vicki Hart at the Society office (713.622.7733; vhart@houstoncpa.org) to submit your registration.

Community Service Holiday Projects Star of Hope Food, Toy & Clothing Drive (December 7) Santa CPAs Fundraising Drive …get all the details on page 23.

Save the Date

Do You Need A 2015 CCH Master Tax Guide? The HCPAS hasn't sold the Master Tax Guides since 2008, but members may purchase the 2015 edition directly from CCH at a 25% discount. Remember to use Houston CPA Discount Code Y5457. Go to page 12 for more information.

Welcome To Our Newest Team Member…Amy Newell The season was not the only thing that changed the end of October. Long time Houston CPA Society CPE Director Judith Butcher retired to care for her elderly mother, and Amy Newell joined the staff as CPE Manager. While originally focused on a law career, Amy interned at the Harris County District Attorney's office before embarking on a career in education, teaching social studies for 11 years for Houston ISD. As a result of her years in public service, she brings much to the Society – stellar organizational skills, outgoing personality ("people person"), and easygoing but determined style. When she's not reading psychological or political thrillers or watching the Food Network – though not skilled in the kitchen – she spends time with husband Jeff, daughter Skyler three, and son Connor 20 months. Welcome Amy next time you visit the office or call with a CPE question.

Saturday Evening February 21, 2015 Houston Country Club Honorees Barry Margolis, Jan Phipps and Tommy Wright

See page 2 for sponsorship and individual ticket information. LOGIN to www.HoustonCPA.org to make your purchase online in the Event Calendar. Visit the 2015 Scholarship Extravaganza web site at www.scholarshipextravaganza.com.

FORUM FEATURES

Benefiting

Accounting Scholarship Fund Accounting Scholarship Endowment and CPAs Helping Schools Saturday, February 21, 2014 6:29 to 11:00 PM Houston Country Club One Potomac Drive Houston TX 77057

Honorees Barry Margolis, Jan Phipps and Tommy Wright THANK YOU for joining us in support of our profession and our schools. UNDERWRITER LEVELS: Summa cum Laude $20,000 (4 Scholarships) * Magna cum Laude $10,000 (2 Scholarships) ~ Cum Laude $ 5,000 (1 Scholarship) SUPPORTER LEVELS: Presidential List Dean's List Program Supporter Individual Tickets

Underwriter Levels include dinner for eight (8), open bar, venue signage, video and podium recognition, listing in event invitation and program (print deadline January 9, 2015), and acknowledgement in media print ads, CPA newsletter and CPA web site. ~ *includes 4 extra tickets includes 2 extra tickets

$2,500+

(Venue signage; 4 dinner tickets, open bar; listing in event invitation, newsletter, web site and program) $1,000+ (Venue signage; 2 dinner tickets, open bar; listing in event invitation, newsletter and program) $ 500+ (Venue signage; listing in event invitation and program; tickets not included.) $ 150 X ___ = $ _____

DEADLINE FOR INCLUSION ON EVENT INVITATION: DECEMBER 20, 2014 Sorry! I will be unable to participate under the listed options. However, please accept my contribution of $

PAYABLE TO: Houston TSCPA Foundation/2015 Scholarship Event, 777 Post Oak Blvd. #500 Houston 77056-3212 My sponsorship/ticket purchase is (check one):

Corporate/Business

Name

Company/Firm

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone

Fax

FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT: AMEX Card No.

Personal/Individual

Email VISA

MasterCard Discover Exp Date

Auth Code CSC Number

CSC is the three digit verification number on the back (or four digit on the front for American Express) of your card.

Cardholder Name (please print)

Signature

Card Billing Address

Zip Code

(if different from above)

Fax Credit Cards Only to 713.622.3327 For more information, contact Nancy Toberman (713.622.7733 x250 ntoberman@houstoncpa.org).

You may also download this form at www.ScholarshipExtravaganza.com

FORUM FEATURES

DECEMBER 2014

Generating Success for Generations of Texas Families

CPA The Forum is published monthly by the Houston Chapter, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Carol G. Warley President Nancy A. Rutledge Executive Director Elyse A. Turla Editor Newsletter Deadline 3rd Thursday of the month prior to issue date. Forward information to: Houston CPA Society 777 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 500 Houston, TX 77056-3212 Voice Phone: (713)622-7733 Administrative Fax: (713)622-0522 CPE/Order Fax: (713)622-3327 E-mail: cpamail@HoustonCPA.org

Standing: Judy Bozeman, Donnie Roberts, Allen Lewis, Michael Ringger and Elizabeth Leicht Seated: Bill Cunningham, Maureen Phillips, Rick Morales and Tom Williams

s Investment Management s Financial Planning s Trust and Estate Services

More Than 30 Years of Building Successful Financial Futures

Learn more at www.woodwayfinancial.com 10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 650 s Houston, Texas 77024 inquire@woodwayfinancial.com

Help insure the continuation of the profession!

Contribute to the Accounting Scholarship Endowment Fund and help provide an education to aspiring new CPAs. For an updated donor listing, CLICK HERE

SALT ROUNDTABLE Kicks Off in January State and Local Tax groups are gaining attention in the Houston area. Under the leadership of Michael Regan (Weaver), a group of SALT practitioners has planned a series of Roundtables, the first of which will be held January 19. Topics for these Roundtables will initially include (beginner and intermediate) Texas Franchise Tax; Sales Tax Audit, Defense

Donate to the CPAs Helping Schools initiative which supports Houston area schools PreK-12.

and Process; Sales Tax, Credits and Incentives. It is envisioned that future programs will include all areas of state and municipal tax including income/franchise, fuels tax, abandoned property, sales and property tax. The two-hour programs will be held at the firm of the presenting speaker(s). Registration fees for these programs will be $25 for Houston CPA Society members/nonCPAs and $40 for nonmember CPAs.

The first program is scheduled for Monday, January 19 at the BKD offices (2800 Post Oak Blvd #3200). Speakers Michael Regan (Weaver) and Dallas Packer (BKD) will speak on (Beginner) Texas Franchise Tax and (Intermediate) Texas Franchise Tax for one hour each. For registration information, check the Society's monthly CPE Circular, or LOGIN to register online in the CPE Calendar on the Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.Houstoncpa.org.

CPE NEWS FLASH

Let the Houston TSCPA Foundation help fulfill your required CPE needs… Registration information on the courses featured below can be found in the monthly CPA CPE Circular (https://www.houstoncpa.org/IMIS15/pdfs/Monthly_CPE_Circular.pdf) distributed by email and USPS mail to all members. Or, LOG IN and register online in the Event Calendar at www.HoustonCPA.org.

Becker Professional Education And The Houston CPA Society: Joining Forces To Offer You An Incredible Member Benefit Not only are Becker Professional Education's webcast and on-demand CPE courses available to members at a reduced subscription rate but members will now be able to benefit from purchasing individual ondemand courses as well. Becker's comprehensive CPE course offerings provide the most current information for today’s most critical and challenging business issues, empowering you for the next level of success.

To register visit https://learn.beckercpe.com. "HOUSTON TSCPA" should be listed in the "Company Name" field when registering.

Key Topics: • • • • • • •

IFRS U.S. GAAP Fraud & Corruption Prevention Forensic Accounting Engagement & Project Management Taxation Government • Revenue Recognition • Strategic Management • And much more For more information, contact Rob Foster at Becker (630.353.3702; rfoster@becker.com) or Amy Newell at 713.622.7733 x260; anewell@houstoncpa.org.

All Houston CPA Society Members now have the opportunity to purchase a 1 year unlimited subscription to Becker's entire Continuing Professional Education course catalog that includes over 190 courses for only $325 per year or individual courses for $79 each.

Annual Tax Seminar Lineup - Registrations Now Being Accepted The annual full-day tax update sessions featuring premier speakers Steven J. Tillinger, CPA, and Blaise D. Bender, JD, CPA, have been scheduled. Mark your calendars and plan to register well in advance for these popular and informative programs. Federal Tax Update (Steven J. Tillinger, CPA) Friday, December 12, 2014

Need A Place For Your Holiday Party? The Society's Got Space For You! With the economy in its current state, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a convenient and reasonably priced facility for your holiday party. Did you know the Houston CPA Society rents its training facility, including tables, chairs, and kitchen privileges? Restaurants and hotels charge premium rates

To view the Becker Course Catalog visit becker.com/cpe

(https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM031.F) Friday, January 16, 2015 (https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM032.F) Monday, February 9, 2015 (https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM033.F) Individual Federal Tax Update (Blaise D. Bender, JD, CPA) Monday, January 26, 2015 (https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst

Just think…if you subscribe by the 1st day of your birthday month, you can get in two years' of CPE for one year's subscription fee! onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM060.F) Monday, February 23, 2015 (https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM062.F) Business Tax Update (Blaise D. Bender, JD, CPA) Tuesday, January 27, 2015 (https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM061.F) Tuesday, February 24, 2015 (https://www.houstoncpa.org/imis15/Houst onCPA/EventDetail?EventKey=SEM063.F)

Look for registration information in the monthly CPE Circular or LOGIN to www.HoustonCPA.org and register in the CPE & Calendar > Event Calendar section. for room rental, catering and beverage service, plus an increasingly higher add-on service charge. Use the Society's facility and bring your own food and beverage…saving the service charge! Use your favorite caterer, bring in your own wait staff and bartender; do it yourself and get more party for your dollar. Society staff can also recommend catering and beverage services. Centrally located one block west of the 610 Loop at Post Oak Boulevard and Uptown Park/Hollyhurst near the Galleria, our fifth floor suite of rooms provides up to 3,000 square feet of carpeted comfort, including a marble sideboard, a massive coffee bar, and

lounge area with television and Wi-Fi. FREE covered parking is a plus with four elevators to provide your employees and guests with convenient, all weather access. Attention Society Members: Book your office party with the Society and receive a discount on room rental! The training facility is also ideal for meetings, seminar and staff training. A rental rate sheet with schematic can be found on the HCPAS web site. Contact the Society office (713.622.7733; cpamail@houstoncpa.org) for assistance in planning your function.

DECEMBER 2014

25th Annual TAX EXPO

are federal tax and expenditure policy, state and local public finance, and the construction and simulation of computable general equilibrium models. His current research focuses on the economic effects of corporate tax reform, the economic and distributional effects of fundamental tax reform, individual portfolio allocation in the 2000s, and various other tax policy issues.

Tuesday's luncheon guest is Secret Service Special Agent Kevin Cooke. He will provide better understanding of "Identity Theft and Cyber-Crime" in the 21st century and how to protect your assets. Cooke has been a special agent for 16 years with assignments in Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C., including five years in the Presidential Protective Division and two years in the Washington Field Office. He has extensive knowledge on identity theft, financial crimes, cyber-crime, and money laundering investigations. His presentation is fun, educational and thought-provoking – don't miss it!

New to Tax Expo is Clark Sackschewsky from BDO, providing information you requested on "Alternative Minimum Tax: What You Need to Know," and Devin Hall from PricewaterhouseCoopers, who will address "Final Tangible Property Regulations."

A special Social Security session with two mini-presentations closes out Tuesday. Andrew Loftus of Blackrock Investments speaks on "Securing Your Retirement," followed by local attorney John Driskill addressing the "Disability Enrollment Process."

Maintaining the Tax Expo tradition of providing a running start on the upcoming tax year by offering multiple tracks with a specific focus on tax, in 2015 we again offer additional topics in Track 4 that do not have a direct tax focus yet are important to your business. Such subjects include "The ESOP: An Alternative Buyer of Company Stock" with Bruce Armstrong of Menke & Associates from San Francisco, "10 Steps to Effective Disaster Preparedness" with YEHUDA CAGEN of Xvand Technology, and "Excel Update" with BOBBY DOSS. If you have Excel-related questions for Bobby to answer in his session, you may send them in advance to cspencer@houstoncpa.org

Sugar Land Town Square provides complimentary self-parking in multiple garages, easy access from the Southwest Freeway. A special overnight hotel rate of $169 is available at the Sugar Land Marriott Hotel until December 19. For reservations: Call the Sugar Land Marriott (281) 275-8400; Group name: Houston CPA Society

Special Overnight Room Rate of $169, while available!

DO NOT MISS…The 25th annual CPE Tax Expo, January 5 and 6 at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. Committee planners have an informative, exciting line-up of repeat and first-time presenters to get you ready for the upcoming tax filing season! In 1990 the Houston TSCPA Foundation Tax Exposition Committee was formed with Laura Nowicki and Bill Henry leading the small group in planning the first conference specifically for tax preparers. Several of these dedicated individuals remain active today, ensuring the quality of speakers, topics and the overall event. In our 25 years, some things have changed yet many have remained the same. • Provide high quality CPE at reasonable cost • Offer timely topics to prepare the tax practitioner for the filing season The two-day Tax Expo consistently invites top speakers, both local and national, to share the latest developments and procedures from the federal, state and local taxing reporting authorities. The topics are for the professional accountant with a tax or consulting practice, and for those in industry, law, and financial services. Public practice or industry, the 2015 Tax Expo provides educational information for anyone impacted by tax legislation! For many years, STEVE TILLINGER has updated Texas CPAs on the latest tax law and rule changes for individuals and small businesses. He will return to open the conference on January 5 with the latest in tax news. If 2015 is your year for TSBPA approved Ethics, you will need to register early for a limited spot to attend DAVID HOLT's four-hour session Tuesday on "Ethical Business Decisions for Texas CPAs." Monday's luncheon "Tax Reform" presentation is from John W. Diamond, Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance at Rice University's Baker Institute. Dr. Diamond is an adjunct professor of economics at Rice University and CEO of Tax Policy Advisers, LLC. His research interests

Handouts include numerous sample letters, such as penalty abatement letters, engagement letters, Examination Appeals, Request for Third Party Contacts, FOIA request, and filled-in IRS forms (i.e. 2848, 8821, 9423, 12153, 911).

JANUARY 5-6, 2015 Sugar Land Marriott Town Square

2015 TAX EXPO – Celebrating 25 Years

MEMBER BENEFITS

Tuesday is a busy day with the return of CPAAttorney Martin Davidoff. Mr. Davidoff visited in 2013 and your comments included "truly refreshing, excellent detailed handout and dynamic speaker," and "liked the audience interaction." "IRS Offers in Compromise: A Case Study" is a comprehensive workshop taking attendees on a hands-on journey through the entire IRS OIC process, including how to effectively complete the appropriate financial disclosure package for individuals (form 433-A (OIC)). Next, Davidoff provides procedures for "Navigating the IRS," covering how to represent your clients before the IRS from the first phone call through the resolution of the problem. The program details the steps in a tax controversy, describes tools and provides practical guidance in dealing with the IRS, and discusses alternative resolution scenarios in dealing with collection matters.

The Tax Expo experience is more than CPE. You will have time for networking so bring plenty of business cards to exchange between sessions, at the employee/employer job exchange table and at lunch. The location provides you an opportunity to visit the Sugar Land Town Center restaurants and relax in the evenings. In addition, by purchasing a binder with all printed course materials, you can catch up on presentations you are unable to attend. As always, 18 hours of CPE is available and continuing legal credit will also be available. There will be designated sessions offering continuing education credit for Certified Financial Planners®, and, new in 2015, for Enrolled Agents. Share this exciting educational opportunity with your colleagues. Look for your 2015 Tax Expo brochure in your mailbox. For online registration, LOGIN to www.HoustonCPA.org, or register by phone by contacting the Houston CPA Society office at 713.622.7733. Any questions can be directed to our Staff Liaison Carol Spencer at cspencer@houstoncpa.org or 713.622.7733 x320.

MEMBER NEWS

Member News

2800 Post Oak Blvd #3200, Houston 770566167 (713.499.4600).

Onward and Upward

Camaron E. Thorson CPA, has been named partner in the firm of KPMG LLP, 811 Main St #4400, Houston 77002-6124 (713.319.2000).

Steven Elliott, CPA, has joined the firm of GBH CPAs, PC, as tax manager at 6002 Rogerdale Rd #500, Houston 77072-1655 (713.482.0000). Green & McElreath announces the relocation of its offices to 600 Travis #6150, Houston 77002-3039 (713.228.1040).

In Remembrance The Houston CPA Society would like to express deepest sympathy to the family of Jay Bahme, CPA, a Texas Society Life Member and Houston CPA Society 40-Year Member, who received Texas Certificate No. 1831 in 1949.

ASE  AFL Kristin D. Morgan, CPA, has been promoted to director in the firm of BKD, LLP,

Accounting Scholarship Endowment  Assisting Future Leaders

Parking at CPA Office Building 777 Post Oak Boulevard (parking entrance on Hollyhurst, behind building) Visitor Parking is on lower level of garage. If that area is full, return to first level and proceed up ramp to second level where there is a card access box with a push button. Depress the button and tell whoever answers that you are visiting the Houston CPA Society offices and need a parking spot. They will raise the gate so that you can proceed to an upper level (third or fourth floor) to park. Special needs accessible parking is also located on the garage second level.

Visit the Resources > Sharing the Legacy page at www.HoustonCPA.org to find out more and/or to make a contribution.

CPA Referral Service: It's A Client Magnet What is the potential client base of the Houston CPA Society CPA Referral Service? Everyone in the Greater Houston area who picks up the Yellow Pages and turns to "Accountants" or looks online at www.HoustonCPA.org. Just imagine what this Society public service could do for your practice. Through the online Referral Service Request Form, prospective

TSCPA: Explore ROI (Responsibility Of Individuals) The Texas Society of CPAs knows how valuable your CPA license is. You represent all that it stands for, and you work each day to be an example of honesty, integrity, and the high ethical standards CPAs are expected to uphold. In a word, you could say CPAs are responsible. Responsible to many – your clients, your employer, your family, your community, yourself, and your profession. The responsibility of individuals, your ROI if you will, is maximized when combined through membership in and with support of your professional association.

clients receive referral information immediately. A list of firms with contact information matching the user defined criteria (area of expertise and/or foreign language search) is returned in zip code order so the user can identify a conveniently located CPA. With the costs of doing business increasing across the board, the Society is bucking the trend. By joining now, your firm will be entitled to an entire year's membership for only $100.00 – just in time for tax season. Think about it…fees generated by that one special new client more than covers your yearly fee.

TSCPA exists for you, the CPA, and only you. Without you, TSCPA cannot effectively protect the profession you worked so hard to be a part of. There is strength in numbers. People listen more. Businesses listen more. Legislators listen more. The collective voice of 28,000 is more than your individual voice. It's your duty to help ensure these efforts continue for the good of the profession and the good of those you serve so responsibly. The investment of your membership dues is a small price to pay for the protection of a profession you hold dear. We are here to help you uphold your many professional responsibilities and pay it forward for the future of Texas CPAs.

If your firm did not participate in 2014, please contact Carla Sanders at the Society office (713.622.7733 x310; csanders@houstoncpa.org) to receive a detailed application and registration form. All firms that participated in 2014 will receive an invoice this month. The Referral Service operates on the calendar year; so join today to take advantage of the busy tax season! NOTE: Members of the Referral Service must be a TSBPA licensed firm practicing full-time.

Allow us to help you connect with what you need when you need it. Use the links below, or contact our member service team for personal assistance (800/428-0272 or membership@tscpa.net). Questions about membership categories, dues, or benefits can be directed to the TSCPA Member Service Team (membership@tscpa.net; 800.428.0272). To learn more about recruiting activities by the Houston CPA Society, contact Membership Marketing Manager Frances St. Cyr (fstcyr@houstoncpa.org; 713.622.7733 x240).

DECEMBER 2014

MEMBER NEWS

We Love CPAces! Join the CPA Aces — another way for you and your business to be recognized as a leader in the Greater Houston community and brought to you through the Houston CPA Society. Membership is easy and FREE. The CPA Aces are comprised of companies and firms employing at least one CPA with 100% of CPA employees being members of the Houston CPA Society. The Aces program is a great way to recognize the Houston businesses that demonstrate a top-flight level of support and commitment to their employees as well as those employees' local professional association where they receive quality continuing education, grow professionally, develop leadership skills, and maintain contacts of

benefit to the individual and business alike. It's a win-win partnership, which, as the 3rd largest local chapter in the nation, allows Houston's CPA professional society a strong voice. Benefits of membership in CPA Aces include: • A Listing in the Resources Section of the Society web site at www.HoustonCPA.org linked toYour Firm or Company's site (based on availability); • A Certificate of Membership suitable for framing; and • Periodic Recognition and Promotion in the FORUM and eFORUM, and at Society Events.

If all CPAs in your firm are members of the Houston CPA Society, then join today! As stated above, there are no additional costs, just supplementary recognition and promotion within the Society and the community for your firm. If not, contact the Texas Society of CPAs (800.428.0272 x260; www.tscpa.org) for a joint membership application. First time members are afforded a discounted first year rate, and reinstating members may request their reinstatement fee be waived. To check your employees' membership status, contact Elyse Turla at the Society office (eturla@houstoncpa.org; 713.622.7733 x290).

MEET OUR NEWEST CPA ACE VOELKEL COMMERCIAL ADVISORS LLC (WWW.VOELKELCA.COM) JOINING THE GROWING LIST OF COMPANIES AND FIRMS EXCELLING . . . in their profession, in their leadership, in their commitment to keeping their business flying high and staying on top. adm CPA P.C. (www. admcpapc.com) Kristi Albaugh, PLLC All Reverse of Texas LLC ABIP, PC. (www.abipcpa.com) John A. Anderson, PC (www.johnandersoncpa.com) Mark H. Andrus, Attorney at Law Bickley, Prescott & Co., P.C. Bowles, Womack & Company, PC (www.bowleswomack.com) Boxer Property Mgmt (www. boxerproperty.com) Brooke Staffing Companies, Inc. (www.brookecompanies.com) Charles K. Burns, Jr., CPA Byrd Interior Construction, LP (www. byrdinterior.com) Cenikor Foundation Inc. (www.cenikor.org) Clanton CPA, P.C. Conklin Hruzek & Co., P.C. (www.chco-cpa.com) Carol A. Cooper, P.C. (www.carolacooper.com) Cornelius, Stegent & Price, LLP (www.CPAdvisers.com) Thomas J. Crayton, CPA Cummings & Houston, LLP (www. cummingshouston.com) DWG CPA PLLC (www.dwgcpatx.com) Dabney Investment Consulting Associates, Inc. (www.dabneyinvestmentconsulting.com) Dao CPA, P.C. (www.accountinginabox.com) Day West & Associates, Inc. (www.daywestinc.com) Decker Consulting (www.deckerusa.com) Durio & Company, PC (www.durio.cpa.pro) E B F Office Products, Inc. (www.ebfofficeproducts.com)

Edward Jones Investments Ramon Fernandez Firefly Business Group (www.fireflybusinessgroup.com) Fitts, Roberts & Co. P.C. (www.fittsroberts.com) Ruth Hughes Fletcher, P. C. Genesis Partners (www.genesispartners.info) Global Custom Commerce, LP (www.blinds.com) Robert D. Goldstein, CPA Goodman Financial Corporation (www.goodmanfinancial.com) Joanne L. Gore, CPA, LLC Green & McElreath (www.1cpa.com) Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (www.giveblood.org) Hahn & Clay (www.hahnclay.com) Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. (www.harperpearson.com) Heartspring Methodist Foundation (www.heartspringmethodist.org) L. Wendell Hefton CPA Herzstein Investments, Inc. (www.herzsteininvestments.com) Hill Schwartz Spilker Keller LLC (www.hsskgroup.com) David M Hoffman & Co., P.C. Joanna Hoover, CPA Interdyn BMI (www.interdynbmi.com) International Cellulose Corporation (www.spray-on.com) Don F. Jones PC Kathleen Jaap CPA (www.prosperitycoachingnow.com) KSBJ Educational Foundation Inc. (www.ksbj.org)

Kaminski & Company, P.C. (www.kaminskico.com) L. Klein & Company, P.C. (www.kleinwealthmgmt.com) Klodosky & Company, PC Karen B. Lipshy-Goldberg Allan J. Maierson Inc. Susanne Mariga, CPA, PLLC (www.susannemarigacpa.com) McCall Gibson Swedlund Barfoot PLLC (www.mgsbpllc.com) Robert M. Mendell, Attorney at Law, PC (www.mendellgroup.com) The Mitchell Family Corporation Moore, Reichl & Baker, P.C. (www.mrbcpas.com) Morris, Ligon & Rodriguez PC (www.mlrcpa.com) Mosher Seifert & Company, CPAs (www.cpa1099.com ) Nathans & Rust, Inc. Marie H. Newton, CPA Katherine Nixon, CPA/PFS (www.knixon.com) The Personagram Institute Inc. (www.personagram.com) PLS Advisory, LLC (www.plsadvisory.com) Darlene Plumly, CPA (www.plumlycpa.com) Thomas G. Post, CPA (www.texastaxman.com) Prince Food Systems, Inc. (www.princefoodsystems.com) Charles P. Quirk, Jr., CPA, CVA Charles V. Raimond, CPA Ralph & Ralph CPAs Continued (See CPA Aces on page 8)

MEMBER NEWS

CPA Aces (Continued from page 7) Ridgeback Capital Management (www.ridgebackcm.com) Michael Rose, CPA, PC (www.mrosecpa.com) Rose G. Rose, P.C. Ruderman Financial Group (www.rudermanfinancialgroup.com) Sawtooth Capital Management, LLC (www.sawtoothmanagement.com) Seefeld Lawson Moeller LLP (www.seefeldcpa.com) Sentinel Trust Company (www.sentineltrust.com) WM Shirley & Associates (www.wmshirley.com) Shrieve Chemical Company (www.shrieve.com)

New Members The following licensees, candidates, and students became Society members in October 2014. Perhaps you work or have come in contact with one of these new members. Help us welcome them! We look forward to their active involvement in Society activities.

Members in Good Standing Hannah C. Abalos (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Babatunde Akinrinmade (Spectra Energy Corporation) Amanda L. Bailey Courtney N. Bates (Whitley Penn LLP) Kevin T. Bates (Hein & Associates LLP) Horatius K. Boateng Lawrence A. Boe (Consolidated Asset Mgmt Services) Adam T. Bridgman (JP Morgan) David A. Casso (KPMG LLP) Josh M. Chambers Stephanie L. Cole (Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP) Marilyn R. Cook (Forte International Tax LLC) Nathan D. Cragun Kristin N. Craig Ariel H. Cretu (Parker + Lynch) Jamison D. Curry (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) John A. Dame (IDEV Technoligies, Inc) Ning Ding (DoerenMayhew PLLC) Denise B. Downey (Grand Mesa CPAs LLC) Natalie R. Drummond (Ernst & Young LLP) Chen C. Dunlap Kyle D. Eason (Ernst & Young LLP) Amie T. Edling (Crossroads Baptist Church) Jennifer D. Eslava Brian M. Feldott (Newpark Resources, Inc) Craig S. Fortson (Fortson & Company, P.C.) Amanda Gerstmann (Ann Thomas CPA PC) Oliver Glass (Ryland Homes) Miriam S. Gratvol (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)

Mary Elizabeth Smith, CPA V L Snider, P.C. (www.vlsnidercpa.com) Solis Medical Laboratory (www.home.earthlink.net/~mmsbcs/) E. Mike Spartalis, CPA, CPC Texas Chiropractic College (www.txchiro.edu) Michael W. Thurman, P.C. Steven J. Tillinger, CPA Deborah K.P. Touchy, CPA, Attorney at Law TriEagle Energy (www.trieagleenergy.com) TriFlex Staffing Solutions, L.L.C. (www.triflexstaffing.com) Turlington, Reeves & Richard, PLLC (www.trrcpa.com) VLS Recovery Services, LLC (www.vlsrs.com) The Vanek Consultancy Group, LLC (www.vanekconsultancy.com) Evan K. Harche (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) Thomas J. Henderson Nora Hernandez (Puffer-Sweiven, Inc.) David T. Herring (KPMG LLP) Ariel E. Hirsch Pels (UHY Advisors TX, LLC) Nicole N. Hoang (Spectra Energy Corp) Joanna D. Hodges (Aycock & Company PC) Danielle C. Hubenak (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) Faraz Hussain (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Alec D. Hyvonen (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Kyle P. Jungels (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) Chea M. Kelly (Premiere, Inc) Derrick J. Knight (Anadarko Petroleum Corp.) Erica Knight (McGladrey LLP) Sharon G. Lee (Direct Energy) Jie Li Yang Liu (Harris County Auditor's Office) Jennifer L. Long Henry M. Lummis (Lummis Consulting Services LLC) Denise Malone (ASRC Energy Services Transamerica LLC) Rimple Y. Mashruwala Lexington M. May (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) Chelsea M. McDaniel (Hines) Andrew P. Metzger (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) Jessica L. Meyer Amir H. Mirab (Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.) Joanna Mironko (LyondellBasell) Marissa Moleres-Robert Suzanne M. Mondalek (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Christopher M. Mukhar (The Claro Group) Falilu O. Ojugbele Anne N. Orji (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Tempestt Parker Ryan T. Payne Benjamin J. Percell (Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP) Lisa Y. Ren (Deloitte Tax LLP)

Viebig, McCommon & Associates (www.vmatax.com) John B. Wardlaw (www.johnbwardlawcpa.com) Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC (www.houstonelderlawyer.com) Barry M. Wuntch, LLP Jess H. Young & Co. Zientek & Co., PC (www.zientek.com) Contact Elyse Turla at the Society offices (713.622.7733 x290; eturla@houstoncpa.org). She will research the membership status of all CPAs in your office, and your firm or company is well on its way to becoming a member of CPA

Aces.

Morgana Rickard (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Stephen A. Ripper (Hein & Associates LLP) Joseph J. Rosenberger (Murphy's Corporate Lodging) Etta D. Rouquette (Murphy Exploration & Production Co.) Daniel S. Russell (McGladrey LLP) Tiffany L. Shum (Transocean Inc) Michael Stiles (Cudd Energy Services) Kathryn J. Tears (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Trinh T. Tran Ken H. Tsang (Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP) Meeya Vahsholtz (Invesco Aim) Kenneth A. Veasley (EP Energy) Laurence F. Verret (MiddletonRaines+Zapata LLP) Dallas T. Vincent (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Dustin G. Weatherford (Toshiba International Corp.) Jin Xia (Halliburton Energy Services Inc) Mark B. Young (Alvarez and Marsal) W. Sherry Zhang (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)

Candidates for Membership Mariangeles T. Leon Israiza Linares Tai P. Ma Katrina Stakemiller (Griffing & Company, P.C.) Ruihan Xia (Halliburton Energy Services)

Student Auxiliary Chinelo Aralu Phillip Arvanetakis Harold Cabiles Tasha L. Carey Megan Iselin Bobby Jennings Darien Kearney Ji H. Kim An D. Pham Tamara Pinkerton LaShawndra Proctor Brandon J. Smith Valdemar Tamez Maria C. Wolpert

DECEMBER 2014

MEMBER BENEFITS

Questions about Houston CPA Society member benefits? Please contact Society Membership Marketing Manager Frances St. Cyr (713.622.7733 x240 or fstcyr@HoustonCPA.org).

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Discount Program The Houston CPA Society Membership Committee provides a benefit program exclusively for Houston CPA Society members. The committee has arranged for a

Corporate Card Program that entitles you to 20% off regularly priced merchandise at all Jos. A. Bank Clothiers nationwide. And, as a preferred customer, you will receive advance notification of sales and events. To enroll in the Houston CPA Society /Jos. A. Banks Program, remember Program ID number 21035. Visit your local Jos. A.

Bank store and give this ID number, call 800.285.2265 toll-free and request your free Corporate Program card, or email your request to corporatecard@jos-abank.com. Again, remember to indicate the Program ID number 21035.

Accountants Confidential Assistance Network TOLL-FREE HOTLINE: 866.766.ACAN Legal Notice: All information, communications, reports received, gathered or maintained by ACAN are strictly confidential and protected under penalty of law under Chapter 467 of the Texas Health & Safety Code.

Stay Updated On Your Profession! The Houston CPA Society is now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! If you aren't active on these websites, now is the time to get involved!

1. Facebook While Facebook is a great way to keep up with personal friends and family, it's also a fantastic networking tool. Like the Houston CPA Society for updates on what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing. http://www.facebook.com/#!/TSCPAHouston or search "Houston CPA Society"

2. LinkedIn This is where you can stay connected with other Houston area CPAs. Discussions, questions, and articles are more than welcome. LinkedIn is the professional social network. http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=152559 7&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr or search "Houston CPA Society."

3. Twitter If you want a go-to place for news about the Accounting profession, follow the Society on Twitter. It's the fastest way to receive news, so stay on top of the latest information. https://twitter.com/#!/tscpahouston or search @tscpahouston.

Selling Your Practice? Start selling right now. www.facebook.com

www.twitter.com

www.linkedin.com

Houston CPA Society and Social Networkingâ&#x20AC;Ś YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS A THING!

Unparalleled resources. Marketing superiority. Ready to Start Now. Give us a call today so that we can start working to remove your selling headache and to obtain the goal you desire.

Wade Holmes 888-847-1040 www.AccountingPracticeSales.com wade@accountingpracticesales.com

MEMBER BENEFITS

Member Affinity Programs Brought To You By The Membership Development Committee

NOW AVAILABLE: Thomson Reuters' Quickfinder Products Handbooks, Package X, tax tables…and more! Thomson Reuters is offering its line of Quickfinder handbooks and tax products at a discount to Houston CPA Society members. Through a partnership with the Houston CPA Society, members can purchase the popular 1040 Quickfinder Handbook, the Small

CCH a Wolters Kluwer business

The Houston CPA Society and CCH have joined forces to offer you an incredible member benefit that provides exclusive discounts on any of the more than 175 CCH tax and accounting books, including the U.S. Master Tax Guide®, U.S. Master™ Depreciation Guide, Internal Revenue Code, Income Tax Regulations, and the State Tax Handbook, among many others! 2015 TAX GUIDE DISCOUNT: Members can enjoy 25% off the regular price on the U.S. Master Tax Guide®, 2015 and gain the guidance on today's federal tax law and timely, precise explanations of federal income tax law for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates and trusts. Go to the CCH Member Direct Partner Page to order one today! Looking for High Quality Self-Study Courses? Save 30% on over 150 courses on Tax, Accounting, Audit, and Tax Legislation. $294 for 12 months access to current, accurate, CCH quality courses. Try a FREE course at www.CCHLearningCenter.com or visit your Partner Page (see below) for ordering information. EXAM REVIEW DISCOUNT...CCH and CPAexcelTM have partnered with the Houston CPA Society to bring a new CPA exam review course

Business Quickfinder Handbook, IRS forms and instructions sets, and more, at discounted prices. In addition, the Chapter will receive a donation for each product purchased using the Houston CPA Society discount code (Q877). To see a list of all the products and pricing available, and to place your order, go to http://www.quickfinder.com/index.htmx . You may also log in to the Members Only section of the Society web site at www.HoustonCPA.org and access the Exclusive Member Benefits page to find the Quickfinder link. to our soon-to-be-CPA members. CPAexcelTM delivers the knowledge and expertise of the top team of accounting professors and review course instructors to CPA Exam candidates in a powerful online multimedia format. CPAexcelTM students pass the CPA Exam at exceptionally high rates—and pay half the price of other leading courses. Go to http://www.cpaexcel.com/partners/houston-cpa-society to get all the details and order information.

CCH Apps for Your Mobile Devices Available at http://www.cchgroup.com/store/mobile-onthego • Tax News Highlights (Free) • Tax Rates and Tables 2013 ($2.99) • Applicable Federal Rates 2013 ($2.99) • Code and Regs 2013 ($39.99) Members receive a 25% discount on all CCH tax and accounting titles, unless otherwise stated. This discount is only available on orders placed through the CCH online store with your Association discount priority code. Visit www.CCHGroup.com/members/houstoncpa and remember to use DISCOUNT CODE Y5457 at checkout. Go to the Current Book Specials for the entire list of 40% off bargains.

Houston CPA Society CCH Member Direct Partner Page (www.CCHGroup.com/members/houstoncpa) Member discount code: Y5457

The CCH® Expert Treatise Library offers valuable guidance on complex tax topics. Written by practicing, prominent experts in all fields — CPA, legal and academic — these treatises offer numerous examples and insightful analysis, and also allows users to easily access cited cases, regulations, IRS rulings, the Internal Revenue Code and other authoritative sources via links to the primary source documents. Visit your CCH Monthly Specials page to receive your Special View of this guidance.

Your savings just got better with the UPS Savings Program – exclusively for HCPA members! Save up to 36% on UPS shipping as a member of the Houston CPA Society (HCPA) HCPA is proud to bring its members valuable discounts on the

products and services they need the most. Take advantage of some of the most competitive rates available on UPS® shipping services. With more service options, superior ground-delivery coverage and overnight delivery by 10:30 a.m. to more zip codes than any other carrier, it’s time to put the power of logistics to work for you. Take advantage of special savings on UPS shipping offered to you as a member of the Houston CPA Society. Simple shipping! Special savings! No cost to sign up! HCPA members can save: • Up to 36% on UPS Next Day Air®

• Up to 34% on Worldwide Express® and Worldwide Expedited® services • Up to 32% on UPS 2nd Day Air® and 3 Day Select® • 10% on select Business Services, including the following, at participating The UPS Store® locations o Fax services o Mailbox service o Black/White & Color Copies o Office Supplies For complete details or to sign up, click here, visit savewithups.com/houstoncpa, or call the UPS Association Program at 1-800-325-7000.

Y A D I HO L E SAL T! N U O C DIS

MEMBER BENEFITS

DECEMBER 2014

Houston CPA Society Merchandise Wear The "Mark Of The Pros" - Long and Short Sleeved CPA Logo Shirts Polo Style...comfortable 100% Pima cotton interlock in dark navy blue with a white embroidered Society logo. Men's (S – XXL) and Women's (XS – XL) sizes. Sale Price: $30.00 (including tax).

Dress Up...long-sleeved blue (60% cot-

Sold to:

Quantity

ton/40% polyester) oxford logo shirts with wrinkle-resistant finish which provides easy care machine wash and dry. These comfortable shirts come in men's and ladies styles, with and without a left chest pocket. Sale Price: $30.00.

Logo Lapel Pins - 1" diameter - $10.00 Call 713.622.7733 for more information or to place an order. Use this order form to fax your credit card order or mail a check.

Ship to:

Item

Description

Size

Unit Price

Shirt

NAVY PIMA POLO (Men’s/Women’s)

30.00

Shirt

BLUE L/S OXFORD (MEN’S) (no XL)

30.00

Shirt

BLUE L/S OXFORD (LADIES’) (S & L)

30.00

Lapel Pin

LAPEL PIN

10.00

TOTAL

OTHER Subtotal

Houston CPA Society A Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs

Tax

Included in price

Houston TSCPA Foundation

Shipping

777 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 500 Houston, TX 77056-3212 www.HoustonCPA.org | (713) 622-7733

TOTAL

FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENT: Card No.

AMEX VISA MasterCard Discover Exp Date

CV Number

CV# is the three digit verification number on the back (or four digit on the front for American Express) of your card.

Cardholder Name (please print)

Signature

Card Billing Address

Zip Code

Auth#

DECEMBER 2014

CLASSIFIEDS PRACTICE PURCHASE/SALE/ MERGER

CPA Firm Would Like To Purchase the audit clients of CPA firms no longer wishing to do audit work or to joint venture the audit work, with the referring CPA firm retaining the tax, consulting and other client services work. Reply to Confidential Box No. 1223. Retirement Minded Practitioner, SW Houston, with $785,000 in annual revenues, 75% tax, is looking to merge with growing CPA firm. Call Robert at 713.774.2111. Practices For Sale: Gross revenues shown: West Houston $1.9M; Coastal Bend CPA $1.2M & $160K; Houston CPA $980K; Victoria area CPA $303K; Sugar Land $140K; West Houston tax $128K; Gonzales area tax $87K. Call 888.847.1040 x2; or email holmes@apsleader.com. OFFICE SPACE

HOUSTON – ONE GREENWAY PLAZA Class A Space Available For Sublease. 1st floor, vaulted ceilings, garage parking,

Complimentary CPE Vouchers to Unemployed Society Members If you have been unemployed from full-time work for over six months and need financial assistance in obtaining your continuing education… The Houston TSCPA Foundation has a policy of granting qualified, unemployed Houston CPA Society members up to $200 of complimentary continuing professional education (CPE) vouchers per year within specific guidelines. Contact CPE Director Judith Butcher (713.622.7733 x260) with questions or requests for guidelines and applications.

phones, internet, large conference room, receptionist, kitchen area. Available: 1 window office (150 s/f), 2 interior offices 116 s/f or 183 s/f), 1 hall space (54 s/f), 3 virtual offices. Lawrence @ 713.650.1222; email: legal@texas.net. JOB OPPORTUNITIES

NEED A CPA To Work For Small Law Firm Inside The Loop Specializing In Federal Tax. You will assist attorneys in drafting documents, writing tax opinion letters, requesting private letter rulings, doing tax research, meeting with clients, assisting in IRS exams, appeals and Tax Court, and many more equally challenging projects. No overtime required. Salary and advancement opportunity very competitive. Must have at least five years public accounting experience. Send resume to Toni Embrey at tembrey@cctaxlaw.com. CONTRACT/PER DIEM

"Hands On"” CPA With Big Four Audit And Industry Accounting Experience seeks contract/interim/part time assignments/projects.

CLASSIFIED

Randy Streetman randycpa@clearsail.net 713.320.8376. Former Tax Manager With 29+ Years Varied Tax Experience seeks contract assignments for tax season 2015 and beyond. Review or preparation. Specializing in complex 1040s, closely held businesses, oil & gas, nonprofits, multistate. Email ContractTaxCPA@yahoo.com. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Business Valuation Appraisals: For corporations, partnerships, medical practices (gift/estate tax,"C" Corp conversions, selling a company, corporate planning purposes). David Palmer, CPA, ASA, CFF. Call 713.828.1751. Tax Problems? Audits, appeals, non-filer, Federal and State; CDP, US Tax Court, SOAH, Texas tax courts, US Bankruptcy Court, US District Court. E Rhett Buck, Attorney-CPA, ERhettBuck@aol.com; 713.868.9447. (Send replies to Confidential Box Nos. to Houston CPA Society, 777 Post Oak Blvd. #500, Houston 77056-3212.)

COMMITTEE BUZZ

Society Goes To Paperless Newsletter

hours, and keep your calendar up to date with committee meetings and other activities and special events. There will also be

links to the printable and digital versions in the left menu.

Effective immediately, the Houston CPA Society Board of Directors has voted to eliminate the printed and mailed Forum newsletter. This move will provide significant reduction of the Society's budget bottom line. Members will still have several print and viewing options. All versions of the newsletter will now be produced twelve (12) months a year!  NEW DIGITAL FORMAT will be available

via a link on the Home Page, and in the Resources>Forum Newsletter page of www.HoustonCPA.org. This format will be searchable, be shareable, and feature hotlinks to outside references and resources.

 Printable PDF – you can still print all or a

portion of your newsletter to take with you on your travels, to the gym, or to keep in your briefbag for easy reference.

 Online eForum – will continue to be dis-

tributed the first Tuesday of each month. Each section will have a "Printer Friendly Version" tag at the bottom of the page. Provide the Society with a valid email address so you can plan for your CPE

Gain Fortune 500 buying power and powerful strategic oversight by

bringing on a partner.

Broussard Logistics will reduce transportation costs for 300+ client companies this year. In addition to nearly a billion dollars of accumulated buying power, these clients gain access to: · Negotiated discounts · Leading-edge technology · Supply chain best practices · Broussard’s thirty years of expertise Learn how to get a customized market analysis at no cost……

www.BroussardLogistics.com 877.875.1613

DECEMBER 2014

Student Auxiliary Advocate Monthly Meetings Monthly Meetings - held the third Friday of each month - will resume with a tax panel on January 16, 2015. All meetings are held in the Houston CPA Training Facility (777 Post Oak Blvd #500) from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

NEW Online Resource for Accounting Students The open education site, AcademicEarth.org has recently added a comprehensive resource for accounting students. In addition to a database of free online courses, it now features an extensive list of blogs, open access journals, scholarships, internships, and national organizations, all focused on the field of accounting. Check it out at http://academicearth.org/onlinecollege-courses/.

Becker CPA Exam Review Discount Student members of TSCPA receive a voucher redeemable for a $300 discount off the full four-part course tuition for either Live, Online or CD-ROM self-study review course formats. Membership in TSCPA also gives students exclusive discounts on many other CPA exam review programs and materials. Login to the Student Lounge at www.tscpa.org for details.

Computer-Based CPA Exam Testing Window Opens The next window for the computer-based Uniform CPA Examination is October 1

through November 30, 2014. There is no filing deadline. Candidates may schedule and take each section of the CPA Exam only once during a testing window. The CPA Examination is currently comprised of four sections. AUD Auditing & Attestation BEC Business Environment & Concepts FAR Financial Accounting & Reporting REG Regulation

Uniform CPA Examination Updates Content Specification Outlines (CSO) and Skill Specification Outlines (SSO) changes effective January 1, 2014 have been published on the AICPA web site at www.AICPA.org behind the Become A CPA/CPA Exam tabs. Also to be found through this section of the website is information on candidate guidelines, examination content, passing rates, and psychometrics. This site also offers helpful tips for exam candidates and a tutorial each candidate should review.

AICPA Offers Tips for CPA Exam Candidates Preparation for the computerized CPA Exam requires more than command of accounting

COMMITTEE BUZZ

and business knowledge. Important tips on the exam's navigation, functionality and content are now available. If you have staff members planning to take the exam, be sure to pass along the following web address: How To Prepare (http://www.cpaexam.org/cpa/how_prepare.html).

CPA Exam Score Release Timetables AICPA has posted the U.S. CPA Exam score release timelines in response to overwhelming requests from candidates. Scores for the CPA Exam are released by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to individual state boards of accountancy based upon the CPA Exam Score Release Timetable.

Check Out The Student Section On TSCPA.org As a student or candidate member, TSCPA has a variety of resources available for you which can be found in one central location. The Student section on includes helpful links to CPA exam information, TSCPA's campus rep program, scholarship information, TSCPA's student blog and all of our social media profiles. Stop by today and familiarize yourself with all of the benefits of your TSCPA membership!

Audits are complex. Audit software shouldn’t be.

VOLUNTEER [vol-uhn-teer] noun 1. A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.

Get Involved with Your Profession - Join A Committee TODAY! Benefits of active participation include ... Current Topic Updates ... Professional Development ... Networking Opportunities … and More!

AuditFile is the ﬁrst entirely cloudbased audit, review, and compilation solution for CPA ﬁrms.

For more information on improving eﬃciency and eﬀectiveness of audits, read our white paper at www.auditfile.com/white-papers

COMMITTEE BUZZ

Back to Basics: Top Risk Management Tips By Ric Rosario, CPA Submitted on behalf of the Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Roundtable Discussion Group, John A. Anderson, CPA, Chair Despite the variety of changes that continue to take place in the regulatory and professional standards for CPAs, the fundamental principles of risk management for CPAs have remained remarkably constant over the years. This constancy is mainly due to the high expectations the public has for CPAs, which are often expressed in the form of jury verdicts, sometimes referred to as jury or claims standards. Such standards have almost always been higher than the standards the profession has established for itself. CPAs who pay proper attention to their professional liability exposures gear their risk management techniques not only to what the profession expects of them, but also to what the public expects of them.

Even if you selected your clients carefully, your relationship with them may change, or the client may change his or her attitude or posture toward you. Sometimes the client whose integrity previously was unquestionable can become questionable. You may use a formal checklist, or you may discuss clients and their current engagements during staff meetings, for example. If there are any problems, you will probably uncover them at one of those meetings. When your firm changes, you may also need to change your client base. The loss of a partner with expertise that the other partners don't possess will require a decision by the firm regarding continued service to the former partner's clients. You may decide that you no longer want to continue performing a particular type of work. Or you may decide to grow your business in new directions. Review your client base whenever your firm changes in order to determine whether or not all existing clients still fit the firm.

Most liability problems are preventable, and they rear their ugly heads when CPAs don’t follow basic risk management guidelines. What follows is a “top five” list of some of those basic guidelines:

2. Due care vs. "dabbling." CPAs must know how to perform the services the client engages them to perform. That means practicing a type of service often enough in a particular industry or profession to be good at it, and staying current with regulations and standards of care through continuing professional education and self-study.

1. Client screening. CPAs must be careful about their choice of clients. Background, reference and credit checks are invaluable. The quality of your clients has a direct impact on your practice. Client screening is not a onetime event. CPAs should analyze their book of clients on a regular basis, at least annually.

CAMICO claims data show high loss ratios for services that comprise less than 15 percent of a firm's work. By the same token, loss ratios are low for services that comprise 65 percent or more of a firm’s work. In other words, "dabbling" is dangerous, and practice makes perfect (or close to it).

New Diversity & Inclusiveness Award—Nominations Now Open! As the Houston CPA Society continues to increase its efforts to highlight diversity in the accounting profession, three organizations will be recognized for their outstanding and continuous contributions to promoting diversity within the accounting profession through the newly implemented Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award. The three categories are: Large CPA Firms (with a Houston presence of 100+ employees), Small CPA Firms (with a Houston presence of fewer than 100 employees) and an Industry or Nonprofit Business (Accounting Department).

The Diversity Committee would greatly appreciate your help and support in finding organizations to nominate who fit the criteria of these awards. Criteria for the 2015 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Awards: • Hiring practices • Recruiting policies • Written HR policies • Diversity training for leadership • Percentage of minority employees • Attrition and upward mobility for minority employees If you would like to nominate someone for the award, please submit the nominations form to Frances St. Cyr by January 15, 2015. We will contact the firm or company directly for the criteria information needed for the award.

3. Engagement letters/documentation. CPAs must reach an understanding with the client about the engagement, and they should put that understanding in writing with an engagement letter. At a minimum, the letter should cover the nature of the work, the limitations of the work, the expectations the CPA has of the client, and the work to be performed by other professionals. CPAs should also document the engagement as it evolves and changes, indicating advice given and decisions made. CAMICO has long advocated that CPA firms have a record retention policy in writing and that such a policy be applied consistently to all clients. The company's claims experience shows that good documentation and record retention are crucial components of a firm’s defense against a lawsuit. 4. Disengagement. Proper client disengagement procedures should be used in order to avoid causing a loss for the client. When the firm decides to disengage, the relationship should be terminated professionally and formally, in writing. At a minimum, the disengagement letter should always contain the following: • A clear statement that the firm is disengaging, and the effective date of the disengagement; • A description of any work that is in process or unfinished; and • A statement of any due dates or filing deadlines that exist with regard to the work, whether finished or unfinished. 5. Getting expert advice from outside. Firms can explore different options to best serve the client, such as alliances with other professionals or organizations that specialize in other areas. The upside of alliances is that CPAs can supplement their own expertise and better serve the client by utilizing other professionals for specialized knowledge and expertise. The downside of alliances is that there are dangers in partnering with organizations that can expose the CPA to excessive liability. This is especially true with strategic alliance agreements that shift liability from the other party to you or your firm. Be sure to consult with a qualified attorney or risk advisor before entering into an agreement. CPAs can perform due diligence on other professionals, vendors or service providers by obtaining background, reference and credit checks in much the same way that new and continuing clients are screened. Ric Rosario, CPA, is president and CEO of CAMICO. Previously, he was executive vice president of risk management, with executive oversight of underwriting, claims, marketing and communications for the company.

Volunteer Services CPAs Helping Schools DECEMBER 2014

How CPAs Help Schools

Books for classrooms, libraries and home; science lab equipment; math manipulatives; graphing calculators; after-school programs; educational materials for physical education activities; anti-bullying programs; peer-to-peer reading and math tutoring; technology for classrooms; musical instruments; and more. These are programs that CPAs Helping Schools (CHS) has helped to fund in recent years through grants. While a campus is eligible for up to $5,000 per school year in funding, the need far outweighs the available funds. In 2013-2014, CHS received requests for $279,092 from a total of 75 applicants. After review of these requests, CHS members provided partial or complete funding for 31 programs at an average of $1613 per school. At the recent October review, members studied a total of 38 applica-

Share The Harvest With Your Neighbor Do Your Holiday Shopping At Kroger and Randalls The Houston CPA Society and its Community Services Committee has teamed up with the Kroger Community Rewards® Donation Program to raise funds for community service projects focusing on our senior citizens. PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS for linking your Kroger Plus Card to the Houston TSPCA Foundation. YOU MUST RE-ENROLL each year – starting August 1 - to continue supporting HCPAS community service projects. All supporters must have a registered Kroger Plus card account online to be able to link their card to an organization. Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377 and select option 4 to get your Plus Card number. If you do not have a Kroger Plus Card, you can obtain a digital Kroger Plus Card when creating an account online or at any Kroger store. Link your card at www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com. If you have an existing account, click on "Sign In", otherwise click on "Register."

tions and provided funding to 21, averaging $1180 per program.

CHS receives part of the proceeds of the 2015 Scholarship Extravaganza, plus Silent Auction proceeds to provide annual funds for our grant program. The February 21, 2015 event at the Houston Country Club promises to be a fun evening with music, dancing, dining and auction. Our auction committee is working to gather donations from local entities to include some special "BoomtownHouston" related offerings, highlighting the best of Houston's past, present and future. Many opportunities exist for you and your colleagues to HELP Schools and CHS: • Underwrite CPAs Helping Schools programs through your financial support of the annual Scholarship Extravaganza, with the additional option of designating your donation to PreK-12 educational programs If you are a new online customer: • You will need to enter your email address, create a password, enter your zip code, click on favorite store, and agree to the terms and conditions. • Once you are done entering your information you will get a message asking you to check your e-mail inbox and click on the link within the body of the e-mail that was sent to activate your Kroger account. Already have a Kroger.com account? • Enter your email address and password to proceed to the next step. • Click on “Edit” in the “Community Rewards” section. • Enter your organization’s number or name and then click on “Search”. • Select your organization and click on “Save”. • To verify that you enrolled correctly, you will see your organizations name on the right side of your account settings page. Once you are linked, you can start earning rewards immediately toward the organization you are supporting. (Note: The message saying that you are supporting an organization through the Kroger Community Rewards program will start printing on your receipt

COMMUNITY SERVICE

MAKE A HOLIDAY DONATION TO THE HOUSTON TSCPA FOUNDATION We make it easy. Using Just Give (https://npo.justgive.org/HCPAS ), at the click of a button you can select the amount and program you wish to support. Consider one or more for this holiday season and

“pay it forward.” • Provide donations for Silent Auction and Big Board: restaurant gift certificates; tickets to local performing arts; tickets to local sporting events; wine for special baskets; anything you would like to bid on and win. Continued (See CHS on page 18) about 10 business days after you linked your card.) The committee is also enrolled in the Randalls Good Neighbor Program. By using your Randalls Remarkable Card at least 1% of total Randalls purchases is donated back to the Community Services Committee. In order for Randalls to begin recording your purchase prices, simply tell your checker (prior to checking out) that you want HOUSTON CHAPTER ACCOUNT NUMBER 2373 linked to your Remarkable Card. You may also download a Good Neighbor Program Link Form to register at your Randall's Courtesy Booth. Once linked, every time you shop at Randalls, your purchase price will be recorded into the Houston CPA Society account upon presentation of your Remarkable Card. All funds received from Kroger and Randalls are placed in a restricted account for exclusive use by the Community Services Committee for community service projects benefiting our senior citizens. Thank you for your support, HCPAS members!…from the committee and the area community organizations it serves.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

TSBPA CPE Forms Available Have you taken continuing education from a nonregistered sponsor? Are you eligible for exemption from continuing education? If you have attended a CPE program sponsored by a vendor who is not registered with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, you may still be able to claim credit. Also, if you think you may be eligible for exemption from required CPE, the State Board will review and take action on your request. The State Board has a committee which meets quarterly to review requests for CPE credit and exemptions. If you need one of following request forms to complete and return to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, call the Society office at 713.622.7733, or download these forms online at www.tsbpa.state.tx.us. •

Request for Continuing Education Credits from Nonregistered Sponsor of Continuing Education

•

Exemption for Continuing Education

Is Our Web Site Giving You Trouble? You may have Internet Explorer issues. With the most recent release – IE11 – Microsoft no longer gave users the option to decline the update. If your computer is set for "Automatic Update", you are now using Internet Explorer 11. The Society's web site – along with many other web sites and services – is not compatible with IE11. However, there is a simple fix: Add HoustonCPA.org to the Compatibility

View Settings under Tools in your browser. Just add it once and you're good to go! You may also use another browser such as Chrome or Firefox. The Houston CPA Society has no immediate plans to upgrade the association database software application to be compatible with IE11. This upgrade would require a major production migration, which is not in the current IT systems' near future. If you need help accessing the web site, send a message to cpamail@houstoncpa.org or call 713.622.7733.

WI-FI is available at no charge in the CPA Training Facility. Access Code and Passkey cards are available at the coffee bar

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? WE HAVE A COMMITTEE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT! GO TO WWW.HOUSTONCPA.ORG >>ABOUT US >> BECOME A VOLUNTEER CHS (Continued from page 17)

opportunities and school needs

• Advise CPAs Helping Schools if your employer offers a matching funds program or community grant opportunities

• KEEP US INFORMED of your volunteer support and any needs your school may have

• Donate funds to CPAs Helping Schools through dues payment, or by stand-alone donation

In additional to providing grants, CHS hosted a reception in August for our local school district partners. Representatives from local Partners in Education (PIE) departments of several area school districts attended the event, hosted by members of the Houston CPA Society's Board of Directors. President Carol Warley, CHS Chair Paul Vanek, Vice Chair Kristie Ondracek, and member Brad Elgin welcomed the guests, then provided a general overview of the Society's programs that assist students in grades PreK-12.

• Become more environmentally conscious, offering used equipment and overage of supplies at your company to schools in need (we can help you locate a need) • Promote awareness in your local community (work, church, family, neighbors, etc.) of the needs of local schools, in ALL districts • Volunteer at a school by tutoring a class; mentoring a student for a year through weekly meetings; helping with landscaping, repairs or upkeep • Be a school district liaison: maintain a line of communication between Society

To further expand our reach into the educational communities, CHS continues to initiate and expand relationships with all local school districts through their PIE offices. At the reception, our partners learned about our PreK-12 Grant Program, opportunities to request volunteers for special projects within

the district, and Career Day presentations available to schools through the Society's Accounting Career Education Committee. CHS is recognized by members of the Houston CPA Society, and the members of the education community as a positive force in education and as a group that can be relied upon to support and encourage worthwhile education endeavors; promotes academic excellence by meeting schools' needs through a variety of creative ways; devotes most of our efforts to schools in need. CPAs Helping Schools appreciates your continued support of our programs through your monetary donations, auction donations, direct donations and volunteer assistance to local schools, and anything else you do to Help a School. If you want to be involved in a school, on the committee, or have any questions or comments relating to CHS, please contact Society Staff Liaison Carol Spencer (713.622.7733 x320, cspencer@houstoncpa.org).

COMMUNITY SERVICE

DECEMBER 2014

2013 Golf Classic Celebrates Blockbuster Year The Annual Golf Classic Committee renewed its fight against the economic downturn to host a smaller, but still stellar event for loyal past sponsors and auction high bidders. A field of 120 golfers took to the links sunny Monday, October 27, 2014 for the 25th Annual Houston CPA  Make-A-Wish Golf Classic. The committee was proud to be able to raise close to $50,000 to help grant wishes for children associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana. Golfers arrived ready to have some fun, checked in at the registration desk, picked up their player gift bag along with a logo golf shirt, and purchased Games Packages and Raffle Tickets before heading to the staging area to pick up their box lunch. Some hit the putting green, others enjoyed lunch provided by Willies Grill & Icehouse. Many thanks for the continued support of the sponsors, players, volunteers and contributors who once again gave generously to support this premier event. Players and their guests enjoyed an Italian buffet dinner, vied over a stellar selection of Live Auction items, and perused over 50 Silent Auction items and packages. Finally, congratulations to the tournament winners and high bidders in the silent and live auctions. In these difficult times, your steadfast support continues to help make one of Houston's most recognized Charity Golf Tournaments a proud testament to community spirit!

Pecan Course

Awards

Longest Drive – Casey Copeland Straightest Drive – Mack McDonald Closest to the Pin – Ben Smiths

Cypress Course Longest Drive – Tom Berry Straightest Drive – Tom Berry Closest to the Pin – Mark Gibennus

1st Net (51.4) – (l to r) The Primoris Energy Services Corp. Team: Mark Thane, Casey Copeland, Jory Jared and Ramiro Cuellar 2nd Net (51.6) – Mack McDonald, Ken Rowley, Colin Taylor, Lincoln Ward 3rd Net (53.8) – Karen Carter, Kenny Carter, Quitman Moon, Jim Owrey Low Gross (57) – Paul Cashiola, Logan Herring, Marty Herring, Steve Toomey Low Gross (58) – Mike Baches, Kenneth Hughes, Frank Kelske, | Brian Ron

1st Net (50.7) – (l to r) The MW Cleaners Team of Terry Quinn, Chuck Haddox, Ron Garrett and Mike Nesbit receive their Wish Art Award Plaques from Wish Child Isaiah and Golf Classic Chair David Borda. 2nd Net (53.2) – Cynthia Dopjera, Bill Goetz, Kevin Horton, Gary Owens 3rd Net (53.2) – Dick Rutledge, Nancy Rutledge, Vernon Wells Low Gross (57) – Tom Berry, Kenneth Hughes, Justin McGaughey, Brian Ron

Raffle Winners: Callaway Driver Callaway Hybrid Taylormade Putter

Adam Cox Karen Brown Jeff Barton

Taylormade Fitted Irons Logan Herring Taylormade Golf Bag Renee Andrepont Callaway Fairway Wood Michael Desormeaux

COMMUNITY SERVICE Auction/Donations LIVE AUCTION Robert H. Barr, Jr. Mary & Jerry Goldberg Golf Club of Houston Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans RJs Custom Boots (Rocky Carroll) Sprint Pipeline Services Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans Wish Child Isaiah

SILENT AUCTION A.D. Players Adventure Sports Ministry, Inc. AJ's Landscaping & Design Al Torres Photography Armando's Mexican Bistro Beck's Prime Bell Mountain Vineyards Benjy's Bradford Rennaissance Portraits Buffalo Grille Canongate Golf Clubs Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano Cheesecake Factory Comedy Sportz Concerto Networks Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Cypresswood Golf Club Dave & Busters Elaine Turner Designs Events Gifts Gittings Mary and Jerry Goldberg GolfTEC Goode Company Hamilton Shirts Hilton Houston Post Oak Houston Ballet Houston Symphony I.W. Marks Jewelers Katy Chi Omega Alumnae Kaye Marvins Lakeway Resort & Spa Laurenzo's El Tiempo Cantina Mark's American Cuisine Marquita Masterson MAW Volunteers Messina Hof Winery & Resort Mister Hotshine Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Neiman-Marcus Palace Bowling Lanes Pico's Mex-Mex Raveneaux Country Club River Ridge Golf Club Roula's Nail Spa Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Six Flags Fiesta Texas Society for the Performing Arts Sorrento Ristorante

Double Eagle Sponsor ($10,000)

Eagle Sponsor ($6,000) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Birdie Sponsors ($3,000) Plains All American Pipeline LP Solar Supply/Luxaire Air Conditioning

Par Sponsors ($1,500) Addison Group Advantage Business Capital Amegy Bank Robert H. Barr, Jr. City Bank Texas Fitts Roberts & Co. Grant Thornton LLP Gray Reed & McGraw, P.C. Ham, Langston & Brezina Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. Houston CPA Society T.F. Hudgins, Incorporated Passmore & Associates Tindall & England P.C. Willis Group of Companies WM Shirley

Individual Foursomes ($1,000) & Individual Players ($250) Aycock & Co., P.C. Mike Bless/Mecor USA Paul Cashiola, CPA Randy Eubanks/Mecor USA Marcel Frey/Frey Financial Group McGladrey LLP Johnny McLaughlin Tom Newton/Serimax North America Primorus Energy Services Corp. The Rouxpour Texan Bank Vanek Consultancy

Pin Flags ($500) Briggs & Veselka Co. Melissa and Bob Frazier Goodman Financial Corporation Horn Solutions, Inc.

Stages Repertory Theater Sweetwater Country Club Taste of Texas Restaurant The Capital Grille-Galleria The Clubs of Kingwood The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa The Wine Man

Twin Oaks Cleaners Kim Voehl Walden on Lake Conroe John B. Williamson Willow Creek Golf Club YMCA of the Rockies Zazzles LLC

DECEMBER 2014

Double Eagle Sponsor Moonbird Foundation â&#x20AC;Ś Jerry Goldberg (center) sponsored in honor of Gail "Moon" Goldberg for whom the foundation is named

Birdie Sponsor Quitman Moon of Solar Supply/Luxaire Air Conditioning (l to r) David Borda, Quitman Moon and Isaiah

Special Thanks Celebrity Host

Wish Child Isaiah

Auctioneer

Steven Mayers, Bold Bids, L.L.C.

Hole-In-One Cars

Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land

Golfers Lunch

Willie's Grill & Icehouse

Course Beverages

Houston Coca Cola Bottling Company MillerCoors

Printing and Graphics

Aaron Brothers Art & Framing Airline Graphics Document Imaging Technology Fairway Recognition Speedy Picture Framing

Player Gift Bag

Creative Financial Staffing Document Imaging Technology Edwin Watts Golf Gayla Inc. Golf Galaxy Golfsmith Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP

Steering Committee David Borda, Chair Carol Warley, President Debra Seefeld, Coordinating Officer Teri Andrepont, President Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Chapter Nancy Rutledge, Executive Director, HCPAS Frances St. Cyr, Membership Marketing Mgr, HCPAS Elyse Turla, Communications/Technology Mgr, HCPAS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Bob Barr Bill Cockrell Tom England Marcel Frey Jerry Goldberg Vicki Manning Shawn Marino Lina Martinez

Horn Solutions, Inc. Morgan Garris LLC The Parking Spot Sweetwater Country Club Willis Group WM Shirley

Gary Noble Stephen Parker Don Passmore Mark Shirley Mike Spartalis Chad Spencer Paul Vanek

COMMUNITY SERVICE

…and to our FANTASTIC volunteer force - coordinated by Mike Spartalis - who helped make this event a success…

Rae Kelly John Foster Kimberly Cook Dawn Hodges Brittany Stump Sarah Broussard Stacey Cheek Lynn Menard Thomas Schultea Erica Burns Gary Savage Katherine Sabom Jaclyn Cheslock Hope Hartman Chris Hintz Arely Mendoza Eddy Mok Stephen Sutton Charles Kelly Frank Riccelli Don Jones

ADP AT&T Aycock & Company, PC Aycock & Company, PC Aycock & Company, PC Broussard Logistics CGG Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC Carriage Services Creative Financial Staffing Draka First Data Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Harris, Scott and Associates Broker Houston Astros Don F. Jones PC

Georgia Messemer Tammy Mihail Jim Stinson Vicki Manning Saya Abdraimova Tim Davis Michelle He Lina Martinez Guadalupe Reyes Serena Tian Eric Zhou Melissa Cruz Carolyn Bauerschlag Deana Lieberman Laura Simpson Dewey Bullmer Elaine Priesman Stacey Soriero Aaron Steward Yehuda Cagen

Make-A-Wish Parmet, Chapman & Madsen, P.C. Retired Professor Stinson & Levit Student Student Student Student Student Student Student University of Houston Veracity Search Veracity Search Veracity Search Willis Group Willis Group Willis Group Willis Group Xvand Technology Corp.

Remember that we do this every year! We’d love to have your participation as a volunteer, as a golfer or as a bidder in the auction.

HOUSTON CPA 2015 GOLF CLASSIC Monday, October 26, 2015 (location to be announced)

COMMUNITY SERVICE

HCPAS Holiday Projects â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Share In The Spirit Of The Season CPAs, Seniors Send Holiday Cheer To The Troops For the past five years, the Community Services (COM) Committee and residents of the Holly Hall Retirement Community have combined forces to prepare care packages for our troops serving overseas. Society volunteers joined the seniors on Saturday, November 15, 2014 to assemble decorated boxes of snack crackers, nuts, tuna, jerky, gum, cookies, energy drinks, socks, razors, sewing kits and games for 72 members of our armed forces. For that personal touch, a Christmas card containing a personal message from a resident, a holiday greeting from project sponsor Briggs & Veselka Co., and a flier outlining the project with email contact information were also tucked in each box. From the box stuffing assembly line to the colorful packing table and then on to the wrapping stations and finally to the sticker brigade decorating center, Santa's "elves" had everything packed and ready in about 90 minutes. A big cheer to Project Coordinators Michael Palmer (ABIP PC) with Tamyra Palmer; COM Chair Cheryl O'Brien with Jay O'Brien; committee members Edith Fong (Direct Energy), Juliane Graham (LaPorte CPAS & Business Advisors) with Gary Graham and the grandkids, Ella Mahon (Chaney & Chaney), Nina Perez and daughter (Briggs & Veselka Co.), Wendy

Pineda (DWG CPA PLLC) with friends Lucia and Alessandra Benitez, and Tonja Rodriguez (Harper & Pearson Co., P.C.); and HCPAS member volunteers Rebecca Fieler (UHY Advisors TX, LLC) who provided the instant coffee and cocoa packets and Steve Ruderman (Ruderman Financial Group), along with Society Executive Director Nancy Rutledge and Communications/Technology Manager Elyse Turla for their hard work. Special thanks to Holly Hall Resident Life Enhancement Coordinator Jeanie Smith for providing administrative support as well as coffee, cold drinks and pastries for the volunteers.

Is Santa CPAs On Your Gift List? One of the most exciting events of the year happens this month. No, it's not the afterChristmas sale at the mall. It's the 44th Annual Santa CPAs Holiday Drive benefiting over 7,300 underprivileged preschool aged children participating in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The Community Services Committee would like to remind you that now is the time to send your tax deductible check made payable to Houston TSCPA Foundation-Santa CPAs to the Society office (777 Post Oak Blvd. #500, Houston 77056-3212). Credit card contributions (Amex, Visa, MasterCard or Discover) can be faxed to the Society at 713.622.3327. You may also download a full-page contribution form from the Society web site. Your donation will provide an age appropriate

book and gift bag, stuffed with an apple, healthy snack and oral hygiene kit for each child. This worthwhile cause has brought joy into the hearts of countless children over the 43 years the Society has supported Head Start. Unfortunately, as costs have risen, donations have continued to decline. Consider donating that $10 you are now saving on gas. Or, that $20 you used to eat out last night instead of having leftovers. These children don't watch the stock market or balance a checkbook. All they know is Santa is coming. Please send your donation today! On behalf of the committee and Head Start children who may not otherwise get a visit from Santa, thank you for your generosity. "In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind's concern is charity." Alexander the Great (356BC - 323BC)

School Seeks Volunteers We are off and running for another school year and I am happy to report that our students improved well with our scores last year. We want to thank your organization for its contributions of grant money and time in talking with the students, as it played a part in our success. We are participating in the Junior Achievement BizTown venture this year and are in need of a couple of volunteers to accompany us on the trip. I know that your organization partners with Junior Achievement and they will allow you all to come work with the kids as a work day. Lastly, we would be honored to have another representative or two come out and speak to our fifth graders again this year, whenever possible. Thanks again for all that you do for Pleasantville Elementary School!

Everett A. Hare, Sr. Vanguard & After-School Coordinator Pleasantville Elementary School

Assist A Nonprofit Through The Society One of the Houston CPA Society Community Services Committee's charges is to assist qualifying nonprofits with technical assistance pro bono or at a reduced fee. Qualifying nonprofits must complete a request form and provide proof of their nonprofit status, if available. The request is then distributed to a database of members who have worked with nonprofit clients and are willing to assist with

these requests. Any fees involved are independently negotiated between the volunteer and the organization. Areas in which help is offered include:

Tax: Application for exempt status under 501(c)(3) (Preparation of Form 1023) Preparation of tax returns and/or annual 990s

Accounting / Financial Reporting: Accounting policies and procedures Financial reporting policies and procedures General ledger set up consulting

Assist with the preparation of client-prepared audit schedules.

Other Areas: Silent Auction Management Assistance Know of an organization that needs assistance? Contact Elyse Turla at the Society office (713.622.7733 x290; eturla@houstoncpa.org). If you are interested in volunteering to experience the satisfaction of helping a worthwhile cause, please complete and return the You'll be glad you did!

DECEMBER 2014

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Houston CPA Society A Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs

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Houston TSCPA Foundation 777 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 500 Houston, TX 77056-3212

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