News from Your Accounting Association
CPAmerica Advantage 2019 CPAmerica Events & Webinars:
March 2019
Making connections, either face-to-face or online, is key to
Cyberfraud article, part 2 P. 1 Member News P. 3
Even though you may find yourself swamped with all your tax season demands, CPAmerica would like for members to realize that there is light at the end of t he t unnel. Th i s comes in the form of our events and webi n a r s a l l l i ne d-up f or The Next Generation Conference, being held at members after the April 15 tax the luxurious Kona Kai Resort in San Diego in May, will be the next CPAmerica event. deadline. In order to steadily improve and stay on top of all the current and upcoming changes in the profession, it is essential to start with training. CPAmerica continues to put in front of member the events, webinars, and sharing calls that will help them increase their firm’s revenue and achieve their potential. Our February issue of Advantage included a webinar insert page listing all of our 2019 specialized webinars, and the December 2018 issue came
with an insert with a slate of this year’s events and meetings.
President's Corner - Alan Deichler P. 4
Events & Meetings Despite the rise of new technologies (such as podcasts) making it easier than ever to view in-depth conversations on accounting topics, having personal contact and real-time access to industry experts by attending one or more CPAmerica events is still one of the top ways to build your firm’s toolbox. CPAmerica is presenting nearly 20 events to members in 2019 and they are all built to promote best practices and develop your connections and beneficial interactions with your peers.
CPAmerica’s Marketing Roundtable is now open for registration. Marketing directors, managers and coordinators from across the U.S. will come together in Las Vegas this June 9-10.
This meeting will feature exciting offerings that will cover topics such as: Firm of the Future; Content Marketing; and Marketing On our website (www.cpamerica.org), Best Practices.
you can take a look under the Events tab To register, go to: and click on Conferences & Meetings to https://bit.ly/2H6FNpD see our solid lineup of topics and meeting spaces we have planned throughout the See Events & Webinars, continued on page 2
Technology Overview with Randy Johnston: Protect Your Clients by Being Proactive on Cyberfraud This is Part 2 of 2 of Randy Johnston's (from NMGI) Technology Overview article. Part 1 can be found in the Feb. Advantage Additional security recommendations for clients can also include fundamentals like: a business grade firewall that is maintained and updated routinely, encryption everywhere including on local drives; servers and USB sticks; MFA – which is almost a universal recommendation; policies for changing passwords; data loss prevention; breach reporting; and many other areas with samples available from SANS.org. Remember that the ACFE guidance shows that much cyberfraud is committed by trusted employees, often with 10-plus years of experience and who have access to
financial systems. Frequently they are put in a bad spot by family financial obligations or expensive habits, like gambling. You’ll need to have controls in place to detect bad actors on the inside of the organization, too. And We Are Not Done Yet… Remote access increases risk for your clients. It doesn’t matter whether they are fully in the cloud with SaaS products, hosted with a secure provider, using a private cloud, or using big brand names like Apple, Microsoft, Dropbox or Box.net. Bad actors know that files stored in the cloud frequently have information and insights
Cyberfraud, continued on page 2
Cyberfraud, continued from front page
Technology Overview with Randy Johnston: Protect Your Clients by Being Proactive on Cyberfraud
that can allow them to make educated guesses at how to break into clients’ computer systems. Bad actors have been infecting these data storage locations with malware, too. Further, malware such as viruses, keyloggers or ransomware (e.g., CryptoWALL and many others) will provide access to IT systems by reporting user IDs and passwords, charge a ransom to restore access to files, or by providing a pathway into the end users’ systems. Running up to date anti-virus software is mandatory for minimal protection. Many of these malware programs are planted via email including both attachments and links, as well as infections from websites. There are tools such as KnowBe4 and DUO that can provide management guidance on user behavior showing who is prone to open and act on malicious email or websites. The tools are quite accurate, plus they can help drive up awareness among users and management of potential attacks. Consider whether you could provide an engagement to document, detect and provide guidance on minimizing the exposure to many of these items. You can also improve your own firm’s cyberfraud position while providing guidance to clients on potential missteps. About the author: Randy Johnston is a shareholder and CEO of Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI), that provides technical support for CPAmerica and CPAConnect firms as well as: guidance on sharing calls; at events; and in direct phone consultations. Contact NMGI by email: helpdesk@nmgi.com or call: (620) 664-6000.
Events and Webinars, continued from front page
U.S. Meetings for partners representing each of our regions are being presented, and an assortment of more than 30 highlyregarded speakers will be featured at CPAmerica’s exclusive events, each specifically selected for our members. Our impressive array of upcoming events for 2019 include our: Next Generation Conference; New Leading Partner Meeting; A&A Conference; Technology Roundtable; Marketing Roundtable; our Regional Meetings (Midwest/Northeast, Central Mountain/West, and Southeast); New Leading Partner Meeting; Large Firm Group; New Partner Group; Leading Partners Retreat; Firm Administrators Roundtable; Tax Conference; Client Accounting Services Meeting; and International Group Meeting. The CPAConnect Roundtable, the main event of our affiliate alliance, CPAConnect, will also be available to members. For more information on any of our events, please visit our website. (Continued on next column)
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Webinars With their convenience, ability to provide first-class presenters, and offer access to CPE at significant savings, CPAmerica is offering 14 webinars throughout 2019 on a variety of A&A and tax topics. Each webinar o ff e r s t he opportunit y for members to “learn and earn” without having to travel outside t heir The Leading Parners Retreat will be at the offices. Starting luxurious Four Seasons Resort O'ahu this September 24-27 after tax season, you will be able to hear from experts such as Rich Daisley, Surgent CPE; Mike Tucker, Surgent McCoy CPE; Lance Weiss, SFW Partners, LLC; attorney Ciro Poppiti; Edward Renn, Esq., Withers Bergman LLP; Lynn Nichols, CPA; Karen Davis, T.M. Byxbee Company, CPAs; Charlie Blanton, Surgent CPE; and Jeffrey Jacobs, JD. CPAmerica is committed to helping our members share, innovate and grow in 2019 and one of the best ways to achieve this is through our events and webinars. If you have any questions about any of our events or meetings, contact Events Manager Lisa Browne at: lbrowne@cpamerica.org and for questions about our webinars, contact Member Services Manager Colleen Gaddy at: cgaddy@cpamerica.org
Member News
Honolulu, Hawaii, member firm N&K CPAs, Inc. announce new principal and senior audit manager
Denny Nakayama joined N&K CPAS, INC. in 2015. He holds a Bachelor's of Accountancy degree with a minor in philosophy from the University of San Diego and a Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Nakayama was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2005 and received his Hawaii CPA license in 2011. He has more than 12 years of public accounting experience with expertise in tax consulting services such as tax planning, entity restructuring, business sales DENNY N.D. NAKAYAMA and acquisitions, estate tax, and succession planning. Nakayama is a member of the American Bar Association, the Hawaii State Bar Association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Hawaii Estate Planning Council, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Urban Land Institute Hawaii. Andrew Ho, CPA, has been promoted to senior audit manager in the Assurance Services Division at N&K CPAs, Inc. With more than eight ANDREW HO years of experience in public accounting, Ho is responsible for overseeing and managing engagements for government entities, nonprofit organizations and commercial clients.
More Member News San Antonio, Texas, member firm announces several promotions announced that Melissa Kelley, CPA, has been named shareholder earlier this year. Managing Shareholder Jeff Albrecht said, “We are excited to welcome Melissa MELISSA KELLEY to our shareholder group. Melissa has been a crucial part of our team and a key player in our continued growth.” The firm also announced the promotion of Christopher Davis, CPA, to senior tax manager and Andy Najera was promoted to senior tax associate.
Huffman of Frazier & Deeter elected chairman of the Georgia State Board of Accountancy
Clay Huffman, a senior manager at , has been elected by the members of the Georgia State Board of Accountancy (GSBA), as the new chairman of the GSBA. Huffman received his BBA and MAcc from the University of Georgia CLAY HUFFMAN and he focuses on clients in manufacturing, distribution, construction, aviation and professional services. Huffman was recently selected by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the AICPA to the CPA Evolution Working Group, a group tasked with evaluating possible changes to the CPA licensing criteria. Huffman is a member of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA) and the AICPA.
Mitchell Wiggins adds tax manager and two staff accountants to firm
Christopher R. Budd, CPA, has joined the team at LLP, headquartered in Richmond, Va. As a tax manager, Budd is responsible for providing planning, advisory services and tax compliance services to business and individual clients and has experience in helping closely-held businesses with succession planning. Budd earned his master's in accountancy and bachelor's from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a CPA in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. The firm also added two more members to their team: Andrew Jones is a recent graduate from Christopher Newport
instrumental in his promotion. As a senior audit associate, Benson is in charge of completing and monitoring staff on audit and review engagements of low-income housing and not-for-profit organizations. Benson holds bachelor’s in accounting and business management from Elms College, where he will graduate with an MBA with a concentration in Financial Planning in 2019. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the AICPA and often with Junior Achievement and Fargo, N.D. member firm, Widmer Roel volunteers the Ronald McDonald House Charities. PC, announces promotion, new hires Veit earned his BBA from the Isenberg , a public accounting School of Management in 2010 with a and business advisory firm with offices focus in marketing and he is a member of in Fargo, N.D., Bismarck, N.D., and the Association for Accounting Marketing. Hazen, N.D., has promoted He also serves his community as a reserve Seth Serhienko to audit police officer and as team captain for the supervisor. Jimmy Fund Rally Against Cancer. Veit is a Serhienko is a native of recent 40 Under Forty recipient. Bottineau, N.D., and earned a bachelor’s from Iowa State Pulakos CPAs, PC names two promotions University. He joined the SETH SERHIENKO Member firm firm in 2016 and has three , with headquarters in years of experience. Albuquerque, N.M., recently announced The firm also two new promotions. announced that Jennifer Kevin Archibeque, CPA, Kilber has joined the has been promoted by the Agricultural Division. firm to assurance manager. Kilber, as a staff accountant, Archibeque specializes in provides audit and JENNIFER KILBER accounting services and providing audit services for government and earned her bachelor’s from construction contractors, Minnesota State University KEVIN ARCHIBEQUE non-profit organizations, Moorhead. and employee benefit Renelle Allmaras plans. He has a bachelor’s in economics has joined the Audit Department. Allmaras, as a and a master’s in accounting, both from the University of New Mexico. staff accountant, provides Elijah Esquivel, CPA, has RENELLE ALLMARAS audit and accounting been promoted by Pulakos services and earned her to assurance supervisor. bachelor’s from North Dakota State Esquivel specializes in University. providing audit services for Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. non-profit organizations announces three promotions and employee benefit (MBK), plans. He has a bachelor’s ELIJAH ESQUIVEL headquartered in Holyoke, Mass., in accounting from the announced three promotions: Emily University of New Mexico. White to senior audit associate; Brian Matthews, Cutrer & Lindsay, P.A. has a Benson, CPA, to senior audit associate and John Veit to director of marketing and new staff accountant , recruiting. headquartered in Ridgeland, Miss., White has been with the firm since announced that Heather 2016. In her new position, she plays a Verret recently joined as leading role in the Accounting and Audit a staff accountant. She Department, serving commercial, pension started with the firm in 2017 and not-for-profit clients. as an audit intern and will White attended Elms College, where she continue as she provides earned dual bachelor’s in accounting and audit and attestation marketing and a master’s in accounting. She is a member of the Massachusetts HEATHER VERRET services with a primary emphasis on multi-family Society of Certified Public Accountants housing and non-profit organizations. and the AICPA. Verret earned her bachelor’s in Benson’s overall experience in nonaccountancy from Mississippi College. profit and HUD engagements were University with a bachelor's in business administration, accounting and finance concentration. As a staff accountant, he provides tax, audit and review services to the firm’s clients. Brendon Maturey is a recent graduate from Bridgewater College with a bachelor's in business administration and economics, accounting and finance concentration. As a staff accountant, he provides tax, audit and review services to the firm’s clients.
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President's Corner: A Bear in the Closet As I was getting ready to write this article on innovative technology, I remembered when I was starting out in management. I had the great benefit of being at IBM during Alan Deichler my early management President days. Part of being a new manager at IBM included an extensive initial training program, as well as one week of management training for every year an employee was at a manager level. I have come to rely on that training throughout my career. I learned many things during those days, but one thing in particular was to quickly address things that needed to be addressed. The instructors, all of which were IBM’ers, had been in management themselves and often used stories or parables to better explain the position being taught. There was one parable in particular that my staff, and a few of you, may have heard me tell. It goes, “If you put a bear cub in the closet, in six months, a big bear comes out.” It’s a reasonably simple concept and needs little explanation, yet we still procrastinate. Often as a result of this delay, we face big issues later on. I am dealing with an issue now, namely, innovative technology. I
suspect you may be in the same position. We know there are things we should be doing in regards to this subject, but we are just not sure what these things are. To help, we have planned an interesting 100-minute session on innovat ive technology at CPAmerica’s three regional meetings this summer. Even if your region (CPAmerica has five regions) is not having a meeting, you have access to all three regional meetings. You can find details under the Events tab of our website. We are planning to present short “how-to” sessions to begin implementation of innovative technology applications in tax, audit, CAS, and practice management. They are still in planning, but the thought is to provide simple instructions to start moving from strategic discussions to tactical execution. If you cannot attend a regional meeting, we are working to find additional ways to get this information out to you.
few additional events in 2019. Still, with all that said, we need to do more. While many of you will be doing taxes or year-end audit work over the next 60 days or so, I am committed to making sure we have done all we can to assist you in understanding how to move your firm into the field of innovative technology. Good luck to us both in getting that little bear out of the closet before it grows up.
I have the feeling that I need to be doing more in the area of innovative technology. We have a committee set up called the Innovative Technology Committee and we have met a number of times, with minutes of our meeting available to all members under our Communities tab. We have a plan that we will provide to you at the regional meetings with details on how to implement some of the advanced technology you have been hearing about. We are also planning to have innovative technology as a topic at a
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