May 2020 | Volume XXXII| No. 3
Inflection point Here we are, living through a piece of history. For years, the profession’s leadership has been talking about disruption. They emphasized the necessity of learning, unlearning and relearning. One wave of the pandemic wand and poof, the future has arrived. Through the chaos of this situation, it has been impressive to watch our members in action. As the fire hose of information poured, your focus was clearly on helping your businesses and clients while keeping employees safe. One of my State Society colleagues, Tom Hood of the Maryland Association of CPAs, referred to this as an “inflection point.” He noted that the business community recognizes the important role of CPAs, finance and accounting professionals as you stepped up to be “first responders” to this financial crisis. As the coronavirus started to progress across the country and businesses began to close it was very clear what our focus
By Sherre Sattler, Executive Director
at the Society needed to be. Advocacy has taken center stage followed by communication and education. Here is a recap of our efforts: March 18: The first of several Free COVID-19 webinars were posted & our Coronavirus Update webpage was created. March 18: Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance on Deferring Tax Payments March 19: Email sent regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Our Tax Chair is in touch with Senator Cramer’s staff encouraging them to support matching the IRS filing extension to the payment extension. March 19: The Society sends an email to our Senators asking them to support S. 3535, the Tax Filing Relief for America Act. The legislation will delay the filing deadline for Federal income tax returns to July 15. We receive quick notice that both Senator Hoeven and Senator Cramer are on board with S. 3535. March 19: The Society asks the ND State Board of Accountancy to consider an extension for the Annual Registration and CPE Reporting deadline March 19: We send a note to the ND Tax Commissioners office asking if the ND Tax Department will be following suit with the Federal government and extend-
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Presidents Message pg 2 • Scholarship Winners - pg 3 • Coronavirus Interviews pg 4-5 1
• Management Conference pg 7 • Summer Variety Pack CPE Info pg 8-9 • Farm Tax CPE pg 10
ing the ND Tax Deadline. March 20: Steven Mnuchin announces the July 15 Tax deadline extension March 20: We send an email encouraging Tax Commissioner Rauschenberger to extend the ND state income tax filing and payment deadlines to match the federal government. Late March 20: Tax Commissioner Rauschenberger announces the ND Tax Deadline extension Continued on page 3
Remember to renew your CPA License with the State Board of Accountancy by June 30. Your CPE Reporting period has been extended to September 30. Renew at: www.nd.gov/ndsba Society dues renewal begins in July
State Board
CPA License Renewal • Classifieds 12 • Ethics Corner 12 • Tax Commissioner 15 • Cybersecurity pg 16-17
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