Volume 22, Number Sixteen

Friday, April 20, 2012

This issue of Friday@Five is sponsored by:

Harbor Insurance Strategies is a full-service advisory firm that specializes in comprehensive insurance solutions. With a full understanding of the legal, tax and economic elements of personal and business insurance, we offer an entire range of policy review services and competitive products including, but not limited to, life, disability and long term care.

Harbor Insurance Strategies

111 S. Bedford Street, Suite 203

Burlington, MA 01803

781.229.2300

www.HarborInsuranceStrategies.com

Dear Elizabeth,

We are conducting a survey to learn how members want to receive information from the Society, and the type of content we should be covering. Thirty respondents will be randomly selected to receive a $10 gift card from Amazon. Take this brief survey today.

Now that the tax deadline is behind us, it's time to start the new membership year with the Society. Dues notices were emailed earlier this week. By renewing your membership, you will continue to receive the information and resources you need to achieve professional success, expand your network and stay connected to the profession. Check out "MSCPA By the Numbers" and watch the value of your membership add up. You can renew online, by mail or call our membership department at 800.392.6145.

Also in Society news, I invite all of you to kick off the new year at the Society by attending the Annual Meeting and Recognition Reception on Thursday, May 10 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. I hope to see you there for a night of networking!

Lastly, license renewals were sent out this week. However, the Board of Public Accountancy is receiving complaints that some of the license renewal packets sent out did not include the pre-addressed return envelope. To remedy the situation, the board has posted mailing information on its website.

Have a great weekend.

Ted's Signature

Theodore J. Flynn, CAE

President & CEO

Member Benefits of the Week:
Bruins Playoff Tickets
Get discounted tickets for the Bruins playoff game tomorrow, April 21. Tickets cost around $225 each. Email Tina for more information and to purchase your tickets.

Healthworks Open House
Celebrate the end of tax season with Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women! All female CPAs are invited to Healthworks' CPA Open House from Tuesday, May 1 to Sunday, May 6. Any CPA who begins a membership during the open house will have her initiation fee waived!
Learn more.

Current News/Updates:

IRS Updates

Last Minute Filers: Avoid Common Errors

Networking:
Committee Meeting Next Week

Federal Taxation (4/24)
State Taxation (4/25)
International Taxation (4/26)
Governmental Accounting & Auditing (4/27)

View the Committee Calendar.

Young Professional After Tax Season Bash (4/26)

Join the MSCPA at the Atlantic Beer Garden on Thursday, April 26 to celebrate the end of tax season and network with other young professionals. The group will have a private section on the Atlantic Beer Garden's outdoor patio (weather permitting). Enjoy appetizers and two complimentary drink tickets. Pre-register by today, April 20 to enter to win tickets to the Young Professional Red Sox Event on August 1!

South Shore Breakfast Forum (4/26)
Topic: Ethics with A. Searle Field, president, United Atlantic Studios; past chief counsel and staff director, Intelligence Committee, United States Congress; past chief of staff, CT Governor Weicker past president, Connecticut Development Authority; oversaw development of Foxwoods/past advisor, Mashantucket Tribal Nation. The meeting will be held at the Chateau Restaurant, 551 John Mahar Highway (Horizon Plaza), Braintree from 7:20AM - 9:00AM. The price is $25.
Read more.

CPE:

Special CPE Webinar and Self Study Discounts for Members Only!

Surgent's Unlimited Webinar Package - $100 off for MSCPA members through June 30. Use discount code MA100 at checkout.

2012 Essential CPE Collection - Only $219.95 for instant access to over 200 hours of CPE!

Alternative Investments Committee Features Tax Commentator Lee Sheppard (5/23)

Keynote speaker Lee Sheppard is a contributing editor of Tax Notes, a Washington-based weekly tax journal. Trained as a lawyer, Sheppard is essentially a legal commentator on tax questions, and is well known for her trenchant observations. She covers all areas of the tax law, including international taxation, corporate taxation, partnership taxation, bankruptcy tax questions, pensions
and tax accounting questions. Tax Analysts, the publisher of Tax Notes and related publications, is a nonprofit publisher that provides the latest and most in-depth tax information worldwide. Panels on Regulatory and FATCA will also be featured.
Read more.

Rita Keller Visits Boston

Rita Keller, widely respected voice in CPA firm management, works with partners across the country to build firms where top talent wants to stay and build their careers. Keller will visit Boston next month to present the following two seminars on firm management and human resource topics:

MSCPA/AICPA News:

Thank You to Our Speaker Volunteers

A special thank you to Carl Muller, CPA who spoke to the Westfield State University Accounting Club about private industry on March 29. Also, thank you to Shannon Beattie, CPA and Greg Eardley, CPA who spoke to students about careers in accounting at the Leominster High School Career Day on April 2. If you'd like to get involved with student outreach, email Chris O'Day.

Fourth Annual Women to Watch Awards - Now Accepting Nominations

Nominate a colleague, mentor or rising start that has made significant contributions to the accounting profession, or who demonstrate characteristics that enable them to become leaders in the profession.

The Women to Watch awards program highlights the achievements of women in the CPA profession. Awards are given in two categories: Experienced Leaders, who are established members of the profession; and Emerging Leaders, who are professionals that have been in the accounting field 15 years or less. Nominations are due by June 30. Winners will be recognized at an awards reception on September 20.