Dear Elizabeth,

Happy New Year! Many people I know start the year with the best intentions to eat healthier, exercise more and live more in the present. But for accounting professionals, there are resolutions you can make that will also improve your career and even your firm.

Expand your network. Ask any successful leader which single skill helped them excel in their career—an overwhelming majority will respond with one word: networking. It’s all about making connections and building relationships with the “right” people. The MSCPA has planned several networking events in 2015 to help you move forward on the path to success. Visit our Events Calendar to get started.

Learn something new. The profession—and the world in which we do business—is constantly evolving. To be on top of your game, you must continue to deepen your knowledge, develop new skills and ask questions to help you move ahead. Our 2015 CPE programs are designed to do just that—check them out.

Give back. Whether you volunteer your time, your expertise or both—this is one goal that will benefit your personal life as much as your professional life. In addition to helping others, giving back is all about getting involved with your community, which includes your accounting peers and can help expand your network. Learn more about getting involved here. 

In your quest to satisfy your professional and personal goals, I wish you and your families health and happiness in 2015.

Best,

Eileen P. McAnneny, Esq.
President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
• Tax Season Opens As Planned Following Extenders Legislation
• IRS and Treasury Select an Issue for Industry Issue Resolution Program
• Tax-Free Transfers to Charity Renewed for IRA Owners 70 1/2 or Older

DOR Updates
• 2014 Supplemental Budget: Technical Corrections to Research Credit
• Massachusetts Tax Year 2015 Amounts for Employer-Provided Parking, Transit Pass and Commuter Highway Vehicle Benefits

Tax Season to Start Jan. 20
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns electronically on January 20. Paper returns will begin processing at the same time.

CPE:

Busy Season: A Guide to New Forms, Filing Issues and Other Critical Developments (1/6)
Get an up-to-date review of important tax form changes, new tax forms, key developments as they are reflected in the IRS forms and IRS filing issues and deadlines.

The Five Second Rule: Achieve Breakthrough Performance in Life and Work (1/7)
Before tax season buries you alive, join us to learn how to make 2015 the best professional and personal year ever. In this powerful workshop, you'll learn proven strategies to help manage your day, your inbox, your people and your workload more effectively.



State Tax Conference (1/20)
Commissioner Amy Pitter returns to offer an update from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, joining a roster of tax experts from local and national firms as well as publicly-elected officials to bring you updates on new standards, trends and insight on what the future holds for the Commonwealth.

NETWORKING:

Upcoming Committee Meetings
• Small Firm Advisory (1/7)
• ERISA (1/8)
• Alternative Investments (1/8)
• Physicians, Dentists and Other Healthcare Professionals (1/8)
• Alternative Investments (1/8)
• Governmental Accounting & Auditing (1/9)

Sip & Socialize: A Networking Event for Lawyers and CPAs (1/22)
Start 2015 with new contacts! Join us at VIA Italian Table in Worcester for an evening of networking with CPAs and lawyers.

Firm Administrator Breakfast (1/30)
All firm administrators are invited to join us on Friday, January 30 at Kevin P. Martin & Associates in Braintree from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. The meeting will cover the MSCPA's 100% Membership Program, member benefits/discounts, website features for firm admins, networking events and CPE updates. Email Kara Kieran, kkieran@mscpaonline.org, to reserve your spot. 

MEMBERSHIP:

Hire an Intern
Help yourself while providing a valuable work experience that will allow a student to develop skills that are difficult to learn in a classroom setting. Make significant cuts in weekend or evening hours for your staff during busy season - hire an intern! Post your internship for free. 

Temporary Job Postings
Looking for temporary work? Employers post temporary and seasonal job opportunities on our website almost daily. Browse to find the right position, or post your temporary position for free. 

Attention: Firms Enrolled in AICPA Practice Monitoring Programs
Annual invoices were recently mailed to you and will arrive soon. The invoices reflect recent changes in the fee structure. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Lyons, blyons@mscpaonline.org.

NEWS & EVENTS:

Top 10 Workplace Trends for 2015
Mobile assessments, big data and work/life balance top the list of workplace trends for 2015. Find out if your firm is ready for the year ahead.

Art of Accounting: Value-Added Benefits of Our Services
Consider these value-added benefits when performing obligatory services such as audits and tax returns, or any work for a client.