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Dear Elizabeth:

Let me start by saying I am deeply honored and humbled to become the MSCPA’s President and CEO. I have a profound respect and passion for this organization, as well as for our community of members, and I’m incredibly motivated to serve you at such an exciting time in our profession. I’m eager to meet each and every one of you, and I’d like to start by introducing myself in the brief video below:

Have a great weekend!

Amy A. Pitter
President & CEO

NETWORKING:

LAST CHANCE: Register for the Recognition Reception (5/14)
It's our biggest networking event of the year! Join 400 of your peers for drinks, appetizers and networking at the newly-renovated Boston Park Plaza Hotel. This event is one night only - don't get left off of our list.

15th Annual Women's Golf Outing & Clinic (6/9)
Enjoy a day of golf and networking at Juniper Hill Golf Course. Play 18 holes with your colleagues, family and/or friends - or learn how to play in a practice clinic. Women of all skill levels are welcomed and encouraged. Register before 6/1 to receive our early-bird discount!

The Partner Track Roundtable (6/16)
Are you interested in finding out what it takes to become a partner at a public accounting firm? If so, attend this breakfast where panelists will share their career experiences and advice. Panelists include: Mark Audi, CPA, principal at Baker Newman Noyes, Mitzi Hollenbeck, CPA, partner at Sharkansky LLP and Cathy Moy, CPA, chief people office and Boston assurance managing partner at BDO.

CPE:

GAAP for the Practitioner (5/21)
Specifically tailored to the CPA practitioner, this course covers the ins and outs of troublesome areas in existing U.S. GAAP including income taxes, other comprehensive income, cash flows, fair value, impairments and other common issues encountered by practitioners, with emphasis on U.S. GAAP alternatives promulgated by the Private Company Council.

Documenting & Testing Internal Controls (5/29)
Whether in internal audit or in public practice, testing internal controls is an important aspect of determining the adequacy of financial, operational, compliance or information technology related processes.

Upcoming Peer Review: Is Your Firm Ready? (5/29)
Find out how to prepare for your next review and what can be done on a daily basis to create a strong quality control environment for your firm. Identify the most common, significant deficiencies that peer reviews uncover and what you can do to prevent them from occurring in your firm.

NEW! Nexus Update: Latest Developments in State Income, Franchise and Sales Tax (6/26)
Understand the different ways that states define and enforce nexus, and learn how to determine when your company or client has nexus in a state, thus requiring the filing of tax returns.

MEMBERSHIP

Volunteer Opportunity
- Integrated Heritage Project - CPA

MSCPA Young Professional/Student Member Red Sox Event (6/2)
Join the MSCPA to see the Boston Red Sox take on the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Pre-game networking will be held at the Lansdowne Pub (food and two drink tickets will be provided) from 5:00 - 7:00 p. m. This is a great opportunity to network with the next generation of CPAs. Tickets are limited, so register now!

MSCPA CPA Review Auction: Save on Review Courses
Are you planning to sit for the CPA Exam? Participate in the MSCPA's online auction and save significantly on review courses from accounting’s top providers – Becker CPA, ExamMatrix, Kaplan, Roger CPA and Surgent Kolar. Proceeds benefit the MSCPA Educational Foundation. Hurry, the auction is expected to sell out before the deadline (5/15). If you have any questions, please contact us.

Renewal Notices Sent
The MA Board of Public Accountancy mailed their renewal notices on April 21. If you have not received a notice and you are up for renewal in 2015, visit their website to update your contact information, and to let them know that you need a new notice.

NEWS & EVENTS:

Do You Know the Hallmarks of an Ethical Corporate Culture?
Take this quiz to find out whether you are ready and able to help institute an effective ethics program at your organization.

Getting Ahead Without Saying "Yes" 24/7
Find out how you can show you’re ready for a leadership role without taking on too much work and spreading yourself too thin.

Guide Helps Firms Comply with New Accounting Standard
Thomson Reuters has introduced PPC’s Guide to SSARS Preparation Engagements in response to the new financial statement preparation service introduced by the Accounting and Review Services Committee of the AICPA.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
- IRS Announces 2016 Inflation Adjustments for HSAs
- IRS Issues Two Corporate Reorganization Rulings 

DOR Update
- April Tax Collections Top $3 Billion

MSCPA Readying Comments for Regulation Review Process
This month, the MSCPA will submit suggested revisions to the Board of Public Accountancy’s rules and regulations. Our comments cover issues such as the short form reciprocal application, eligibility requirements for examination, updates to the quality peer review standards, amendments to the rules governing firm leadership structures and implementation of incremental CPE. What else would you like to see addressed? Email Zach Donah with suggestions.

MSCPA Calls for Equalization of DOR's Interest Rates
Citing a Council on State Taxation (COST) study that ranks Massachusetts among the worst states for tax procedural fairness, the MSCPA urged lawmakers to move forward with a proposal to equalize the current short-term rate on money owed by a taxpayer from 4% compounded daily to 2% simple interest, the rate paid by the DOR to a taxpayer.