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Dear Elizabeth,

In my short time as your President and CEO, I’ve quickly learned about the extent of the Society’s diverse membership and the multitude of professional opportunities that exist for CPAs. I’m happy to announce that we recently launched a new event series, Behind the Scenes, to showcase the diverse roles members serve in a wide array of industries. In addition to providing an industry member with the opportunity to host a site visit for other Society members, and present on what makes his/her company thrive, members also enjoy peer-to-peer networking – all part of the Society’s effort to better serve our industry professionals.

On August 27th, we visited food manufacturing giant, Hans Kissle Company LLC, in Haverhill. MSCPA members were treated to an exclusive tour of their 115,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art food preparation and packaging facility. Afterwards, we listened as CFO Charles O’Donnell, CPA and CEO Kenneth Venti, CPA discussed the history of the company, challenges they face, and decisions they’ve made within the last five years to ensure its growth and continued success. The attendees also engaged in a lively question-and-answer period with Chuck and Ken. I had the opportunity to attend, and found it fascinating! View photos here.

The tour of Hans Kissle was the first in a series of Behind the Scenes events. Additional tours will be happening soon, and I hope you will join us. Better still, if you are interested in hosting an event at your company, please contact Mona McCarthy at monam@mscpaonline.org.

Have a great weekend.

Eileen P. McAnneny, Esq.
President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

States Move Ahead on Nexus for Sales Tax, is MA Next?
Since the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 has stalled in Congress, many states have initiated alternative measures to collect sales tax on online purchases. MA entered into an agreement with Amazon in 2013, but will we join states such as New York, California, Texas and Pennsylvania to cast a wider net?

Final Poll Before Primary Shows Coakley with Big Lead over Democratic Rivals
The polls released Wednesday by UMass-Lowell/7 News and WBUR/MassINC show Attorney General Martha Coakley with a 32-point and 24-point lead, respectively, over Democratic challenger, Treasurer Steve Grossman. In a head-to-head match-up, Coakley leads Republican front-runner, Charlie Baker by 9-points in both polls.

CPE:

SAVE THE DATES
CSI: MSCPA - Fraud & Forensic Accounting Conference (12/2)
Protect your clients and yourself from fraud! Become the Sherlock Holmes of your firm or business - learn skills to detect the various forms of fraud while identifying common risks. Attend breakout sessions to get hands-on experience solving crimes, and hear panelists from the FBI, IRS and local law enforcement discuss criminal activity that happens in your backyard! 

INFOSHARE - State Tax Amnesty Program (9/26)
Learn about the recently-enacted MA state tax amnesty program! The session will be held 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at MCLE in Boston. Stay tuned for details next week.

NETWORKING:

Upcoming Committee Meeting
- Governmental Accounting & Auditing (9/12)

Thinking about joining a committee? The MSCPA has over 20 topics to choose from. Whether you're in public accounting or industry, or a sole practitioner or "Big 4" employee, committee membership connects you with peers who share your interests, and is your gateway to learning about topics that matter to you. Take the next step in your career - View all committees to find the right one for you.

Sip & Socialize (10/2)
Step into the fall season with new contacts and promising leads. Network with like-minded CPAs and lawyers who want to follow-up and help you move forward. Hosted by MSCPA JD/CPA Committee, MA Bar Tax Section, Rick Stone, Chair and the Boston Bar Association, this event will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Palm Boston.

MEMBERSHIP:

Coming this Fall to a City Near You - MSCPA Roadshows
The MSCPA is hitting the road! Join President and CEO Eileen McAnneny, Esq., and Society leaders for a series of informal town hall meetings where we'll discuss topics that matter most to you: professional issues, member benefits, the Society's legislative agenda and more! Join us at a location near you:

- Monday, Sept. 22 - Springfield
- Tuesday, Sept. 23 - Pittsfield
- Thursday, Sept. 25 - Andover
- Tuesday, Sept. 30 - Woburn
- Thursday, Oct. 2 - Braintree
- Friday, Oct. 3 - Westborough
- Tuesday, Oct. 7 - Taunton
- Thursday, Oct. 9 - Boston

New Job Opportunities
Employers are looking for you. If you're in the market for a new position, check out the MSCPA Job Board. Firms and companies post opportunities for CPAs and accounting professionals daily. The following position was just posted:

Senior Staff Accountant - Greene Rubin Miller & Pacino (posted on 9/2)

NEWS & EVENTS:

Contribute to the Next Version of the CPA Exam
Provide your feedback and help determine the knowledge and skills newly-licensed CPAs need in today's market. As part of the research leading to the next version of the Uniform CPA Exam, the AICPA invites you weigh in with your comments. The deadline is December 2, 2014. Your participation is critical as the comments received will influence the next exam, launching in 2017.

Two MA Schools Named in the List of Top 10 U.S. Colleges for An Accounting Degree
Bentley University was named the top college in the country for an accounting degree by USA Today College. Also rounding out the top 10 is Boston College, which came in sixth place. 

CPAs Continue to Show Optimism About the Future of their Companies
CPAs' expectations for revenue, profit and hiring continue to rise, helping to push the CPA Outlook Index to its highest point since 2007. All nine components in the index have risen by at least four points in the past year, reflecting improved outlooks across multiple industry sectors and offsetting concerns about regulatory requirements.