January 2008
North American Region
Letter from the Chair

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Dear Friends,

Having been just elected Chair of the North American region, I wanted to share with you some of the projects that we are undertaking in accordance with our strategic plan. 

In order to benchmark the firms of AGN North America, we have decided to conduct three surveys.  In 2007, we completed a Partner Satisfaction Survey.  In 2008, this will be followed by a Staff Survey, and in 2009, a Client Survey.  This rotation will continue every three years so that we can benchmark our association for the previous three years against the current year’s results, as well as each of the firms. 

The surveys were emailed to all 572 partners in AGN North America.  We had 450 surveys returned for a participation rate of 79%.  Of the 53 firms participating, 22 firms had 100% participation and only 6 firms had less than 50% participation.

Doug Griest, Ph.D. from Management Psychology Group, P.C. assisted us in analyzing the results of the survey.  Each firm received their firm’s results as well as the overall results of all of the partners.

In order to benchmark the firms of AGN North America, we conducted 3 surveys.
The overall results were very interesting and favorable
but illuminated a few areas for us to explore.

The combined results were also broken down by age, years as partner, numbers of partners, number of offices, city size, gender and partners participating in Advanced Partner Training.  Doug Griest gave a presentation to the Board of Directors on November 1, 2007 in Chicago. The overall results were very interesting and favorable, but illuminated a few areas for us to explore.

We are preparing the staff survey now and will distribute during the summer of 2008.  We look forward to seeing those results and determining how they dovetail into the partner’s survey and what information we can extrapolate to improve the firms and AGN. 

In addition,  AGN-NA University has wide support from the members.  Our attendance for the various levels of audit and tax staff training programs is at an all time high (306) and the results of the evaluations are excellent.
These are exciting times for CPA firms and I am looking forward to my term this next year and working with the Executive Committee and North American Board in 2008.  If anyone has any comments, questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. 

 

Jennings P. Hastings
Faw, Casson & Co., LLP
Dover, DE, USA
jph@fawcasson.com

 

 
AGN-NA’s strategic plan goals
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1.

 Knowledge and Resource Sharing – AGN-NA firms will have access to and actively use a broad range of shared talent, resources and best practices.

2.

Training – AGN-NA firms will have access to high quality, comprehensive training programs and evidence their satisfaction with high participation levels.

3.

Human Resources – AGN-NA firms will attract, develop and retain the highest quality staff.

4.

Member Performance – A majority of AGN-NA firms will be in the top quartile of profitability within their peer group.

5.

Reputation and Recognition – AGN-NA will be recognized as an association of quality firms offering the industry’s best resources and solutions.

 

 

North American Board elects 2007- 2008 officers

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Jennings P. Hastings, CPA, has been elected Chair of AGN International-North America, Inc.  Hastings is managing partner of Faw, Casson & Co., LLP based in Dover, DE

Also elected to AGN-NA’s 2008 Executive Committee are the following:
 Charlie McGimsey, Vice Chair, (Managing Partner, Windham Brannon, P.C., CPAs, Atlanta, GA)
 Gary Fitzgibbon, Treasurer, (Managing Partner, Adams, Masin & Tilley, LLP Toronto, Ontario, Canada)  
Mike Vanderslice, Secretary, (Chief Executive Officer, Clothier & Head LLP, Seattle, WA)  
Sandy Beckman, Immediate Past Chair (Shareholder, Weinstein Spira & Company  P.C., Houston, TX).

Hastings and the AGN-NA Executive Committee’s primary focus will be to continue implementing tactics to achieve the five strategic objectives identified by the Board of Directors in late 2005.  Hastings is particularly focused on the value of participation in AGN-NA programs and the impact on the member firms’ performance.

Hastings has served on AGN-NA’s Board since 2000 and its Executive Committee since 2004.  He joined Faw, Casson & Co. in 1979, became a partner in 1981 and managing partner in 2001. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants.

 

 

NARM  ’08 —Seattle — May 19-20

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Opening general session
to feature leading expert on
Four Generations in the Workplace

Today, there are four generations in the workplace; do you know what makes each one tick?

For the first time in history, four distinct generations—Matures, Boomers, Xers, and Millennials—are employed side by side in the workplace. With differing values and seemingly incompatible views on leadership, these generations have stirred up unprecedented conflict in the business world.

Effective management of this generational divide is vital to longevity and success. In fact, it is the most important demand your firm can make of its leaders.

Cam Marston will share his generational insight, concrete examples and specific approaches to help frustrated managers on Monday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m at the North American Regional Meeting at the Grand Hyatt, Seattle, WA.  All AGN-NA MAP seminar and sharegroup participants are invited to participate to learn new ways to build the individual connections needed to boost employee performance and retention.


Founder and president of
Generational Insights,
Cam Marston has spent
years studying the collective
histories and traits of the
Matures, Boomers,
Xers and Millenials to
CAM MARSTON discover what makes each
generation tick. This insight
will help you bring out the best in your
employees and colleagues, and have a
profound impact on your success.

Learn how each generation developed its
core values, how that manifests in the
workplace today, and why they can all not
only operate alongside each other, but do
so with extraordinary success.

 

 

Gramm Leach Bliley Compliance rallies AGN-NA response

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All CPA firms must comply with the new FTC Safeguarding rules.  In response, an AGN-NA task force came together to develop tools to assist all member firms in compliance.  These documents are available on www.agn-NA.org at Information & Resources>Knowledge Bank>Technical Resources>AGN-NA Information Safeguarding Rules

Special thanks go to the members of the task force their efforts; first and foremost, to

  • David Harwood, MDA Professional Group P.C., for his persistence in helping keep this issue on the front burner, and
  • Lee Ackerman, Brock & Company CPAs PC
  • James Russell, Rothstein Kass & Company P.C.
  • James Tarala, Schenck Business Solutions
  • Les Nettleton, Bourgeois Bennett, L.L.C.
  • Steve Gannon, Faw, Casson & Co., LLP

 

AGN-NA joins Beta Alpha Psi Advisory Forum
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With the current staff shortage, AGN-NA member firms have beefed up their involvement with area Beta Alpha Psi chapters to build awareness about the benefits of working with local and regional firms.

Until recently, however, AGN-NA firms were barred from participating at the regional BAP meetings, where all the chapters officers and faculty advisors in the state and surrounding states were present.

Spurred by AGN-NA’s strategic plan goal to assist firms with recruiting and retention, AGN-NA has become a member of the Beta Alpha Psi Advisory Forum. It is the job of the BAP Advisory Forum members to provide support to the chapters at these regional meetings by conducting technical and professional workshops for the chapter officers and faculty advisors.

BAP has divided the college chapters into eight regions based on geography.  All of the chapters in each region meet annually in the Spring of the year. 

A task force made up of AGN-NA volunteers will coordinate the firms’ support in each BAP region.  Please contact your regional task force member to see how your firm can assist.

TASK FORCE CONTACTS:
Western Region (California, etc.)
Erin Warner, Robert R. Redwitz & Co., Irvine, CA  949-753-1514  erin@redwitz.com

Southeast Region (North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, etc.)
Matt Levin, Windham Brannon P.C., CPAs, Atlanta, GA 404-898-2000 mlevin@windhambrannon.com;
Chris Judy, Thomas Judy & Tucker, P.A., Raleigh, NC, 919-571-7055 chris.judy@tjtpa.com

Southwest Region (Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico etc.)
Brian Franklin, Weinstein Spira & Company, Houston, TX 713-622-7000 BMF@weinsteinspira.com

Atlantic Coast Region (Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, etc.)
Nicole Saulnier, Rothstein, Kass & Co., New York, NY 973-994-6666 nsaulnier@rkco.com

Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, etc.)
Rita Hood, AGN International-North America, Inc. 303-743-7880  rhood@agn.org

Midwest Region (Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, etc.)
David Romp, Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co., Cincinnati, OH  513-241-3111 dromp@cshco.com

Missouri Valley Region (Nebraska, Missouri, etc.)
Megan Pleak, Dana F. Cole & Co., LLP, Lincoln NE 402-479-9300 pleak@danacole.com

Northwest Region (Washington, Oregon, etc.)
Mike Vanderslice, Clothier & Head P.S., Seattle, WA 206-622-1326 mvanderslice@c-h.com;
Krista Heys, Clothier & Head P.S., Seattle kheys@c-h.com

All US firms must choose an individual who will be the regional task force representative’s “go-to” person in each firm when college chapters request support.  Please submit that person’s name to the Denver office/your regional task force representative.

 

 

Sharegroup/CTL Meeting/Teleconference Schedule

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Despite the time of year, AGN-NA sharegroups are still eager to share information.  The most active groups are taking one last opportunity in January and February to collaborate before busiest season curtails all outside activities.

Make plans now to dial-in and join your AGN colleagues in a free discussion of timely issues.  For more information on the topics and registration, visit www.agn-na.org and click on Programs & Events – Events Calendar.  Sharegroup members will also be alerted via e-mail. In most cases, participants receive one hour of CPE after completing an on-line evaluation.

JANUARY
8
Not-for-Profit Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 1 pm ET / 12 noon CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT

Audit & Accounting Sharegroup Teleconference
Time:  3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 13 Noon PT

9
Tax Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT

10
Business Valuations-Litigation Support Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT

17
State & Local Tax Sharegroup Teleconference
Time:  2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / 12 noon MT / 11 am PT

29
Human Resources/Firm Administration Sharegroup Teleconference
Time:  3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 12 noon MT / 11 am PT

FEBRUARY
6
Marketing Sharegroup Teleconference
Time:  2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / 12 noon MT / 11 am PT

MARCH
12
Information Technology Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 12 noon ET / 11 am CT / 10 am MT / 9 am PT

 

 

AICPA Professional Ethics Division proposes new Association definition
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Following the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Ethics committee’s adoption in 2007 of a new definition of what constitutes an association and what constitutes a network, the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) is proposing some clarifications—as well.

Proposed Interpretation 101-17,—“Networks and Network Firms”—provides an interpretation of Rule 101, “Independence” for firms and entities cooperating in an association for the purpose of enhancing capabilities and sharing certain characteristics.

Specifically, such entities would be deemed part of a network of firms and therefore must be independent of certain attest clients of the other network firms.

For purposes of applying the interpretation, shared characteristics would be:

  • Use of a common name or brand;
  • Common control among the firms;
  • Certain profits and costs, excluding costs of operating the association; costs of developing audit methodologies, manuals and training courses; and other costs immaterial to the firm;
  • Common business strategies  that involve ongoing collaboration among the firms whereby the firms are responsible for implementing the association’s strategy and are held accountable for performance pursuant to that strategy
  • Significant part of professional resources or,
  • Common quality control policies and procedures designed and monitored by the association and that the firms are required to implement

If only a subset of firms within a network share one or more of the above characteristics, the subset and not the entire association would be considered a network. As proposed, the interpretation would be effective for engagements covering periods beginning on or after December 15, 2009.

The exposure draft period closed November 13, 2007.

The Boards of Directors of AGN-NA and AGN International, together with legal counsel, have carefully studied the definitions presented by both IFAC and AICPA PEEC, and conclude that AGN-NA and AGN International clearly have always been and are now associations and will continue to act in all ways to maintain association status. 

 

 
New Member
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Thomas, Judy & Tucker, PA, one of Raleigh, North Carolina’s top local CPA firms, has been admitted to membership in AGN International, Ltd., one of the world’s foremost associations of independent CPA, accounting and consulting firms.

The 17-year-old firm becomes AGN’s 54th North American member firm and the second admitted in 2007.

Thomas, Judy & Tucker, PA (www.tjtpa.com) has five partners and a total staff of 60. The firm specializes in serving retail/restaurants, real estate, construction, not-for-profit and professional clients.  Chris Judy is the managing partner and joins the AGN-NA Board of Directors.  Tax manager, Caroline Abbott, has volunteered to serve as a tax sharegroup core team leader.

 

 
Member News

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Adams, Masin & Tilley LLP, Toronto, Ontario, and Allen & Miles LLP, two offices in Toronto and Brampton, Ontario, and both AGN members, will merge in 2008 as Adams & Miles LLP with nine partners, 50 staff and new locations in Toronto and Brampton, Ontario.  This has been in the works for over a year and the firms are convinced it is the best of mergers; both firms have roots in the 1930’s, traditions of long serving partners and senior staff, enjoyed a 30 year association in joint education programs, complimentary practice areas, and share the same high quality and client service objectives.

Bessner Gallay Kreisman LLP, with two offices in Montreal and Ottawa, is pleased to announce the admission of two new partners; Lynn H. Efros, CA, and Gwenn H. Garonce, CA. Lynn specializes in serving charitable and health care organizations and possessing expertise in auditing and financial reporting.  Gwenn has extensive experience in auditing and financial reporting, business planning and consulting. 

Nearly 100 former clients, community and business leaders, friends, family members and co-workers attended an open house on September 28th held in honor of David H. Windley, co-founder of Blue & Co., LLC, with seven offices in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.  Dave was presented with several awards during the open house following his retirement from the firm he helped to build during the past 36 years. 

Seymour, IN mayor Jim Bullard proclaimed September 28th “Dave and Ann Windley Day” in recognition of the couple’s leadership and personal service to that community.  Dave also received the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary International, and the Sagamore of the Wabash designation, a high honor granted by Governor Mitch Daniel’s office on behalf of the State of Indiana.  Ann Windley received the state’s Distinguished Hoosier Award.

George J. Panzeca, Jr., CPA of Bourgeois Bennett, L.L.C., with two offices in Louisiana, has been appointed to the American Institute of CPAs’ Forensic and Litigation Services Committee.

Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co., with five offices in Ohio, is pleased to announce that Mark H. Gaudet, CPA, CFP has joined the firm’s Cincinnati office as Tax Principal.  He specializes in closely-held businesses and individual taxation.

Daszkal Bolton LLP, with three offices in South Florida, has been named a “2007 Working Mother Best 100 Company” by Working Mother magazine.  Suzanne Riss, editor-in-chief of the magazine commends the firm for “conceiving and effectively implementing programs and benefits that offer an inspiring paradigm for the rest of corporate America: it is possible to be both family-friendly and financially successful.”

The firm has also been selected for a 2007 Practical Accountant Innovation Award in the “Empowering Staff” category for their work/life balance practices.  The Innovation Awards annually recognize accounting firms that take the lead in developing new or improved services and in promoting efficiency in the practice of public accounting.

Edelstein & Company, LLP, Boston, MA, is pleased to announce that William D. Mahoney, CPA was recently named Managing Partner.  Promoted to Principal in the firm are Marc D. Bello, CPA, ABV, CVA, MST; Barbara T. Damon, CPA, MST; Jonathan P. Gorski, CPA, MBA; William F. Healey, CPA, CVA; Denis C. Higgins, CPA, FS, CFA, CFP®; Kerry A. Johnson, CPA; and Alfonso A. Perillo, CPA, CFE, MSW.

James Moore & Co., P.L., with three offices in Florida, is pleased to announce that James A. Halleran, CPA and Ronald N. Mason, Jr., CPA have been admitted to the partnership.  Also, Jay Hutto, Partner, and Erin Spiwak, Tax Manager, have earned their respective designations of Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) with the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA).

Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co. LLP, Eugene, OR, announces that Steven E. Ritchie, CPA, CFE has been named partner.

Koch Reiss & Company, P.A., with two offices in Florida, announces that partner Jack Rosenberg, CPA, was recently selected as chairman of the gift acceptance committee for the Jewish Federation of Broward County, FL. 

Meaden & Moore, LLP, with 13 offices in Ohio, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Florida and California, reports that the Akron office has moved: 1 GOJO Plaza, Suite 275, Akron, OH 44311.  Phone and fax numbers remain the same: (330) 535-5149 and (330) 379-3494. 

Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., with eight offices in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Colorado, and Cayman Islands, announces that the following individuals have been promoted to principal:  Joseph A. Pacello, CPA, JD, Roseland, NJ office; Mark T. Ruzicka, Roseland, NJ office; and Stefano Vranca, CFE, Beverly Hill, CA office.  In addition, the firm’s Dallas office has moved to 2525 McKinnon Street, Suite 600, Dallas, TX  75201.  Phone 214-665-6000; fax 214-965-0710.

Rosalie Mandel, Principal, has been appointed chairperson of the company-wide initiative to support organizational growth, hiring and retention efforts.  To this end, the firm launched LIFE, a women’s initiative created to lead, inspire, and empower women personally and professionally both inside and outside of the Rothstein Kass workplace.  LIFE, which stands for Leadership, Inspiration, Family and Empowerment, is intended to enable individuals to reach their full potential and support organizational growth.

LIFE initiative objectives include attracting and maintaining top female professionals, developing an environment where the best women in the profession choose to work, providing opportunities to expand the network of resources available to women, increasing the number of women in all levels of the firm, and providing women with role models who are successful both in their professional and personal spheres.  Rosalie co-founded LIFE, and with the steering committee, is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the program.

Saltzman Hamma Nelson Massaro LLP, Denver, CO, proudly announces the addition of Frank Seffinger as partner in May 2007.  Frank has 40 years of diversified experience as a tax advisor and previously practiced on his own as a tax consultant and as a founding partner and managing partner of a large local CPA firm.

Schenck Business Solutions, with nine offices throughout Wisconsin, announces that it has acquired the Green Bay practice of Clifton Gunderson LLP, a national CPA and consulting firm, effective October 1, 2007.  Clients will be served from Schenck’s Green Bay office.  Two former Clifton Gunderson employees are now with Schenck: Ken Pietrzyk has joined as a Manager and Kelly Heimerman has joined as a Senior Accountant.

Kim Houlton has recently joined the firm as Director of Human Resources.  She has extensive experience in the management of human capital and human resources strategies in multiple industries.  Also, the firm has been honored with the “Practice Innovation Award” from Practical Accountant Magazine and the “Next Generation Best Place to Work” award from the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce Current Young Professionals Network.

\Several shareholders have contributed to various publications recently.  Dennis Langenberg was featured in the Green Bay Chamber’s Bay Business Journal as one of “Twenty-Five People You Should Know” in the Green Bay business community.  Steve Predayna was featured in Fortune Small Business magazine in the article “Fixing a Family Business.”  Karin Gale was quoted in an article in Corporate Report Wisconsin’s November issue entitled “Power in Numbers” about the CPA industry and the role of CPAs.

Sisterson & Co. LLP, Pittsburgh, PA, was once again named one of the “Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania” by the Pittsburgh Business Times.  Companies/firms were selected based on the results of an employee survey that measures team effectiveness, alignment with goals, co-worker relationships, individual contribution, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, work engagement and people practices.

Congratulations to Sproles Woodard LLP, with three offices in Texas and New Mexico, as it enters into its 75th year of operations in 2008. Continuing and building upon its initial service in 1933 to clients holding oil and gas interests, the firm grews as a result of its expertise in the energy industry in West Texas, New Mexico, the Rocky Mountain states, and in other parts of the country. Today, clients include high net worth individuals and their companies, many of which have interests in the energy business while holding and operating diversified interests in other industry areas. Sproles Woodard looks eagerly forward to the future knowing that the 100th anniversary is just around the corner and that the firm’s dedication and commitment to client service and the ongoing development of its staff will ensure the firm’s future.

Stegman & Company, Baltimore, MD, proudly announces that Liz Gantnier was named to the PCAOB Standing Advisory Group.

Windham Brannon, P.C., CPAs, Atlanta, GA, was named one of the “50 Best Places to Work in Atlanta” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.  Employees answered survey questions covering key areas of team effectiveness, retention risk, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers, individual contribution, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, satisfaction with current role, and people practices.

Public Accounting Report’s 2007 Top 100 Firms includes the following AGN-NA members:

Rothstein, Kass & Co. (25th)

Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co. (59th)

Blue & Co. (91st)

The rankings are based on revenue growth percentiles.

Inside Public Accounting’s All-Stars roster includes these AGN-NA members:

Rothstein, Kass & Co. (rated 10th in growth, 5th in leverage, and 10th in highest percentage of revenue from A&A)

Blue & Co. (rated 8th in highest percent of revenue from non-attest services; also named in the long range planning category, which was not ranked)


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