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Dear Friends & Colleagues,

The Executive Committee of the North American Region met in January of 2008 to discuss a variety of topics. 

In reviewing our staff training programs through AGN University, we have made two significant changes.  First, we have expanded the basic audit staff training to four days.  Based on the information covered in this program it was decided that four days was needed to cover everything adequately.

Secondly, 2008 Level 4 (Experienced Audit in Charge Training) and Level 5 (Supervisor/Manager Skills Training) will be held in the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. .  In addition, more emphasis will be placed on organized activities to help the participants bond during the training process.

The Board of Directors realizes that participation equals value in our Association.  As a result the Executive Committee is looking for ways of increasing member’s participation in all aspects.  We are actively researching video conferencing and web casting as a mechanism in which all member firms can increase their participation with the resources of AGN. 

In addition, we’ve been putting the finishing touches on the May, 2008 North American Regional Meeting, which will be held in Seattle, Washington.  It will take place May 18-20 with Advanced Partner Training occurring on May 21st and 22nd.

Opening the conference will be Cam Marston who will be speaking on “Four Generations in the Workplace”.  For the first time in history four distinct generations:  Matures, Boomers, X-ers, and Millenials are employed side by side in the workplace. Cam will explain to us what makes each group tick and how to motivate them.  This session will be open to all participants.

For the first time, we will be expanding our Advanced Partner Training program to include senior managers and managers. In addition, meetings have been scheduled for Accounting and Auditing/Not-for-profit, Business Valuations/Litigation Support, Human Resources/Firm Administration, Information Technology, Marketing, Tax as well as the Board of Directors.

We think that the program that has been developed is very exciting and we look forward to seeing you there.

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

Peer Review Administration Program terminated

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Effective immediately, the AGN-NA headquarters can no longer assist members in finding team members for the firm’s peer review. This decision is a result of the AGN International Ltd Board’s recommendation, and subsequently, the AGN-NA Executive Committee’s acceptance that the administration program might compromise the “Association” status.

To help ease in the transition, members have been e-mailed a worksheet listing all of the AGN-NA member firms, and the individuals in those firms who are peer reviewers.  This list includes all industries each reviewer has selected on their AICPA Peer Reviewer Resume and the Programs and Centers to which each of the firms belong.  This information may also be found at www.agn-na.org.

The AICPA also has a valuable tool to help you find the firms/individuals best suited for your peer review. To access the AICPA Online Reviewer Directory:
http://peerreview.aicpaservices.org/resume/default.asp

TEAM CAPTAINS: Please destroy any AGN-NA letterhead in your office that you would use for the peer review report. (This letterhead is the first page that has our logo at the top and our address at the bottom.) Please return the second sheets (with our logo at the top and nothing printed at the bottom) to Patsy Bowen at AGN-NA headquarters.  Patsy is also available to consult with firms who have traditionally used the AGN-NA Peer Review Administration program (pbowen@agn.org).

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New partner-vendor provides on-line training videos

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The AGN-NA Executive Committee approved underwriting the costs of licensing a streaming video employee training service called LEARNING ON CALL. The service includes a growing library of over 200 top quality education and training videos in over 30 HR, management and employee training categories.

After a simple one-time only on-line registration, the service is available to all your employees 24/7/365 for free viewing on their desktops or laptops, or in in-house training programs.

The service is being provided by Learning Communications, LLC, an experienced training resource affiliate of our member firm in Irvine, California: Robert R. Redwitz & Co.  It also aligns with AGN-NA’s current strategic plan, which emphasizes expanding the learning resources of the organization (AGN-NA University) and attracting, developing and retaining the highest quality staff (HR goals).

In order to handle the registration of your employees and to handle any IT issues or suggestions, your firm needs to designate a coordinator in your organization with whom we and Learning Communications may communicate.

The training videos may be accessed at an AGN-branded website for Learning on Call: www.learningoncall.com. Please check it out.

2008 Future Leaders’ training program freshened up

Participants in the 2008 version AGN-NA Future Leaders’ program will be the first class to experience a significantly revised agenda – the first time in the program’s 12-year history.

This year’s class of 20 rising firm stars will get the benefit of a program featuring more emphasis on leadership in accounting firms, rather than of accounting firm when the class comes together June 5-7 at the Inverness Conference Center and Resort in Englewood, CO.

Also changing this year is the list of pre-class reading.  Participants will be reading “Leading the Professionals” by Geoff Smith, Good to Great, by Jim Collins and 2 articles: What Leaders Really Do, and “Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?".

Most of the changes to the program are as a result of adding Mike Vanderslice (Clothier & Head) to the instructor roster.  Mike will join Charlie McGimsey, 3-yr instructor, as they lead participants in understanding and applying basic leadership skills, understanding leadership issues and their solutions in accounting firms and to help AGN-NA firms’ future leaders participate more fully in and effectively in leading their firms.

There are still a few slots available if a firm would like to register a participant, however, advance prep time is limited, so don’t delay!  Contact Rita Hood for more information rhood@agn.org.

Look What’s New!

NETWORKING
• Ice Breaker sessions and dinner Sunday at 6:30 pm. Attendance Required
• Monday night social and dinner at a nearby restaurant/pub

LOCATION
• Audit 4, Tax 4 and Level 5 will be held on scenic Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs

Audit Level 1
Will be a four (4) day course!
• A second session is being considered for January 2009

How much?
(See 2007 summary table; costs in 2008 will increase slightly due to adding the organized networking events.)
Costs are pooled and divided up equally by the number of participants. The costs for the 3-day courses include travel, instructor’s fees, lodging, and manual/book fees. Participating firms will be billed for the training after the course has taken place.

Registration & Questions?
Contact Irene Hayden
AGN Staff Training Coordinator, Ihayden@agn.org or 800 782-2272

Another record attendance predicted for North American Regional Meeting/APT, Seattle, May 18-23

With the North American regional meeting only a few weeks away, it is safe to say that attendance will once again break records!

As of this publication, 204 NA members had registered to attend the meeting, which features separate educational tracks for Practice Management, Accounting & Auditing, Tax, Human Resource/Firm Administration, Information Technology, Business Valuations/ Litigation Support, Marketing, Not-for-Profit and State & Local Tax.

Companions, special guests and speakers bring the projected total to over 300, compared with 256 in 2007.
Members are especially looking forward to the opening general session presentation. Cam Marston, a leading expert on Four Generations in the Workplace, will lead off the two full days of  session.

Goldstein, Karlewicz & Goldstein, LLP
Goldstein, Karlewicz & Goldstein, LLP, with  offices in Chestnut Ridge and Newburgh, NY, has been admitted to membership in AGN International Ltd, one of the world’s foremost associations of independent CPA, accounting and consulting firms.

The 14-year-old firm, (www.gkgcpa.com), has five partners and a total staff of 30. The firm specializes in serving transportation (school buses), manufacturing and wholesale/distribution industry clients.  Donald R. Karlewicz became managing partner in 2006 and is the contact partner.

(Ed note: -- The firm joined in July, 2007. The announcement of membership was unintentionally omitted.  Our apologies to the partners of GKG).

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