September 2007
North American Region
Letter from the Chair

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Wow!

The North American Region’s annual May meeting in Denver, Colorado was what we call in the states, a “grand slam homerun”.

We had over 200 participants attending management of accounting practice (MAP) meetings and four sharegroup (audit and accounting, not-for-profit clients, business valuations and human resources) meetings.

The MAP meeting kicked off with a presentation by Chuck Wachendorfer speaking to us about Enhancing Business Performance and Leadership Success.

This was followed by a stimulating presentation by Ron Baker discussing Measuring What Matters. He provided all of us with provocative topics like “do we really need time sheets?” His presentation focused on certain key predictive indicators that can enhance your firm’s success, and also why clients leave accounting firms and why they stay.

During the next session, our treasurer, Charlie McGimsey, reviewed the financial statistics of each firm. We then broke out into groups determined by size of firm to discuss best practices and issues.

In the afternoon, we kicked off what is now known as “The Beckman Initiative” – an opportunity for members to become more familiar with each firm’s “stories”. Presenters were told to develop their stories as if they were having a meeting with a prospective merger partner firm, or prospective high level addition to the staff, where all is revealed.

First, Rita Hood gave a presentation on the history of AGN. She told the story of how AGN-NA became what we are today. We followed that with presentations from three members: Michael Daszkal from Daskal Bolton LLP, Steve Kass from Rothstein Kass and Company, PC and Monte Kane from Kane & Company, PA.

Mike, Steve and Monte each shared their firms’ cultures, successes and failures. Tim Bartz, of Anderson Zurmuehlen and the instructor for our Advanced Partner Training program, moderated the presentation and generated a lot of questions and discussion. This new story-telling initiative was well received and was approved to be a part of all future MAP meetings, with different Board members telling their firm’s stories each time.

Have you built something that will outlast you? — Jim Collins

The final day of our meeting was with Jim Collins, author of “Good to Great”.

I believe that everyone who was present for this session walked away feeling we just heard a message that will be important to us for the future of how we practice within our firms.

A couple of the gems that I got from Jim:

1 “The truly great companies know how to say no to the wrong opportunities”
2 “Have you built something that will outlast you?”, and
3 “If you had $20,000,000 and 10 years to live, what would you stop doing?”

Bringing in this outstanding speaker was an investment that the executive committee felt would add value to all firms. After his presentation, we all walked away with pride that we were part of this program.

I look forward to seeing you all in Amsterdam.

Sandy Beckman
Chair, North American Region
Weinstein Spira & Company, P.C.
Houston, Texas, USA
sgb@weinsteinspira.com

 

2007 North American Regional Meeting in Denver
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2007 Future Leaders training attracts 19

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Denver’s Inverness Hotel and Conference Center will be the location for the
2007 Future Leaders’ Training program on September 6, 7 & 8.

Nineteen participants, including a member from the UK firm, Shipleys, will be attending this highly-acclaimed course, and all are spending the summer reading the advance preparation books: “Good to Great”, “Managing the Professional Services Firm”, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, and “Soar With Your Strengths”.

The training begins at 1 p.m. on the 6th, and ends after dinner on the 8th.  In between, participants will have an opportunity to interact with each other and the instructors: Charlie McGimsey and Bryan Polster.  Also joining the instructor team this year is Mike Vanderslice of Clothier & Head.

 

 
Meet one of North America’s Designated Resources

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AGN-NA has identified members within the association who are resources for more specialized assistance within certain practice specialties or industries. These individuals are referred to as “designated resources”. A designated resource is someone who focuses almost entirely in that specialty and a designated resource may charge other members for services at standard rates.

An initial call to a designated resource is free, however, requests for assistance or additional consultation time will be billed at standard rates. You can find all of AGN-NA Designated Resources at www.agn-na.org > Information & Resources > Designated Resources. Please use them to help boost your firm’s expertise and client services capability!!!

In the last issue of the worldwidelink, we featured Bill Edwards, Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co. (Employee Benefits Administration). In this issue, we introduce:
Construction

Larry J. Steinberg
Senior Manager, Construction Industry Services
Blue & Co., LLC
12800 N. Meridian Street
Suite 400
Carmel, IN 46032-9443
phone: 317-848-8920
fax: 317-573-2458

Related Information:
• Employed with firm since 1996
• BSBA Accounting and AB Philosophy Degrees from University of Missouri - Columbia (cum laude)
• 10+ years experience in this area
• 80% of time devoted to clients in this area
• 20% of time devoted to providing non-traditional services to clients

 

 

Past North American Chair celebrates a "turning"

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AGN-NA member firms join Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co. in wishing Neil J. O’Connor all the best in the next phase of his life – retirement!!

The firm hailed Neil’s four decades of service and dedication at a reception on June 27, 2007 at the Queen City Club in downtown Cincinnati.  Around 250 clients, staff, family and friends attended to express their gratitude and wish Neil and wife, Ginny, well.

During Neil’s leadership tenure, the firm has grown from one of the smallest CPA firms in southwestern Ohio to one of the largest in the state and to one of the 100 largest firms in the United States. He was Cincinnati Partner-in-Charge for 24 years before becoming President and Chairman. He served on the firm’s executive committee for 32 years – setting direction, and monitoring the practice committees.

Neil will continue to work in the office three days a week but will have more time to focus on golf, his grandkids, yard and housework and traveling.

Neil served on AGN-NA’s Board of Directors from 2000 to 2006 and on the Executive Committee from 2001 to 2006.  He was Chairman of the Board in 2004-2005.  AGN-NA has made a contribution to the Neil J. O’Connor Scholarship Fund at Xavier University in Neil’s honor.

 

List Archives are available for your research
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Ever wonder if all those e-mails going back and forth among AGN members on all sorts of topics are stored somewhere and available for future research/reference?

Well, wonder no more!!!

AGN-NA has been archiving all the listserve e-mails for at least eight years.  So, before you post a request to your favorite list, check the archives to see if there has been any previous “discussion” on that (or any other) topic, you can access the archives for our listserves via www.agn-na.org.

Here’s how:

  1. Mouse over Information & Resources, then over Sharegroups, and click on Email Lists Archives
  2. You will be prompted to login if you aren’t already. (Don’t know your login credentials? You can reset your password to something easier to remember, right online! At the Member Login page, bypass the login name field, click on Reset My Password and follow the instructions on your screen.)
  3. Click on the link

Tips for searching the archives:
·     User name and password = your office email address
·     Click on the Search tab at the top of the screen and follow the instructions on your screen

Please contact Patsy Bowen at  if you experience any problems with these instructions or the archives.

 

 
In Memoriam
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Donald F. Bellantoni, age 50 of Davie, FL died at his home on May 3, 2007. Don was Managing Partner at Koch Reiss and Company in Hollywood, FL and had been a member of AGN-NA Board of Directors for the past 3 years. He graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.  He joined the firm in 1981, became a CPA in 1985 and became a shareholder in 1991. Don’s  areas of practice included audit and review services and public pension work. He headed the Public Employee Retirement Plan Audit Division and was a regular attendee and instructor at the pension conferences and trustee schools sponsored by the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association.

Our condolences to all of Don’s colleagues at the firm and to his wife, Ann, children (Caitlin, 13, Logan, 10, and Regan, 6), and extended family.

 

 

Sharegroup/CTL Meeting/Teleconference Schedule

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Lots going on in AGN-NA sharegroups in the next few months!! Remember – All members are welcome to participate in sharegroup teleconferences, which are CPE-approved, in most cases, and free!  For details, go to www.agn-na.org >Programs & Events> Calendar

SEPTEMBER
6
Canadian Practice Management Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 11:30 am ET / 10:30 am CT / 9:30 am MT / 8:30 am PT

Marketing Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 1 pm ET / 12 noon CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT

12
North American Advanced Partner Training All Study Groups Teleconference
Time: 1 pm ET / 12 noon CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT

20
BV CTL Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 pm PT

26
IT Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 12 pm ET / 11 am CT / 10 am MT / 9 am PT

OCTOBER
1
SEC Clients Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT / 2 pm MT / 1 pm PT

11
BV Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 pm PT

16
HR/FA CTLs Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 pm PT

30
Marketing CTLs Teleconference
Time: 2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / 12 pm MT / 11 am PT

NOVEMBER
6
HR/FA Sharegroup Teleconference
Topic: Firm Administrator Issues
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 pm PT

7
IT CTLs Teleconference
Time: 11 am ET / 10 am CT / 9 am MT / 8 am PT

13
NFP CTLs Teleconference
Time: 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT

14
Marketing Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / 12 pm MT / 11 am PT

27
Not-For-Profit Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT

DECEMBER
5
IT Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 12 pm ET / 11 am CT / 10 am MT / 9 am PT

6
Canadian Practice Management Sharegroup Teleconference
Time: 11:30 am ET / 10:30 am CT / 9:30 am MT / 8:30 am PT

18
HR/FA CTLs Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12:00 pm PT

Not-For-Profit CTLs Teleconference
Time: 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT / 11:00 am MT / 10:00 am PT

20
BV CTLs Teleconference
Time: 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12:00 pm PT

 
Member News

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Ted Stacey, Director of Tax Services of Bourgeois Bennett, L.L.C., with two offices in Louisiana, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Society of CPAs.

Ed Bouterie, Director in Charge of the Houma office, received the Hartwell Lewis Award from the United Way.  The award is presented annually to a volunteer who has shown exceptional service to the community. 

On June 7, 2007, Clothier & Head, P.S., Seattle, WA, received the Marketing Achievement Award (MAA) for Best Corporate Identity from the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM).  The award was presented at AAM’s 18th Annual Conference in Savannah, GA.

For the second year running, the firm has been recognized by Seattle Business Monthly as one of the Best Places to Work in Seattle.  The firm was evaluated on everything from benefits and health coverage to tuition reimbursements, performance reviews and management practices.

Daszkal Bolton LLP, with two offices in Florida, proudly announces that Michele P. Ferrara and Robert H. Sacks have been promoted to Principal.  Michele is a Principal in the firm’s Wealth & Retirement Planning Department and has practiced for over 15 years in the areas of individual, business and exempt organization tax planning, retirement strategies and compliance services.  Rob is in the Tax Services Department, has over 25 years of experience in public accounting, and monitors tax law changes and helps oversee the firm’s tax practice.

The firm also proudly announces that Rebecca Fieler, Corporate Communications Director, is the first candidate to qualify as a Certified BizActions Consultant. This makes Rebecca a resource for all other AGN firms who are contemplating or implementing BizActions.  Certified BizActions Consultants have developed and honed their skills within the BizActions Business Development System.

Certification credentials provide a competitive advantage in highly competitive technology markets and applies to both the certificate holder and the hiring organization. In an environment of employee turnover, buyouts, mergers, reduction of services or downsizing, certification can make the difference in obtaining or retaining employment.

Marc Bello, Director, Edelstein & Company, LLP, Boston, MA, has been selected by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts to instruct their 2007 course on“Current Updates & Applications in Valuations.”

On June 1, a crew of 23 employees and partners spent an afternoon helping in the food salvage processing area at the Greater Boston Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country.  In one 2-hour afternoon shift, the group sorted an average of 268 pounds of food each – for a total of 6,164 pounds.  That’s enough to make 4,738 meals possible… big numbers even for accountants!

Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co. LLP, Eugene, OR, announces that Robert J. Devereaux has joined the firm as a cost segregation manager.

Koch Reiss & Company, P.A.. with two offices in Florida, is pleased to announce that Jack N. Rosenberg, TaxPartner, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Broward County Jewish Community Foundation.  He also serves as the chairman of the PAC (Professional Advisory Committee) for the Foundation. 

Meaden & Moore, Ltd., with thirteen offices in Ohio, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Florida and California, is pleased to announce that Peter A. DeMarco, Vice President Owner, has been appointed Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.  Pete joined the center’s board in 2006 and has been an active advocate for the agency. 

Petrie Raymond, Montreal, Quebec, is proud to announce that on July 1, 2007, Mrs. Guylaine Lemay, CA was nominated partner.  Mrs. Lemay joined the firm in 1994, has developed a niche in the movie production and distribution business and in the non-profit organizations where she has a great deal of experience in the audit of religious congregations.

The firm underwent with success its first audit from the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) and is also a registered firm of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)”.

Robert R. Redwitz & Co., with three offices in California, is celebrating a special occasion; The GDR Group, the firm’s technology subsidiary company, is now ten years old.  Starting with only three principals in 1997, it has grown to over 85 talented technicians and staff members.  Congratulations!

Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., with eight offices in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Colorado, and Cayman Islands, has been named The Best Places to Work in New Jersey, presented by The Best Companies Group and sponsored by NJBiz.  The firm ranked 10th out of a list of 50 large companies.

Effective July 1, the firm is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been promoted to principal:  Carl Scheuten, Roseland, NJ office; Gus Kalliaras, Roseland, NJ office; Seth Blackman, San Francisco, CA office; and Andrew Botwin, Roseland, NJ office.  In addition, Ray Obssuth has been named a member of the Executive Committee.

Sisterson & Co., LLP, Pittsburgh, PA, was awarded a Community Service Award at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) International Annual Meeting on June 13.  

Consulting partners John Kaye and Bob Overbaugh were invited to present at Duquesne University’s Ethics in Practice Conference.  They conducted a session titled “The Fraud Triangle and Corporate Investigations.”

Weinstein Spira & Company, P.C., Houston, TX, is pleased to announce that Lisa Chandler has been admitted as a Shareholder.  She has extensive experience with both domestic and foreign companies regarding tax and business strategies, tax planning, and related tax compliance requirements.  She received her BBA and JD from the University of Texas at Austin.

Bill Comiskey has retired as Senior Audit Shareholder.  He has had over 40 years experience in public accounting, involving numerous industries and assignments.  Bill will continue employment with the firm as Shareholder Emeritus.

To commemorate 50 years in the accounting industry, Windham Brannon, P.C., CPAs, Atlanta, GA, has established the Windham Brannon Foundation.  The purpose of this foundation is to make contributions to nonprofit organizations advancing accounting and finance professions through secondary and postsecondary educational programs. As its first charitable act, a $100,000 donation will be made to the Educational Foundation of the Georgia Society of CPAs to fund accounting scholarship programs at five accredited Georgia colleges and universities.  Additionally, the Georgia Society will match the firm’s gift to create an endowment that will ensure scholarships are awarded for many years to come.


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