WashingtonCPA 2017 Winter by Washington Society of CPAs

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CPA Winter 2017

Volume 60, Number 3

ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE

Innovation in audit takes the analytics, AI route Audit analytics, cognitive technologies to set accountants free from grunt work

Managing the Fears of Practice Transition Recruiting Top Talent: Why Firms are Getting Serious about their Employer Brands Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s More Important: Technical Ability or Soft Skills?

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WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

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wa s h i n g t o n

CPA www.wscpa.org • memberservices@wscpa.org Tel (425) 644-4800 • Toll free in WA (800) 272-8273 Fax (425) 562-8853 902 140th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98005-3480 BOARD OF DIRECTORS David J. Miniken Chair Thomas G. Donaghy Vice Chair Kirsten S. Duke Treasurer Joseph P. Smith Secretary William A. Simer Immediate Past Chair Richard E. Jones President & CEO

Dawn E. Beck Amanda V. O’Rourke Justin A. Bourn Rhonda S. Powell Robert W. Heller Michael W. Reeves Erika C. Hosea Abby M. Sanders Brett J. Jordan Ronald L. Tilden Mary E. Joyce David E. Trujillo Kristine L. Lambright CHAPTER BOARD CHAIRS Erika Hosea Bellevue Area Lydia Ahn Bellingham Area Dana Lashbaugh Everett Area Benjamin Anderson Olympia Area Joe O’Meara Seattle Area Fred Peck Spokane Area Dani Espinda Tacoma Area Alexander King Tri-Cities Area Molly Andler Tri-Cities Area David Stubing Vancouver Area Alexandria Williams Yakima Area Melissa Wood Yakima Area Jeanette Kebede

Editor

The WashingtonCPA is published by the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants for its members. Views and opinions appearing in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the WSCPA. The products and services advertised in The Washington CPA have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, its board of directors or staff. The WashingtonCPA (USPS 009754) is published four times annually by the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, 902 140th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98005-3480. $12 of members’ annual dues goes toward a subscription to The WashingtonCPA. Periodicals postage paid at Bellevue, Washington and additional mailing offices.

CONTENTS 4

CPAs—The Most Trusted Business Advisors

Why the CPA Exam is Changing

Innovation in Audit Takes the Analytics, AI Route

19 Recruiting Top Talent: Why Firms are Getting Serious about their Employer Brands

21 What’s More Important:

Technical Ability or Soft Skills?

25 Managing the Fears of Practice Transition

Cover photo: © Getty Images / Hero Images POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The WashingtonCPA, c/o WSCPA, 902 140th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98005-3480.

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DEPARTMENTS 4

Leadership Lens

Conferences

News Briefs

Registration

Advocacy

Classified Ads

Chapters & Committees

Profile

CPE Digest

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

LEADERSHIP LENS

CPAs—The Most Trusted Business Advisors By Rich Jones, CPA, CGMA, President & CEO

very three years for the past 25 years the AICPA has engaged an outside research firm to measure the perception of CPAs by business decision makers (BDMs) and then compare this result to the perception of these BDMs of other professionals, particularly finance professionals. The following graph shows the results of this research conducted in 2015.

attorneys, their positive perceptions are about half as much as CPAs (28% vs. 58%) and their negative perceptions are more than nine times as high as CPAs (19% vs. 2%). These results are impressive and caused me to pause and try to understand why CPAs would be so highly perceived by BDMs as compared to other financial professionals. Not only do CPAs have the highest percentage of positive

recent presentation I gave to Dr. Rajib Doogar’s Masters in Accounting class at UW-Bothell entitled The Future of the CPA Profession, we discussed this graph and why the results are so promising for CPAs. The answer to the question can be summarized in one word—trust. Of all financial professionals, most do not have a mandatory Code of Professional Conduct that is incorporated into the

Overall Evaluation of Professionals Among Business Decision Makers

% Negative perception

% Positive perception

Physicians 2% 62% Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) 2% 58% Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) 6% 46% Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) 8% 44% Tax advisers 5% 42% Financial planners 9% 33% Accountants who are not CPAs 9% 31% Auditors 11% 31% Attorneys 19% 28% Management consultants 14% 26% Insurance agents 15% 24% Commercial bankers 14% 24% Investment bankers 17% 23% Mortgage brokers 16% 19% Stock brokers 19% 17% Hedge fund managers 32% 14%

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100 80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100

CPAs: First among finance professionals. Strong, stable standing.

Source: Applied Research & Consulting LLC 2015

As you can see, physicians continue to be the most trusted professionals of all professions. This has been true for many years. Also true for many years is that CPAs continue to hold the overall #1 position among finance professionals. The data shows that 58% of BDMs have a positive perception of CPAs and only 2% of them have a negative perception of CPAs. For example, when compared to

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

perceptions among financial professionals at 58% (nearest financial professionals are at 46%), but the negative perception of CPAs is only 2% (the same as physicians), and only one-third of that of the nearest profession which is at 6% and 6.25% of the result for hedge fund managers (32% negative perception). There must be an explanation for these results, and I believe there is. In a

requirements of their licensure (if they are licensed). CPAs, whether in public practice or private industry, must conform to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (the Code). Most states have adopted the Code, perhaps with minor differences, as a condition of state licensure. As you know, the Code provides guidance and rules to all members in

continued on page 23 www.wscpa.org

When I grow up I want to work at Hutchinson & Walter Not everyone grows up to be a CPA. But if you made it that far, now what? Let Hutchinson & Walter CPAs take you the rest of the way.

Hutchinson & Walter CPAs rick@hutchcpa.com | www.hutchcpa.com New location (as of January 1, 2017): 1407 116th Avenue NE, Suite 222 | Bellevue, WA 98004

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WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

LEADERSHIP LENS

Why the CPA Exam is Changing By David Miniken, CPA, CGMA, WSCPA Chair for 2016-17

The next version of the Uniform CPA Exam will debut in April 2017. The AICPA’s Examinations Team periodically performs a practice analysis—a study of the profession to update its understanding of the job responsibilities of new CPAs. The findings of this practice analysis are then used to identify the knowledge and skills required by new CPAs, and influence the CPA exam blueprint. As a result, the CPA exam is updated approximately every seven years to ensure that what it is measuring is in alignment with the knowledge and skills required of new CPAs. The exam will continue to test the same four sections—Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). And you will still need a score of 75 to pass a section. Total testing time will increase from 14 to 16 hours, with the BEC and REG sections each being expanded by one hour. However, the next version of the exam will place less emphasis on remembering and understanding skills, will increase its focus on higher-level analysis and evaluation, and will increase the number of task-based simulations. Each time a significant change in the

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

ven though it was more than 20 years ago, I can vividly remember my preparation for taking the CPA exam. I was attending review courses in the evening and trying to pay attention to the review instructor with one ear while listening to the Mariners’ first postseason run by wearing headphones on the other ear. And there were lots and lots of flashcards. I became pretty good at remembering things for a short period of time—just long enough to pass the CPA exam—but this approach was less than ideal as far as preparing myself to deal with real world client situations.

The next version of the Uniform CPA Exam will debut in April 2017 ... the CPA exam is updated approximately every seven years to ensure that what it is measuring is in alignment with the knowledge and skills required of new CPAs.

CPA exam is announced, there is a rush of exam takers in the months preceding the launch. Although the AICPA does not recommend a specific order in which to take the four sections of the exam, since the BEC section will be incorporating task-based simulations for the first time on this new exam I suspect many exam takers will decide to focus on the BEC section in the next few months rather than wait to take it under the new exam format. Of course, the AICPA will continue to grandfather sections that testtakers have already passed, as long as your 18-month window has not yet expired. The exam is changing because the AICPA is committed to keeping the exam relevant to our profession. Study habits will need to change, relying less on memorization and question drills, and more on the application of concepts to

real-world examples and problems. I’m pretty sure the preparation approach I used back in 1995—listening to baseball games while sitting through a review course, and memorizing hundreds of flashcards—would no longer provide a CPA candidate with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to complex accounting projects early in their career. Then again, if the Mariners make the postseason next fall, we are all likely to become distracted again—we’ve been waiting a long time. To learn more about the new CPA exam, visit www.aicpa.org/exam. Dave Miniken is an audit shareholder at Sweeney Conrad in Bellevue.You can contact him at dave@sweeneyconrad.com.

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Head back to campus

Gonzaga University Central Washington University Eastern Washington University Pacific Lutheran University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Washington University of Washington-Tacoma University of Washington-Bothell Washington State University Western Washington University

Return to your alma mater and inspire accounting students to become CPAs • • • • •

Participate on CPA panels Speak in accounting classrooms Hand out awards at scholarship banquets Help students with mock interviews Represent the WSCPA at career fairs

BECOME A STUDENT OUTREACH VOLUNTEER Contact Monette Anderson, Academic Relations Coordinator manderson@wscpa.org | (425) 586-1118 www.wscpa.org

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

NEWS BRIEFS

Special Member Discount from Wolters Kluwer - CCH® Publications

Save 25% on U. S. Master Tax Guide 2017® when You Order Online With tax season just around the corner, it is time to build up your tax reference library. As a WSCPA member, you can save 25% off on Wolters Kluwer CCH® U.S. Master Tax Guide and get discounts on more than 175 tax and accounting books. The 100th Edition of the U.S. Master Tax Guide 2017® reflects all pertinent federal taxation changes that affect 2016 returns and provides fast and reliable answers to tax questions affecting individuals and business Order now! income tax. Available in soft www.cchgroup.com/members/WSCPA cover, hardbound, and ebook instant download, the US Master Tax Guide 2017® retails for $105. To order, please visit www.cchgroup.com/members/WSCPA and use the NEW Promo Code USTP-BLYY5596 when checking out.

Find A CPA Referral Service Let Us Help Drive Business to You Enroll now at wscpa.org/ find-a-cpa

Successful companies never stop marketing. Ongoing marketing keeps your firm in the forefront of your client’s mind and attracts those looking for a new CPA. Keeping up with marketing can feel overwhelming. While you are busy doing the work, the WSCPA Find A CPA referral service can help you expand your client base. People turn to the WSCPA, the only organization in Washington dedicated to serving the profession, to find the best of the CPAs. The referral service is easy to use. For just $175, your listing will be displayed for a full year. With just one click on the “Find A CPA” button, potential clients have easy access to all the information they need to find you and can search by key terms, services offered, area of expertise and location.Take advantage of our referral service and get the word out about your business. Enroll now at www.wscpa.org/find-a-cpa. For more information, call (425) 586-1142 or send an email to memberservices@wscpa.org.

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Coming Soon New CPE & Event Catalog

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AICPA PCPS National MAP Survey Report How does your firm stack up against other firms? Find out by downloading the 2016 PCPS MAP Survey report at www.wscpa.org/map16.

In Memoriam The WSCPA holds in memory with families and the larger community, these members who have recently passed on:

Elaine L. Barber-Trenholm John H. Hancock Howard E. Mount www.wscpa.org/community/ in-memoriam

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WSCPA MEMBER BENEFIT

Save up to 36% on UPS Shipping The WSCPA partners with UPS to offer you exclusive discounts on special services and discounts. Members can save up to 36% on shipping. UPS online services also include scheduling pickups, tracking shipments, ordering free supplies, and creating and printing shipping labels. Setting up an account is quick and easy. Enroll and use your new account to start shipping online right away. Discounts depend on how much you ship with UPS—the more you ship, the more you save! Register now and receive discounts previously only available to larger customers. WSCPA members have no minimum volume requirements, no commitments. To view current discounts and sign up for a WSCPA UPS account visit www.savewithups.com/wscpa.

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Are you a member of the WSCPA group on LinkedIn? Join the conversation today! Plus, follow WSCPA news and find event photos on Facebook and Twitter. Here are some of the recent discussions, news and posts:

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Framework, theory, and principles for understanding XBRL-based Digital Financial Reporting Decedent 401(k) & a Federal Tax Liability KPMG's new Global Mobility survey Innocent Spouse relief November PCPS Tool: Succession Survey Commentaries Looking for Input on Cybersecurity Exposure Drafts

Connect with fellow members and participate in discussions at www.wscpa.org/linkedin

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How to Keep Compliance and Ethics on Target What I Learned by Starting the CPA Exam as a Student 4 Tips to Keep Your Résumé Out of the Reject Pile AICPA Proposes Common Language for Cybersecurity Risk Reporting and Assurance WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

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COVER STORY

Innovation in Audit Takes the Analytics, AI Route

Audit analytics, cognitive technologies to set accountants free from grunt work By Tom Davenport

percent of corporate audits would be performed by AI (artificial intelligence).” Seventy-five percent of the respondents thought that this particular tipping point would be reached by 2025. Of course, this prediction leaves a lot up in the air. Why 30 percent? And is the supposition that no humans will be involved at all? I strongly doubt the latter point, but I do believe that audits are moving to become much more continuous, analytical, and at least semi-automated. But I’m quite confident that human auditors will be involved in 100 percent of audits by 2025 and for a long time thereafter.

The advent of analytics and cognitive technology does not mean the end of human auditors. It means an end to painstaking checking and crossfooting of debit and credit entries and the beginning of auditing careers that thrive on understanding, monitoring, and improving analytical and cognitive systems.

have worked for a couple of decades with professional services firms that perform financial audits, but I have never done one—nor have I ever wanted to do one, to be honest. I’m not good with work that involves structured processes, details, and rigorous checking, and audits always seemed heavily infused with those kinds of tasks. Now, however, I am becoming quite interested in audits for two reasons. First, they are beginning to employ substantial amounts of analytics. Secondly, there is increasing talk about employing cognitive technologies to help with audits. Both of those approaches are right up my alley. So in this essay, I will

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address their potential impact on audits and auditing. I’ll discuss the entire industry but will make specific references to Deloitt & Touche LLP’s audit practice, since I recently wrote a paper on their analytics initiatives.1 As evidence that big things may be coming to audit, the World Economic Forum undertook a “Technological Tipping Points” survey in 2015 to try to understand when several major technology-driven business and social changes might actually take place.2 Over 800 executives were asked, in one of the questions, when they thought that “30

I am not the first researcher to make similar assertions about analytics and continuous auditing. At Rutgers University, for example, Miklos Vasarhelyi, the director of the Rutgers Accounting Research Center and Continuous Auditing & Reporting Lab, has been advocating for more analytics and more continuous, semi-automated audit processes for many years. He told me in an interview in 2015 that because of regulatory constraints, internal audit processes within companies seem to be moving faster in this direction. However, the regulatory environment for audit analytics and other innovations seems to be easing a bit. Martin Baumann, the chief auditor and director of professional standards at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, commented in a video interview for the Journal of Accountancy:3 “We wouldn’t want auditing standards to be an inhibitor that might otherwise allow technological audit achievements to move ahead.” What kinds of benefits will analytics and automated decision-making bring to audits? There seem to be two major ones. The first is “evidentiary.” Audits have historically involved taking samples WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

COVER STORY

of populations. But with the power of big data and analytics, the auditor could choose to analyze all items in certain populations, not just a sample of them. And systems that automate some tasks can facilitate this as well. Deloitte, for example, is using a tool for automated extraction of contract provisions to speed up that process and review more documents with less human labor. The second major benefit is greater insights for management from audits. Particularly with the use of analytics, audit processes could surface valuable information that could be presented to management. A company’s performance could be compared to itself over time, or to industry and functional benchmarks. Deloitte has already made considerable progress toward both goals, and is rolling out analytics and automation capabilities in the context of a broader initiative on audit innovation.The leaders of the practice are committed to major changes in audit processes and technology, and analytics and automation technologies are key features of the new process. However, the enhanced audits are not just about rolling out some new technologies. They will also require substantially different information architectures and skills to deploy them successfully. Initially at least, each audit will be a data integration exercise to pull diverse sources of data together and analyze them. Deloitte is working on tools and methods to make this easier. The skills issue is an interesting one for the entire industry. I spoke at the American Accounting Association (http://aaahq. org, the AAA is the primary association for accounting-oriented academics in the United States) meetings in the summer of 2015 about the fact that accounting students are not generally trained in statistics and

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Audits have historically involved taking samples of populations. But with the power of big data and analytics, the auditor could choose to analyze all items in certain populations, not just a sample of them. And systems that automate some tasks can facilitate this as well.

data management.That’s a bit of a problem for an industry that expects a much more analytical future. The AAA held another meeting September 2015 specifically on big data and it sold out quickly, but I think it will be a while before universities churn out large numbers of graduates with strong analytical orientations. In the short run, then, firms like Deloitte will have to provide their own training in these types of skills. Some analytical and informational skills will be concentrated in specialists who work on a variety of audit assignments. Others will be required of audit generalists at particular clients. The particular mix of specialist and generalist skills will evolve over the next several years. The good news is that there are likely to be jobs for human auditors no matter how much automated technology is adopted. I’ve spoken about this topic with audit executives at Deloitte, accounting professors at various universities, and vendors of analytics and automation technologies. None of these folk anticipates a future with no human auditors. It’s possible that there may be somewhat fewer of them in the future, but much more likely that those people who remain in the field will be substantially different from the auditors of the past. The green-eyeshaded accountant who

painstakingly checks and crossfoots debit and credit entries will likely cease to exist. The auditor who understands, monitors, and improves analytical and cognitive systems and processes will only thrive. Tom Davenport, a world-renowned thought leader and author, is the President’s Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Management at Babson College, a Fellow of the MIT Center for Digital Business, and an independent senior advisor to Deloitte Analytics. Copyright © 2017 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. www.dupress.com. Reprinted with permission.

Endnotes

1. Thomas H. Davenport, The power of advanced audit analytics: Everywhere analytics, Deloitte, https://www2.deloitte. com/us/en/pages/deloitteanalytics/articles/ the-power-of-advanced-auditanalytics.html, accessed February 22, 2016. 2. Global Economic Council on the Future of Software & Society, Deep shift: Technology tipping points and societal impact, World Economic Forum, September 2015, http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ GAC15_Technological_Tipping_Points_ report_2015.pdf. 3. Journal of Accountancy, “How data analytics can expand audit capabilities,”xhttp://www.journalofaccountancy.com/videos.html?bctid=4069151827 001,xaccessed February 22, 2016. www.wscpa.org

NEWS BRIEFS

WSCPA members are talking about how much they love their Passport cards!

“A big 'Thank You!' for adding the Passport card to the WSCPA membership. This is a terrific added benefit. I’ve used Passport Dining for over 20 years, and I love it. Having it as a part of my WSCPA membership is a cool extra perk!” - Rob Shuler

“Used my Passport card today at SkyCity at the Space Needle. Using the Passport card at SkyCity is a tremendous value when you consider that your meal includes complimentary access to the Space Needle Observation Deck. Had a great time and it was an absolute steal: two high-quality lunches plus two tickets to the observation deck for only $35!” - Daryl Allen

“I am a big fan of the Passport card. I’m in the process of interviewing people for a staff accountant position, and it really makes it much more practical to take someone out to lunch.” - Randall Faber

“Thank you for offering this useful and fun benefit!” - Leslie Hayden

What do you think about the Passport card? Let us know!

Questions about the Passport card? Didn't receive your card? Contact us today! memberservices@wscpa.org (425) 644-4800

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WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Golf Tournament Monday, June 12

Woodinville, WA

Spokane Area WSCPA/RMA Golf Outing Thursday, May 25

Worley, ID

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

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ADVOCACY

Advocacy, Mindbugs, and Technology Threats By Kimberly Scott, CAE

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ÂŠ Fire Eyes Photography

ne of the key strategies for the WSCPA is communication. Delivering the right message at the right time, in the way our members want to receive it. A lofty goal, and one that seems impossible against the chaos and competition. For advocacy, another key strategy, how do we effectively communicate, in a way that will make you take notice of what the WSPCA is doing to advocate for you, as a CPA in Washington? For the WSCPA, advocacy is not just about protecting the profession. Advocacy is also about promoting the profession. During the last few years the WSCPA leadership has made a concerted effort to visit each chapter in person and share an update on what has been happening in the profession.This year we took it a step further, with local Disruption Tour events, and attendees were given a sense of how the WSCPA both protects and promotes the profession. The Disruption Tour, held during the last two months, was a free 3-hour CPE program for members and covered topics of personal development as well as a professional update. Inspired by member feedback, the program was interactive, high level, fast paced and even fun. The presentation was a little different in each chapter based on the interests and interaction of the participants. Over the years WSCPA members have asked for more soft-skill or personal development courses. This demand is growing as the baby boomers start to retire and the next generation of professionals step into leadership roles. The first hour of the Tour program included soft skills training on unconscious bias. Attendees learned what it is, its importance and had some fun testing some of their own assumptions. The brain is amazing and everyone has personal blindspots which taint perceptions. Members tested their visual, memory, and WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

ADVOCACY

“The Disruption Tour was one of the most interactive and engaging WSCPA events that I have attended in quite some time. Important ‘disruption’ takeaways ranged from current initiatives at the WBOA and AICPA to soft skills for today’s workplace. Presenters stimulated exceptional attendee participation. Great member benefit! Thank you!” The program then moved into understanding who our volunteer leaders are in our own state and nationally. Members learned about resources available to them locally and nationally, based on the top areas of concern according to recent surveys. Resources for retention, recruitment and development of staff were at the top of most lists. Of course, advocacy topics were covered! We discussed the bills recently passed in Washington State and what they mean to local CPAs. Other topics included recommended changes to peer review, the audit quality initiative, the CPA pipeline, changes to the CPA exam, and new resources from the AICPA. The program ended with a high-level look at technology. Where do you start and how do you develop a plan to stay on top of the sheer amount of change? What tools should you be looking at for your own organization? Also, what are the top technology threats everyone should understand?

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

social mindbugs and delved into bias. Bias can creep into our work, but it is possible to become aware of and avoid biases when necessary. Together attendees failed (and passed) tests and supported new ideas. It is true that the more we learn about ourselves, how we respond and are perceived by others, the better leaders we can become. Mary Joyce, a CPA member from Seattle, had this to say after attending the Seattle Disruption Tour:

If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Disruption Tour, we hope that you keep an eye out for future opportunities to learn about what’s happening in your profession.

Did you know that the financial services field is one of the most targeted fields by cyber criminals? Cybercrimes are still on the rise and a cyberattack now on average costs about $4 million per incident. Hopefully your organization has cyber insurance. If you do, your insurance provider can be a great resource for your business, but you still need a plan and you need to test your plan. After a breach your insurance premiums could go up as much as 200%. Do you have your records backed up to a secure location? Are your off-site computers updated, including smart phones? Do you know what ransomware is and how it is transmitted? Have you educated everyone on staff about what they need to do to avoid succumbing to a cyberattack? If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Disruption Tour, we hope that you keep an eye out for future opportunities to learn about what’s happening in your profession. I realize that you receive

hundreds of emails a day, that you are bombarded on social media and that you receive more material to read than you have time in the day. You are a member of the CPA profession, and a member of the WSCPA. Take a minute to read, or at least skim, the information we send you. We are trying to listen, trying to respond, and you never know when you will miss a great opportunity because you missed the invitation. Kimberly Scott, CAE, is WSCPA Vice President of Member and Government Relations. You can contact her at kscott@wscpa.org.

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WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

PHOTO ALBUM

Â© Fire Eyes Photography

2016 Not-For-Profit Conference Seattle, WA

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

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EMPLOYER BRANDS

Recruiting Top Talent: Why Firms are Getting Serious about Their Employer Brands By Chris Baudler, MBA, MA, CSSBB

iring CPAs has once again been ranked by Manpower as the 7th most difficult job to recruit for. For almost a decade, demand for high quality accounting talent in Washington has been growing, and firms are experiencing unprecedented difficulty finding experienced and collegiate-level candidates. For most firms this has become an economic recipe for painfully slow growth and missed client engagements. With so much competition for top accounting talent, job candidates are asking two very tough questions, and many firms are struggling to provide answers. “Why should I come work for you?” and “How does your firm stand out from other firms?”

Standing Out in a Competitive Market

We recently asked a firm’s Director of Recruiting why top talent should come work for his firm, and his response was five seconds of dead silence, a long exhale, and an almost imperceptible shoulder shrug. After 14 years leading his firm’s recruiting function, he was at a loss for words to explain how his firm stood out from the competition. Over the last four years his Seattle-based mid-sized firm experienced unprecedented levels of difficulty filling their open seats with high quality and diverse, experienced and collegiatelevel accountants. His firm tried every recruiting and HR best practice they came across to entice qualified accountants to apply. Some of the best practices included offering: • Top-notch training • Flexible work schedules • Above average salaries www.wscpa.org

• Personalized career paths • Involvement in community outreach • Mentoring programs • Career-life balance • CPE reimbursement • Signing bonuses Unfortunately, despite all of the firm’s efforts there was little change in their number of applications, and the problem only seemed to be getting worse.

Challenges in Recruiting Top Talent

In the last five years we have interviewed hundreds of recruiters, COOs, and partners to better understand how they were managing staff and the challenges they were experiencing. Without exception, every one of them believed their firms were providing excellent workplace cultures that were valuesdriven, collaborative, developmentfocused, community-centered, and very rewarding for employees. Many of these firms were even recognized as

“employers of choice” by Inside Public Accounting’s Best of the Best and Great Places to Work. Also without exception, every one of them was still struggling to recruit talent.

Industry Recruiting Woes

Highly-touted best practices such as those listed above have become par for the course. In fact, in a recent comparison of 340 accounting firms across Washington and the US, we found 95% of them tried to entice potential job applicants with all or some of these benefits. Many firms have once again found themselves struggling to communicate to applicants what makes their job offers unique, but most only find themselves digging deeper in their pockets for more pay or more extravagant perks. Many forward thinking firms are once again reevaluating how they approach recruiting, and looking for a way out of the vicious cycle of “one-upping” competitor’s pay and perks. For some, the future of their firm depends on it. WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EMPLOYER BRANDS

A Glimmer of Hope

Amongst the 1,923 registered firms in Washington, a handful are bucking the trends and growing at a considerable rate. We have worked with six firms who have grown their staff between 10% and 20% over the last year, all without compromising on the quality of new hires, or offering outlandish salaries or gimmicky perks. These firms became “talent magnets” by developing and implementing unique and meaningful employer brands. This branding created an almost endless supply of high quality, experienced and collegiatelevel applicants, saving them thousands of dollars in recruiting expenses and hundreds of hours in time. The following sections provide more information on what employer brands are, how they attract talent and provide value to firms, and specific steps your firm can take to develop their own brand.

What is an Employer Brand?

An employee-facing brand is a comprehensive, marketing-infused HR strategy that communicates a clear and attractive message to job candidates about a firm’s culture, why it’s a desirable place to work, and how the firm’s job opportunities stand out from competitors. Coincidentally, communicating these points are also where most firms currently struggle. According to Harvard Business Review, employer branding is, “an organization’s reputation as an employer, as opposed to its more general corporate brand reputation… defined by the key benefits, or value propositions, offered by the company as an employer.” (“CEOS Need to Pay Attention to Employer Branding.” HBR, 2015.) Over the last couple decades, employer branding has become highly revered by the technology, insurance, banking and pharmaceutical industries due to its immediate and lasting effects on recruitment. Only recently has this strategy been adopted in the accounting industry, but the effects are already being felt.

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

One firm was able to increase job applications by 2000%, improve offer acceptances by 80%, and reduce cost-to-fill by 80%. Many firms are also able to indefinitely cut their to expensive recruiting services like LinkedIn Recruiter, Accountingfly, and external staffing agencies. While employer branding is not a “cure-all” for ailing firms with less-thanideal workplace cultures, it is highly beneficial for those firms who have already invested the time and money to satisfy candidates’ and employees’ basic (and even advanced) employment needs.

How to Develop Your Employer Brand

The following four steps will allow your firm to attract higher quality candidates in less time, with less hassle, and with a lot less money: 1. Interview and survey current employees and recent hires to better understand what influenced them to join your firm. This will help you better understand what is attractive (and not so attractive) about your firm. Also, review materials from competitor firms to learn how they are “marketing” their job opportunities. 2. Create firm-specific statements that resonate with your job candidates and employees. Develop three to five brand statements based on cultural values and experiences unique to your firm, and meet job candidates’ needs, values, and desires. Keep the statements simple, aspirational, and attractive to candidates, yet grounded in the reality of working for your firm. 3. Integrate brand statements into all candidate-facing communications to create consistent brand messaging.

The best firms realize top talent may not even make it to their career page if job postings or brochures do not provide messaging that is unique, meaningful, and consistent across mediums. 4. Champion your current staff members to create and share complimentary, “real-life” messaging. This step is critical for the successful implementation of an employer brand.Your staff members’ perspectives will resonate with job candidates in a way no recruiter, HR employee, or partner can. Your staff knows what it is like to work for your firm, and can tell stories that will bring your employer brand to life. Advocate for your employees to write white papers, case studies, and day-in-the-life articles to share with their network and the community.

Conclusion

As many firms in Washington continue struggling to attract top talent, firms are standing out from competitors by developing strong employer brands. These brands communicate how their job opportunities are unique, meaningful, and worthy of a candidate’s consideration. This approach has immediate and lasting effects on recruitment – all without compromising on the quality of new hires, or offering outlandish salaries or extravagant perks. Chris Baudler is a Partner and lead consultant in The Robby Group’s People Strategy practice. He is an expert in creating iconic, passiondriven, and attractive employer brands that communicate meaningful candidate and employee experiences.You can contact Chris at chris@therobbygroup.com. www.wscpa.org

SOFT SKILLS

What’s More Important: Technical Ability or Soft Skills? By Ken Tysiac

n a business world that’s increasingly turning to technology for strategic insights, the skillsets that accounting and finance leaders need on their teams are changing. To capitalize on new tools, CFOs are finding that they need people who: can use Big Data for predictive and prescriptive analytics; are comfortable with digital, mobile, cloud, and software-as-a-service technologies; and have strong technological skills in the area of cybersecurity.

Finance leaders don’t have the luxury of waiting to add these skills to their teams,Tony Klimas, EY global finance performance improvement advisory leader, said in a new EY report on preparing for the future finance function.

As accounting and finance professionals rise in their organizations, soft skills may be the key to their advancement, said Paul McDonald, a senior executive director at Robert Half.

Skills for staff-level roles

A new survey shows that technical skills carry slightly more weight with CFOs than soft skills for stafflevel positions. More than half (54%) of 2,200 US CFOs surveyed by staffing services provider Robert Half said technical skills and soft skills are equally important for stafflevel accounting and finance positions.

“At the senior level, these team members are expected to be able to build influence across the organization, communicate with diverse internal and external stakeholders, and serve as a business partner,” McDonald said in a news release. “While honing their functional expertise, individuals aspiring to the management ranks cannot neglect also enhancing their soft skills.“

As accounting and finance professionals rise in their organizations, soft skills may be the key to

But as CFOs build their staffs in a competitive talent environment, finding people who can perform increasingly complex new technical tasks is a crucial objective. Technology-enabled process improvement was evaluated as a critical priority for tomorrow’s finance model by 69% of CFOs of large organizations, 53% of medium-size organizations, and 59% of small organizations, according to the EY report, based upon a global survey.

their advancement.

“The change is so significant and the new capabilities so advantageous, that if you take a wait-and-see approach, you run the risk of being put at a severe competitive disadvantage,” Klimas said.

These “soft skills” may differentiate the leaders in a finance department from those who are more suited for staff-level jobs. According to the 2015 CIMA Professional Qualification Syllabus, senior roles place less emphasis on accounting and finance skills and more emphasis on business acumen, people skills, and leadership skills. Meanwhile, entry-level roles require more focus on core accounting and finance skills and less focus on soft skills. www.wscpa.org

At the same time, finance teams need people who can see the big picture provided by the technical tools and formulate strategy – and communicate those strategic insights so the business can act upon them appropriately.

But amongst the remaining CFOs who stated a preference, most placed more value on technical skills. More than one-third (36%) of CFOs said they place greater weight on technical skills for staff-level positions, and just 10% said they place greater weight on soft skills.

The most commonly listed top priority for the future of the finance function amongst respondents to the EY survey was improving Big Data and analytics capabilities to transform forecasting, risk management, and understanding of value drivers, listed by 23% of respondents. The second-highest priority, selected by 22% of respondents, was meeting the need for new skills by transforming how finance talent is recruited, retained, and developed. These two CFO priorities complement each other in the important responsibility of attracting, developing, and retaining talent with the technical skills necessary to perform the tasks that WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

SOFT SKILLS

are required of the finance function as technology continues to advance.

Training for soft skills

In some cases, employers are hiring employees who possess the requisite technical skills and training them in soft skills such as communication and making presentations. This is true for workers in various professions in Ghana, said Andy Mensah, ACMA, CGMA, a human resource partner with IBM Ghana and Central Africa. “A lot of people come out of university with master’s degrees and need more skills in developing effective presentations and all those kinds of soft skills,” Mensah said in an interview. “What you find at the entry level is people who do not have all these skills, so they are having to learn them. You’re having to teach them to do these kinds of things.“

But it’s often more challenging to build technical skills than soft skills. As CFOs look to the future, they have difficulty acquiring enough technical skills in an organization to build an effective operation. The EY report suggests some ways to do it: •

Look beyond traditional financial analysis skills to statisticians, data scientists, and even behavioural scientists to assist the finance function with using data to drive strategy.

•

Emphasize digital. Executives who are proficient in technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence will be key players in finance departments.

•

Create alliances with resources outside the organization at universities, start-ups, and other

third parties that possess the expertise to address business challenges in innovative ways. These technical skills may be more difficult to acquire than soft skills, but they will be a must for organizations as they attempt to use technology to derive critical insights from data. Ken Tysiac (ktysiac@aicpa.org) is a CGMA Magazine editorial director. Copyright © 2011-2017 American Institute of CPAs. Copyright © 2011-2017 Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. All rights reserved. This article first appeared in CGMA Magazine. For more articles, sign up for the weekly email update from CGMA Magazine at http://bit.ly/UZ07NC.

is pleased to announce successful completion of litigation support re STATE OF OREGON v. ORACLE AMERICA, INC. Engagement for Oracle America, Inc. related to damages alleged of $6.5 billion included forensic analysis of amounts paid (by category of cost) to all vendors by the State of Oregon and Oregon Health Authority projects, forensic analysis of amounts paid to the State of Oregon by the United States Federal Government for the same projects, and preparation of trial exhibits and other litigation consulting in connection with settlement and trial. Work performed for the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliff, LLP. (San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Washington D.C.)

William N. Holmes, CPA, CFE Forensic Accounting | Economic Damages | Commercial Litigation Full Service Public Accounting Accounting and Tax Malpractice Litigation (Plaintiff / Defense) Board of Accountancy Investigations 7128 SW Gonzaga Street, Suite 100 | Portland, OR 97223 | 503.270.5400 | www.pdxcpas.com

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

www.wscpa.org

You’re invited

Rich Jones’ Retirement Party Join us for a celebration of the career and successes of WSCPA President & CEO Richard E. Jones, CPA, CGMA May 11, 2017 | 5:00-8:00 pm Woodmark Hotel, Kirkland, WA Space is limited! RSVP now! www.wscpa.org/retirement | 425.644.4800

CPAs—The Most Trusted Business Advisors continued from page 4 the performance of their professional responsibilities. Here are some of the requirements of the Code: •

•

Members should accept the obligation to act in a way that will serve the public interest, honor the public trust, and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism. To maintain and broaden public confidence, members should perform all professional responsibilities with the highest sense of integrity. A member should maintain objectivity and be free of conflicts of interest in discharging professional services. A member in public practice should be independent in fact and appearance when providing auditing and other attestation services.

CPAs have an unusual situation where most services actually rendered by CPAs www.wscpa.org

We are a substantially selfregulated profession that has earned this status by having the highest standards of professional conduct and by selfenforcing these standards.

do not require a CPA license, such as tax work, consultation, valuation, management accountant, CFO, CEO, etc. A CPA license is generally only required to perform attest type services, e.g. audits, reviews, or compilation service; however, all CPAs are required to comply with the ethical and other requirements of the Code even when the professional services being performed do not require a CPA license. These are lofty requirements that mandate that CPAs always look to do the right thing, only perform work for which they are competent and remain free of all conflicts of interest or manage them

within professional guidelines as appropriate. I am not aware of any other profession that has such a tough and honorable set of rules of conduct, the violation of which can result in loss of licensure or other sanction. I believe this is why the general public and certainly BDMs have the highest perception of CPAs among all financial professionals. We are a substantially self-regulated profession that has earned this status by having the highest standards of professional conduct and by self-enforcing these standards. As President & CEO of the Washington Society of CPAs, and a fellow CPA for over 40 years, I am proud to have had the privilege of representing our members in Washington State for the past almost dozen years. Personally, I know that the perceptions of CPAs by the public and BDMs is well-earned and will continue to be so in the years ahead. In the words of Tim Christen, the Immediate Past Chair of the AICPA: It is a great day to be a CPA! You can contact Rich Jones at rjones@ wscpa.org. WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

or reshelve books for 527 hours*

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

www.wscpa.org

SUCCESSION PLANNING

Managing the Fears of Practice Transition By Ira S. Rosenbloom, CPA

If you’re a firm owner considering a merger/sale or acquisition, some level of fear is a normal emotion and, in fact, crosses both sides of the table. How you manage trepidation can make or break the deal.

successful firm transition requires many factors to align properly. The transition plan will usually focus on finances and terms, but not so much on human factors – chief among them being fear. If you’re a firm owner considering a merger/sale or acquisition, some level of fear is a normal emotion and, in fact, crosses both sides of the table. How you manage trepidation can make or break the deal. Here are some of the more common fears I’ve observed, as well as recommendations on how to deal with them.

dialogue focused on realistic benefits will allow confidence to brew and take away the urge to wonder about the downside.

frame will not only make for a smooth process but will also make all players in the process relevant.

Fear of a change in control – If you’re accustomed to calling the shots, ceding control, fully or partially, to another partner can be frightening. Similarly, if you have not had much authority, gaining control can bring anxiety. Mapping out a solid definition of the range of authority, responsibility, and expectations will create comfort and allow you to better control change in critical areas.

Fear of the economic results – Nothing is guaranteed in life. Economic risk will exist whether a transition takes place or not. Oftentimes the greater risk will emerge without transition. If the deal is set up to maximize the likelihood of achieving the changes you want in terms of earnings and payouts, with protection from specific failures or missteps and realistic financial targets, this fear will subside.

Fear of change – The uncertainty of the results of change can be frightening to many people. Every accounting firm transition is going to bring change. Concentrating on how that change will make things better and putting a process in place to ensure that the better results occur will go a long way toward alleviating this particular fear. Keeping the

Fear of a lack of relevance – Transitioning from being the big kahuna may be the intellectually right path, but often it is not psychologically appealing. It is normal to wonder about a new role as something other than the boss and the ability to perform in that role. Taking the time to discuss which clients and functions will be transitioned and over what time

www.wscpa.org

Fear of proving yourself – Everyone has their own tolerances and acceptability ranges. Moving from an environment where you are aware of each other’s tolerances or where you are the only judge that matters to one with a panel of new judges may be nerve-racking. When mutual parameters and performance WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

SUCCESSION PLANNING

standards are set and all parties work together to achieve the result, the process won’t be one-sided. Accountability won’t be a punishment but a collaborative best practice. Fear of client reaction – Negative client reaction is a problem for any business, especially one in transition. Worrying about how clients will perceive the transaction is often misplaced, but it should not be downplayed. The more transparent the parties are with clients, the easier it is to gain their support. Create talking points on the benefits of the deal, and share them with clients. If there is an internal transition, stressing continuity and familiarity with the existing partners will calm the clients. Expanded services and improved customer care, while maintaining billing structure, can inspire loyalty and minimize negative reactions. Fear of staff reaction – Any change will be unsettling to staff, no matter which side of the table they’re on.The likelihood of complete staff retention after a transaction is slim, but keeping your stars has to be a priority. If you keep staff in the loop about the transaction, you’re more likely to gain their cooperation. Bonuses, clear opportunity for advancement, and

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Fears need not be paralyzing, and most are healthy. If you have them, put them to use. You can create the most comfortable combination for the parties, or, sometimes, you may even recognize that the deal should not be done.

incentives for staying on can effectively quash employee concern. Fear of the end – If the deal also represents your exit strategy, worrying about what to do next is common.When the familiar ends, it makes you wonder what else will end and what the consequences will be. Using the deal as a means to focus on other interests and things you enjoy doing is a great way to address this fear. Ideally, the new owner will support those outside interests and value having a seasoned professional available to mentor younger staff. Fears need not be paralyzing, and most are healthy. If you have them, put

them to use. You can create the most comfortable combination for the parties, or, sometimes, you may even recognize that the deal should not be done. Ira S. Rosenbloom, CPA, is chief operating executive at Optimum Strategies LLC in Spring House. He can be reached at ira@optimumstrategies.com. Reprinted with permission from the Pennsylvania CPA Journal, a publication of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

www.wscpa.org

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

CHAPTERS & COMMITTEES

WSCPA Chapter Events www.wscpa.org/chapters Date

CPE

Event

Code

Bellingham Area Chapter Jan 17

Bellingham

New Washington Tax Developments

17CHBLJA17

Olympia Area Chapter Jan

Location Bellingham Golf and Country Club Olympia

Tax Update: High Net Worth Individuals

17CHOLJA04

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

Feb 1

Business Valuation: Tools to Evaluate Your Practice

17CHOLFE01

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

Mar 1

What Keeps You up at Night? Cybersecurity and Strategies

17CHOLMR01

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

Earnings Management

17CHOLAP05

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

Seattle Area Chapter Jan 19

Seattle

Why COSO is Happy and What’s Next

17CHSEJA19

Tri-Cities Area Chapter Jan 16

Richland

DATE CHANGE Federal Tax Update

17CHTCJA09

Vancouver Area Chapter Jan 12

Columbia Tower Club Tagaris Winery Vanvouver

2016 Vancouver Disruption Tour - Free To Members!

17CHVNJA12

Heathman Lodge

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

Join the WSCPA Government Accounting and Auditing Committee! The Government Accounting and Auditing Committee (GAAC) is comprised of accounting industry professionals from across the state who work in various levels of government as well as small and large CPA firms. The Committee meets monthly, typically by teleconference. At each meeting, the Committee hears reports from three subcommittees, the Accounting Subcommittee, the Auditing Subcommittee, and the Conference Subcommittee. The Accounting Subcommittee researches developments in accounting standards affecting government entities such as those published by the Government Accounting Standards Board and identifies issues worthy of an official comment letter from WSCPA. Similarly, the Auditing Subcommittee researches developments in auditing standards that affect practitioners with government clients and clients who receive government

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

funds such as grants subject to the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Grants Guidance. The Conference Subcommittee works throughout the year to plan the annual two-day Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference, which offers high-quality continuing professional education to approximately 200 WSCPA members each spring. In recent years, the conference has featured a live presentation in Tacoma, as well as satellite videoconference locations in Spokane and Everett, and a webcast option. If you are interested in joining or would like to learn more about the Government Accounting and Auditing Committee contact memberservices@wscpa.org or call (425) 644-4800. Learn about more committees at www.wscpa.org/committees www.wscpa.org

CPE Digest Uneasy

about recent tax changes? We’ve got the tax updates to make sure you’re ready to take on another tax season.

I’m a

CPA

What’s your superpower?

Register now for the 2016 Tax Advisors Update and you’ll discover why so many Washington CPAs prepare for tax season with premier tax update superstars—Andy Biebl and Chris Hesse!

Andy Biebl

Chris Hesse

www.wscpa.org/cpe www.wscpa.org

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

Course

Code

Type

EVENTS BY LOCATION WSCPA education and events scheduled for January - May 2017 are listed below, chronologically by location. If you are looking for a program in another location, it may be scheduled for later in the year. Using the online CPE & Event Catalog at www.wscpa.org/cpe/ catalog, you can search by location. LEARN MORE To view complete course details, please visit the CPE & Event Catalog at www.wscpa.org/cpe/catalog.

Date

CPE Credits

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

NEW CPE events added throughout year to: www.wscpa.org/cpe/catalog

Location

A&A CS EB PFP

SUBJECTS The main subject area is listed for each program.

Ethics GNP MG PD SK

NEED HELP finding a seminar or webcast? Call (800) 272-8273 or (425) 644-4800.

Course

Code

Passive Activities Rules: Cutting Edge Tax Strategies in Passive Losses, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Choice of Entity, 8am-4pm Webcast also available 2016 Tax Advisors Update, 8am-4pm Webcast also available The Business Financial Health Checkup: A Process to Identify Misstatements and Profitability Roadblocks Using Analytical Procedures by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm Financial Accounting Standards for Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses: The Annual Update and Review of GAAP and the Tax, Cash, and AICPA Special Purpose Frameworks by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Annual Update and Review (including the Compilation and Review Standards) by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm Webcast also available The Personal Financial Health Checkup: A Process on How to Become “Financially Self-Sufficient” by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm AICPA’s Annual Federal Tax Update, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Professional Conduct & Ethics – AICPA and Washington Board CPA Regulatory Update – 2016, 8am-11:30am Transforming Your Role as Controller to Business Partner, 8am-4pm Webcast also available

17GGPATJA

310

17WWGGPATJ

TAX TEC

Subject

Accounting and Auditing Consulting Services Employee Benefits Estate/Financial Planning Ethics Government / NFP Management Personal Development Specialized Knowledge Taxation Technology

Location

Subject

410

WSCPA

TAX

300

400

Webcast

17GGCOEJA

310

410

WSCPA

17WWGGCOEJ

300

400

Webcast

17BTAUJA23

355

455

Meydenbauer Center

17WWBTAUJA

345

445

Webcast

17BFHCJA

325

425

WSCPA

A&A

17ASURJA24

325

425

WSCPA

A&A

17CRURJA25

325

425

WSCPA

A&A

17WWCRURJA

315

415

Webcast

17PFHCJA26

325

425

WSCPA

A&A

17PTUJA

305

405

-30

WSCPA

TAX

17WWPTUJA

295

395

-30

Webcast

17ETJRMR

189

239

17COBPMR

305

405

17WWCOBPMR

295

395

Type

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Bellevue 1/17

1/18

1/23

1/24

1/25

1/26

1/30

3/16

3/20

 Non-tech credits |

TAX

WSCPA

Ethics

-30

WSCPA

-30

Webcast

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

TAX

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

CPE Credits

# 3/21

3/22

3/23

4/18

4/19

4/20

4/24

4/25

4/26

4/27

4/28

5/8

8 

5/9

8 

5/11

5/12

5/15

5/1516

5/16

5/17

5/18

Code

Type

4/21

Course

EDUCATION AND EVENTS

Financial Statement Analysis: Basis for Management Advice, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Advanced Controller and CFO Skills, 8am-4pm Webcast also available The New Controllership: Keys to Boosting Financial Performance and Management Skills, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Advanced Business Law for CPAs, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, 8am-4pm Webcast also available K2's Advanced Excel, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Technology For CPAs-Don’t Get Left Behind, 8am-4pm Annual Update for Controllers, 8am-4pm Financial Forecasting and Decision Making, 8am-4pm Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements, 8am-4pm Revenue Recognition: Mastering the New FASB Requirements, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Annual Update for Compilation and Review Engagements, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Triple Your Memory, Prevent Dementia, and Halve Your Stress, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Time Mastery for CPAs: Over 100 Ways to Maximize Your Productivity and Satisfaction, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Combating Fraud: Turning Vulnerability to Victory Every Day, 8am-4pm Current Developments and Best Practices for Today's CFO, 8am-4pm Internal Control and COSO Essentials for Financial Managers, Accountants and Auditors, 8am-4pm Excel Boot Camp- Two Days of Intensive Excel Training, 8am-4pm U.S. GAAP: Review for Business & Industry, 8am-4pm Common U.S. GAAP Issues Facing CPAs, 8am-4pm Auditing Defined Contribution Retirement Plans, 8am-4pm

 Non-tech credits |

www.wscpa.org

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

A&A

17FSABMMR

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17WWFSABM

295

395

-30

Webcast

17ACCSMR

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17WWACCSMR

295

395

-30

Webcast

17BFPMSMR

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17WWBFPMS

295

395

-30

Webcast

17ABLTAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17WWABLTAP

295

395

-30

Webcast

17DAANAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17WWDAANAP

295

395

-30

Webcast

17ADEAP

305

405

WSCPA

17WWADEAP

295

395

Webcast

17TECAP

305

405

WSCPA

TEC

17SKSBAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17FFMDAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17LEASAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

A&A

17INRRAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

A&A

17WWINRRAP

295

395

-30

Webcast

17COURAP

305

405

-30

WSCPA

17WWCOURAP

295

395

-30

Webcast

17TYMCMY

305

405

WSCPA

17WWTYMCMY

295

395

Webcast

17TMMY

305

405

WSCPA

17WWTMMY

295

395

Webcast

17CFVVMY

320

420

WSCPA

A&A

17TCFOMY

320

420

WSCPA

17ICDADMY

305

405

WSCPA

A&A

17EBCMY

525

625

WSCPA

TEC

17FASBIMY

305

405

-30

WSCPA

A&A

17FRUMY

305

405

-30

WSCPA

A&A

17AEMPMY

305

405

-30

WSCPA

A&A

-30

TEC

A&A

Networking event

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

# 5/23

5/23

5/24

5/25

Course

Code

Type

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

WSCPA

MG A&A

Toolkit of Best Practices for Today’s Controller & Financial Manager, 8am-4pm Preparation, Compilation and Review Standards: The Best Annual Update and Review of the SSARS by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Advanced Controller and CFO Skills, 8am-4pm Preparing Financial Statements for Small- and Medium Sized Businesses: The Best Annual Update and Review of U.S. GAAP, Tax and Cash Financial Reporting Frameworks by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm Webcast also available Hot Topics in the Financial and Reporting Standards: Topics That all CPAs Should Have a Basic Understanding Of! by Walter Haig, 8am-4pm Webcast also available

17TKBPMY

305

405

17PCRURMY

325

425

WSCPA

17WWPCRURM

315

415

Webcast

17ACCSMY

305

405

17PFSSMEMY

325

17WWPFSSME

-30

WSCPA

425

WSCPA

A&A

315

415

Webcast

17HOTTPMY

325

425

WSCPA

17WWHOTTPM

315

415

Webcast

A&A

Bellingham 2

New Washington Tax Developments, 7:30am9:30am

17CHBLJA17

Bellingham Golf and Country Club

TAX

2/1

l S

17CHOLFE01

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

3/1

l S

17CHOLMR01

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

TEC

4/5

l S

Building a Business Model for Your Clients and Your Firm, 12pm-2pm What Keeps You up at Night? Cybersecurity and Strategies, 12pm-2pm Earnings Management, 12pm-2pm

17CHOLAP05

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

A&A

5/3

l S

Value Chain Analysis, 12pm-2pm

17CHOLMY03

Indian Summer Golf & Country Club

1/16

l S

Federal Tax Update, 12pm-1pm

17CHTCJA09

Tagaris Winery

TAX

5/8

l S

State and Local Tax Update, 12pm-1pm

17CHTCMY08

Tagaris Winery

TAX

l S

Why COSO is Happy and What's Next, 12pm-1pm

17CHSEJA19

Columbia Tower

A&A

2016 Tax Advisors Update, 8am-4pm

17BTAUJA24

355

455

Mirabeau Park Hotel

TAX

17WBCJA16B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCJA16A

Webinar

TEC

17WBCJA16A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBAJA17A

195

245

Webcast

GNP

17WBCJA17A

275

375

Webcast

1/17 Olympia

Richland

Seattle 1/19 Spokane 1/24

Your Desk - Webcasts and Webinars 1/16

1/16

1/17

Accounting and Auditing Update WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Excel Data Analysis Series-Data Gathering WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Preparing Complex 1040s WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm 2016 Not-for-Profit Accounting, Auditing & Tax Update WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Business Valuation: A Review of the Essentials WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm

 Non-tech credits |

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

CPE Credits

# 1/17

1/17

1/18

1/19

1/20

1/23

1/24

EDUCATION AND EVENTS

Course

Code

COD Income Issues WEBINAR, 9am-11am Internal Control: Your First Defense Against Errors and Fraud WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm AICPA’s Tax Accounting for Inventories WEBCAST, 10am-12pm Dealing with IRS Appeals WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm FASB and AICPA Update: Practical Guidance WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm FICA/Self-Employment Tax Exposure: S Corps & Partnerships WEBINAR, 9am-11am Fraud-Practical Approaches to Prevention & Detection WEBCAST, 12:30pm-4pm Nine Tax & Financial Planning Topics That Will Make You a Hero to Your Clients WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Passive Activity Rules and the Net Investment Income Tax WEBINAR, 10am-12pm PCC Activities, Including Framework, ASU Updates, Simplification Initiative WEBCAST, 8:30am-12pm Year End Tax Planning for 2016-What's New? WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Big Data and Data Analytics-What They’re All About WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Form 1041 Workshop WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Top 10 Tools for CFOs to be More Effective Business Partners WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm U.S. GAAP Disclosures for Non-Public Entities, 8:30am-4:30pm AICPA’s Multistate Taxation WEBCAST, 7:30am-1:30pm Foreign Account Reporting Requirements: Forms 8938 and 3520 WEBINAR, 9am-11am S Corporation Preparation, Basis Calculations and Distributions: Schedule K and K1 (Form 1120S) Analysis WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm S Corporations: The Fundamentals and More WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm 2016 Accounting and Auditing Update WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Avoiding Tax Malpractice WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Captive Insurance: An Effective Financial and Risk Management WEBINAR, 9am-11am Partnership Preparation, Basis Calculations and Distributions: Form 1065 Schedule K & K1 Analysis WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm S Corporations: How to Calculate the Owner’s Basis in S Corporation Stock WEBINAR, 11am-1pm

17WNCJA17A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCJA17B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBBJA18A

129

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA18D

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA18B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCJA18A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCJA18A

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WBCJA18C

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WNCJA18B

Webinar

TAX

17WBCJA19A

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WNCJA19A

Webinar

TAX

17WNCJA20B

Webinar

17WBCJA20A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA20C

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBCJA20B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBBJA23A

199

249

Webcast

TAX

17WNCJA23A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCJA23A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA23B

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBAJA24A

195

245

Webcast

A&A

17WBCJA24C

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WNCJA24A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCJA24A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WNCJA24B

Webinar

TAX

Type

 Non-tech credits |

www.wscpa.org

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

Networking event

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

# 1/24

1/25

1/26

1/27

1/30

4.5

1/30

1/31

Course

Code

Strategies for Tax Dispute Resolution WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Smart Tax Planning Strategies for Individuals WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Corporate Tax Planning: Strategies and Ideas WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Cybersecurity Series-Protecting Your PC & Mobile Devices WEBINAR, 9am-11am Financial Fitness Forever-Five Steps to More Money, Less Risk and More Peace of Mind WEBCAST, 9am-12pm Tax Practitioner’s Guide to Accounting and Reporting Issues WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm AICPA Conflicts of Interest: A New Approach WEBCAST, 9am-10am AICPA Independence Rules-A New 2016 Approach WEBCAST, 10am-11am Cybersecurity Series-Email Threats and Protection WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm The Complex Area of Partnership AllocationsProperly Dividing Up the Items on the Form 1065 WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Financial Performance Reporting WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm IRS Internet Resources for Accountants WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Keys to Balanced Scorecard: Keeping your Business On-Track! WEBINAR, 9am-11am Passive Activities and Rental Real Estate Income Tax Issues WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Form 990: Exploring the Form’s Complex Schedules WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm AICPA’s Tax Fundamentals of LLCs and Partnerships WEBCAST, 11:30am-3:30pm Federal Tax Update: Individuals (Form 1040) WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm AICPA’s Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations, Partnerships, & LLCs WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Estate Planning: A Comprehensive Overview WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Excel Reporting Series-Charts for Non-Financial Audience WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Excel Reporting Series-Creating KPI Dashboards WEBINAR, 9am-11am Federal Tax Update: C & S Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (Forms 1120, 1120S & 1065) WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm

17WBCJA24B

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBBJA25A

159

199

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA25B

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WNCJA25A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAJA25A

24.75

Webcast

PFP

17WBCJA25A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBAJA26A

Webcast

17WBAJA26B

Webcast

17WNCJA26C

Webinar

TEC

17WNCJA26B

Webinar

TAX

17WBCJA27B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCJA27B

Webinar

TEC

17WNCJA27A

Webinar

A&A

17WBCJA27A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBBJA30A

249

319

Webcast

TAX

17WBBJA30B

159

199

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA30A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WBBJA31A

159

199

Webcast

TAX

17WBCJA31B

275

375

Webcast

TAX

17WNCJA31A

Webinar

TEC

17WNCJA31B

Webinar

TEC

17WBCJA31A

275

375

Webcast

TAX

Type

 Non-tech credits |

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Subject

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

CPE Credits

# 2/1

2/2

2/3

2/6

2/7

2/8

2/9

2/10

EDUCATION AND EVENTS

Course

Code

AICPA’s Statement of Cash Flows: Preparation, Presentation, and Use WEBCAST, 10am-2pm 2016 Small Business Entity Tax Forms Workshop WEBCAST, 7am-3pm AICPA’s Applying the Risk Assessment Standards to Enhance Audit Quality WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Cybersecurity Series-What CEOs and Partners Should Know WEBINAR, 7am-9am Individual Tax Update and Recent Developments WEBINAR, 8am-10am Multi-Task Role of the CFO/Controller WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Creating Equity Compensation Plans WEBINAR, 9am-11am Detecting Fraudulent Financial Reporting WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Not-for-Profit Accounting & Reporting: From Start to Finish WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm Financial Reporting:Your Guide to Reading Financial Reports WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Interpreting The Yellow Book WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Millennials: Myths and Truths Behind the Next Gen of Leaders WEBINAR, 11am-1pm Excel Data Analysis Series-Data Gathering WEBINAR, 11am-1pm Financial Planning for the Big Picture WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Not-For-Profit Organizations: Treasury Utilizing QuickBooks WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm What You Need to Know to Audit Government Programs WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Accounting and Auditing Update WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Business Tax Update and Recent Developments WEBINAR, 8am-10am Financial Statement Risks: Fraud, Misstatements and Earnings Management WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Year End Tax Planning for 2016-What’s New? WEBINAR, 10am-12pm 15 Best Practices in Budgeting WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Better Performance Plans: Think Like An Economist WEBCAST, 7am-9am Corporate Governance, Fraud and Control: Setting the Strategy and Executing it Efficiently WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm

17WBBFE01A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WBAFE02A

195

245

Webcast

TAX

17WBBFE02A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCFE02A

Webinar

TEC

17WNCFE02B

Webinar

TAX

17WBCFE02A

275

375

Webcast

17WNCFE03A

Webinar

17WBCFE03A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBBFE06A

249

319

Webcast

GNP

17WBCFE06A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBCFE06B

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WNCFE06A

Webinar

17WNCFE07A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAFE07A

195

245

Webcast

17WBCFE07A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBCFE07B

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBBFE08A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCFE08A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCFE08A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCFE08B

Webinar

TAX

17WNCFE09A

Webinar

17WBAFE10A

109

Webcast

17WBCFE10B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

Type

 Non-tech credits |

www.wscpa.org

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

Networking event

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

CONFERENCES

2017 Spring Conferences Great topics - phenomenal speakers opportunities too amazing for you to miss!

April

Governmental A&A Conference

May 19

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leadership Summit

May 22

Washington State Tax Conference

May 23

International Tax Conference

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

www.wscpa.org

CONFERENCES

Thank you to 2016 Conference Sponsors Major Sponsors:

Bader Martin PS Berntson Porter & Company PLLC BKD Brayn Consulting LLC Columbia Bank Dexter & Chaney LLC Gallina LLP Hub International Northwest LLC IREXA Financial Services/Wealth Strategies Jacobson Jarvis & Co PLLC KBKG Loveridge Hunt & Co PLLC CPAs Pacific Continental Bank

PayNorthwest LLC Peterson Sullivan LLP RGP Robert Half Supporting Strategies LLC The Resource Group Thomson Reuters Viewpoint Construction Software Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries Watson & McDonell PLLC Welter Consulting LLC Wolters Kluwer

Interested in sponsoring a 2017 conference? Contact Lois Swenson-Grudt - lswenson-grudt@wscpa.org | (425) 586-1136 www.wscpa.org

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

# 2/10

2/10

2/13

2/14

2/15

2/16

2/17

2/21

2/22

2/23

Course

Code

Cybersecurity Series-Email Threats and Protection WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Financial Statement Analysis for Managers WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Leveraging Social Technologies to Increase Firm Profits WEBINAR, 8am-10am Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting Fundamentals WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Internal Control and COSO Essentials for Financial Managers, Accountants and Auditors WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm Data Visualization and Mapping Tools for Accountants WEBINAR, 8am-10am Financial Statement Analysis WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Key Ratio Analysis WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Partnership Investments-How to Calculate the Owner's Basis WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm IRS Internet Resources for Accountants WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Medicare and Its Gaps: What You and Your Clients Simply MUST Know WEBCAST, 11am-12pm Personal Financial Statements WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Social Security 201: Mastering the Client Mysteries WEBCAST, 9am-10am Social Security 202: Advanced Client Strategies Update WEBCAST, 10am-11am Capital Gains Tax Strategies for Advanced Transactions WEBINAR, 7am-9am Cash Management Strategies WEBCAST, 9am-11am Single Audits: A Case Study Approach WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Identifying Fraud Risks WEBCAST, 1pm-4:30pm Practical Guide to Accounting Fraud WEBCAST, 8:30am-12pm AICPA’s Fraud and Cash Receipts: Common Frauds and Internal Controls WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Finance and Innovation: Reinvent Your Department and Your Company WEBCAST, 8am-10am Nonprofits: Working with or Serving on Nonprofit Boards WEBINAR, 9am-11am AICPA’s Financial Forecasting: Planning for Success WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Financial Accounting for Related Party Transactions WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Governmental and Nonprofit Annual Update WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm

17WNCFE10B

Webinar

TEC

17WBCFE10C

275

375

Webcast

17WNCFE10A

Webinar

TEC

17WBCFE10A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBBFE13A

249

319

Webcast

A&A

17WNCFE13A

Webinar

TEC

17WBCFE13A

275

375

Webcast

17WBCFE13B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCFE13B

Webinar

TAX

17WNCFE14A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAFE14C

9.75

Webcast

PFP

17WBCFE14A

275

375

Webcast

PFP

17WBAFE14A

9.75

Webcast

PFP

17WBAFE14B

9.75

Webcast

PFP

17WNCFE15A

Webinar

TAX

17WBAFE15A

109

Webcast

17WBCFE15A

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBCFE16B

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WBCFE16A

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WBBFE17A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WBAFE21A

109

Webcast

17WNCFE22A

Webinar

17WBBFE23A

159

199

Webcast

17WNCFE23A

Webinar

A&A

17WBCFE23A

275

375

Webcast

PFP

Type

 Non-tech credits |

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Subject

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

CPE Credits

# 2/23

2/24

2/27

2/28

3/1

3/2

3/3

3/6

3/7

EDUCATION AND EVENTS

Course

Code

Re-Building Your Retirement NOW WEBCAST, 3pm-7pm Excel Data Analysis Series-Introduction to BI WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Fraud and the CPA Profession WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Private Company Reporting Options: More Changes Ahead WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Beyond Traditional Budgeting: Change Your Approach to Planning and Control WEBINAR, 9am-11am SSARS 21: The Newest Thing in Compilation and Review WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm The CFO’s Role in Strategic Cash Management WEBCAST, 8am-10am Corporate Finance:Valuing a Business WEBCAST, 10am-12pm Cybersecurity Series-Protecting Your PC & Mobile Devices WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Excel Basic Series-Design & Efficiency WEBINAR, 7am-9am Financial Accounting for Related Party Transactions WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm The CFO’s Role in Strategic Cash Management WEBCAST, 7am-9am What Advisors Need to Know Regarding Social Security Changes due to the Bi-Partisan Budget Bill WEBINAR, 10am-12pm AICPA’s Statement of Cash Flows: Preparation, Presentation, and Use WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Small Business Health Insurance Reimbursement & Penalty WEBINAR, 8am-10am Excel Data Analysis Series-Data Gathering WEBINAR, 7am-9am How Good Companies Become Great WEBCAST, 8am-10am Millennials: Myths and Truths Behind the Next Gen of Leaders WEBINAR, 11am-1pm Partnerships and LLCs vs. S Corporations - How Many Tax Differences Remain? WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm U.S. GAAP Disclosures for Non-Public Entities, 8:30am-4:30pm Excel Reporting Series-Charts for Non-Financial Audience WEBINAR, 11am-1pm Top Trends in Management Accounting WEBCAST, 11am-12pm

17WBAFE23A

129

159

Webcast

PFP

17WNCFE24A

Webinar

TEC

17WBCFE24A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBCFE24B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCFE27A

Webinar

A&A

17WBCFE27A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBAFE27A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WBAFE28A

109

Webcast

17WNCFE28B

Webinar

TEC

17WNCFE28A

Webinar

TEC

17WNCMR01B

Webinar

A&A

17WBAMR01A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR01A

Webinar

TAX

17WBBMR02A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR03A

Webinar

TAX

17WNCMR06A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAMR06A

109

Webcast

17WNCMR06B

Webinar

17WNCMR06C

Webinar

TAX

17WBCMR06A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR07A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAMR07A

Webcast

A&A

Type

 Non-tech credits |

www.wscpa.org

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

Networking event

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

# 3/8

3/9

3/10

3/13

3/14

3/15

3/16

3/17

3/18

3/20

3/21

Course

Code

Excel Reporting Series-Creating KPI Dashboards WEBINAR, 10am-12pm AICPA’s Forensic Accounting: Uncovering Schemes and Scams WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Common Frauds and the Internal Controls Designed to Prevent and Detect Them WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Closing Best Practices-Shortening Month End WEBINAR, 9am-11am Financial Statement Consolidation WEBCAST, 12:30pm-4pm Improving Audit Quality WEBCAST, 8:30am-12pm AICPA’s Revenue Recognition: Mastering the New FASB Requirements WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm Better Performance Plans: Think Like An Economist WEBCAST, 8am-10am Excel Formula Expert Series-Lookup & Reference WEBINAR, 7am-9am AICPA’s Fraud and Cash Receipts: Common Frauds and Internal Controls WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Crowd Funding-Debt & Equity WEBCAST, 7am-9am Excel Formula Expert Series-Financial, Stats & Math WEBINAR, 7am-9am Practical Solutions for Federal Grants Compliance: A Comprehensive Look at the New Uniform Guidance WEBCAST, 8am-4pm AICPA’s Preparation, Compilation, and Review Engagements Update WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Internal Control’s New Muscles WEBINAR, 9am-11am Leases: Present and Future WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Revenue: Present and Future WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm The CFO’s Role in Strategy Development WEBCAST, 9am-11am Cash Management Strategies WEBCAST, 7am-9am Cost Reduction Strategies: Best Practices WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm CSI RETIREMENT Crime Scene Investigation SATURDAY WEBCAST, 7am-3pm AICPA’s Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm Cybersecurity Series-Protecting Your PC & Mobile Devices WEBINAR, 7am-9am Excel Formula Expert Series-Proofing & Auditing WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm

17WNCMR08A

Webinar

TEC

17WBBMR09A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WBCMR09A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR10A

Webinar

A&A

17WBCMR10B

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WBCMR10A

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WBBMR13A

249

319

Webcast

A&A

17WBAMR13A

109

Webcast

17WNCMR13A

Webinar

TEC

17WBBMR14A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WBAMR14A

109

Webcast

17WNCMR14A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAMR14B

195

245

Webcast

GNP

17WBBMR15A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR15A

Webinar

A&A

17WBCMR15A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBCMR16A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBAMR16A

109

Webcast

17WBAMR17A

109

Webcast

17WBCMR17A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBAMR18A

195

245

Webcast

PFP

17WBBMR20A

249

319

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR21A

Webinar

TEC

17WNCMR21B

Webinar

TEC

Type

 Non-tech credits |

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Subject

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

CPE Credits

# 3/21

3/22

3/23

3/27

3/28

3/29

3/30

4.5

3/30

3/31

EDUCATION AND EVENTS

Course

Code

The CFO’s Role in Strategic Cash Management WEBCAST, 9am-11am AICPA’s Applying the Risk Assessment Standards to Enhance Audit Quality WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Basic Concepts of Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Auditing WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Beyond Traditional Budgeting: Change Your Approach to Planning and Control WEBINAR, 9am-11am Financial Fitness Forever-Five Steps to More Money, Less Risk and More Peace of Mind WEBCAST, 9am-12pm AICPA Conflicts of Interest: A New Approach WEBCAST, 9am-10am AICPA Independence Rules-A New 2016 Approach WEBCAST, 10am-11am AICPA’s Fraud: Recent Findings, Red Flags and Corruption Schemes WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Getting Along at Work – Managing Different Personality Styles WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Government Pension Accounting and Financial Reporting WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Social Security and Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits WEBCAST, 7:30am-11:30am Have the Difficult Conversation You’ve Been Dreading WEBINAR, 9am-11am Social Media and Your Business WEBCAST, 8am-10am Passive Activity Rules and the Net Investment Income Tax WEBINAR, 11am-1pm AICPA’s Financial Forecasting: Planning for Success WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Leaders Eat Last: The Characteristics of Great Leaders WEBINAR, 9am-11am Strategic Skills for CFOs WEBINAR, 11am-1pm AICPA’s Controller’s Update: Today’s Latest Trends WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Foreign Account Reporting Requirements: Forms 8938 and 3520 WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Accounting Analysis Basics WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA’s Analyzing a Company’s Financial Statement WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Communicating Financial Information to NonAccountants WEBINAR, 9am-11am Corporate Finance:Valuing a Business WEBCAST, 8am-10am

17WBAMR21A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WBBMR22A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WBCMR22A

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WNCMR22A

Webinar

A&A

17WBAMR22B

24.75

Webcast

PFP

17WBAMR23A

Webcast

17WBAMR23B

Webcast

17WBBMR23A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR23A

Webinar

17WBCMR23A

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBBMR27A

159

199

Webcast

TAX

17WNCMR27A

Webinar

17WBAMR27A

109

Webcast

17WNCMR28A

Webinar

TAX

17WBBMR29A

159

199

Webcast

17WNCMR29A

Webinar

17WNCMR29B

Webinar

17WBBMR30A

159

199

Webcast

17WNCMR30A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCMR31A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBBMR31A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCMR31A

Webinar

A&A

17WBAMR31A

109

Webcast

Type



 Non-tech credits |

www.wscpa.org

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

Networking event

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

# 4/3

4/3

4/4

4/5

4/6

4/7

4/10

4/12

4/13

4/14

4/17

4/18

4/19

Course

Code

Administrative Rules for Federal Grants WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm AICPA's Identity Theft: Preventing, Detecting, and Investigating WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm Excel Formula Expert Series-Financial, Stats & Math WEBINAR, 10am-12pm CSI RETIREMENT Crime Scene Investigation WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Travel and Entertainment Expenses: Review and Update WEBINAR, 8am-10am AICPA’s Preparation, Compilation, and Review Engagements Update WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Cybersecurity Series-Using the Internet Safely & Securely WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm Practical Solutions for Federal Grants Compliance: A Comprehensive Look at the New Uniform Guidance WEBCAST, 2pm-10pm Creating Equity Compensation Plans WEBINAR, 9am-11am Net Operating Losses-Dealing with the Complexities WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm AICPA’s Form 990: Exploring the Form’s Complex Schedules WEBCAST, 7:30am-3:30pm AICPA’s Social Security and Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Passive Activity Rules and the Net Investment Income Tax WEBINAR, 10am-12pm AICPA’s Interpreting the New Revenue Recognition Standard: What All CPAs Need to Know WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Cybersecurity Series-What CEOs and Partners Should Know WEBINAR, 12pm-2pm The CFO’s Role in Strategic Risk Management WEBCAST, 9am-11am Crowd Funding-Debt & Equity WEBCAST, 10am-12pm Keys to Balanced Scorecard: Keeping your Business On-Track! WEBINAR, 9am-11am Measuring and Reporting on Sustainability WEBCAST, 9am-11am Nonprofits: Working with or Serving on Nonprofit Boards WEBINAR, 9am-11am 10 Fatal Mistakes to Avoid: Learn from Others’ Business Errors WEBINAR, 10am-12pm The CFOs Role in Strategy Development WEBCAST, 7am-9am AICPA’s Financial Forecasting: Planning for Success WEBCAST, 10am-2pm

17WBCAP03A

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBBAP03A

249

319

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP03A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAAP04A

195

245

Webcast

PFP

17WNCAP05A

Webinar

TAX

17WBBAP06A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP06A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAAP06A

195

245

Webcast

GNP

17WNCAP07A

Webinar

17WNCAP07B

Webinar

TAX

17WBBAP10A

249

319

Webcast

TAX

17WBBAP12A

159

199

Webcast

TAX

17WNCAP12A

Webinar

TAX

17WBBAP13A

159

199

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP13A

Webinar

TEC

17WBAAP13A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WBAAP14A

109

Webcast

17WNCAP14A

Webinar

A&A

17WBAAP17A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP17A

Webinar

17WNCAP18A

Webinar

17WBAAP18A

109

Webcast

17WBBAP19A

159

199

Webcast

Type

 Non-tech credits |

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Subject

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

CPE Credits

EDUCATION AND EVENTS

Course

Code

Corporate Finance:Valuing a Business WEBCAST, 7am-9am GAAP Update WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Interpreting The Yellow Book WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Single Audit Primer and Update WEBINAR, 11am-1pm Small-Business Financial Statements WEBCAST, 8:30am-12pm AICPA’s Risk, Cost, and Cash Management for Controllers and Financial Managers WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Practical Guide to Accounting Fraud WEBCAST, 1pm-4:30pm Small GAAP: AICPA Private Company Financial Reporting Standards WEBINAR, 8am-10am Washington CPA Ethics and New Developments 2016 by Mark Hugh (A WA Requirement) WEBCAST, 8am-12pm What You Need to Know to Audit Government Programs WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Accounting Industry Update WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Captive Insurance: An Effective Financial and Risk Management WEBINAR, 8am-10am Cost Principles for State and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Washington B&O Tax and New Developments 2016 by Mark Hugh WEBCAST, 8am-12pm Washington Sales Tax and New Developments 2016 by Mark Hugh WEBCAST, 12pm-4pm Accounting and Auditing Update WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm FICA/Self-Employment Tax Exposure: S Corps & Partnerships WEBINAR, 9:30am-11:30am Capital Gains Tax Strategies for Advanced Transactions WEBINAR, 10am-12pm Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting Fundamentals WEBCAST, 8:30am-4:30pm Systemic Risk – Six Mega-Trends Facing Organizations Today WEBCAST, 11am-1pm AICPA’s Controller’s Update: Today’s Latest Trends WEBCAST, 10am-2pm Performance Auditing Essentials WEBINAR, 11am-1pm The CFO’s Role in Strategic Cash Management WEBCAST, 11am-1pm

17WBAAP19A

109

Webcast

17WBCAP19A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBCAP19C

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WNCAP19A

Webinar

GNP

17WBCAP19B

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WBBAP20A

159

199

Webcast

17WBCAP20A

140

188

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP20A

Webinar

A&A

17WBAAP20A

164

194

Webcast

Ethics

17WBCAP20B

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBCAP21B

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP21A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCAP21A

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBAAP21A

129

159

Webcast

TAX

17WBAAP21B

129

159

Webcast

TAX

17WBCAP24A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP24A

Webinar

TAX

17WNCAP25A

Webinar

TAX

17WBCAP25A

275

375

Webcast

A&A

17WBAAP25A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WBBAP26A

159

199

Webcast

17WNCAP26A

Webinar

A&A

17WBAAP26A

109

Webcast

A&A

Type

4/19

4/20

4/21

4/24

4/25

4/26

4.5

4/26

 Non-tech credits |

www.wscpa.org

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

Subject

Networking event

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

EDUCATION AND EVENTS Date

CPE Credits

Course

Code

The CFO’s Role in Strategic Risk Management WEBCAST, 8am-10am Fiduciary Accounting for Estates and Trusts WEBINAR, 9am-11am Frequent Frauds Found in Governments and Not-for-Profits WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Multi-Task Role of the CFO/Controller WEBCAST, 8:30am-4pm Cash Management Strategies WEBCAST, 9am-11am Critical Thinking Skills for Finance and Accounting Professionals WEBINAR, 9am-11am Financial Planning for the Big Picture WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Financial Planning for the Big Picture WEBCAST, 8am-4pm Corporate Finance:Valuing a Business WEBCAST, 7am-9am CSI RETIREMENT Crime Scene Investigation WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Generations at Work: Finding Common Ground WEBCAST, 8am-10am Systemic Risk – Six Mega-Trends Facing Organizations Today WEBCAST, 11am-1pm Practical Solutions for Federal Grants Compliance: A Comprehensive Look at the New Uniform Guidance WEBCAST, 7am-3pm Use Critical Thinking Skills to Boost Your Impact WEBCAST, 10am-12pm Galvanizing, Enabling, and Measuring Innovation WEBCAST, 7am-9am Risk Analysis and Management WEBCAST, 8am10am Cash Management Strategies WEBCAST, 7am-9am Corporate Finance:Valuing a Business WEBCAST, 11am-1pm Financial Planning for the Big Picture WEBCAST, 2pm-10pm Taking the Financial Executive’s Leadership to the Next Level WEBCAST, 3pm-5pm Generations at Work: Finding Common Ground WEBCAST, 7am-9am The CFO’s Role in Strategic Cash Management WEBCAST, 7am-9am

17WBAAP26B

109

Webcast

A&A

17WNCAP27A

Webinar

A&A

17WBCAP27A

275

375

Webcast

GNP

17WBCAP27B

275

375

Webcast

17WBAAP28A

109

Webcast

17WNCAP28A

Webinar

17WBAAP29A

195

245

Webcast

17WBAMY02A

195

245

Webcast

17WBAMY03B

109

Webcast

17WBAMY03A

195

245

Webcast

PFP

17WBAMY09A

109

Webcast

17WBAMY11A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WBAMY12A

195

245

Webcast

GNP

17WBAMY12B

109

Webcast

17WBAMY15A

109

Webcast

17WBAMY16A

109

Webcast

A&A

17WBAMY18A

109

Webcast

17WBAMY18B

109

Webcast

17WBAMY23A

195

245

Webcast

17WBAMY23B

109

Webcast

17WBAMY24A

109

Webcast

17WBAMY30A

109

Webcast

A&A

Type

4/26

4/27

4/28

4/29

5/2

5/3

5/9

5/11

5/12



5/15

5/16

5/18

5/23

5/24

5/30



 Non-tech credits |

WSCPA NonAICPA Member Member Member Discount Fee Fee

Location

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Subject

Networking event

www.wscpa.org

REGISTRATION

Register online with credit card at www.wscpa.org/cpe/catalog or: • Mail form with check to WSCPA, 902 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005-3480 • Call (425) 644-4800 or (800) 272-8273 (toll-free in Washington) Questions? E-mail cpe@wscpa.org or call the WSCPA.

Code

Title

Date

City

Fee1

To pay by credit card, please visit www.wscpa.org/cpe/catalog or call (425) 644-4800.

WSCPA CPE policies apply to all programs in the CPE Digest. Review the CPE policies at www.wscpa.org. www.wscpa.org

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

CLASSIFIED ADS

Detailed advertising information is available online at www.wscpa.org under More. Ads are $1 per word, with a $50 minimum fee. Active e-mail and web site addresses are included. Ads are placed on the website for 60 days when received and in the next magazine when received by the deadline, March 1 for the spring 2017 issue. Post a job listing at www.wscpa.org (click Job Board). For rental or vacation property use the miscellaneous category. Contact Janet White at (425) 586-1126, or memberservices@wscpa.org for more information. All ads must be pre-paid. MERGERS & SALES Growing EastsideTax &Accounting Practice. Private PracticeTransitions is assisting a client,located in South King County, with the sale of a busy tax and accounting firm.This owner has been in practice for more than 25 years and desires to sell the business as a turn-key operation. The firm files more than 200 tax returns each year for both business and individual clients.While tax return preparation accounts for about 85% of the firm’s business, 15% comes from other consulting and bookkeeping services. The firm is located in a growing location, employs two staff, is truly turn-key, and is positioned for substantial growth! If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, or to learn more, email “South King Tax & Accounting Practice” to info@ privatepracticetransitions.com or call today! Contact Information: Farmer, Justin D. (425)785-2453. CPA Practice for Sale - University Place/ Tacoma Established practice of 30 years,comprised of 60% tax and 40% audit work. Sole practitioner plus one CPA, a full-time receptionist and one, parttime person.The practice is located in a stand-alone, low-overhead building that is also for sale. Call 253-564-1725. Contact Us to Sell Your Tax or Accounting Practice! Private Practice Transitions can help you realize an amazing return on your investment! We have several buyers in the Greater Seattle Area who are looking to purchase now, are approved for financing,and/or have cash-in-hand.Contact Justin D. Farmer @ 425.785.2453 to learn more! Considering Selling Your Practice? Consider all your options. We do the work. Confidential. We have buyers actively seeking practices. Call Mark Hause at (877) 345-7722 or visit our website at www.accountingpracticesales.com. Accounting Practice Sales.We make dreams happen! IBA Sells Privately Held Companies. Do you represent a client who is ready to retire or has taken a company as far as they want to or can? IBA is the Pacific Northwest’s oldest business brokerage (M&A) firm. We are professional negotiators with over 4000 completed transactions. Please contact us if we can be of assistance at (800) 218-4422 or www.ibainc.com. OFFICE SPACE University Place Office Condo - $371,900 For Sale: Prime location on Bridgeport Way - 1,961 s/f. Excellent visibility and monument sign. Includes 6 offices, reception, and kitchen. Ideal for owner to lease any unused office space. Contact: Woody Harris or Carrie Walker, 253-472-0404.

WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

PRACTICES FOR SALE Contact Mark Hause atAccounting Practice Sales by e-mail at MARKHAUSE@CONTACTAPS.COM or call (877) 345-7722 for more information on the following practices: (WA 1110) North Puget Sound CPA Practice for Sale: This well rounded CPA firm located in the North Puget Sound Areas is for sale. The firm renders professional services in the areas of income tax, write-up, compilations, reviews, auditing and office management. The firm and its predecessors have rendered high quality professional services for over 30 years and enjoys an outstanding reputation in the community. The practice has a variety of clients in a variety of industries including nonprofit entities. The owner seeks to retire but is available to transition the firm to the new owner through tax season. All of this in a firm where the owner works part time. The firm has significant upside in billings and net income in all areas with any new owner capitalizing on the opportunity this practice provides. The Seller, to incentivize interested buyers, will consider financing the purchase of the practice with a substantial down payment provided the buyer has excellent credit and collateral. (WA 1109) Vancouver CPA Practice for Sale: This long term CPA practice is for sale. The firm provides quality tax services to a loyal client base of individuals and business entities. The firm’s service mix is write-up and income tax. The foundation of the firm has always been a proactive approach to client service. The ongoing communication whether a phone call or email prevents the end of year surprises. This practice is a solid addition to an existing form or the startup of a new practice. (WA 1107) Bothell,Mill Creek,Woodinville CPA Practice for Sale: This well-established CPA practice is for sale. The firm is known for personal service and is a recommended preparer to many of the nearby employers. The firm is a tax practice with 75% of revenues coming from the annual preparation of income tax returns. The balance is composed of write-up 22% and consulting 3%.The firm has another significant attribute which is an excellent staff that provides not only quality professional services but support for the owner and clients of the firm. This practice with excellent fees and stable loyal clients is a solid opportunity for a variety of buyers. (WA 1105) North Olympic Peninsula CPA Practice for Sale: This CPA practice consists of clients that return year after year.The firm is centered around the revenue streams of income tax 62% and write-up 37% with a small amount of reviewed financial statements. The owner(s) have a long term staff that assists in the rendering of these professional services. The practice has an excellent cash flow, easily above the norm, reflecting an excellent realization rate on the fees earned. All of these factors demonstrate the opportunity this firm provides to any accountant seeking to be on their own and rewarded for their efforts in a varied client base. (WA 1104) Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon Area CPA Practice for Sale: This CPA practice

has experienced explosive growth with revenues increasing by approx. 42% per year for the last two years. The firm has a variety of services but the focus is on tax with these services equaling 54% of fees collected over the last 12-month period ending April 2016. The balance of the revenue is found in consulting, write up, and compilations. This dynamic practice with excellent revenue increases is primed for a new owner and continued prosperity. (WA 1103) Renton CPA Practice for Sale: This CPA practice with many loyal clients is for sale. The firm can be described as tax practice with 78% of revenues coming from tax services. The balance is comprised of write up and to a lesser degree consulting. The firm has benefited from positive social medial reviews to continue a solid growth path with all types of clients. The office facility is owned by the Seller making the client transition a simple process toward continued success. The buyer of this practice, that fits a number of buyers, is a significant opportunity coupled with a net cash flow that is above the norm. (WA 1102) Seattle CPA Tax Practice for Sale: This CPA firm is a tax practice that specializes in the commercial fishing industry. The firm has no write up work electing to focus on rendering income tax services to the clients of the practice. The next attribute is the overall average of fees equaling $879 per return which creates a great net cash flow. Last but by no means least is a tax practice without the 4-15 crunch. The firm extends many of the returns with the result being that 45% of the annual billable time is performed in the time period from June to October. This practice with all these elements mentioned including a great staff is the kind professionals actively seek and rarely find. All of this without the really difficult tax season stresses that push the staff and owner to the limit. (WA 1101) Bellingham/Ferndale-Whatcom County CPA Tax Practice for Sale: This well-managed CPA tax centric practice is for sale. The firm is filled with clients that return year after year and produce a net cash flow that exceeds 50% of revenues.The revenues are 87% income tax and the balance is write up and consulting. With an excellent staff providing solid backup, the firm offers ample opportunity for the expansion of services consistent with the abilities and interest of the new owner. Whether looking for your first practice or a highly profitable addition to an existing firm, this practice provides ample challenge and reward. (WA 1092) Kittitas County EATax Practice for Sale: This well-established Enrolled Agent practice with remarkable balance in professional fees is for sale. The firm has two great books of business with tax and write-up revenues being approximately equal and a small amount of consulting making up the balance. The revenue stream provides great balance and great cash flow through the year. The firm also has great momentum with revenue increasing in double digits for the last two years. This firm fits a number of buyers who are looking for an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The following organizations need a CPA to serve on the board of directors and/or provide other guidance on financial matters. Learn more about these, and other organizations that need your help, under Volunteer opportunities for CPAs, at www.wscpa.org/more/marketing-to-cpas. BirdNote - new Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW - new Friends of Cooper Island - new

Northwest Girlchoir - new Olympia Chapter Troup Unlimited - new

www.wscpa.org

MEMBER PROFILE

Minae Lee I 2016-2017 Washington CPA Foundation Scholarship Winner

Never Lose Hope On Your Journey By Jocelyn Nystrom

inae’s journey to CPA licensure is one that has strayed from the traditional student path. It’s a journey that has tested her, yet one that has become a blessing in disguise. Minae experienced financial hardship in 2006, while she was a sophomore in accounting at Western Washington University. She was forced to leave her education behind to work 12-hour days at a restaurant to make ends meet. Minae grew up in an affluent family that afforded her the opportunity to travel the world, so when the financial crisis hit her and her family, it was overwhelming and unexpected.After several years of tireless days and nights, her dedication paid off and she was able to resume her education in 2009, this time at Washington State University (WSU). “I wanted to inspire my younger brother and sister to persevere during difficult times and follow through with long-term goals despite challenges,” Minae acknowledged. “I used to be jealous or frustrated about what I did not have. I learned to be thankful and made sure to show that to people around me. I began to look forward to the future. I am the one who is in control of my life.“

Applications are now being accepted for Washington CPA Foundation scholarships. Application deadline: February 14, 2017 wscpa.org/scholarships

www.wscpa.org

While continuing her education she looked for exciting opportunities related to accounting and gave back by working with Beta Alpha Psi, tutoring students, helping in the children’s center, and assisting international students file their taxes. She worked at the WSU Access Center providing help to students with disabilities and as an AICPA ambassador promoting the accounting program. Minae admitted, “When I first went back to school, I had no idea how to network or what to do. I became a part of Beta Alpha Psi after a professor encouraged me to apply. WSU hosted a firm event that allowed speakers to share opportunities. It was there that I heard about the WSCPA scholarship.” She received one of 46 Washington CPA Foundation scholarships for the 2016 academic year. While at WSU, she met encouraging professors along the way who reassured her that she would be successful as a CPA. They taught her that accounting is so much more than just basic math. “If you are simply good at math, you can be an engineer or perhaps, a math teacher. Being a CPA requires more than that. You need to be social. You will meet so many different types of people, constantly interacting with professionals in the field,” she asserted. Minae attended networking events and applied for internships, ultimately landing an internship with Deloitte. Before her internship, she heard about an opportunity through Deloitte that would allow her to give back on a national level during Alternative Spring Break with Teach for America, an annual companywide celebration that invites employees from around the world to volunteer in the community. Minae and Deloitte staff traveled to a school in Memphis,

Tennessee, where they assisted with a food drive, built a community garden and painted the school grounds while connecting with middle and high schoolers in the community. “It was an eye-opening experience to give back to an underprivileged community in need,” she said. Minae is currently earning her Master of Science in Taxation degree at Gonzaga University, a one-year program that she will finish May 2017. She is also studying for her CPA exam and will be working as a full-time Tax Associate at Deloitte starting October 2017. She aspires to learn more about global employer services through her experience at Deloitte and would like to give back to her parents who have always believed in her and never lost hope in her journey. Jocelyn Nystrom is WSCPA Advocacy and Foundation Coordinator. You can contact her at jnystrom@wscpa.org. WashingtonCPA Winter 2017

Periodicals postage paid at Bellevue WA and additional mailing offices

Your Profession. Your Future. Your Advocate.

CLEAR

AREA

Call for nominations

WSCPA AWARDS Submit nominations now! www.wscpa.org/community/awards

Lifetime Achievement Award Recognizes a current or former member for a career of leadership and dedicated service to the accounting profession and as an exemplary role model for other CPAs.

Outstanding Volunteer Leader Award Recognizes an active member for outstanding service and dedication and/or innovative and inspirational WSCPA leadership.

Community Leadership Award Recognizes a member whose respected leadership in community organizations has enhanced the image or public perception of CPAs.

New Professionals Award Recognizes an active member who has been a CPA for fewer than 10 years for outstanding WSCPA leadership.

Company or Firm of the Year Award Recognizes a company or firm that provides noteworthy support to the WSCPA and its members.

Rising Star Award Recognizes a member who is in the process of obtaining a CPA License for active WSCPA leadership, dedication, and service.

Special Award Recognizes an individual who is not a CPA but has supported or promoted the activities of CPAs and the WSCPA.