APRIL 2012
FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Los Angeles Chapter
www.financialexecutives.org
connecting financial executives
[President’s Message]
Dear Members,
On behalf of the FEI LA Board, I am excited to
announce a change in our meeting schedule for
May. Jeff Henley, Chairman of Oracle, has agreed to
be our dinner speaker at our May meeting to be
held on Thursday, May 17th at the Jonathan Club in
Downtown Los Angeles. This is in lieu of the
previously announced Spring Social. We anticipate
high attendance for this event. The meeting format
will be different, but the timing will approximate our
normal start time and duration. Details will be
communicated to you when finalized.
Our Day at the Races at Santa Anita was a big
success and a lot of fun. Those of us who attended
enjoyed the races, a tour of the horse paddocks and
good company. See the photos on page 3. Special
thanks go to Brian Parisi, our VP of Events for
organizing the outing.
This month, we are pleased to present Dr. Cecil
DINNER SPEAKER
Cecil Jackson - Professor of Clinical Accounting,
Leventhal School of Accounting at USC
PRESENTS: BUSINESS FAIRY TALES —
REALITIES OF FICTITIOUS FINANCIAL REPORTING
Cecil Jackson, Professor of Clinical Accounting in the Leventhal School of Accounting at
the University of Southern California, teaches courses on fraudulent financial reporting and
managerial accounting for the MBA program as well as the graduate and undergraduate
accounting programs. Dr. Jackson designed and teaches USC’s first course on detecting
fraudulent financial accounting.
Jackson’s book, Business Fairy Tales, has received extremely favorable reviews from publications such as Barron’s, The CPA Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, the Motley Fool and
The Accounting Review. In August 2009, the book was awarded an Honorable Mention by
the American Accounting Association, for Innovation in Accounting Education. In his book,
Business Fairy Tales, Jackson uses real-world scandals to illustrate the top-twenty methods
used by companies to falsely overstate earnings and hide debt. He also examines the signals
in financial statements that alert readers to these manipulations.
Cecil Jackson has appeared on a number of business news shows, including Bloomberg
Television, The Street.Com, and CNN. He has worked for two leading public accounting
firms. He recently served on a Mock Arbitration Panel to prepare attorneys for a major arbitration case. Dr. Jackson has won several awards for his teaching and is a respected speaker
and consultant on aggressive financial reporting issues. In May 2010, he was awarded the
prestigious Evan C. Thompson Teaching and Learning Innovation Award by the Marshall
School of Business. Dr. Jackson is currently working on a textbook, Detecting Accounting
Fraud, to be published by Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Jackson, Professor of Clinical Accounting at USC,
who will discuss financial reporting fraud. Jeanne
Schad of Lee Hecht Harrison will discuss business
leadership skills in the professional development
session. We look forward to seeing you there.
Thank you,
Bill
Bill Beech
bbeech@avantadvisory.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
PAGE 2
UPCOMING NETWORKING EVENTS
PAGE 3
EVENT COVERAGE
PAGE 4 FRIENDS OF THE CHAPTER
PAGE 5 FEI CHAPTER INFORMATION
PAGE 6
MARKETPLACE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Jeanne Schad - Lee Hecht Harrison, Culver City, CA
THINKING AND ACTING STRATEGICALLY IN THE NEW WORLD ORDER
As the economy shifts and the business climate changes, leaders are continuously
challenged to flex their skills. The leadership skills that may have been needed five years ago
can be quite different than those needed now. Businesses are increasingly asking their people
to perform within the paradox of fast growth with containment of risk and cost. In a recent poll
conducted by Lee Hecht Harrison, executives in the poll identified developing leadership skills
as their top talent development concern. To address these concerns, Lee Hecht Harrison is
offering an interactive presentation to workshop CFO’s, controllers, and financial service
professionals with tools to meet their organization’s leadership challenges now and into 2012.
Through this interactive presentation you will:
> Assess what Thinking and Acting Strategically means to your organization and compare
your results with your peers.
> Learn the strategic leadership skills most needed to lead through change, uncertainty
and competing imperatives.
> Design an action plan to inspire your organization’s leadership and your own team to
think and act strategically.
About our presenter: Jeanne Schad is VP/Business Development – Talent Development for
Lee Hecht Harrison in Southern California. Jeanne is an ICF-Certified Professional Coach and
helps organizations align their leadership strategies to business results.
APRIL 2012
PAGE 2
UPCOMING
NETWORKING
EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE
April 19 owntown LA Jonathan Club
D
Career Session: Resources Global Professionals: “Effective Relationship Building
Exclusively for Leaders in Transition”
Professional Development: Jeanne Schad, Lee Hecht Harrison: “Thinking and
Acting Strategically in the New World Order”
Dinner Speaker: Cecil Jackson, Professor of Clinical Accounting, Leventhal
School of Accounting at USC: “Business Fairy Tales — Realities of Fictitious
Financial Reporting”
May 17
Downtown LA Jonathan Club – Extended Social Hour (5:00 PM)
Celebrating a great year with our Chapter friends and our members; greeting
prospective members & chapter friends and welcoming our colleagues from
Inland Empire and Orange County.
Dinner Speaker (7:00 PM): Jeffrey O. Henley, Chairman of Oracle Corporation:
“Enabling True Business Transformations: The CFO’s Role”
September 20 Downtown LA Jonathan Club
Professional Development: TBD
Dinner Speaker: TBD
Career Session: Resources Global Professionals
EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING EXCLUSIVELY FOR LEADERS IN TRANSITION
FEI’s Career Service Committee and Resources Global Professionals cordially invites you to
attend this powerful event. Creating, maintaining and serving a wide network will lead to great
business and personal rewards. And it really is all about building and valuing long term
relationships and delivering value. But who is in your network? Who do you already know and
how do you add to it?
When it comes to networking, the adage “build it before you need it” couldn’t be truer. But
the good news is you already have built it! Now learn how to uncover it! This meeting will help
you understand what Networking really is, how to identify or uncover your own, already
existing network, how to continually build on it and then how to nurture and maintain it.
The presentation will take place at 4 pm on Thursday, Apr 19, 2012 at the Jonathan Club,
prior to the Professional Development program at the monthly meeting.
[ Area Luncheons]
All members and Friends of the Chapter are
encouraged to attend one of the area
luncheons on April 12, at the addresses listed
below. Feel free to bring a guest and join
members in an informal exchange of ideas.
12:00 PM
DOWNTOWN/PASADENA/
CLAREMONT/GLENDALE
University Club, 175 North Oakland Avenue
Pasadena, 626/793-5157
<<< INFORMATION >>>
Ed McIntyre
Dick Jackson
323/715-0973
626/335-6896
dickjackson2001@yahoo.com edmcinty@yahoo.com
12:00 PM
WEST SIDE/SOUTH BAY
Tony P’s Dockside Grill, 4445 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, www.Tonyps.com
<<< INFORMATION >>>
Mark Green 424/218-8276
mgreen@ksnar.com
12:00 PM
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
NICOLA’S KITCHEN, 20969 VENTURA BLVD.,
WOODLAND HILLS
<<< INFORMATION >>>
Bill Sleeper 213/700-8322
PLEASE BRING CASH TO
PAY FOR YOUR LUNCH
APRIL 19 [ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ON THE THIRD FLOOR]
4:00 - 5:00PM Career Session
Main Dining Room, 3rd floor
*DETAILS AND DIRECTIONS: THE JONATHAN CLUB
545 S. Figueroa, L.A. (Figueroa & 6th Street), Valet Parking Only—No Charge
5:00 - 6:00PM Professional Development Session,
Part of the Main Dining Room
From 110 Freeway South: Exit Wilshire, left on Wilshire, left on Figueroa, pass
6th St., left into Jonathan Club garage.
6:00 - 6:45PM Networking, Florentine Lounge
6:45 - 9:00PM Dinner/Dinner Speaker, Main Dining Room
From 110 Freeway North: Exit 9th St., left on Figueroa, pass 6th St., left into garage.
Dress Code: Coat and tie for gentleman. Formal daytime attire for ladies;
pantsuits permitted.
APRIL 2012
PAGE 3
EVENT
COVERAGE
A Day at the Races
Despite the clouds in the morning it turned out to be a beautiful
day at Santa Anita Race track. Winning or losing everyone was
having fun. Highlights of the day included tours of the paddock
given by FEI’s own Steve Turner, greats seats in the Turf Club and
a group photo down on the track after the 3rd race. Hope to see
everyone at our next FEI social event!
Big smiles from President Bill Beech and
wife Rebecca Beech as they enjoy the Turf
Club atmosphere.
Loren Miller and Brian Parisi trading
betting secrets before the races begin.
Friend of the Chapter Chad Cohen stops for a quick
photo with Nick Koutouras, Brian Parisi and Collin
Mah before jetting off to make a bet.
Newly engaged Chad Cohen and fiancee
Stacy Orlick were excited to spend some
quality time at the races together.
JJ Tebo and Frances Moreno from Vaco
compared notes while catching up in
between races.
Happy to see our new gold member from
Arxis Technology, David Cieslak, and his wife
Michelle Cieslak enjoying the day.
John Combs and John Owens sharing a laugh
while watching the tableside TV.
Mark Severance and his wife Jodi
Severance enjoying their brief time away
from their 4 kids to place some bets.
Marzi Mistry and Loren Miller enjoy the tableside
view over the race track.
It’s great to see Susanne relaxing with her
husband Charles for a few minutes and
soaking up the excitment of the day.
FEI Social Director Brian Parisi and wife Danielle
Parisi stop to take a picture with Vaco’s Frances
Moreno and husband Richard Moreno.
APRIL 2012
PAGE 4
FRIENDS OF
THE CHAPTER
GOLD LEVEL
Building Value with Values®
Arxis Technology, INC.
www.arxistechnology.com
Mark Severance, MBA, Principal
866/624-2600
mseverance@arxistechnology.com
Crowe Horwath LLP
AUDIT | TAX | RISK | PERFORMANCE
www.crowehorwath.com
Jay Mangel
Jeff Tillman
Crowe Horwath LLP
818/325-8402
Office: 818.325.8416
jay.mangel@crowehorwath.com
jeff.tillman@crowehorwath.com
Martin
Casaus, CPA
Partner
1888 Century Park East, 4th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310-557-8209
mcasaus@bdo.com
ORACLE
www.crowehorwath.com
www.oracle.com
BDO USA
BDO USA, LLP
Anders Maudal, Regional Manager
www.bdo.com
5th Casaus,
largest
accounting
world
714/371-7482
Martin
Assurance
Partner network in the
Cell:
310/760-3266
310/557-8209
anders.maudal@oracle.com
www.bdo.com
mcasaus@bdo.com
Robert Half Management Resources
www.roberthalfmr.com
Tony Uyehara, Sr. Regional Manager
310/209-6855
tony.uyehara@rhi.com
VACO
www.vaco.com
Frances Moreno, Partner
310/693-0491
fmoreno@vaco.com
© 2011 BDO USA, LLP. All rights reserved. www.bdo.com
SILVER LEVEL
Analysis Team, Inc.
www.AnalysisTeam.com
Dave Stark, President
818/557-0396
dstark@AnalysisTeam.com
DocuSource
www.docusource.com
Phil Losquadro, Sr. Strategic Acct Mgr.
310/926-9995
plosquadro@docusource.com
Intratem
www.intratem.com
Mitchell Sodikoff
800/261-6977
msodikoff@intratem.com
Aon Risk Solutions Southern CA
www.aon.com
Judy Bamberger, Sr. VP
213/630-3224
judy.bamberger@aon.com
Ernst & Young
www.ey.com
John Finnucan
213/977-4339
john.finnucan@ey.com
KPMG, LLP
www.kpmg.com
John D. Owens
213/955-8575
jdowens@kpmg.com
Grant Thornton, LLP
www.GrantThornton.com
Harris Smith, Partner
213/596-3445
harris.smith@us.gt.com
Resources Global Professionals
www.resourcesglobal.com
Neil Stevens
213/689-4178
neil.stevens@resourcesglobal.com
Houlihan Lokey
www.hl.com
Marc Asbra, CFA
310/712-6527
masbra@hlhz.com
Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda &
Williamson, LLP
www.squarmilner.com
Craig Weaver
949/222-2999
cweaver@squarmilner.com
Century Group
www.century-group.com
Ron Blair
424/218-3121
rblair@century-group.com
Comerica Bank
www.comerica.com
Brandon Ferrera, VP
562/590-2519
bjferrera@comerica.com
The Siegfried Group, LLP
www.siegfriedgroup.com
Fred Gray Managing Director,
Southern California
661/312-7811
fgray@siegfriedgroup.com
TemoArjani LLP
www.arjani.com
Bill Hranchak
626/578-1978
bhranchak@arjani.com
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Chad Cohen, Financial Advisor
310/859-5632
chad.cohen@ubs.com
Friends of the Chapter membership is open to companies that maintain relationships with CFO and other
senior financial executives. Friends of the Chapter agree to send a senior representative to our dinners and meetings,
and to bring a CFO or senior financial officer from one of their clients who is not a member of FEI.
APRIL 2012
PAGE 5
FEI - LA CHAPTER
INFORMATION
NEW MEMBER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Los Angeles chapter of FEI has targeted a membership growth goal this year of 10%. To
achieve this, we are offering chapter members an opportunity to earn a $100 American
Express gift card for each qualified prospect that joins the L.A. Chapter, up to a maximum of
the member’s local chapter annual dues during that annual period. New member dues must
be paid in full. This program is effective for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
One of the best ways to attract member prospects is to invite one or two qualified guests
to each monthly meeting and educate them about the benefits of membership.
EXAMPLES OF MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS INCLUDE:
> F EI Career Center, career management services and professional advancement resources
> Continuing professional education (CPE) opportunities
> L ocal peer networking and education through involvement in lunches, mixers, social,
holiday and dinner speaker events
> National conferences and webcasts
>T
he latest thought leadership in finance, accounting and corporate governance, including
accounting, reporting and tax updates, emerging issue alerts and regulatory updates
> Advocacy including, government affairs, accounting policies and comment letters
> Access to public, private, non-profit and government Board opportunities
> FEI member discount health and insurance plans.
Active participation in chapter events offers additional personal and professional benefits,
such as enhancing leadership, communications and cross-functional skills; mentoring the next
generation of finance and accounting professionals; and volunteering in the local community.
We all benefit from getting to know existing and new peers FEI, and from creating greater
brand awareness in FEI. The more we differentiate ourselves as the premier organization of
senior finance and accounting executives, the more influential and valuable we become.
For further information on membership, please contact Ron Miller,
VP Membership at 310-465-8122 or rkmiller001@gmail.com
.com
EVENT RESERVATION
Our preferred method of receiving your reservation for the Dinner Meeting,
Professional Development Seminar and Career Services program is via the website.
Go to http://www.financialexecutives.org/KenticoCMS/Communities/Chapters/
Los-Angeles.aspx, click on “meetings & events,” click on the name of the meeting
you will be attending, click on “Register Now” at the top or bottom of the page.
Alternatively, you may call the Chapter’s voice mail at 213/243-7648, or email
Susanne Truitt at susannetruitt@att.net. Susanne can also be reached at
562/818-1133. If you are bringing a guest please use the Chapter’s voice mail or email
Susanne with your guest’s information. Include your name, phone number, names of
guest(s), their title, and company name. Please bring a $100 check (payable to F.E.I.)
per guest to the meeting. Provide your guest’s name, company and contact information
as early as possible so a name tag can be prepared. PLEASE RSVP NO LATER THAN
10AM THE MONDAY BEFORE THE MEETING.
For events at the Jonathan Club — 545 S. Figueroa, L.A. (Figueroa & 6th Street) Valet
Parking Only—No Charge Directions to the JC: From 110 Freeway South: Exit Wilshire, left
on Wilshire, left on Figueroa, pass 6th St., left into Jonathan Club garage. From 110 Freeway
North: Exit 9th St., left on Figueroa, pass 6th St., left into garage. Dress Code: Coat and tie
for gentleman. Formal daytime attire for ladies; pantsuits permitted.
2011-2012
Officers and Directors
PRESIDENT
Bill Beech
VICE PRESIDENTS
Bob Havlik
Nick Koutouras
Ron Miller
Brian Parisi
Michelle Reagan
David Ruiz
John Zeller
TREASURER
Preeti Mehta
SECRETARY, V.P.
Daniel Wong
ASST. SECRETARY
Ron Iovino
GENERAL AUDITOR
Jon Myers
DIRECTORS
John Combs
Loren Miller
Marzi Mistry
Dewey Norton
Jay Panzica
Roger Shockley
Roger Stephens
WHAT’S ON
YOUR MIND?
TO VOLUNTEER:
E-mail Nick Koutouras at
Nicholas@Koutouras.com
TO BE A SPEAKER OR SUGGEST
PROGRAM IDEAS:
E-mail Nick Koutouras at
Nicholas@Koutouras.com
FOR CURRENT EVENTS OR ISSUES:
http://www.financialexecutives.org
UPDATE YOUR MEMBER INFORMATION:
Is your contact information current?
Contact: Susanne Truitt at
susannetruitt@att.net or at 562/818-1133
APRIL 2012
PAGE 6
MARKETPLACE
Martin Casaus, CPA
Partner
1888 Century Park East, 4th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310-557-8209
mcasaus@bdo.com
BDO USA, LLP
5th largest accounting network in the world
www.bdo.com
© 2011 BDO USA, LLP. All rights reserved. www.bdo.com
FEI LA SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE
Building Value with Values®
AUDIT | TAX | RISK | PERFORMANCE
Jeff Tillman
Crowe Horwath LLP
Office: 818.325.8416
jeff.tillman@crowehorwath.com
www.crowehorwath.com
17901 Von Karmon #800
Irvine, CA 92614
Anders Maudal, Regional Manager
Office: 714/371-7482
Cell: 310/760-3266
anders.maudal@oracle.com
Last year we launched the FEI Los Angeles Chapter’s own social
­ edia web site and invited members to join. We can use this
m
site to ­communicate with members about matters of professional
importance:
> Post interests or questions about any financial issue where
members might be able to offer free advice
> Post consulting needs or permanent positions where members
who are in transition or consultants might meet your needs
> Start a discussion group on some financial topic such as IFRS
implementation or the economic forecast
> Post web sites, files, videos, pictures or other material that are
­professionally relevant
> Tell other members something about your firm or assignment
> If you have a financial blog, post a link to this If you haven’t,
please consider the capabilities offered. Check your email for an
invitation to join the site.
If you do not see this, let us know and we will send another
invitation. The web site is: http://feilamembers.ning.com. We
deferred d
­ evelopment of a site that will be accessible to friends
as we see how this one works first. For more info/questions,
please contact Dewey Norton at dewey.norton@gmail.com.