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Annual Tax Update
Course Objective: To update CPAs on recent changes in personal and corporate tax law.
Course Level: Update, requires basic knowledge of the Federal Tax Code
January 19, 2006, 2 hours CPE
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Speakers to be Announced
Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, whose subsidiaries are among the nation’s leading professional services
firms, provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through nearly 30,000 people in
the U.S. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, they are
dedicated to helping their clients and people excel. Deloitte & Touche USA is the U.S. member firm of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and services are provided by its subsidiaries, including Deloitte & Touche
LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and Deloitte Tax LLP.
In their fiscal year ended May 31, 2004, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and Subsidiaries had 107 US
offices in 90 cities, and employed 7,390 CPAs.
Registered CPE Sponsor – Denise R. Nelson, Association Executive American Woman’s Society of
CPA’s, has informed us that we are certified as a CPE sponsor under NASBA for the period November 1,
2005 to October 31, 2006. Many thanks to Nationals for helping us with this. Our old sponsor number
has been reissued to us – 000052.
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President’s Letter
The second quarter of 2005/2006 is over. What have we accomplished?
We had a wonderful New CPA/New Member Dinner. Anna Marie LaPorte, Membership Chair, handled
registration. Cindy Yoesting helped find mentors for the New CPA’s. We gained a new member, and Betty Pels
updated us on CPE requirements.
We were not successful in finding a CPA to review our 2004/2005 books. After a special September Board
meeting, we decided under the circumstances we could interpret the word “review”, which is a requirement in the
By Laws, to be an internal review by committee member CPA’s rather than a financial review by a CPA. Board
members Barbara Courtright and Gilda Mendoza gave reports at the November Board meeting. Barbara
covered cash and Gilda prepared a comparison and analysis of 2005/2004 expenses versus 2004/2003 expenses.
Kathryn Harriss designed the annual seminar brochure, and the seminar speaker committee finished finding
speakers. Brochures were mailed out in December to last year’s participants and members. Phyllis Martin found
two corporate sponsors, and Brenda Banks secured a donation for breakfast. Gilda Mendoza rounded up
seminar vendors. Wanda Llorens, Publicity Chair, ordered new mechanical pencils with our web site on them.
Donna Mikulecky, Program Chair, ordered new speaker gifts (pewter piggy banks with the new logo). Susan
Taylor, in addition to editing and processing the newsletter, is taking annual seminar reservations.
We have good news on the program cost front. We are going to be able to umbrella under the national AWSCPA,
now a reinstated member of NASBA. We shall have to send all program documentation to Nationals, but we
shall not have to pay the $750 cost to the State Board to present programs with CPE.
Following the suggestion of Past President, Brenda Banks, a call committee was formed. At Nationals we were
advised to get new members involved; they have energy, and the younger they are, the better they are at
technology. I remembered how working with the labels for the last two years made it very easy for me to meet
members, and to remember their names after I met them. So I asked new members who were not involved
elsewhere to be on a call committee to remind other members to make their dinner reservations. Five members
accepted the mission: Uzma Chowdhury, Jolly Mathew, Cheryl Sanders, Stephanie Sawyer, and Annette
Williamson. I asked Nationals for a new roster and gave everyone one page of it. We have an unassigned page if
anyone else would like to help. The response has been positive. Several members at the November dinner
meeting said they were there because they had been reminded. They also said it was fun to talk to the caller. A
couple of the call committee reported back with new addresses, and one committee member even gave me the
name of someone who had not renewed but intended to (we called Nationals and had another dues notice sent).
All the new members who accepted the mission said they wanted to be more involved and would like to talk to
and meet other members. So if you get a reminder call, say thank you and hello. If you are on the standing list,
use this as a reminder to cancel if you do not intend to come.
Projects for the Third Quarter
The Twenty third Annual Seminar on Saturday, February 4th! 7,000 brochures were mailed January 2nd to
females CPA’s in the area. We are still looking for opportunities to speak at local Universities. Joan Khosla,
Civic Chair, is still taking donations of clothes to worthy recipients so clean out those closets. We shall have a
two hour tax update at the January meeting, a Board meeting in February to review finances, and a meeting in
March on Health Insurance options and a Board meeting. Then we shall be in the Fourth and last Quarter!
Jane L. Tillinghast, 2005/2006 President
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Member News and Announcements
Welcome - Welcome to our guests at the November meeting, Ana Johnson, a new CPA, and Wendy
Ng Tang. Thank you, Brenda Banks, for recommending us to Ana.
November Meeting - Patricia Barrett CFP CDFA spoke on planning for a changing situation such as a
lucrative inheritance or winning the lottery. Bottom line – planning is needed in order to avoid greedy salesmen,
greedy relatives, unexpected taxes, or compulsive spending.
Regional and National News –
The AWSCPA National Board is meeting in Houston for their June Board meeting. On Thursday, June 15,
2006, the outgoing National Board will meet. Then at our Charter Renewal Dinner Thursday evening there will be
an installation of the new National Board. On Friday, June 16, 2006, the incoming National Board will meet, and
Friday evening the National Board would like to have dinner with our Houston Affiliate Board. The Board needs a
hotel to stay at, either at the same place we are having the Charter Renewal Dinner or near by. And if someone
has a conference room (capacity 10 to 15) they could donate for a couple of days for the National Board
meetings, that would save the organization the expense of renting a room. Of course, the conference room
would need to be convenient to where the Board is staying. If anyone has any ideas, contact Gilda Mendoza,
Vice President and Charter Renewal Chair. We decided at the November Board meeting because of the shopping
opportunities, the Galleria area might be most fun for them.
The ASWA/AWSCPA Joint Conference has had a date change. The two-and-a-half day event will begin on
Monday, September 18 and conclude with the Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, September 20. It is still being
held at Bally's Las Vegas, Nevada.
President, Jane Tillinghast, participated in a AWSCPA West/East Region Affiliate conference call on Thursday,
November 10th. Atlanta, Tuscan, San Diego, and Houston Affiliates participated with Shari P. Harris, National
Director from the East Coast and Robin Phaneuf, National Director from the West Coast. Items discussed:
1. Date change for National conference - see above
2. $250 rebate per Affiliate if someone in the Affiliate attends the Affiliate exchange at the National Conference.
3. The National Scholarship for a CPA Review course ($2,200 value). The deadline to apply is March 15, 2006.
See www.awscpa.org for details. (Nationals has sent us flyers for our annual seminar folders.)
4. Awards to be given at the National Conference. The deadline for application is June 30, 2006.
a. Woman CPA of the Year
b. Educator of the Year
c. Public Service
d. Woman of Courage
e. Star Affiliate Awards
We were reminded Nationals will do one mailing per affiliate per year. Nationals mailed out our New CPA
invitations, ordered and paid for the printing of the invitations, and paid for the disc used for that mailing. We
were able to use the same disc for the program card mailing and the annual seminar brochure mailing.
6. We discussed that Mass Mutual was a National sponsor and had been giving various affiliates a presentation
called "Pearls of Wisdom". Several of the affiliates on the conference call have heard the presentation. (Because
Mass Mutual is a 2006 "Title" annual seminar sponsor, the Houston Affiliate has agreed to have the Pearls of
Wisdom presentation as our annual seminar lunch session. As the Texas Board does not recognize "personal
development" as CPE, we have asked the presentation be as technical as possible.)
7. The Web Casts are going well. This is high quality, low cost CPE available to us.
8. There is a National membership drive until January 31, 2006. Every member referred entitles the referee to a
$10 gift card from Barnes & Noble. There will also be a drawing by the referees for a $100 Spa Finder Gift
Certificate.
9. One of the Affiliates had a membership drive at a “Big Four” firm. Members had a table set up in the break
room (free cookies and coffee paid for by the Affiliate) and passed out membership information. Three members
joined. That particular firm pays the membership dues.
10. The next conference call will be on February 9, 2006.
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11. The logo store is open on line. Go to www.awscpa.org members only. You will need a password but can
ask Nationals for it online.
Federation of Houston Professional Women –The next quarterly event is January 23, 2006.
Registration forms and details are or will be available on www.fhpw.org.
Board Meeting – No board meeting is scheduled for January as we will have 2 hours of CPE. But we
shall have one on Thursday, February 16, at a location to be announced. We should have the results of the
seminar at this time and can do a midyear review of finances and future events. No regular dinner meeting or
CPE is scheduled on that date. Board meetings are open to all members.
General Gossip - Former member Patricia Hunt misses us!
There are no active AWSCPA or ASWA groups
where she is in Tennessee. But she has become very active in the TN Society of CPA's (seminar, publicity and
golf tournament committee). Her husband has recently been laid off from his job so who knows - they could end
up back in Houston again! Patty wanted to stay on our email list for the newsletter, but Jane pointed out that
there is a copy of the newsletter on our web site. Patty went to our web site (www.awscpa.org/houston), and
she was very impressed with our “advances in technology”. Patty, everyone misses you too! It would be great if
you could come back to Houston, but however it turns out, we wish you and your husband the very best.
Jobs - A billing manager is needed to supervise 5-8 clerks for 6 or more plants. The company is in the
manufacturing/construction industry, located around Tidwell/Hardy Toll Rd. Salary is negotiable to a ceiling of
$50K with an incentive/bonus program. For contact info, call Joan Khosla, 713-339-7239.
Tabb & Associates is an executive search firm with a “Big4” client in Dallas that is looking for internal
auditors. Contact R. Tabb at 614-880-0000.
Foster/Searing Ltd has been retained by a major biotechnology company headquartered in California to
recruit a director of Corporate Accounting. Their website is www.fostersearing.com.
THE CALL COMMITTEE
z
z
z
z
z
z
Uzma Chowdhury - (281) 447-8787 anmeer@yahoo.com - Anderson to Cooper
Open - Courtright to Hiers
Stephanie Sawyer - (281) 367-8434 ssawyer@sbcglobal.net - Hintzman to Martin
Jolly Mathew - (713) 660-7862 kallour@aol.com - Mathew to Nowicki
Cheryl Sanders - (713) 544-5438 cheryl.sanders@gulfsouthpl.com - Pearce to Schertz
Annette Williamson - (713) 501-0039 netwilliamson@sbcglobal.net Shah to Yoesting
If you do not wish to be reminded of a meeting by the call committee, contact the member in your range.
Otherwise enjoy the luxury of momentarily having a personal assistant remind you to make a reservation for a
dinner meeting. If you are on the standing list, use this as a reminder to come to the meeting or to cancel so
that you will not have to pay for an unattended meeting.
AWSCPA Civic Project Basket
We will be setting up a donation basket at each meeting for our members to drop off items for the following
organizations:
The Women’s Home (items for their thrift shop – anything welcome!)
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Dress For Success (women’s professional clothing and accessories)
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs (men’s toiletries, socks, backpacks, etc..)
Cash donations would also be welcome. Simply indicate the organization on the items if you have a preference
for your donation.
American Woman’s Society
of
Certified Public Accountants
Houston Affiliate
Presents
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL SEMINAR
Saturday, February 4, 2006
8 hours Continuing Professional Education
(in addition to a continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks)
Tax & Bankruptcy Updates, Business Planning,
Estate Planning, Wills & Medical Directives and More!
Including Speakers from: PriceWaterhouse Coopers, LLP;
Continental Airlines, Steve Geopfert, Sr., Director-Internal Audit;
Vinson & Elkins, LLP, Jeffrey S. Johnson, Esq., Accounting Malpractice
H.E.S.S. Building
5430 Westheimer
Susan Taylor
(281) 233-1354
($25 Late Registration Fee)
($10 Discount if paid by January 19th)
$150 Members
$165 Non members
Go to WWW.AWSCPA.ORG/HOUSTON NEWSLETTERS DECEMBER FOR
REGISTRATION FORM AND ADDITIONAL BROCHURES
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ANNUAL SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Houston Engineering and Scientific Society (H.E.S.S.)
5430 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Time
7:15 – 7:45 am
7:50 – 8:50 am
9:00 – 9:50 am
10:00 – 10:50 am
11:00 – 11:50 am
12:30 – 1:20 pm
1:30 – 2:20 pm
2:30 – 3:20 pm
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Track 1
Track 2
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Opening Session – Business Killers
Wm. Fields Leake, Certified Family Business Specialist
Strategic Financial Group, Inc.
Pension Developments and
Individual Tax Update
Fiduciary Safety
Laura Nowicki , CPA, Tax
Kellie D. Elder, CPC, QPA
Partner & Shelley Moore,
Nationwide Financial
Director
PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP
Corporate Tax Update
Talking to Clients About Wills
Laura Nowicki, CPA, Tax
and Advance Directives
Partner & Shelley Moore,
Anne-Marie Suire, CPA, JD
Director
PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP
The Future of Family Limited
Accountants’ Liability
Partnerships in Estate Planning
Jeffrey S. Johnston, JD
Michael C. Riddle, JD
Vinson & Elkins, LLP
Riddle & Brazil, LLP
Luncheon Session – Pearls of Wisdom
Wm. Fields Leake, Certified Family Business Specialist
Strategic Financial Group, Inc.
Changes Created by the
Bankruptcy Abuse &
Best Practices in Internal
Consumer Protection Act of
Auditing at Continental Airlines
2005
Steve Goepfert, Sr., CIA, CPA,
D. Brent Wells,
Staff Vice President – Internal
JD/President/Wells & Cuellar,
Audit (CAE), Continental
P.C.
Airlines
Understanding and Working
with Non-Profit Financial
Investment Outlook 2006
Statements
John Osborn, CFP, CFS,
Kay Walthers, CPA,
CHFC, BCS, The Pension
Blazek & Vetterling, LLP
Professionals
Closing Session – The Power of Authentic Communication
Carol A. Cooper, CPA/President/Carol A. Cooper, PC/Houston
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Houston Affiliate
Fiscal Year 2005 to 2006
Officers and Committee Chairs
AFFILIATE
OFFICERS
Position
Name
E-Mail
Work or Cell
Home
President
Jane Tillinghast*
jtillinghastcpa@aol.com
(713) 681-7558
(713) 688-3531
Vice-President
M. Gilda Mendoza*
gmendoza@kanaly.com
(713) 582-0586
(713) 926-3389
Secretary
Ellen McMurrey*
emcmurrey@nwebs.com
Treasurer
Cynthia Cox*
ccox@cynthiacoxcpa.com
(281) 331-8185
(281) 756-8335
(281) 489-1822
Committees and
Other Positions
Position
Work or Cell
Home
Jane Tillinghast
jtillinghastcpa@aol.com
(713) 681-7558
(713) 688-3531
Kathryn Harriss
kharriss2@yahoo.com
(713) 320-8388
(713) 681-2669
Joan Khosla*
joan@khoslas.com
(713)717-5368
(713)681-6209
Susan Taylor*
staylora@sbcglobal.net
(281) 233-1354
(713) 781-7649
M. Gilda Mendoza
Barbara
Courtright*
gmendoza@kanaly.com
(713)582-0586
(713)926-3389
M. Gilda Mendoza
Joan Khosla
gmendoza@kanaly.com
jkhosla@x-iss.com
(713) 582-0586
(713) 717-5368
(713) 926-3389
(713) 681-6209
vshah@westlakegroup.com
(713) 585-2647
(713) 465-1102
Ex-Officio
Varsha Shah
Anna Marie La
Porte*
jalprt@aol.com
(281) 433-3618
(713) 694-8042
Fall Mini-Seminar
Brenda Banks
bftbanks@aol.com
(281) 374-5328
(281) 812-2413
Federation Delegates
Rhonda Ryan
rhonda@rhondaryan.com
(713) 686-2697
(713) 686-2697
Nancy Nguyen
nancy.nguyen@ubs.com
(713) 985-3438
(713) 662-9850
Anne-Marie Suire
asuire@netzero.net
(281) 433-3618
(281) 261-0843
Sue Bailey
suebailey_nl@yahoo.com
(713) 247-2466
(713) 520-1903
IRS Delegate
Lisa Cropper
lcropper@sbcglobal.net
(281) 996-8017
Job Bank
Rhonda Ryan
rhonda@rhondaryan.com
(713) 686-2697
(713) 686-2697
Membership
Anna Marie La Porte
jalprt@aol.com
(281) 433-3618
(713) 694-8042
Database & Labels
Kathryn Harriss
kharriss2@yahoo.com
(713) 320-8388
(713) 681-2669
New CPA Reception
by committee
jtillinghastcpa@aol.com
(713) 681-7558
(713) 688-3531
Newsletter Editor
Susan Taylor
staylora@sbcglobal.net
(281) 233-1354
(713) 781-7649
Programs/Speakers
Donna J. Mikulecky
donna.mikulecky@christushealth.org
(713) 812-6882
(713) 664-1727
Publicity
Wanda Llorens*
wellor@earthlink.net
(713) 952-5102
(713) 952-5102
Scholarship
Varsha Shah
(713) 585-2647
(713) 465-1102
Spring Mini-Seminar
Phyllis Martin
varsha_saraiya@hotmail.com
pmartin@finsvcs.com
(713) 402-3850
(713) 780-9006
Annual Seminar
Arrangements
Charter Renewal
Civic Project
Scholarship and
Education Outreach
Historians
Name
E-Mail
barbcourtright@houston.rr.com
(713) 991-2355
* Board Members
A Complete Member Directory can be searched or downloaded from the Member’s Section of the national
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website, www.awscpa.org. Our affiliate website, www.awscpa.org/houston, has a schedule of upcoming events.
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AMERICAN WOMAN’S SOCIETY OF
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
c/o Anna Marie LaPorte
811 Pinemont Dr.
Houston, TX 77018
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Meeting Date: Thursday, January 19, 2006
Location: Sheraton Brookhollow
UPCOMING MEETING CALENDAR
Date
Speaker - Topic
January 19, 2006
Annual Tax Update – Deloitte & Touche LLP
February 4, 2006
Annual Seminar
March 16, 2006
Insurance Alphabet Soup – Good for Your Health – Richard Nevins,
CPA
Sheraton Brookhollow
3000 N. Loop West
Houston, TX 77018
Registration: 5:30 pm
Dinner:
6:00 pm
Speaker:
6:45 pm
Reservations due by Friday, January 13, 2006
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Page 11 of 11
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Reservations due by: Friday, January 13, 2006
1/15/2006