AMERICAN SOCIETY OF WOMEN ACCOUNTANTS SACRAMENTO CHAPTER #31 April 2008 Vol. LVII, No.10 57 years of success www.ASWA-Sacramento.org The River City Journal Mar February 2005 To enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession President’s Message, April 2008 Amy Spickard Bess ASWA Region 5 Director April ASWA Meeting Dear ASWA Members & Friends, Date: Thursday, April 3, 2008 WOW. Student Night on March 6th was absolutely amazing. With a final count of 119 students and 64 members/guests, we not only beat last year’s all-time record, but doubled it! Place: Sacramento Hilton 2200 Harvard Street Sacramento, CA 95815 (Business 80 and Arden Way) Cost: $30.00 Members & First Time Guests $35.00 Guests Time: 5:00 PM Board of Directors Meeting 6:00 PM Networking 6:30 PM General Meeting Topic: Do You Trust Your Trust? We started the evening with an extended social/networking hour that included sponsored informational tables and lots of one-on-one interaction between members, guests, and students. Many of the attending students came prepared with questions in hand, and all the professional attending did a wonderful job of being available to students and inviting inquiries. After the networking segment we enjoyed a formal banquet dinner as the panel of speakers offered insight into the world of accounting. I would like to thank Glen Fowler from the State Auditor’s Office, Sandra Udell and Patrick Sanders from Robert Half, Charlotte Weedman from Ernst & Young, and Truman Rishard from Becker CPA Exam Review for participating in the Speakers Panel and sharing their tips and advice with the amazing crowd of students. I would also like to give special recognition to Monika Miles, CPA, who not only addressed the topic of public accounting but also extended a welcome on behalf of the ASWA National Chapter. Monika is on the ASWA National Board and made a special trip from San Jose to support our event. Speaker: Margaret Fulton & Margaret Smith Menu: Tuscan Style Chicken Cordon Bleu & Chocolate Mousse CPE: 1 unit R.S.V.P. by noon Tuesday, April 1, 2008 to aswa_sacramento@yahoo.com or leave a voice mail at (916) 552-1470. The evening wrapped up with a silent auction for a CPA Exam Review course, which was generously donated by Becker CPA Exam Review. Congratulations to Chay Yang of Gilbert Associates Inc. who had the winning bid of $1,700. Margaret Heiser Fulton is an attorney with the Auburn firm of Robinson, Lyon & Fulton. Her law practice focuses exclusively on estate planning, including preparation of wills and living trusts, administration of trusts after a death, probates and conservatorships. Margaret earned her law degree in 1977 from Hastings College of the Law. In 1992, she received a Master of Laws in Taxation from McGeorge School of Law, with an emphasis on taxation issues related to estate planning. She has been certified by the California State Bar as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. She has been an instructor of business law and federal income taxation at Sierra College in Rocklin, California. (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 3) 1 ASWA The River City Journal (President’s Message continued from page 1) Many thanks to corporate sponsors Ernst & Young, Resnick Group, Robert Half, Ueltzen & Company, Gilbert Associates Inc., Moss Adams, Gallina, Macias, Gini & O’Connell, Pacific Coast Companies, Grant Bennett Associates, and CPS Human Resource Services for underwriting the event and sponsoring student attendees. We also like to thank the many ASWA members and guests who sponsored over 20 students, making it possible for the chapter to welcome so many future accountants. The event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the members and chapter committees who contributed their time to make Student Night a success. I would especially like to acknowledge Helen Williams, our Hospitality Chairperson, who processed registrations and nametags for almost 200 attendees and Board Members Marjorie Garcia & Janel Fruchtenicht who assembled all the student handout packages. We look forward to keeping the momentum going next year and once again break all records! Not only is this event a great way for us to share our knowledge and experience with students, but it also provides us with the opportunity to share the benefits of ASWA with the students, sponsors, and guests. I hope to see you all soon at upcoming chapter events and welcome any comments or suggestions for next year’s student night or any other chapter activity. Sincerely, Sherri Yokomizo, President News Flash!!! Dan Vistica, CFO of the Sacramento River Cats Baseball has rescheduled and will be joining us as guest speaker for our May 1, 2008 meeting. Dan will be discussing accounting issues related to sports industries and the impact that the River Cats organization has on the local Sacramento economy. Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss out! 2007-2008 Board of Directors President Sherri Yokomizo.……...….……...sdyoko@yahoo.com President-Elect Allison Hamaker….………allisonhamaker@gmail.com Treasurer Marjorie Garcia, CPA…….GarciaML@sutterhealth.org Secretary Janel Fruchtenicht, CPA..janfruchtenicht@hotmail.com Vice Presidents Michelle Knepp…………. …...mknepp@mgocpa.com Vacant……………………………………………….. Directors Helen Williams………………hwrainbow@mackes.net Andrea Kett, CPA……………...akett@gilbertcpa.com Immediate Past President Betty Volin, MSA……….… …..bbvoli@sbcglobal.net Members & Member Information Edie Allen……………..……...edieallen@hotmail.com Hospitality Helen Williams………………hwrainbow@mackes.net Rosie Niebolt………………rosieniebolt@surewest.net Amanda Hurley………………….adh1304@gmail.com Scholarship Committee Andrea Kett, CPA……………...akett@gilbertcpa.com Programs Committee Michelle Knepp…………. …...mknepp@mgocpa.com Noelle Mussen………………....nmussen@cadanet.org Newsletter Edie Allen……………..……...edieallen@hotmail.com Anne Diamond…........….annediamond@sbcglobal.net Nominating Committee Betty Volin, MSA…………..…...bbvoli@sbcglobal.net Entertainment Book Committee Helen Williams……,,,,,,,,,,,,……hwrainbow@mackes.net Web Page Committee Sherri Yokomizo.…….….……….sdyoko@yahoo.com Publicity Rebecca Graulich....…..……. rebeccagraulich@aol.com By-Laws Committee Allison Hamaker………… allisonhamaker@gmail.com VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Cecilia Michaels.………..………cmicha1460@aol.com Lingling Zhang..................................lzhan2g@yahoo.com Student Activities Committee Joanna Johnson…………………jjohnson@cps.ca.gov Iryna Bush………………………..…ireneua@aol.com Roster Committee Anne Diamond…........….annediamond@sbcglobal.net Fundraising Committee………………………..Vacant Northern California Area Director Amy Spickard Bess……………amysbess@comcast.net 2 ASWA The River City Journal (Continued from page 1) Attention Members! Margaret is a past president of Auburn Business and Professional Women and she has served as a judge pro tem of the Placer County Superior Court. Margaret R. Smith is a CPA who has been active in the foothill communities for the last 25 years and currently practices in Lincoln, California. She works extensively with nonprofit organizations in Sacramento and the Bay Area and travels in the fall lecturing to other professionals on tax law and professional ethics. She is Chairman of the City of Lincoln Economic Development Committee, President of the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln, a member of the Finance Committee of United Way of Nevada County, and also serves on the Steering Committee for Nevada County Community Leadership Institute. She has served on other nonprofit boards and was the Executive Director of Nevada County Housing Development 15 years ago when the Manzanita Family Center was established. Margaret was Nevada County’s nominee for the first President Bush’s Thousand Points of Light and she also lectures to Court Appointed Special Advocates on the Culture of Poverty. Great News for CPA Candidates Did you know that ASWA and Becker Professional Review formed a formal partnership at the end of last year? As a result, ASWA members can receive a $250 discount when they enroll in a four-part Becker CPA prep course. This course includes lectures from subject matter specialists and exam experts, textbooks, an interactive study planner, PassMaster software and final exam simulation software. As a Becker student, you also have access to tuition-free continuing help. For more details about the review course contact Lauren Vang with Becker Professional Review at lvang@beckerreview.com. Are you staying awake at night trying to think of new ways to grow personally and professionally? Have you been looking for the perfect opportunity to meet new people and develop current friendships? Do you look forward to attending the ASWA meetings each month, and wish you could be more involved in the Chapter? Do you have a great idea for a new program or chapter event and dream about guiding it from the developmental stage to implementation? Now is the perfect time to achieve any or all of these goals! The Sacramento Chapter is currently forming its committees for the 2007 – 2008 chapter year and is looking for members who want to contribute their ideas, energy, and enthusiasm. Some of the projects we will be working on in the upcoming year will include: Updating our chapter by-laws Developing chapter scholarship fundraising events Creating new membership & publicity outreach programs to share our chapter with the local accounting community Increasing our chapter’s involvement in the organization of the local VITA program Continued development of our annual student night event Our chapter is here to serve the needs of its members, so your fresh ideas, participation, and support are vital to its continued success. We are welcoming new members on all committees so please look over the listing of committees within this newsletter, find one you are passionate about, and contact: Betty Volin, Nomination Committee Chairperson, at bbvioli@sbcglobal.net or Allison Hamaker, President-Elect at allisonhamaker@gmail.com It’s a Girl!!!! Kayla Yi-Mei Li born on Thursday, February 28 at 4:23 a.m. 7 lbs. 11 oz. 19.5 inches long Congratulations to new mom Heidi Li!!!!! 3 ASWA The River City Journal Student Night Attendance Snap Shot Response to Student Night was outstanding and we would like to thank all the Accounting Instructors for helping us get the word out and reach so many interested students. Special kudos to Professor Christopher Myers from Yuba College who not only signed up his students but also made the drive down with them and joined us at the event. We had a very diverse group ranging from first-year community college students to students pursing graduate degrees and our final attendance statistics were as follows: American River College CSU Sacramento Yuba College UC Davis / UC Davis Extension Sierra College Sacramento City College CSU Chico Other / Not Stated Total 60 25 9 7 7 2 1 8 119 Upcoming Conferences 2008 Northwest Regional Conference May 30 - 31, 2008 Bellevue, Washington Sponsored by the Bellevue Chapter - 3 tracks and almost 20 topics to choose from: Accounting/Auditing, Controller/Leader or Tax - Fun night at Parlor Billiards & Spirits-an upscale billiard parlor with a fashion session - Fabulous shopping at Lincoln Square and Bellevue Square, fine dining restaurants…all within walking distance and featuring great Bellevue hospitality. For more information, contact: Paula Bishop paulabishop@qwest.net or Eleanor Siverts-Akerman eleanorsa@comcast.net 2008 Southwest Regional Conference "Accounting with Altitude" May 16 - 17, 2008 Flagstaff, Arizona Sponsored by the Flagstaff Chapter 12 hours of CPE within two different tracks For more information or to register online go to: www.aswaflagstaff.org 2008 Northeast Regional Conference June 6 - 7, 2008 Akron, Ohio Sponsored by the Akron-Canton, Ohio Chapter Students & members enjoying a great meal For additional information contact: Becky Price at beckyp606@yahoo.com or Susan Tripepi at stripepi@neo.rr.com ASWA/AWSCPA Joint Inspired Solutions National Conference October 28 - 30, 2008 The Fairmont Dallas Dallas, TX Hold the date! Information will be available soon at www.aswa.org 4 ASWA The River City Journal ASWA Nominating Committee Report No. 2 to the Membership Sacramento Chapter No. 31 March 15, 2008 The 2008 – 2009 slate of nominations for the ASWA Board of Directors was formally announced to the membership by Betty Volin, Nominating Committee Chair, at the Thursday, March 6, 2008, ASWA Annual Student Night held at the Sacramento Hilton. What a great evening it was with an outstanding attendance of students, sponsors, and professionals. Hats are off to our President, Sherri Yokomizo, and to the Board and Committee members, who worked so hard to make it a very successful event. A fine group of professionals has stepped forward to be nominated and to serve on the upcoming ASWA Sacramento Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2008. Elections will take place at the April 3, 2008 Chapter general meeting. Installation of Board Officers and Directors will take place at the June 5, 2008 general meeting. The Chapter is still in need of a President-Elect for fiscal year 2008 – 2009, who would be willing to move up to the Presidency in 2009 – 2010. To serve as President-Elect, the member must have previously served on the Board of Directors. The Board and Nominating Committee are hopeful that there will be a nominee in place for this important position prior to the April elections. Serving on the board in a leadership capacity is a great opportunity to develop your executive skills and grow professionally; If you have questions or comments or you would like to nominate someone, please contact the members of the Nominating Committee: Betty Volin, at (916) 709-5445 or bbvoli@sbcglobal.net; Helen Williams at hwrainbow@mackes.net; or Joanna Johnson at jjohnson@cps.ca.gov . Board of Directors Nominations for 2008 – 2009 President President-Elect Treasurer Secretary Vice President Vice President Director Director Director Immediate Past President Membership CommitteeASWA Sacramento would like to welcome our newest members: Crystal Hedlund – Pacific Coast Companies Tracy Morse – Pacific Coast Companies We would also like to recognize all our members for their outstanding recruiting efforts this chapter year. Since July, we have welcomed 23 new members and have earned three free registrations for the October 2008 ASWA Joint National Conference in Dallas, Texas - one designated for a “first-time attendee” and two that are unrestricted. If you are interested in attending the ASWA Joint National Conference on October 28 – 30, 2008, please contact Sherri Yokomizo. The Board will be compiling a list of attending members and will determine the selection criteria for the free registrations once the new chapter year begins. Congratulations to all and keep up the good work! ASWA Scholarships We are once again looking for some well deserving individuals. Scholarships are available for undergraduate students and also 2-year college students. Applications can be found on our website at www.aswa-sacramento.org and are due April 14, 2008. Please contact Andrea Kett, CPA with any of your questions at akett@gilbertcpa.com Allison Hamaker Open Iryna Bush (2 year term) Karen Buchko (2 year term) Maria Stefanou, CPA Rebecca Graulich Jamie Kirchner Joanna Johnson, CPA Helen Williams Sherri Yokomizo One of the ways our chapter funds student scholarships is through the “Opportunity Drawings” held at our monthly meetings. Currently, our prize closet is running low, and we need your help! If you have any small gifts that would be great drawing prizes, please bring them to an upcoming meeting so that we can continue this fun tradition and keep our scholarship fund strong. 5 ASWA The River City Journal P.O. Box 13884 Sacramento, CA 95853-3884 Calendar of Events Monthly Meeting Thursday, April 3, 2008 FridaySaturday, May 16-17, 2008 Thursday, June 5, 2008 Sacramento Hilton 6:00 networking, 6:30 dinner Speakers: Margaret Fulton & Maggie Smith Topic: Do You Trust Your Trust? CPE: 1 unit Election of Officers at this meeting! Monthly Meeting Thursday, May 1, 2008 Sacramento Hilton 6:00 networking, 6:30 dinner Speaker: Dan Vistica, CFO Sacramento River Cats Baseball Topic: Sports Industry Accounting CPE: 1 unit The 2008 Southwest Regional Conference "Accounting with Altitude" Flagstaff, Arizona FridaySaturday, May 30-31, 2008 The 2008 Northwest Regional Conference Bellevue , Washington Monthly Meeting Don’t forget to bring a friend to the next meeting!!! Sacramento Hilton 6:00 networking, 6:30 dinner Speaker: TBA Topic: TBA CPE: 1 unit Installation of Officers and Directors at the meeting! 6