Alabama Society of CPAs View in Browser November 2015

Empower the Future of Accounting
Each year about 1200 copies of this amazing resource are shared with accounting students who are ready to launch their careers.  For a modest fee ($100 for a firm listing, $500 for a full page ad opposite your firm listing), you can showcase your firm to talented future accounting staff.

Complete the attached form if you are a new listing, or make any needed changes to the form from last year’s listing.  We know there have been a number of firm mergers, making this an ideal opportunity to highlight your new brand.

Contact Shirley Carroll, scarroll@ascpa.org, with any questions, 334.834.7650. DEADLINE:  November 30.
Dispelling 4 Myths That Shroud Diversity and Inclusion
Four stubborn myths have clouded some of the discussion of diversity and inclusion in accounting, Rich Caturano said Tuesday in a speech to the AICPA governing Council. While progress has been made in recent years, those common misconceptions are keeping some firms stuck in neutral when it comes to diversity. 

Caturano made diversity and inclusion his major strategic initiative during his 2012–2013 term as AICPA chairman. He is now the national leader of culture, diversity, and inclusion for McGladrey. He is also the incoming chairman of the AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity & Inclusion.

Speaking to Council from his own perspective, he sought to dispel the myths that he thinks are hindering progress.

Myth 1: The pipeline is not diverse

Some firm leaders say they would love to hire more minorities but can’t find them. “And what I found about that myth was there’s some truth to it. We need to do some work in the pipeline,” Caturano said. “But diversity does exist. We have a lot of diverse candidates.” Read on >>
Upcoming Chapter Meetings
For complete details on chapter meetings and events click here >>

Chapter Date  Location Time
**Wheeler Basin 11/18/15 Terri Pines Country Club 12:00 noon
 Southeast AL 11/18/15 Dothan Country Club  12:00 noon
 East AL 11/19/15 Saugahatchee Country Club 12:00 noon 
*Southeast AL 12/16/15  Dothan Country Club   12:00 noon
 Montgomery 1/14/16  Bankers & Attorneys Luncheon  11:30 AM 
 Birmingham 1/15/16 TBA TBA
*North AL 1/21/16 Florence - TBA  evening
*Huntsville 1/21/16  Redstone Federal Credit Union  12:00 noon
 *Visit by ASCPA Chair, Dr. Lowell Broom.
** Visit by Jeannine Birmingham, President & CEO of the ASCPA 

Need to make an announcement for your next chapter meeting or special event? Contact Shanna Jackson at sjackson@ascpa.org.
FREE Webinar: Exclusive Fringe Benefit Plans for the Small Business Owner
Running a successful business often depends on recruiting, rewarding and retaining talented executives and key employees who are committed to the business owner’s goals. In addition to paying an attractive salary, the business owner must offer a competitive benefits package. Trouble is, government regulations make it difficult for employers to provide qualified benefits on a “pick and choose” basis: qualified plans (like 401(k) plans), must cover a broad group of full-time employees.

Unlike qualified benefits, non-qualified benefits can be designed to cover only key executives and select employees.  This one-hour webinar will cover some options available to the small-business owner when developing executive fringe benefits packages. Register now >>
Tomorrow is the Early Bird Registration Deadline for GAAF!
Register by next Wednesday, November 18, to use the Early Bird discount for the Governmental Accounting & Auditing Forum. The ASCPA, Association of Government Accountants, and the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama brings you two days of premier speakers and exciting topics designed specifically for accountants and CPAs in city and state government positions and for the professionals who audit them. Join us for Dr. Deravi's oft-requested Economic Update, position specific breakouts, GASB & GAAS updates, and an exciting & insightful Work Place Safety: Active Shooter Scenario brought to you by the Alabama Department of Corrections, Investigations, & Intelligence Divisions.  Register online and find more details here >>
This Week is the Annual Federal Tax Clinic - Register Today!
At the 69th Annual Federal Tax Clinic, you’ll hear from nationally and regionally recognized experts on federal and state tax law updates, year-end tax planning, employment taxes for partners, retirement plans, S-corporations, and much more. Click here to download the brochure >>

In addition to earning CPE, CLE or CFP credit, the Federal Tax Clinic offers the following incentives:
  • First-time attendees of the Clinic are eligible for half-price registration at $175.
  • Group Discount:  Register 4+ individuals from the same organization and save 10% per registration. Registrations must be submitted together to qualify for discount.
Register now by calling (205)348-3000 or click here to register online >>
Surgent Knows Taxes. How About You?
Get ready for tax season with these classes in December:

Surgent's Best Federal Tax Update Course
This top-selling Surgent course will get you up-to-date on the most important Federal tax issues, as well as the major trends and changes in case and regulatory law. The tax issues covered in this course affect both businesses and individual clients and will include: a review of IRS Priority projects, tax on net invested income, recent developments pertaining to business entities, advanced practitioner issues, healthcare reform, and much more.

Montgomery (197) 12/8/15 
Mobile (198) 12/9/15
Huntsville (199) 12/17/15 
Birmingham (200) 12/18/15 

Surgent's Essential Depreciation Update for Practitioners
Two of the most often prepared tax forms are Form 4562 - Depreciation and Amortization, and Form 4797 - Sales of Business Property. This course provides a brief dissection of both of these extremely complicated forms. Regardless of tax preparation experience, this manual can be used for all tax returns/entities that are prepared. The reference manual is filled with various examples and cases to illustrate crucial points that CPAs need to be aware of. Register for this class in Montgomery, December 11th, from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm (195) >>
Year-End Tax Planning and Expanded Scholarship Tax Credits
The Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 (the “Act”) provides state income tax credits to certain donors who make contributions to a state-approved scholarship granting organization (SGO) operating within Alabama. The Act was amended earlier this year to, among other changes, expand the tax credit provisions related to contributions made to SGOs. With the changes, the tax credits available under the Act present an opportunity to help Alabama’s neediest school children at little or no cost to the donor—a tax planning idea that individuals, C corporations, and now certain pass-through entities, should keep in mind. Read more >>
Growing Tuscaloosa Firm Seeking Experienced Accountant
Mitchem Abernathy, a growing Tuscaloosa accounting firm, is looking for an experienced accountant with 2-5 years in public accounting. Knowledge of Ultra Tax software a plus. Competitive salary and benefits. Please send your resume to Mike Mitchem at mmitchem@mitchemcpa.com.
Large Public Company Seeking Internal Auditor
Large public company in Birmingham seeks Internal Auditor Senior or Supervisor with a minimum of 2 years of audit experience or 4 years of relevant business experience. Public accounting firm experience is strongly desirable and bilingual in Spanish is a plus. Send cover letter and resume to IAJobPostings@Gmail.com
ascpa
November 17, 2015
In this issue    
Connect
  • Help us empower the future of accounting.
     
  • Rich Caturano dispells 4 myths that shroud diversity and inclusion.
     
  • Updated information on chapter meetings throughout the state.
Educate
  • Register for this free webinar--Exclusive Fringe Benefit Plans for the Small Business Owner.

  • Tomorrow is the last day for Early Bird Registration for GAAF!

  • Register today for the Annual Federal Tax Clinic; it's happening this Thursday and Friday. 

  • Surgent knows taxes, how about you?
Protect
  • State and Local Tax Alert: Alabama Edition - Year-End Tax Planning and Expanded Scholarship Tax Credits from Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP.
Classifieds
  • Growing Tuscaloosa Firm Seeking Experienced Accountant

  • Large Public Company Seeking Internal Auditor
Webinars this Week


 






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 











 





























 

 



Alabama Society of CPAs
www.ascpa.org