BKR International Worldwide Bulletin
May/June 2021
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Letter from the Worldwide Chair
I think the COVID-19 epidemic has more twists and turns to play out, and whilst there are positive signs in most parts of the world, I appreciate that is not the case globally. After so many challenges over the past 12 months, we are looking forward to normalisation, even if it is not going to be straight forward for all. I hope I am not being too optimistic when I say that there is an end in sight with the advent of vaccines, and I look forward to being able to get together later this year.
I am excited to announce that Welch LLP (Ottawa) has expanded their membership in BKR and is now our official representative in Toronto, Canada, as well. See below for more details.
I am delighted to be able to report that all three regions have great remote programs in lieu of face-to-face meetings, and there is more on this from the regions below. I look forward to another chance to be able to interact with you. It has also been good to speak to members from the EMEA and Asia-Pacific Regions at the remote Town Hall meetings that our CEO, Tim Morris (London), and Regional Executive Directors Salvio Valenzuela (Manila) and Alistair Bryant (London) have organised. I look forward to our Town Hall meeting with the Americas Region on Thursday, May 20, that Aiysha (AJ) Johnson (New York) is organising. Whilst not as personal as a face-to-face meeting, it has been good to have the opportunity to brief you on what BKR is planning and to hear your views.
Thank you to all those members who have replied to the survey about attendance at the 2021 Annual Worldwide Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC, from October 29 - November 2. The responses have been very encouraging. We appreciate that, whilst the situation in some parts of the world makes attendance difficult for certain members, it should still be an excellent venue at which to get together in person for the first time in so long. Planning for the meeting is well underway and will include our Annual General Meeting.
As always, if you have any points you want to raise with me or our CEO, Tim, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Graeme Boake
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Register Now for BKR's 2021 EMEA Regional Conference
We are delighted to invite you to our first fully virtual EMEA Regional Conference on June 7. The day will start with our AGM at 9.30 AM (BST), with the conference on innovation beginning at 10.30 AM (BST).
The conference will focus on the human brain’s creative potential, where good ideas come from, and why innovation is critical for a successful future as we all cope with the legacies left by the pandemic. Our keynote speaker, Helena Boschi, is a psychologist who focuses on applied neuroscience in the workplace.
More details are available here.
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BKR's 2021 Americas Regional Meeting Registration Is Open
BKR Americas is excited to welcome you to its first fully virtual Americas Regional Meeting! Over the course of two days (June 28-29), we will explore our theme, "Driven by Innovation... Sustainability for All," with a fantastic array of speakers and loads of CPE!
Registration is now open. Early-bird pricing ends on May 31.
Download the meeting brochure and take a deep dive into the sessions, speakers, and more here.
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Save the Date for BKR's 2021 Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting
BKR International's 2021 Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting is scheduled to be held on July 23 at 1:00 PM Singapore Time.
Keep checking the event page here, as more details will soon become available.
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Mark Your Calendar for BKR's 2021 Annual Worldwide Meeting
BKR International's 2021 Annual Worldwide Meeting will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC, from October 29 - November 2. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Monday, November 1.
More information will be available in the coming months.
In the meantime, if you have not done so already, help us plan for our flagship event by completing the short poll here.
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Register for the Americas, WW CEO, and Chair Town Hall Meeting
BKR Worldwide Board Chair Graeme Boake (Johannesburg) and CEO Tim Morris (London) want to connect with members as part of the recent transition into their roles. As the COVID-19 crisis does not allow in-person meetings, they will host a Town Hall meeting with the Americas Region. Join this meeting for updates on BKR International, and bring your questions.
On behalf of the Americas Regional Board, we hope that you will join this Town Hall meeting.
For more information and to register, click here.
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BKR Mediterranean and Middle East Sub-Regional Group Update
BKR's Mediterranean and Middle East Sub-Regional Group held a successful meeting on March 18. With 20 members present, the group was able to share experiences and plan activity for the future.
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BKR Announces New Representation in Canada:
Welch LLP (Toronto)
BKR International is pleased to announce that Welch LLP (Ottawa) has expanded their BKR membership, and will now serve as the official BKR representative in Toronto, Canada.
Welch LLP was founded in 1918 by George A. Welch. The firm joined BKR International in 1996 to represent the Ottawa region and has been actively involved in several practice groups through the years.
Welch LLP provides a full range of accounting, assurance, tax, advisory, and specialty services. The firm also offers private enterprises, government, and not-for-profit organizations industry-specific services. Welch LLP has 40 partners and a staff of 300.
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In Memoriam:
Dr. Javier Laguna Caballero (Lima)
Ladersam Consultores S.A. (Tax and Legal Firm) (Lima) is sad to share the unfortunate news of the death of Dr. Javier Laguna Caballero, partner at the firm, on April 16 as a result of COVID-19.
Javier was an upright professional, a great teacher, and referred to as a "Walking Library" because of his extensive knowledge and wisdom.
He was a lawyer and public accountant, graduating from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos with a master's degree in accounting and taxation with specialization studies at the postgraduate level at the Universidad Castilla la Mancha Toledo - Spain, and doctoral studies at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.
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A Message from EMEA Regional Executive Director Alistair Bryant
As some of you will no doubt be aware, Blick Rothenberg (London) has decided to leave BKR International effective June 30. Their decision is based on their new business direction and comes as part of their integration into Azets. It will be sad to see Blick Rothenberg depart after so many years with BKR and after making such a positive impact on our association. They will be greatly missed. I am sure you will join me in taking the opportunity to thank all of the firm's staff for their contributions and friendship over the years. Whilst they will be missed, I feel certain the friendships and links will continue to everyone’s benefit. We are currently looking at potential members in London.
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Brendan Dwyer Retires from Harbinson Mulholland (Belfast)
Brendan Dwyer (pictured right), forensic partner with Harbinson Mulholland, has retired after 20 years with the firm.
Having been instrumental in developing their highly respected Criminal and Commercial Department, Brendan has handed over the reins to Vincent Bradley (pictured left), director of Forensic Services.
Brendan and Vincent have worked together for 20 years, and, to mark his retirement, they recorded an interview together, discussing notable cases from Brendan’s career as a forensic accountant, including his involvement in what was, at the time, the largest criminal fraud case ever to come before the NI Courts. You can listen to the podcast here.
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Hall, Kistler & Company LLP (Canton) Receives Two Workplace Campaign Awards from the United Way of Greater Stark County
Hall, Kistler & Company (Canton) announced that they have received two workplace campaign awards from the United Way of Greater Stark County. The Partners in Excellence 2020 Award is for workplaces that achieved a remarkable 80% or higher associate participation. Hall, Kistler was one of seventeen workplaces to receive this award. The second award Hall, Kistler received was the Movers & Shakers 2020 Award that honors workplaces with the highest increase in employee giving. Hall, Kistler was one of fourteen companies who increased their campaigns by a minimum of 10% and at least $1,000.
"Workplace giving has always been a part of our culture. We have been fortunate to continue to work through the pandemic and are humbled to be able as a firm to help in a small way by giving back to the community through our contributions to the United Way," Managing Partner Karen Brenneman said.
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Payments for Software Not Taxable as Royalty by Ashok Maheshwary & Associates LLP (New Delhi)
In the recent judgement by the Supreme Court of India, payments for software without transfer of copyright is not subject to tax as royalty.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the case of Engineering Analysis Centre of Excellence Private Limited v. The Commissioner of Income Tax & ANR, has put the controversial issue of tax on payments made for buying software to rest by deciding it in favor of the taxpayers. The case revolves around the taxability of cross-border payments for purchase of software, i.e., whether the payment received by a non-resident for giving license of the computer software for further distribution would be taxable as royalty, or would it be a normal sale transaction. The court held that the non-resident owner continues to have proprietary rights in the software, and the use of the software by the Indian company is limited to making a backup copy and redistribution. So, the payment received for the sale of computer software is business income and, in the absence of a permanent establishment of the seller in India, tax could not be levied.
Ashok Maheshwary & Associates LLP (New Delhi) has prepared the attached summary of the judgement in this regard, which might be relevant for the companies selling or providing software services to the customers in India.
Download the document here.
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Gumbiner Savett Inc. (Los Angeles) Chosen for Diversity Internship and Scholarship Program
Gumbiner Savett Inc. (Los Angeles) has been selected as one of 10 cosponsors for the George Willie Ethnically Diverse Scholarship & Internship Program, administered through the Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
The George Willie program provides a scholarship and internship to ethnic minority accounting students who intend to pursue their CPA licensure. It runs during the January - April busy season, with recruiting currently taking place for the 2022 season.
The PCPS picks 10 students to participate in the George Willie program at a cosponsoring firm and awards up to $10,000 scholarship per student to help with tuition for their final academic year. Applicants pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting or an accounting-related major, with at least a 3.0 GPA, must plan to sit for the CPA exam.
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Walker Wayland NSW (Sydney) Achieves Certified Carbon Neutrality
The partners at BKR Member Firm Walker Wayland NSW (Sydney) are proud to announce that, as of October 2020, the firm has achieved Carbon Neutral Status with the Federal Government Program, Climate Active.
2020 was an unprecedented year for everyone; the current COVID-19 pandemic, the bush fires, and the floods come to mind. These factors have further influenced to act on the firm's intention to go Carbon Neutral. Walker Wayland NSW realizes the importance of the triple bottom line, being its environmental responsibility, social responsibility, and financial responsibility to the firm's employees, clients, suppliers, and wider stakeholders.
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Robert Salter (London) Pens Article for Taxation Magazine
Robert Salter of BKR Member Firm Blick Rothenberg (London) recently wrote an article that appeared in Taxation magazine, entitled, "Payroll and presence."
Read the piece in its entirety here.
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Submissions for the July/August 2021 issue of the BKR International Worldwide Bulletin are due by Wednesday, June 9, 2021. |
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