Dear Hannah:

I am writing to you today from the CPA/SEA mid-winter meeting. As a new CEO, these meetings are especially useful for me as I learn from other CEOs as well as national speakers about what we need to do to make sure that we are prioritizing the things that mean the most to our members. This morning we had a speaker who explained that associations provide value when we do for our members what you can't do for yourselves and when we understand and respond to the problems you face every day.

We are holding an event later this month which I think meets both these tests. Perspectives on the Pipeline is a free symposium where employers, college faculty and young professionals discuss the pivotal question: "What makes a good student a great employee?"

Attendees will:
•    Get the recruiter's perspective on what it means to be "job ready" in 2016;
•    Discover what millennials want and expect when they embark on their career;
•    Learn about the new Uniform CPA Exam and resources available to educators; and
•    Review the proposed changes to the regulations governing the CPA Exam and certification requirements.

Even though there is no cost to attend, for planning purposes, I ask that you register to attend this important discussion. I look forward to seeing you there.

Have a great weekend!

Amy A. Pitter
President & CEO

Upcoming Committee Meetings
•    Employee Benefits/HR Committee (1/13)
•    Women's Committee (1/15)
•    Governmental Accounting & Auditing (1/15)

New Member Benefit: MSCPA Conference Space
As a member benefit, the MSCPA is considering offering our downtown Boston conference space (when available) for members to work remotely, hold a meeting or conduct business. Please indicate your interest in this one-question survey.

North Shore Community Bank Board Opportunity
North Shore Community Bank is seeking a board member with public company financial statement expertise; banking experience a plus. Compensation, including stock options is provided. For more information, email Kara Kieran. 

Hire an Intern
Help yourself, and at the same time, provide a valuable work experience that will allow a student to develop skills and abilities that are difficult to learn in a classroom setting. Make significant cuts in weekend or evening hours for your staff during busy season.

Member Benefit: The Business Source
MSCPA has partnered with The Business Source to offer concise summaries of books you need to read. Each month, learn best practices and gain powerful insights from leading-edge thinkers, industry experts and world-renowned business gurus—and the summaries take just 15 minutes to read or listen to! MSCPA members receive 70% off!

Share Your Buzz in SumNews
Does your firm have an announcement to make? Have you hired or promoted staff, volunteered your expertise or led a seminar? We want to know! The deadline for the March issue is January 15. Submit your news or press release to Kara Kieran.

What's Your True CPA Type?
Are you a traditionalist? A networker? A balance seeker? Take the quiz!

3 Ways to Motivate Disengaged Employees
If left unchecked, the lack of employee engagement, also known as “quitting in seat,” risks a decline in corporate productivity. 

Nonprofit Conference (1/21)
Specifically designed to help you untangle today’s nonprofit challenges, the MSCPA's Nonprofit Conference has a fully loaded line-up. You will leave finely tuned for handling pressing issues and efficiently managing financial operations—gearing you up for success!

Annual State Tax Conference (1/26)
Join us for an enlightening conference that will help you stay informed on all of the tax issues Massachusetts CPAs face today.

Help Us Build the 2016 CPE Curriculum
We value your feedback, and would like you to help us plan the CPE curriculum for 2016. If you have any ideas for speakers or topics for the upcoming year, please contact Julia Ekelund.

IRS Update: Taxpayer Advocate Releases 2015 Report
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson released her 2015 annual report to Congress this week. Her comments focused around concerns over the IRS’ plans to scale back phone and in-person service and push taxpayers and even practitioners to utilize the IRS’ online offerings.

IRS Update: IRS Withdraws Proposed Regulations to Identify Charity Donors
The IRS announced that it has dropped a proposed regulation giving tax-exempt organizations the option of providing Social Security numbers of their donors, a provision widely criticized by taxpayers and the practitioner community. 

DOR Update: Clarification on Using the New Account ID for Filing and Paying in MassTaxConnect
Letters were recently sent out to some taxpayers with their new Account ID indicating that they must use the ID to file and pay business taxes. That is not the case.  DOR recommends using the Account ID for filing and paying as an added security measure, but filing or paying using a FEIN (or Social Security number) continues to be an option.

DOR Update: New Hampshire Tax Amnesty
The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has launched a one-time tax amnesty program that gives taxpayers until February 15 to pay any outstanding taxes without penalty and with 50% of accrued interest.

IASB Expected to Issue New Lease Standard on January 13
The IASB is expected to issue the new lease standard on January 13, 2016 – next Wednesday. They also expect that the FASB will issue the same standard on that day.

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