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Dear Elizabeth Emanuelson:

Today, I am writing to you from our annual conference for firm leaders, the New England Practice Management Conference (MAP), at Mohegan Sun. In the six months I've been on the job, I've worked with firms to learn about our members’ needs and identify their pain points. This week has been a crash course in solutions, everything from dealing with toxic clients and retaining the best staff, to changing firm culture and “tossing” the time sheet. It’s been great listening to firm leaders share their experiences and connecting with them on these issues. I’m eager to use what I’ve learned to develop programs that will not only support our members, but will also help you grow and improve your practices. Stay tuned!

As the conference comes to an end today, I have two pieces of advice for you: One, if you are considering coming to the MAP next year, do it! It is truly a great learning and networking opportunity – and it's a lot of fun. Two, when you come to the conference, don't sit at the same blackjack table as me. It was not a happy place.

Next week, the Society will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. From our office to yours, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for your membership.

Amy A. Pitter
President & CEO

Photos: 2015 Emerging Leaders Summit

Photos: 2015 Membership Night Out at the Celtics

Over 120 members attended the Society's Membership Night at the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, November 18. Members enjoyed an evening of pre-game networking at the Harp and then went to the Garden to watch the Celtics battle the Dallas Mavericks. Special thanks to our sponsors: ConnectPay and Bank of America.

MSCPA Student Member Spotlight: Chris Reardon

Chris Reardon took full advantage of his MSCPA student membership. Attending Society networking events, career fairs and workshops, which helped him land a position at EY as an auditor.

Vote for UMass Amherst in Tax Competition

Students from the UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management need your vote to make it to the finals of the 2015 PwC Tax Case Competition. Polls close tonight and they are neck and neck with Texas Tech, so please support them!

Speed Mentoring (1/13)

Are you looking for advice, need help setting goals, unsure of your next step or want to broaden your network? Then, this event is for you! Speed mentoring focuses on time-efficient networking and access to experienced professionals for real time advice and guidance. All levels are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

We think our clients love us, but sometimes they leave. Where did we go wrong? Here are 10 myths about losing clients.    

AICPA Proposes Changes to CPA Peer Review Program

The American Institute of CPAs’ Peer Review Board has issued an exposure draft outlining proposed changes to the AICPA’s current standards for performing and reporting on peer reviews.

Top 10 Year-End Tax-Planning Tips Your Clients Shouldn't Ignore

As 2015 draws to a close, a turbulent economic and legislative environment means taxpayers need to keep a close eye on several major planning issues, according to Grant Thornton LLP.

More Firms Measuring Success without Time, Survey Finds

Get Top Value When Selling an Accounting Firm

Avoiding these seven key misconceptions can help you avoid getting less than your firm is worth.

Do It Yourself Business Intelligence (12/1)

Perhaps no term receives more coverage in business circles today than “business intelligence (BI).”  With Microsoft’s new “Power BI” tools, you can now create powerful, interactive and visually-compelling summaries of potentially vast quantities of data directly from your computer and without the assistance of your technology team.

Securing Your Data (12/1)

How do you encrypt sensitive information? How do you acquire and use e-signatures? What are the security tools you need and how do you use them to secure your sensitive data and systems? Security is not optional and yesterday’s security techniques are not working as effectively as they once were. It’s time to tune up what you know about protecting sensitive data. Security failures, such as a breach of client or customer data, are costly – they can even drive an organization out of business.

Internal Controls and Risk Assessment (12/3)

Under generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), all auditors are required to follow a risk-based approach to auditing. Understand the requirements in a financial statement audit for understanding internal control and assessing the design and implementation thereof. The focus of this course is to help you get it right!

Internal Control Best Practices for Small and Medium Sized Entities (12/4)

This course provides practical guidance for those involved with internal control responsibilities (auditing, monitoring, implementing, etc.) in adapting the updated COSO Internal Control Framework to small and medium-sized entities. Internal control concepts are applicable to every entity, regardless of size.

The IRS is requesting information about current PEO practices in an effort to streamline the implementation of a new federal program. According to legislation that was enacted last December, the IRS will establish a voluntary certification program for PEOs. The law requires PEOs to meet a number of requirements, including certain bond and independent financial review requirements.

WebFile for Business (WFB) will officially shut down at midnight on Friday, November 20, to transfer taxpayer information to MassTaxConnect for the November 30 launch of MassTaxConnect for business taxpayers.

The Massachusetts House unanimously passed comprehensive reforms to the state's public records law in a bill that open government advocates called a "mixed bag." The law provides new mechanisms for enforcing the public records law, but also gives the government a longer time in which to comply with requests.

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