Dear Elizabeth,

Student recruitment is a top priority for the future of the accounting profession, and a focus for the Society. With the baby boom generation pushing retirement, it's critical that we reach out to the newest generation: those students in high school and in the early college years. The Society’s Academic & Career Development Department provides services, information and events to promote the profession to high school and college students. I’m excited to share some news with you about our newest initiative that targets this group.

We recently launched On The CPA Track, a blog that highlights up-and-coming accounting students, recaps student member events and offers information to help students become CPAs. Firms and companies should watch these students, as they are on track to be the next leaders in the profession. Read the latest post, an article about a Marine veteran who is now pursuing his CPA at UMass Dartmouth.

This department also manages the Society’s Firm Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to accounting students. Thanks to the generosity of contributing firms, 131 scholarships have been awarded to future CPAs since 2006! To pledge your support and view the list of firms, click here.

This is just one of the ways that the Society is working to protect, promote and enhance the value of being a CPA in Massachusetts. I look forward to sharing more of these initiatives with you in the coming months!


Beth Lyons, CAE
Interim President and CEO

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
• IRS Warns Tax Preparers to Beware of Phishing Scam
• IRS Begins Testing Appointments for Taxpayer Service
• Long-Awaited Relief from Repair Reg. Requirements
• IRS Begins Limited Test of Providing Appointments at 10 Walk-In Locations

Tax Amnesty Program Included in Law to Address Budget Deficit
The plan will differ from the program held last fall. Although the scope is still uncertain pending guidance from the DOR, it will include, at a minimum, corporate excise taxes.

U.S. House Passes Permanent Boost to Sec. 179 Deductions
In bipartisan fashion, the House of Representatives voted to make permanent higher limits and thresholds for Section 179 deductions.

CPE:

On-Demand CPE
Short updates to keep you informed during tax season

Introduction to Social Media
A how-to guide to help you start interacting with colleagues, clients and the Society staff through social media.

Tales of the Tax Return
Discover your clients’ unmet needs and serve them at a higher level than most CPAs they’ve encountered by learning the right questions to ask – from personal returns through sophisticated entity returns.

Tax Planning & Risk Management Strategies for Families with Household Employees
The Massachusetts Domestic Worker Bill of Rights and the Repeal of the Companion Care Exemption go into effect this year, joining the Affordable Care Act Individual Subsidies to form a triple threat your clients needs to be aware of if they hire household employees such as nannies, housekeepers, etc. Learn how to advise your clients on related issues and certain tax programs they can take advantage of to save money.

CALL FOR CONTENT!
We’re always looking for new content for the on-demand library. If you have a topic you’d like to present, or if you know a presenter or topic you’d like to see included, let us know.

NETWORKING:

Young Professional Joint Networking Event (2/26)
Expand your networking and meet professionals in the legal, accounting and financial services industry at the Atlantic Beer Garden.

MEMBERSHIP:

Temporary Job Postings
Looking for temporary work? Employers post temporary and seasonal job opportunities on our website almost daily. Browse to find the right position, or post your temporary position for free. 

New Volunteer Opportunities
• Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail, Inc.- Treasurer and/or Auditor
• BridgeCultures – CPA
• Cambridge Family and Children's Service – Audit Committee Chair 

NEWS & EVENTS:

Five Tips for First-Time Managers
Making the transition to a supervisory role can be daunting, and although you will learn many valuable lessons in your first year, there are some hurdles you can be aware of to help smooth the transition.

Seven Keys to "Five Star Client Service"
Creating a Five Star Client Service culture isn’t always easy, but it’s critical to the success of a firm. High-performing team members want to work in a Five Star Client Service culture. If your firm could improve in the area of client service, have your internal team start practicing these seven keys.

Nominate an Outstanding Accounting Educator
The MSCPA's Annual Outstanding Accounting Educator Award recognizes full-time accounting faculty who are actively involved in the accounting profession and the Society. The winner will receive an award of $1,000 to further his/her professional development and a matching gift will be given to the college's accounting department in their honor. Deadline: April 1, 2015.