Dear Elizabeth:

I’m extremely proud and happy to share a huge announcement. The MSCPA board of directors and staff announced on Wednesday that former MA Department of Revenue Commissioner Amy Pitter will join the MSCPA as president and CEO effective May 4, 2015. Amy was selected to lead the MSCPA after an extensive search led by the MSCPA's executive search committee. Read the full press release.

Amy’s background, connections on Beacon Hill and professional relationships with many of you will make her an invaluable leader in our ongoing and future initiatives. Most of all, she has a powerful sense of respect for and commitment to our membership, which will further the mission of the Society and help us better serve you. 

The Society is embarking upon a very exciting new chapter. We are thrilled to have Amy lead the MSCPA, and we look forward to working with her.

Beth Lyons, CAE
Interim President & CEO

CPE:

2015 CPE Calendar - Coming post-April 15!
Catch your breath from a crazy tax season while perusing the CPE Calendar! Calendars will be delivered to you just after April 15. While you wait, here’s peek at 3 new courses:

• Employment Law Update (AM Session) (5/21)
This comprehensive program will provide participants an overview of recent developments in labor and employment law affecting all Massachusetts employers.

• GAAP for the Practitioner (5/21)
This program is specifically tailored to the CPA practitioner and covers the ins and outs of troublesome areas in existing U.S. GAAP including income taxes, other comprehensive income, cash flows, fair value, impairments and other common issues encountered by practitioners.

• 2015 Healthcare A&A Update (6/3)
Constant, rapidly changing healthcare rules and requirements are creating unprecedented risk for CPAs. Find out which new laws and regulations affect non-healthcare entities.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

IRS Updates
- IRS Warns Tax Preparers to Watch for New Phishing Scam
- IRS Will Do More to Control Excess IRA Contributions
- IRS Seeks Applications for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee
- Two out of Three Taxpayers Have Already Filed
- Avoid Long Lines and Hold Times, Use Online Tools for Tax Help
- IRS Criminal Investigation Releases Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report

DOR Update
- March Revenues Total $99 Million Below Benchmark
- Tell Us: How is the Corporate Tax Amnesty Program Doing?

Share Your Thoughts For Effective Regulatory Change
Governor Baker is promoting his plan to engage in a comprehensive regulatory review. The MSCPA is planning to submit suggested revisions to the Board of Public Accountancy’s rules and regulations (and others that impact your business), but we need to hear from you first! What would you like to see changed? Email Zach Donah with your comments.

Should Your Small Business Opt Out of Filing Form 3115?
Many small-business owners are faced with the onerous task of adopting the tangible property or repair regulations on their 2014 tax returns.

Third-Party Verification Toolkit for CPAs
Increasingly, CPAs are receiving requests to confirm client information. Here are resources to use when responding to requests for such letters.

NETWORKING:

Young Professional Breakfast: Networking for Career Success (5/27)
Learn how to build relationships with the right people! Speaker Diane Darling is the author of "The Networking Survival Guide and Networking for Career Success." Reserve your spot for this member-only event. 

MEMBERSHIP:

MSCPA Student Member Spotlight: Kimberly Moore
Learn what motivates this Bryant University sophomore and Agawam native to pursue a career in accounting.

How Student Members Prepared for "The Next Step"
Last Wednesday, 44 MSCPA student members gathered at PwC to learn how to successfully transition from college to career.

VIDEO: Women in Accounting - Overcoming Obstacles as a Minority in the Profession
Mandeep Trivedi, a valuation services practice leader at the Top 100 Firm, Citrin Cooperman, discusses the challenges she's faced as a woman in accounting, and how she's triumphed over them.

NEWS & EVENTS:

What Makes a Happy Workplace?
An index that is based on international research pinpoints five principles of workplace happiness and highlights areas that can improve people’s moods and increase productivity.

How to Improve Soft Skills
New employees need to know the proper language and tone to use with clients, how to be a good listener and how to prioritize their workload.

Family Business Corporate Governance: A Perspective
Two MSCPA members share their thoughts on family business corporate governance in a model that identifies different types of boards that a family may have.