TSCPA Mentor Network

Were you aware that there are CPAs out there waiting to answer your questions? Check out the TSCPA Mentor Network

Do you want to know what it takes to pass the CPA exam? We have folks who have just made it through the process.

Do you want to know if the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence (industry vs. public)? We have CPAs on both sides ready to give you their opinions.

Do you want to know what it takes to be a Senior, a Manager, or a Partner in public accounting? We have those too.

You can search for a mentor by chapter, specialty, experience level, type of business, topics, ethnicity, age, and gender.

If you have questions about the accounting profession, let them know.

Volunteer for a TSCPA Committee by Dec 11

Volunteer for a TSCPA Committee by Dec. 11
There are just a few days left to volunteer for a TSCPA committee. If you’re passionate about recruiting more students into the profession, meeting the needs of young CPAs, exploring resources for members in public practice or business and industry, promoting the image of the CPA, planning CPE conferences, or other committee charges, it’s time to volunteer for the TSCPA committee of your choice. Dec. 11 is the deadline to volunteer for a TSCPA committee for the 2010-2011 service year that starts June 1. Not only can you give back to the profession, but you can extend your CPA network as well.
Committee Volunteer Opportunities.
Volunteer for a Committee.

Suggestions for the TSCPA 2010 Young CPAs and Emerging Professionals Conference

Come one, come all to the TSCPA 2010 Young CPAs and Emerging Professionals Conference!

We are in the process of organizing next year's conference and would like additional feedback from you! The date (sometime in May 2010), time and location (somewhere in Austin) has yet to be defined, but we want your suggestions for topics, speakers and other ideas.

With that said...let the ideas flow!

Here's a good quote that I came across from Blaise Pascal:

"You always admire what you really don't understand."

There's a bit of truth behind that statement and thought I'd share.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Be a Super Hero, Join the TSCPA

Want to leap to the top of your CPA career in a single bound or know someone who does? Join the Texas Society of CPAs and be a part of our Super League of Colleagues. Here’s the link, and be sure to use the secret promo code of CAM09: http://www.tscpa.org/general/Membership/Recruit2009.asp

New AICPA Charman Inaugurated

Yesterday, October 20, 2009, marked the inauguration of a new AICPA chairman, Robert Harris, CPA. Harris has served in many capacities at the AICPA over the last 15 years and is a managing director of Harris, Cotherman, Jones, Price & Associates, CPAs, in Vero Beach, FL. Yesterday marked the start of his one-year term to serve as the chairman.

He focused his inaugural speech on four main areas. They are:

• IFRS,
• Sustainability - environmental and social costs of business,
• Re-regulation, and
• Involvement of Young CPAs.

This is exciting news for young CPAs as Harris is desiring to appoint at least one CPA professional under the age of 36 per AICPA committee. This is an opportunity for us to get involved. I would love to hear every one's thoughts on this matter.

To learn more of the chairman's goals outlined in an interview from November 2009, click here. To watch excerpts from his inaugural speech, click here. To read his entire inaugural speech, click here.

Thank you for your readership, and have a great week of work!

TSCPA Executive Board Meeting Summaries available via podcast

If you are wondering what the TSCPA Executive Board has discussed at its monthly meetings, you can now listen to a podcast moderated by Chairman Kym Anderson and CEO John Sharbaugh. Judging from the comments, people seem to like this method of communication.

The podcast is available via Kym's blog.

New addition to the blog

Hello, my name is Caleb Dean, and I'm a committee member of the TSCPA's Young CPA's and Emerging Professionals committee. I'm new here to the blog, but I thought that I would take the opportunity to introduce myself before I start posting my blog entries.

First, I want to thank Michael Brown for creating this blog and putting effort forth to keep it going. For those of you who are new to this blog, WELCOME!

So here are some tidbits of information about me. I'm a relatively new CPA - obtained my official license in September 2008. It was a proud moment for me as I never thought I would be a CPA. I remember the horror stories that I heard from every individual that has taken the CPA exam. All you hear about are the low passing percentages around 40 percent - so then you start thinking, approximately 60 percent do not pass. As the Accountant stereotype requires, my analytical side feared I wouldn’t ever be able to pass, but I did. The point of me mentioning this is that if you study hard for the exam, then you can pass it.

I am married to a wonderful blessing from God, and we've been married for one year and a few weeks. Also, we just bought our first home a couple of months ago and are enjoying the experience of being home owners. However, I will add that there are many hidden costs in being a home owner that very few people think about, and, if you don't know of these hidden costs, then it could make a significant impact to your discretionary spending once becoming a home owner.

I work for a Big 4 accounting firm in the advisory practice located in the DFW area. It's a great experience, and I thoroughly enjoy the place that I work for - hard to believe, I know. I've gained some very valuable experience in some of the projects that I have worked on - from IPSAS/IFRS to implementation of financial systems. I've enjoyed the opportunities that have been put before me and the many lessons that I have learned. I'll post more on my work and other experience related to it later. If you are reading this blog, then you might wonder what life is like as a new CPA. Three words: Busy, but fun.

The education I received from Texas A&M University in College Station was superb. My memories of attending TAMU were priceless, and I wouldn't trade them. Honestly, I miss being in school. Sure the football, baseball, soccer, and other games were amazing, but I miss the times when I could nap during the day, play Frisbee outside during the afternoon with friends, wear t-shirts and shorts, and hanging out with my friends between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Honestly, I love what I do and am very blessed to be where I am at, but there is no other experience like college.

A few more things about me…I love to run, cook, build things, yard work (for now), music, reading (although I never have much time), and watching movies.

So I think I've written enough for now for my introductory blog. I will have more postings later.

Please feel free to leave me any comments, and I promise I will have some insightful or conversational postings later.

Caleb