Tag Archives: President’s Memo
President’s Memo: A Dumpster Fire
SHARE: I am sure that most of you have heard the year 2020 described as a “dumpster fire.” I get it. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones, businesses that have closed for good and individuals who have struggled financially. As CPAs and firms enter the yearly busy season, dealing…
President’s Memo: The New Normal
SHARE: This morning, while stopped at a red light, I noticed a young mother trailed by two very small children walking down the sidewalk. Each was wearing a mask and, while they were close together, they were noticeably distancing themselves from other walkers. It occurred to me that the COVID-19 precautions that we are taking…
President’s Memo: The End is Near
SHARE: No, I am not talking about the apocalypse or the band Primal Fear’s 2016 hit song. I am writing this quarter’s Memo following the NASBA July Board of Directors’ meeting and the fiscal year’s end is near. I don’t think there has ever been a time when I was so looking forward to the…
President’s Memo: I Love NY
SHARE: In late February I landed in New York City to attend several meetings and work in our Manhattan office. When I arrived in baggage claim, I could not help but notice a large and ominous sign that read: “Health Warning – Know the Signs of Coronavirus.” While I was fully aware of the impact…
President’s Memo: Challenges and Impact
SHARE: In last month’s President’s Memo, I briefly discussed the coronavirus outbreak in China and the potential impact it might have on NASBA. Now, just one month later, “potential” is no longer even remotely applicable and the virus, COVID-19, is significantly impacting most of what we do. NASBA Chair Laurie J. Tish and I have…
President’s Memo: International Impact on NASBA
SHARE: Living in an increasingly global economy, the daily world news reports present NASBA and the State Boards with several serious challenges and some promising opportunities: The coronavirus outbreak that started in the city of Wuhan, China, has now spread around the globe. After the election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and nearly four…
President’s Memo: Looking Back at 2019
SHARE: In President’s Memos of the past, I have described how, from my perspective, NASBA has three types of years that impact much of what we do. We have our business/fiscal year (July 31 ending) that determines our budget, financial measurement and business planning. Our governance year runs traditionally from late October, when a new…
President’s Memo: Persistence with Perseverance and Tenacity
SHARE: Several years ago, I decided to reference a few of my President’s Memos from that year in my “President’s Report” presentation at the NASBA Annual Business Meeting. Immediately after my speech, Past NASBA Chair Mark Harris approached me and said: “That was great: You need to use your Memos in all of your speeches.”…
President’s Memo: Changing Demographics
SHARE: I was made aware of some promising news in the latest AICPA Trends Report: There has been an increase in the number of minority students enrolled in accounting classes. The increase is small but significant in that it indicates that minorities, particularly Hispanics, may recognize the potential opportunities associated with becoming a CPA. Upon…
President’s Memo: It Was Only CPE
SHARE: At the 2019 NASBA Regional Meetings, Chair Janice Gray and I spoke about the importance of ethics and, specifically, the importance of NASBA’s ethics arm, the Center for the Public Trust (CPT). Ethics is the cornerstone of the U.S. CPA profession, so it is appropriate that NASBA invests in the recognition of ethics and…