Highlights from the 2008 Fall Members Advisory Forum

 

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A highlight of the 2008 Fall Members Advisory Forum took place during the MACPA’s Annual Meeting of Members when Chair Gail Sparks Pitts passed 

the gavel of leadership to 2008-09 Chair Thomas Beard. Tom is chairman and CEO of Godfrey Hammel, Danneels & Company, St. Clair Shores. 

Featuring a varied array of speakers, the Forum also provided an in-depth look at important issues facing the profession. The mortgage crisis was a hot topic. Keynote speaker Ernest Almonte, AICPA vice chair, urged CPAs to take a proactive role by helping consumers better understanding financial issues.  

“As professionals, we (need to) keep doing the job we’re doing … and let’s get out there and help with financial literacy,” said Almonte. “We have the skill set. We have the tools. We can step in to help people understand their finances.” 

Almonte, Rhode Island’s auditor general, also discussed the need to continue efforts in student recruitment and the growing shortage of accounting PhDs in universities around the country.  

Mark Koziel, CPA, senior technical manager of the Private Company Practice Section of the AICPA, gave an interesting presentation on human capital and the accounting profession. Koziel, an expert on human resources issues, talked about key issues facing firms of all sizes including technical training and finding qualified staff. He also discussed succession issues, and noted that firms with five CPAs and under are less focused on succession, yet they are the most vulnerable. 

MACPA lobbyist Tom Hoisington talked about the historical significance of this year’s presidential election regardless of which party wins. He also noted that Michigan voters are garnering a lot of attention from both presidential campaigns.  

Other highlights of the day include Beth Bialy, chair of the Michigan State Board of Accountancy, who explained the implementation of new peer review requirements. In addition, participants enjoyed learning about MACPA initiatives and member activities in an informative presentation from MACPA President and CEO Peggy Dzierzawski.

About Members Advisory Symposium

Through statewide representation, the Members Advisory Forum facilitates the exchange of information, vision and ideas.  In addition, the Forum fosters a greater understanding of our changing profession by providing an environment to share knowledge, trends, shifting paradigms and concepts.  Forum members act as catalysts for change as they return to their regions and relay the work of the Forum.  In turn, information gathered at the grass roots level is shared with the Forum.

Composition

Board members, interest track committee and task force chairs and vice chairs, former Chapter officers, and Past Presidents constituted the initial Regional Advisory Council, which is now called the Members Advisory Forum. 

The Forum is open to all members of MACPA, and recommended five credits of continuing professional education is preferred.