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Registration is now open for all WAA 2012 Education Programs. Below is the list of programming. Click on the event link for details on registration pricing as well as the link to the online registration form.
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Around the State
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Chapter Events
We have four active chapters around the state. These chapter officers have been diligently working to bring relevant education to the chapter members and with creating a quality collaborative peer meeting environment.
Go to www.waa.org/chapters to find out what is happening in your chapter.
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Chapter Listservs
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All WAA members have been subscribed to their chapter listserv based on the chapter listed in their profile. Download these listserv instructions to learn how to subscribe if you do not currently have a chapter affiliation listed on your profile, to unsubscribe, or to change the email address you want subscribed to the listserv.
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In Memorandum
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If you are aware of a WAA member who has passed on please contact [email protected].
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| Advertising |
This newsletter is distributed to over 300 accountants in Washington State.
New rates coming soon!
To advertise, please email the WAA office at [email protected].
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Editorial Content
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The principal aims of this publication are the advancement of the accounting profession and communication among our members. Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual writers and not necessarily those of WAA or the Editor. Please submit articles and comments to [email protected].
The deadline for submissions is the 20th of the month preceding publication.
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The IRS provides a very informative annual calendar.
Small business owners find this a valuable resource throughout the year. Supplies are limited and the calendar is free.
If you would like to learn more about the IRS calendar please contact Rizwan Chaudhry at [email protected]
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The mission of the Washington Association of Accountants is to promote and protect the right of every member to practice accounting and taxation; to provide the services and professional education necessary to maintain and improve professional competence.
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From the President
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 by Jerry Gintz
WAA - Free-Falling Without A Parachute:
We pick a theme for our Newsletter, each month. This month it is membership. This will not be a typical plea for membership with a listing of all WAA’s self-acclaimed benefits, but rather a chilling appraisal of just what is in store for WAA and its membership over the next decade. Strap on the parachute, or the landing WILL be ….. hard!
As are most associations in this country, WAA is facing the largest shift in human capital in history. That is, from the Baby-Boomers to Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers (Echo-Boomers). Baby-Boomers are joiners, inspired by a strong sense of duty and need to belong. Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers want opportunities to lead, learn and make a difference. These two latter groups are much more attentive to the value an association brings to them, rather than any sense of loyalty-at-all-cost. Many boomers are convinced that the interests and reasons for joining their association is an age-difference and that the Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers will “age” into the same reasons to join their association, as they have had. They couldn’t be any more wrong, than as a sky-diver failing to strap on the parachute. It is a “generational” difference, NOT an “age” difference. Each generation has its own unique set of life events and values. Failing to realize this will be the cause of extinction for many professional associations in this country. <<Read More>>
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The Value of Membership
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by Astrid Arola
What value does WAA bring to our members? The one value that WAA brings to our membership whether you are a Baby Boomer, Generation X or Y is:
WAA is There to Protect Your Right to Practice Accounting in Washington whether you are licensed, an unlicensed accountant and/or a tax practitioner. During the year our Legislative Committee is attending all the Board of Accountancy meetings, reporting the issues/concerns to NSA (National Society of Accountants) and during the Legislative session when an accounting/tax issue comes up that affects our industry, we have WAA members ready and willing to march to Olympia on last minute notice to speak to issues concerning our industry, while many of us are sitting in our office with a pile of work to be done. We also have Gary Smith from IBA (Independent Business Association) keeping us up to date with any concerns that come up during the year.
I always say “I believe all unlicensed accountants and tax preparers should be WAA members just to say thank you to our founding fathers for protecting their jobs/industry!”
Why do I say this? – Our WAA founding fathers, back in 1972, were about to lose their jobs. They were in business for themselves and were told that they couldn’t call themselves Accountants. So they went to battle. Many of these men invested their time, energy and money to fight this battle and they won. And because of this, you can call yourself an Accountant in Washington whether you are licensed or unlicensed, other states weren’t as fortunate.
WAA supports unlicensed accountants and tax practitioners, but it is not without obligation to increase the professionalism of our industry. So we set out to provide the quality education necessary to maintain and improve our professional competence.
While we started off protecting unlicensed accountants, today we are also protecting licensed accountants. There are many issues that come up that affect all of us and WAA is there watching out for every one of us.
While I’m a licensed accountant, WAA is the organization for me. I’m so grateful to Pat Kelly (deceased) who introduced me to WAA. I can truly say my business has prospered from my association with WAA. And I say “Thank You” to all my fellow associates and the founding fathers for their help and support.
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Education
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by Cynthia Polley - Education Committee
As Tax Season approaches, our Seminar schedule is dwindling down, so please register while you still can! WAA has something to offer almost everyone. Whether you are looking for a live seminar or a study course, WAA has it all. Be sure to take a look at the options and register on the website at www.waa.org.
The Income Tax School – NOW A SELF-STUDY CLASS
The format of the Comprehensive Income Tax Class has changed. We found that September 8th was just too early for some people to commit to a 10-week course. The class is now being offered as a self-study course. Registration will remain open through the end of the year. Once you begin the course, you are given 6-months to complete the class. So it’s not too late to take the class after all! Register today at www.waa.org.
FAST FORWARD ACADEMY
Fast Forward Academy is our newest online education product. Whether you need to study for the RTRP, the EA or the CPA exam, this online study course will provide you with the knowledge and experience with the simulated online exam that will help you pass the exam the first time. You will find the Fast Forward Academy courses at our online education section of the website. Register today at www.waa.org.
FAST FORWARD KICK-OFF EVENTS
We are holding four Fast Forward Kick-Off events, one at each chapter. Call your friends and co-workers and plan to attend a Kick-Off event in your area. The kick-off events are designed to bring people together, to register for the course and to provide an overview of the program to help people get off to a good start. Each event will be held at the chapter meeting location. The events are free, but you do need to register. Register today at www.waa.org.
GEAR UP FEDERAL TAX UPDATE
CPE Credits: 8-Hour CPE
Date: January 11, 2013
Location: TBA
This course offers practical insight into the ever-changing world of federal taxation. Federal Tax Update is a one-day, fast-paced seminar that covers the latest developments affecting individuals, corporations, pass-through entities, and estates and trusts.
Written and taught by practitioners for practitioners, it is designed to provide you with practical, working knowledge of the latest tax law changes. This highly popular seminar will enable you to effectively, and confidently complete tax planning, compliance, and consultation engagements during the coming year.
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NSA Update from The State Director
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by Astrid Arola
Are you a member of NSA? If you are, have you gone on-line at nsacct.org and seen all the great benefits you have from this organization? While I knew NSA had great benefits, (I joined because of the insurance cost savings I received from Forrest T Jones), it wasn’t until this year when I started surfing the NSA website and started utilizing some of those benefits. Click here and see for yourself all that NSA has to offer.
If you’re not a member and you’re not sure if you should join, I have good news for you. NSA is giving a Free Trial subscription that ends December 31, 2012. You will get all the benefits of a regular member (except the 5 free tax questions). Are you interested? Click Here to Apply.
If you are attending the Gear Up seminar in Auburn or Spokane stop by and say “hi” to myself (in Auburn) or Melanie Levno (in Spokane). We will have our laptop up to show you all the great benefits NSA has to offer.
Hope to See You There!!
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Chapter News
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Greater Seattle Chapter
by Jeremy Saladino
Our QuickBooks 2013 Seminar was a packed house. There are quite a few changes in the new version. And our speaker was a wealth of knowledge on what is coming and how to make the new version look like our old version.
Reminder to everyone that December 5th is our Holiday party. We’re changing it up this year; it will be a lunch at our normal meeting location and time, but instead of just members and spouses, it's open to non-members, office staff and guests. We will not be having a presenter, just a nice lunch to visit with friends, old and new. We will be having a Dessert Raffle for the Scholarship Fund, so bring your check books.
On January 2nd, right on time for the new tax season, Greg Thompson from the IRS will be speaking on the new updates, and maybe a firm date when E-filing will begin.
And in February we will have a speaker from the City of Seattle out to speak on Paid Sick Leave Rules, and how those apply to all of our clients. If you have clients that sometimes do business in the Seattle city limits you may want to mark your calendar for February 6th.
Happy Holidays and We Hope To See You All Soon!
Northwest Chapter
by Dale Offret
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, ships at sea, ‘tis once again time, as the Northwest Chapter announces another beautiful day in the Pacific NW and in Western Washington, to come join us for some great fun, professional networking, continuing education, and comradely with a twist! Open every 1st Thursday of the month, noon to 2PM at Max Dale’s in Mt Vernon, or by appointment, - what more could you possibly want?
The chapter meetings continue to focus on relevant, interesting, up-to-date topics with a twist of fun. Last month’s November meeting was not held, due to the IRS Tax Symposium. However, our meeting for October we had James McCafferty & Kevin Hoult from the Economic Development Association of Skagit County.
December 6th we have Shawn Gagnon, CPA bringing us the topic of Personal Bankruptcy Issues & Debt Forgiveness.
January 3rd we have Patrick Reed from the Secretary of State talking about a new type of corporation in the state, and current issues and developments.
We are planning our 2nd Annual “Tax Season Kickoff” in January 2013. We had the most fun last year (who am I?) and hope to have even more fun this year. Stay tuned for more details.
Check us out at www.WAA.org
Puget Sound/Tacoma Chapter
by Pam Cody
Holiday greetings to one and all! As I write this, Thanksgiving is just two days away, and I am full of gratefulness for all the good things in my life: my family, my friends, my business, abundant provisions, love, joy, good health, and so much more. In fact, I feel so full of blessing that I can’t keep it all to myself. For me, the holiday season is a time for giving – not just to loved ones, but to people around the corner, or around the world, who have needs I can help meet.
If you feel like I do, one great place to give is to our own WAA Scholarship Fund. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to help someone from our state achieve his or her goal of a degree in accounting and a fulfilling career? On our December 11 meeting, starting at 7:00 a.m. at the Tacoma La Quinta Inn, our chapter is auctioning off gift baskets and other goodies donated by the Chapter Board to raise money for the Scholarship Fund. We’re also having a special speaker, Bryan Nelson of Vista Management Solutions, speaking on “Do’s and Taboos of Human Resources.” So come join the fun, and share a little bit of your abundance to help make someone else’s dream come true.
I Wish You a Truly Fulfilling Holiday Season!
Spokane Chapter
by Hazel Flynn-Parkison
Education, Networking & More …
The next Spokane Chapter WAA Bisk Study Session will be held on Wednesday, December 19th at 3:00pm at Wayne Vinson’s office (2132 West Northwest Blvd., Spokane). Bob McKinley, Wayne Vinson and Paul Smart offer a study group using the Bisk educational materials which earn CPE for CPAs and EAs. The cost for the study group is $90 for eight 2 hour classes or $20 per class and includes the study materials. The classes are held on the third Wednesday of the month, except no classes will be held in March or April.
View Monthly Meetings, Mini-Seminars and Register for Education Events on WAA.org website under Education>Calendar of Events.
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