Westchester Community College Faculty Need CPA Input

By Carolyn Perricone, Assistant Professor, Curriculum Chair, Accounting Westchester Community College

Westchester Community College has a relatively new certificate program called the Financial Office Specialist Certificate. The collegeCollege is asking CPAs to provide feedback on how well the program is designed to achieve its goals.
Students taking courses in the program study Computerized Accounting I and II (courses which cover traditional topics in accounting principles or financial accounting in addition to QuickBooks), word-processing applications, introduction to business communications, administrative office procedures, federal income taxes (including the use of Turbo Tax) and computer information systems.
Upon completion, graduates will be able to perform many of the administrative tasks needed to operate an accounting office. The courses are ideal for an administrative employee who has the potential to take on additional responsibilities if he or she had the required training. Given the shortage of accounting graduates, it seems that such a certificate would be of great value to those running accounting offices.
The certificate program has been in existence for two years and has not attracted the number of students the college had hoped. Currently, I would like to ask for your input on this certificate:

• Does it seem like this kind of training would be useful for your employees?
• Do you have a need for individuals with the skills that graduates of the certificate have?
• What suggestions could you make to help us make the program work to serve the accountants of Westchester County better?

One suggestion has been to add a cooperative education course so that students who have no relevant work experience could gain exposure to working in accounting. We are currently working on adding that component to the certificate requirements. (Students who already have experience will be offered the opportunity to take managerial accounting instead of the coop course.)
Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached at 914-785-6876 or by e-mail at Carolyn.Perricone@sunywcc.edu. I look forward to better serving the needs of the Westchester County accounting community.

Children Receive an Early Dose of Holiday Treatment

By Jeffrey A. Schwartz, Westchester Chapter Young CPAs Committee Chair

Christmas came in early December to the children at Westchester Medical Center as the members of the not so Young CPAs Committee gave them a special visit, bringing holiday cheers, best wishes and, of course, presents.

The Westchester Chapter collected donations from members in order to provide the ill children at the hospital with presents for the holiday season. The event was an effort to bring some happiness into the children's lives, and we believe our mission was accomplished.

Thanks to the many members who made donations to this worthy cause. Additionally, a special thanks goes to Linda S. Boxer, who, once again, spent many hours shopping for all of the presents. Also, thanks to Michele Lazzara and Harry Shum, who helped distribute the gifts to the children.

Lastly, thank you to the New York State Society of CPAs, which allowed the Young CPAs Committee to have this event.

Members in Industry Count on Each Other for Professional Support CFO and Senior Financial Officers Committee Serves Important Needs

By Mark G. Leeds

Other than a CPA certificate, working or living in Westchester and the desire to set up a networking base, the participants in the Westchester Chapter's CFO and Senior Financial Officers Committee meetings have little in common. Their employers range in size from small family-owned businesses to global conglomerates. They also represent various industries such as real estate, consumer goods, consulting, publishing, financial information and asset management.

Despite their differences, the attendees have discovered the shared need to talk about their position and company with other senior professionals. There has been great interest in using the committee setting as an open forum to discuss the various issues facing financial managers. Topics discussed at recent meetings have included sources of alternative financing, disposal of used equipment, file retention, tax issues and effective ways of dealing with management. These discussions have been lively and informative.

A portion of each meeting is reserved for continuing professional education topics that are broad enough to interest the whole group. The meeting in July, for example, included a session titled, ?What Could You Be Doing With Your Accounting System.? Future sessions will address proper and improper employment practices; effectively using Microsoft Excel; controlling health insurance costs, and disaster planning. Additional topics currently are being explored. Other possible activities include running a joint program with the committee's state-level counterpart. There also is the possibility of sponsoring a local annual conference.

A New York State Society of CPAs member in public accounting has fellow CPAs in his or her own firm to discuss issues with and ask advice. Once a CPA moves into industry, he or she may be the only senior financial executive in the organization,? said Westchester Chapter President Susan R. Schoenfeld.

?The CFO and Senior Financial Officers Committee is a forum where these senior financial executives in industry (CFOs, controllers, VPs of finance, etc.) can meet and exchange ideas and knowledge.?

All members in industry are invited to join. So far, the committee has 36 members and it is growing in popularity. Meetings are held from 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the White Plains office of Merrill Lynch located on 360 Hamilton Ave. Future meetings will take place on Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 18 (holiday party), Jan. 15, 2003, Feb. 19, 2003, March 19, 2003, April 16, 2003, and May 21, 2003.

Please contact Don Kiamie, chair of the committee, at (212) 213-2112 or donalbert@mindspring.com for further information.

Mark G. Leeds, a chief financial officer of Win Properties Inc., in Greenwich, Conn., is a member of the Westchester Chapter's CFO and Senior Financial Officers Committee

The executive board of the Westchester Chapter met in White Plains, N.Y. on June 10 to discuss organizational issues for the upcoming year. After the meeting, the group posed for a group shot. From left to right, back row: Spencer L. Barback, Don A. Kiamie, Edward H. Roberts, Jacob G. Meyer, Ernest J. Nedder, Joseph Madonna, Robert L. Ecker, Howard P. Klein, John J. Pearl, Theodore L. Peluso, Alan D. Rosenberg, Elliott A.Lesser, Thomas Y. Ingram, Samuel J. Chasky, Alan G. Badey; front row: Barbara E. Bel, Sarita Hart, Kristin Krauskopf and Susan R. Schoenfeld.

A Day at Scarsdale Golf Club
By Jeffrey A. Schwartz

It was a beautiful day, about 70 degrees. The sun was shining, and about 100 persons gathered at the annual Westchester Chapter golf outing. The event was held on Monday, June 3, 2002 at Scarsdale Golf Club. Their staff prepared brunch and the view was overlooking the 18th hole. You could smell the bacon and the omelettes made to order. What a fine day, indeed.

And then there was golf. The course was in terrific condition. We were guided by forecaddies, some better than others. When my ball sailed into the deep rough, the caddy found my ball. When I saw a left downhill break, the caddy told me it was up and to the right. What did I know. I was just trying to have a good time.

I think that was certainly accomplished. Drinks, hors oeuvres, dinner, prizes and dessert followed golf after a marvelous shower.

So there it is. The golf committee is about to embark on finding next year's club, though many persons requested to stay at Scarsdale. Your comments are welcome. Please e-mail at jschwartz@blausteinllp.com.

Finally, I would like to again thank all participants and sponsors for a wonderful day. Hope to see you next year.

Not a bad day for a Monday.