By Christi Paul, Northeast Chapter President-Elect

Happy New Year!

With thoughts of a busy tax season before us, I’m sure that many of you share some of the same bittersweet feelings as I do: somewhat distraught by memories of the number of hours devoted to work, but also somewhat anxious about getting started in the season that defines who so many of us are. Although busy season consumes almost all of our time, our chapter will continue to work on some exciting events.

The Cooperation with Educators Committee has planned the third annual College Student Night for Feb. 17 at Wolfert’s Roost Country Club. The intent of this event is to reach out to freshmen and sophomore college students who have not yet selected a major so we can inform them about the profession. In addition to panel presentations and a keynote speaker, the students also have the benefit of being matched with a host from the profession. The committee has extended invitations to high school guidance counselors and advisors and any of their students who they feel might benefit from such an event. This has been a tremendously successful event for the past two years, and we hope this year will be the same. We will look for your support in providing us with hosts and sponsorships for the event.

The COAP Committee, a subcommittee of the Cooperation with Educators Committee, has begun planning the COAP program for the summer of 2005. For those of you who are not familiar with COAP, this is a one-week academic program geared toward minority high school students.

The program is supported by the City of Albany’s Summer Institute for Career Exploration. Therefore, students who are residents of the city are also eligible to work an accounting internship paid for by the City of Albany.

We had a small number of students enrolled in the program last year. The students worked in public accounting firms, at not-for-profit agencies and for private-sector employers. We received great feedback from the employers who provided the internships; at least one student was hired on a part-time basis. If you are interested in learning more about the program or hosting an intern, please contact me.

This program provides a win-win situation for everyone; the business can “employ” an accounting intern with no cost to them and the student gains the benefit of work experience in the profession. Please consider employing one of these students.

Finally, our chapter has some exciting news. The Young CPAs Committee will be hosting the next Young CPAs Conference, in August 2005. Please read Kevin O’Leary’s article on page 16 about this exciting event to see how you can participate.

Again, many wishes for success in the New Year! As always, if you have any comments or ideas for the chapter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Christi Paul can be reached at 518-456-4094 or cpaul@luriecpas.com.