Message From the President

By Joe Falbo, Buffalo Chapter President

As you may have already noticed, the November Trusted Professional includes the Annual Student Section. I would like to extend a special welcome to all of the students and educators who may be reading our paper for the first time, and direct my column this month to you.

You may not know that, as one of the oldest chapters in the New York State Society of CPAs, the Buffalo Chapter is turning 80 years old on Feb. 5, 2005. The chapter encompasses the eight counties of Western New York. Our chapter includes over 1,300 members, including CPAs in public practice, industry, government and education, as well as students. We have 14 active committees, and hundreds of volunteer members working for the chapter.

If you have not already done so, I strongly encourage all of the students attending local universities and colleges to consider joining this chapter of the NYSSCPA. A student membership is only $5 and provides you all of the benefits of a full membership.

We are always looking for college students to join professionals on area high school visits. The visits usually last one school period (45 to 55 minutes), during which the accountant and student discuss career opportunities, college life as an accounting student and what is involved in becoming a CPA. This is an excellent way for students not only to share their college experience with high school student, but also to get to know the CPA you work with on a one-on-one level. The more contact you have with potential employers, the greater the likelihood of obtaining an interview and ultimately a job.

Whether you decide to join the NYSSCPA or not, all area college students are invited to attend the Buffalo Chapter’s Annual Education Night Dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. A date will be selected for sometime in April 2005. Students from all of the schools within our chapter will be honored. Hundreds attend every year. You will not want to miss this event.

Please feel free to contact me at any time. If you would like to send me an e-mail, I will get back to you within a couple of days. Good luck with this academic year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

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