The Calm Before the Storm

By David G. Friehling, Rockland Chapter President

At this time of the year, accountants find themselves in transition. The prior year’s tax season is over and a new year is coming. A new tax season is looming on the horizon. During this transitional period, we must somehow find the time to prepare, and “preparing” is the operative word for “tax preparers.”

At a presentation to local high school students last month, Past President Dave Herman and I were asked very pointed questions on what a CPA does and does not do. I had a very interesting exchange with the students about how and when I decided not to take on a client or why I would decide to drop a client. The students recognized that clients are our source of income; however, there may come a time when a CPA has to uphold professional standards and say no to a client in order not to jeopardize his or her professional license and personal code of ethics. We all have war stories about certain clients who challenge the moral fiber a CPA is required to have.

When talking about our professional preparedness, we must not forget our ethical preparedness, as well as our technical preparedness.

Your Rockland County NYSSCPA Chapter is here to help you prepare for all of it. Our session on ethics was held on Nov. 15 at Casa Mia Manor House, along with our officer visitation. I would like to thank CPA Ernest Smith, our ethics presenter, and David A. Lifson, the president of the NYSSCPA, for their inspiring and encouraging words.

In addition to the annual tax law update, we now find ourselves having to add an “e” update. Having e-filed most of my clients’ returns for the past two years, I have found it to be a very productive way to handle my tax practice. Many of my colleagues agree. We will be hosting our annual IRS/NYS tax review and update, with speakers from the IRS and the NYS Department of Taxation, on Jan. 24.

Don’t forget to check the Rockland Chapter Website for all of our upcoming events. If any of our members would like a particular topic presented, or has any other programming ideas, please contact me or any other member of our board to let us know.

David G. Friehling can be reached at friehlingcpa@aol.com.