Not-for-Profit Conference Attracts 500

By Michael L. McNee, CPA

Approximately 500 people attended the 21st annual NYSSCPA Not-for-Profit Conference, held on January 20 in Rochester and on January 27 in New York City, to hear updates on accounting standards, OMB A-133, fringe benefit and pension plans, technology, internet uses, taxes, and legal issues.

The all-day event, sponsored by the Society's Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee, attracted both people from public practice and not-for-profit organizations to hear speakers address recent critical changes affecting nonprofits. The conference featured specialists in the nonprofit field including committee member Karen Kowgios (Westchester) of Lutz & Carr CPAs LLP, and representatives from FASB; not-for-profit organizations; and public accounting, law, and pension consulting firms.

This year's conference was a success due primarily to the hard work of the three conference co-chairs, Kit Conroy of the New York Community Trust, Julie L. Floch of Richard A. Eisner & Co. LLP, and John E. Oehler (Buffalo) of Lumsden & McCormick LLP, who worked to put the event together. Much thanks also go to the subcommittee members who played a part in program development.

"The quality of the speakers and the topics are what continues to produce such a large turnout," Conroy said.

The Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee is the Society's largest committee and currently has 82 members. The committee holds monthly meetings for CPE credit which address practice issues in the nonprofit area and provide reports from certain members who are liaisons with other pertinent groups such as FASB, AICPA, and government agencies. The committee also helps support the Society's technical hotline by answering members' questions that do not require significant research. In addition, the committee writes articles and addresses exposure drafts as applicable to the nonprofit field. *