Leadership Academy Hosts Conference

Members Network, Hear Professional and Technical Updates

By Robin Bernzweig, CPA

The NYSSCPA Leadership Academy held its second annual conference October 25 and 26, providing its members with opportunities to meet the Society's leaders and other CPA attendees from around the state and hear updates on important professional and technical topics. The conference featured educational sessions as well as social events, including dinner and entertainment in New York City, to encourage participants to interact with their peers and NYSSCPA leaders. Following a networking lunch, Society President George T. Foundotos (Suffolk) opened the formal program with a discussion on the Uniform Accountancy Act and the NYSSCPA's position on various provisions. The UAA will affect CPAs and the future of the profession as it presents sweeping changes in regulation and other areas, and Foundotos said the Society hopes to bring it before the state legislature in the near future. He also emphasized that Leadership Academy members should learn more about the UAA and communicate their views to others in the profession.

Later in the program, NYSSCPA Executive Director Louis Grumet discussed recent changes at the Society and the importance of members communicating desired services and programs. For example, Grumet explained that if members want seminars that currently do not qualify for CPE in New York state but are relevant to CPAs--such as the impact of the euro or the effect of China's economy on the United States--the Society would consider organizing such presentations, to ensure that members gain valuable information on a timely basis.

Grumet also pointed out that the redesigned NYSSCPA website provides access to diverse technical and professional information, in addition to offering numerous links to other helpful resources.

The conference program also provided useful business and technical information presented by specialists in their respective areas. Topics included the Year 2000 problem; the role of the CPA in personal financial planning; criteria that financial institutions analyze to finance small businesses; effective time management skills and how they reduce stress; and updates on SEC reporting, federal taxes, and accounting and auditing.

The Leadership Academy was formed two years ago to encourage the next generation of Society leaders, a mission that is particularly critical since there are five times as many Society members over age 60 as there are those under age 30. The academy's development process includes creating opportunities to network with NYSSCPA officers, board members, and other CPA leaders, and providing programs to equip members with the necessary tools to deal with the profession's challenges. One of the academy's primary objectives is to plan special events such as the two-day conference to attract younger Society members to participate in professional activities.

For more information about the Leadership Academy, contact NYSSCPA Director of Member Relations Lorrie Lamazor at (212) 719-8390, (800) 633-6320, or llamazor@nysscpa.org. *

Robin Bernzweig is chair of the Society's Leadership Academy and a manager with Cornick Garber & Sandler LLP.