By Arnie Haskell, Suffolk Chapter President

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Arnie Haskell, a tax partner at Holtz Rubenstein & Co., LLP. I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as president of the Suffolk Chapter for the 2003–2004 year. My congratulations go to Russ Glazer for an outstanding job and all his hard work over the past year as president. Further thanks are due to all the outgoing members of the executive board and committee chairpersons for their commitment to the chapter. I express my sincere gratitude to those board members and committee chairs who are staying on, and also to those who are just beginning their work for Suffolk’s upcoming year.

Finally, I send special congratulations to our secretary, Cynthia Finn, for being named the 2002–2003 recipient of the prestigious Arthur M. Dixon Community Service award, one of the highest awards presented by the New York State Society of CPAs.

It is with great anticipation that I begin my year as president of the Suffolk Chapter, with hopes of a productive year, evidenced by well-attended meetings and events, increased committee participation, quality technical programs plus any other society services we can provide to you as a member of an important chapter of the NYSSCPA. With our profession at a crossroads due to the financial scandals of the past few years and by the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, this will be a pivotal year for CPAs. It is more important than ever to show our solidarity and resolve by supporting our state Society and the chapters therein.

The 2002–2003 year ended with another successful Banker/CPA golf outing on May 6. Our thanks to the committee headed by Bob Quarté for its hard work and for a job well done. The year is already off to a flying start with a sellout of our Annual Long Island Ducks Game and Barbeque sponsored by our Young CPA committee. Other events are coming up, so consult our newsletter for further information.

Let us also remember and show our strong support for the statewide Young CPA Forum, being held right here in Suffolk County at the Long Island Sheraton on July 24 and 25. Members of the Young CPA Committee have been working tirelessly to make this event a great success. I urge all our managing partners to send as many of their younger staff as possible to this special event. The program will provide training in both the nontechnical and technical skills needed to advance in our profession.

On May 20, the chapter held its annual organizational meeting at St. Georges Golf and Country Club, which included the installation of the 2003–2004 chapter officers and executive board members. The various committees within the chapter will be holding their organizational meetings in June and July to plan for the programs in the upcoming year. By providing our members with technical and nontechnical programs and assistance, the committees represent one of the chapter’s most important aspects. I ask that each member consider joining one of our committees. It will not only enhance your professional development but also help us to provide all of our members with the services to which they are entitled. If you are interested in becoming active in one of our committees, please contact me or keep your eyes open for an application in the chapter newsletter.

During the year, there will be six meetings designated as “chapter” meetings, which represent the most important meetings of the year. They include the two Banker/CPA dinners, the annual officers visitation and three major committee-sponsored events. The chapter offers a discounted subscription plan whereby you, or anyone designated by you, can attend all six covered events for $149. At less than $25 an event, you can’t go wrong. Please complete the subscription plan application appearing in our chapter newsletter or contact me for an application. Your support of the chapter subscription plan program will be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to seeing all of you at one or more of our programs and events this year. I think you will find that the Suffolk Chapter has a great deal to offer and that your participation will enhance not only the chapter, but also our profession and your professionalism.