September 2001

Young CPAs Forum Exceeds Expectations

My three-year involvement with the NYSSCPA Buffalo Chapter’s Young CPAs Committee took a big leap forward this summer. On July 12-13, the committee held the first-ever Young CPAs Forum, and to say it went well is quite an understatement. The event drew more than 170 attendees, 50 of whom hailed from outside the Buffalo area, including Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Long Island. In the course of those two days, I frequently heard CPAs from across New York state express their enthusiasm for the city of Buffalo and for a forum that will become an annual happening.

“I’ve never attended a conference like this. These topics are so much more useful and interesting to me than the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) and tax updates, where some of the material applies to me and some doesn’t,” said one appreciative attendee. “This is exactly the type of training we’re looking for, and to have it all in one spot is an excellent saver of time and money.”

“It’s very enlightening to hear that the problems I thought only my firm have are the same problems every other firm has,” said another CPA. “To share ideas and solutions from others in the same situation is extremely valuable.”

I would like to thank all of the speakers who gave quality presentations as well as the entire Young CPAs Committee for their tireless efforts and moral support. An undertaking as big as this year’s forum would be impossible to pull off without the help and input of such a giving network of supporters. Mark Koziel, past chair of the committee, and I are both truly grateful for everyone’s help.

Taste of Buffalo

Though the forum took up a lot of the committee’s spare time, members still came out in full force on July 7 and 8 to volunteer as ticket supervisors at the Taste of Buffalo. More than 60 CPAs and candidates from 10 firms and companies gave up their weekend afternoon(s) to support the second-largest outdoor food festival in the country. The volunteers had a great time, and the organizers of the Taste of Buffalo were so impressed with the committee’s participation that they asked us to volunteer next year. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and showed the community what the Buffalo Chapter’s Young CPAs Committee is all about.

Thursday in the Square

Since our appetite for volunteering was not quite satisfied, the committee also offered to work the food tents at Thursday in the Square on July 26—a weekly summer outdoor concert that had more than 20,000 people in attendance that night. The proceeds from the food sales went to Parents Anonymous, a charity that provides assistance to both children and parents to ensure a healthy living environment. Again, thanks to all those who went above and beyond the call of volunteerism.

Annual Golf Tournament

On August 9 the committee held its second annual golf tournament at Chestnut Hills in Darien. Though playing in 90-degree weather, 60 golfers had a grand time hitting the links and having a few laughs. Thanks to our generous sponsor, Prompt Pay Inc., a payroll service provider locally owned and operated. Thanks also to Daryl Bramer, a committee member, for coordinating the tournament.