PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Start Strong, Finish Stronger

Dear Fellow Members,

First, please allow me to extend to you and your family my sincerest wishes for good health, hope, and prosperity as we welcome in the New Year.

Although we never know what each new year will bring, your Society stands with you, ready to seize opportunities that may present themselves, and ready to help resolve the challenges that face our profession, your firms, and your careers.

A Time for Reflection
Like many others, I tend to reflect on the past year during the holiday season.  This past year, I was encouraged by the collaborative efforts and heightened involvement of our State’s largest and most respected accounting firms.  They have worked closely with the Society to improve our CPE program, provide insight into the profession, and support our networking and advocacy efforts.  They have also provided personnel and sponsorships whenever needed.  And for that we are very grateful!

Your Society is also extremely fortunate to have so many active individual volunteers, engaging Committee Chairs, and “hands-on” Board Members.  All of these Members contribute their invaluable time and talents to insure that our Society remains relevant to its Members.    

Professional Camaraderie
I am a big believer in a healthy level of competition, as it motivates us all to “do better”, to be smarter, and to remain a valued professional to our clients and employers.  All of this perpetuates the intrinsic value of the CPA designation, which helps secure a brighter future for all of us, particularly for those just entering this outstanding profession.

That said, the camaraderie between us, as CPAs, is amazing.  This past year, you didn’t have to look any further than our Annual Meeting, the “sold-out” golf outing, Membership Day in September or the networking event that followed later that evening, to see first hand the “like family” atmosphere of our Society events.  

On January 25th, the Society’s largest and most popular annual networking event will take place at the Westin Hotel.  Whether you attend all of the Society events, or haven’t attended one in years, please make it a point to come by and “say hello” to your friends, business associates, and to reunite with some former co-workers. Your participation in this event will have a big impact on its success, and may just be the event that starts your New Year with some wonderful opportunities and new (or rekindled) relationships.

OK…..Back to the Future 
Although there is always a great deal of uncertainty at the start of any year, I can assure you that your Board of Directors and the Society’s Executive Director have worked tirelessly each and every day to maintain, and continually strengthen, relationships with the Board of Accountancy, the AICPA, and many other business, educational, and governmental centers of influence.  It is this cumulative “effort in advocacy” that will provide a significant amount of stability and access to resources as the Society, and its Members, make their way through the coming year.

There are several things that we do know, including that this year will bring “a little more” certainty regarding the Federal income and estate tax rates, a reformed State income tax system, generally accepted accounting principles written exclusively for small “privately-held” companies, and the competitive challenges brought about by the new tax preparer registration rules.         

Let’s “Wrap” it Up!
In closing, I would like to recognize the passionate commitment of your Executive Director, Bob Mancini, and the “team effort” and dedicated staff, Denise Jacobson, Ellen DeCataldo and Nancy Ourique.  When you get the chance, please thank them for “a job well done”.  It is because of their efforts, that your Society is a premier professional membership organization!

The next time I write to you, the snow of winter will have melted, another busy season will be behind us, and “my year” as your President will be coming to a close.  With that said, always remember, that no matter what it is……. “start strong, and finish stronger”.  I promise you, I will!!      

With warmest wishes,
Arthur Lambi, Jr.
RISCPA President