Happenings!

Has Your Firm Applied for .CPA Yet? If So, Are You Planning to Use It?

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 4 days ago
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If you are in the 20% of firms your size that have not applied for .CPA, it is important for you to listen to the following video overview from Erik Asgeirsson, Roman Kepczyk and Bill Reeb on why you should register at least your firm’s name prior to January 15th. This  video  also addresses the top questions being asked by CPA firms. Let’s unpack that discussion a bit. As Erik, Roman, and Bill discuss, .CPA is different from other top level domains (TLDs). Please consider the following as you walk through your decision-making processes relative to moving to the new .cpa domain: • is exclusive to the CPA Profession • provides a great opportunity ...
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.cpa Domain: Clearing Up Confusion Regarding Basic Activation Requirements

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 10-23-2020
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There has been some confusion surrounding the activation requirements of the .cpa domain since the AICPA launched the program on September 1. The following was recently outlined as the Basic Activation Requirements effective November 1, 2020. Basic Activation Requirements Website - within one month of being issued your domain, redirect it to your current .com website - within one year of being issued your domain, use it as an active firm branded website. You have multiple options: Create a microsite Create a web page(s) with your name, logo and content Make it your primary website - if you bought multiple domains, you only need to activate ...
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CPAFMA Hosts Accelerator November 9-10

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 10-20-2020
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This program is exclusively designed to help participants professionally manage accounting firms of varying sizes. Understanding the challenges firms have faced in 2020, CPAFMA has designed this virtual Accelerator to be affordable and inclusive, providing the opportunity for up to five members of the firm's leadership group to participate for one low price from the convenience of one's office. The two-day educational exchange has something for everyone involved in accounting firm management. The live online event includes high-level keynote sessions to facilitated discussions customized to provide information that can be implemented immediately. TAKEAWAYS ...
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August 2020 Confab on Diversity, Inclusion & Equity References PCPS D&I Toolkit

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 08-17-2020
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From the August 2020 Confab on Diversity, Inclusion & Equity, several members noted the usefulness of the PCPS Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit.  CPAFMA is proud to be an alliance partner with PCPS and share the following table of contents of their D&I Toolkit with you.  For members of the PCPS, we are happy to forward the Toolkit to you, simply message CPAFMA HQ through Connect.  For membership information, visit AICPA.org. PCPS Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit Table of Contents * indicates resource is pdf included in zip file download Toolkit roadmap* - Use the roadmap as a guide as you set your firm's priorities for increasing diversity and building ...
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Transitioning in a Year of Nothing Normal

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 07-08-2020
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Our dear CPAFMA friends – what a year this has been!  My time on the CPAFMA board has been so magnificent and although I have another year as Immediate Past Chair, I feel compelled to list some accomplishments we’ve made over the past seven years! I am honored to have served with the best-of-the-best firm managers and COO’s this country’s accounting firms have ever seen. I was part of this grand organization when, together, we ... changed our name from administrators to managers solidified our relationship with the AICPA and PCPS upgraded our website to include Connect strengthened our MAPCast offerings collaborated with the Association ...
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Make Sure Every Voice is Represented - And Heard

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 07-08-2020
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Firms recognize the value in diversity and inclusion, but implementation can be challenging. If you’re asking yourself, Where do I start?, complete our Accounting Inclusion Maturity Model . This FREE assessment tool measures 13 competencies in four core areas (workplace, workforce, marketplace and supplier/community). Use the results to determine next steps, improve results each year and benchmark with other firms
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CPAFMA Hosts First Members' Only Virtual Confab on July 20

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 07-08-2020
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CPAFMA will begin hosting informal discussions and sharings that the organization is calling Confabs that will take place virtually over Zoom on the third Monday of every month at 3:30 PM ET.  The first one is scheduled for July 20, 2020. They will be facilitated by a member of CPAFMA but will be led by those participating. The topics will be broad and participants are encouraged to bring questions, stories, challenges and needs. The first will be on the topic of "How is Re-Opening Going?" Be prepared to hear successes, stories, frustrations, questions, concerns and possibly some failures. This is your opportunity as well to check-in and let your friends ...
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CPAFMA Launches 2020 Firm Manager Compensation Survey

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 06-04-2020
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The CPA Firm Management Association is conducting an informal  compensation survey . The survey is intentionally designed to be efficient and provide information needed by firms regarding the firm manager position.   Completing the survey will take no more than ten minutes and should be completed by the firm manager (Administrative Partner, COO, Director of Operations, Firm Manager, Officer Administrator, etc.).  Data will be captured electronically and results distributed to members the first week of July 2020. All data will be confidential.   The deadline is June 18, 2020 at midnight local time.   To complete the survey, click
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Maner Costerisan Hires First Director of Marketing

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 05-26-2020
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CPAFMA member firm,   Maner Costerisan , in Lansing, MI recently announced the hiring of their first Director of Marketing,  Julie Ross . Julie comes to the firm after serving as Jackson's content marketing manager.  A graduate of Michigan State University, Julie brings more than 15 years of experience to the  full-service public accounting, technology, and business advisory firm. Maner Costerisan, a BDO Alliance USA firm, is the largest locally-owned firm in mid-Michigan, serving clients of all sizes and across a range of industries with a staff of more than 130 individuals.  The firm's Director of Administration,  Kris Latchaw, CPA  is a Director on ...
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Koziel to Head Allinial Global

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 05-26-2020
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American Institute of CPAs executive vice president of firm services Mark Koziel announced that he is leaving after almost a decade-and-a-half with the institute to take the helm at international accounting association Allinial Global. Koziel will become president and CEO of the association on August 1, following the retirement of current chief Terry Snyder. He was selected after an extensive review that looked at over 100 candidates. A widely respected figure in the profession, Koziel has often been one of the AICPA's most prominent faces for members through his work as head of firm services and his frequent public speaking. He has been regularly included ...
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Accountable for Change Offers Free Online Courses to CPAFMA Members

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 04-24-2020
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Accountable for Change is making online courses available to all CPAFMA members and their firms for free until April 30, 2020. Once members register for the courses they have access for 6 months. This offering has no strings attached, Accountable for Change is looking to help member firms by providing free online training. To take advantage of this opportunity to build new capabilities / skills by providing free, online training to your teams.  Each team member can select two (2) courses from this list for six (6) months. To register, email sueg@accountableforchange.com with the course information you are interested in completing. Once registered, ...
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Small Businesses Are Worse Off Than We Thought

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 04-20-2020
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If the COVID-19 crisis lasts four months, 65 percent of small retailers say there’s a good chance they’ll be forced to close permanently by the end of the year. Among restaurants and bars, 70 percent expect to go out of business if social-distancing orders last into July. That’s according to a   new survey   (pdf)   of nearly 6,000 small-business owners conducted by a team of researchers in partnership with   Alignable , an online business networking platform with 4.5 million members. The survey results paint a bleak picture of America’s current small-business ecosystem, in which results find 43 percent of firms are temporarily closed and 40 percent ...
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Remote Work and Cybersecurity MAPCast Offered on April 23

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 04-20-2020
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With the sudden and jolting push to remote work across the country, cybersecurity has never been more important. As coronavirus scams explode, and the number of breaches takes an alarming rise, now is the perfect time to re-focus on how to maximize the safety of your firm, and your clients. CPAFMA in cooperation with Chesapeake Professional Liability Brokers will be hosting a MAPCast on April 23, Remote Work and Cybersecurity: Protecting Yourself and Your Clients  that will focus on: - Awareness of common scams and the importance of employee security awareness training; - Easy steps firms can take to minimize the odds of fraudulent money transfers; ...
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Leading in Unusual Times: A Free Virtual Learning Series

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 03-16-2020
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Navigating uncertainty and disruption by leading yourself and others when it’s  business as unusual.   pLink Leadership is offering a series of free webinars to leaders dealing with today's disruptions. Visit Events  calendar for a information about the series. As the world is coming to grips with the current reality, caused by the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that business leaders stay calm and lead their teams with courage and connection. While we can’t control the scope and scale of the adversity we may face, how we lead during this time is well within our control. Effective leadership will require self-awareness, clear intention, well-thought-out ...
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CPA/Business Advisory Firm DeLeon & Stang Names Brad Hoffman Co-managing Partner

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 02-13-2020
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DeLeon & Stang, a CPA and business advisory firm with offices in Maryland and Virginia, recently announced that partner Brad Hoffman, CPA, has been named co-managing partner along with Richard Stang. The announcement comes as part of a planned transition of the firm’s leadership. Allen DeLeon, CPA, founding partner and co-managing partner, with more than 35 years of experience, will retire December 31, 2020.  Hoffman joined D&S in 2012 and has been partner-in-charge of the firm’s Leesburg, VA and Frederick, MD, offices. He provides tax, M&A, and other consulting services to a wide variety of clients including trade contractors, government contractors, ...
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Leadership 2.0 Applications Being Accepted

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 01-23-2020
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Firm managers are called to be leaders – by the best traditions of the accounting profession, by standards of professional responsibility, and by the expectations of the communities in which they work and live. And yet, until recently, there has been little attention given to leadership training for those responsible for the day-to-day management of CPA firms as they enter the profession and begin to develop the skills necessary for their success and the success of their firms. In an effort to prepare emerging leaders for this calling, the CPAFMA is providing a leadership training program in cooperation with Succession Institute . The CPA Firm Management ...
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MAPCast 1/15 Social Media Cybersecurity Best Practices

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 12-27-2019
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Attendees will learn the importance of completing a digital audit of their personal and business online assets, will understand basic steps to protect their social media accounts, will learn what social engineering is and how to limit their exposure to it, and will understand the risks of connecting to public WiFi network. Register her
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The Gift of PAFM

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 12-18-2019
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CPAFMA's  Public Accounting Firm Manager (PAFM)™ program*  provides the opportunity to demonstrate you have the  knowledge, leadership, skills,  and  abilities  to operate at a high level of expertise in the field of accounting firm management. Think. Experience. Elevate. The process of attaining the PAFM designation includes meeting the experience-and education-based eligibility requirements, agreeing to adhere to  CPAFMA’s Core Values of a Firm Manager , and fulfilling the continuing education/recertification requirements. The PAFM designation will identify you as a dedicated and experienced accounting firm manager who understands the unique and ...
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Do You Take Advantage of the Available MAPCasts?

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 12-18-2019
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CPAFMA provides more than  30  live webinars each year on a variety of firm management topics. Each MAPCast is recorded and available to watch at your convenience. Live MAPCasts offer CPE and PAFMs can take advantage of these educational opportunities for  free ! Upcoming MAPCasts Include: December 20, 2019 2020 Digitally Driven Firm Survey Results Overview   @ 11:30 AM ET Is your firm on the "bleeding" or stable edge of being a digitally driven firm? ...Or is your technology always lagging? Find out what digital technologies and evolving trends your peer firms are utilizing this upcoming busy season from Roman H. Kepczyk as he presents the ...
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MAPCast 1/7 The Rise of Advisory Services – Building a Sustainable CPA Firm

By Kimberly A. Fantaci posted 12-18-2019
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Whether you are a sole practitioner or multi-partner firm, join Phil and David who will share with you the importance and relative ease of adding Advisory Services to your service offerings. o Build it, buy it or … o The “Grand Slam” strategy concept o Risks you will certainly face if you do not have advisory service offerings To learn more or to register,
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