VIDEO: Frank Venezia, CPA, director at Marvin and Company and Kevin O'Leary, CPA, director, discuss non-profit fiscal governance on TV-17's The Money Factor

https://vimeo.com/48541803

On Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Frank and Alan Krieger, a former executive director of two non-profits, will host an interactive workshop titled, “Financial Governance of Non-Profits: A Board Perspective.”  

Held at Northeast Parent and Child Society, 530 Franklin Street in Schenectady, the session will focus on the fiscal responsibilities of board members/non-profit leaders and provide easy-to-understand examples and suggestions that can be readily implemented in any organization.  

The cost is $15 and you can register by calling Bonnie Brisk at (518) 785-0134 x 169. Space is limited. 

For more information, call Frank at (518) 785-0134, or email fsv@marvincpa.com  

FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE OF NON-PROFITS FOCUS OF 9/19 INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP

The management and protection of financial resources are major concerns for all non-profit organizations, regardless of whether they are a small all-volunteer group or large national association.

On Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., we'll  be hosting an interactive workshop titled, “Financial Governance of Non-Profits: A Board Perspective.”  

Held at Northeast Parent and Child Society, 530 Franklin Street in Schenectady, the two-hour session will focus on the fiscal responsibilities of board members and non-profit leaders.  The cost is $15 and registration is required by calling Bonnie Brisk at (518) 785-0134 x 169. Space is limited.

“Although board members and leaders of non-profit agencies are responsible for oversight and management of their agency’s financial management, many are often unfamiliar with the system,” said Frank Venezia, CPA, a colleague of mine at the firm who will lead part of the session. “This workshop will provide easy-to-understand examples and suggestions that can be readily implemented in any organization.”

Among other topics, attendees will learn:

• The board’s specific responsibilities in fiscal management 
• The purpose and goals of a fiscal management system
• Steps a board can take to effectively create accountability and oversight 
• What to look for when reviewing financial reports
• How to minimize risk of fraud or financial mismanagement
• The board’s interaction with internal and external auditors

Frank has 35 years of public accounting experience and oversees our Accounting and Auditing Services. He currently supervises audits and provides management advisory and other services for various not-for-profit organizations, fire districts and employee benefit plans.

Alan Krieger, a former executive director of two non-profits, will co-present.  His company provides bookkeeping and financial management consulting services, training, leadership and organizational development services to leaders, staff and board members of non-profit agencies across the state.

For more information, please call Frank at (518) 785-0134, or drop him a line at  fsv@marvincpa.com  

8/15 WEBINAR TO ADDRESS ESTATE AND GIFT TAX UPDATE

With the presidential election and changes to the federal estate tax looming, learn what to do with your estate plan by participating in a free estate planning webinar titled, "Estate and Gift Tax Update" Wednesday, August 15th from noon to 1 p.m.



"This webinar will discuss the challenges and opportunities of planning for your estate in an uncertain political environment," said Senior Tax Manager Chris Cimijotti, CPA, who will present the session with colleague Tom Donovan, CPA, a director at the firm.

Cimijotti has provided personal, business, estate, and trust planning and taxation services to an array of clients for more than 26 years.  Donovan, meanwhile, has more than 30 years' experience advising Marvin and Company clients on a variety of personal and business matters.

One hour of continuing professional educational credit is available for CPAs.

PC-based attendees are required to have: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer. Space is limited. 

Reserve your seat now by visiting https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/731453426

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, give me a call at 785-0134 or email me at kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

7/18 WEBINAR TO ADDRESS RETIREMENT PLANNING OPTIONS FOR SELF-EMPLOYED

Whether you run a business and are looking for a tax deduction while saving for your retirement, a self-employed business owner seeking to start a retirement plan, or simply pondering the tax advantages of a Roth IRA, join us for a free retirement planning webinar on Weds, July 18^thfrom noon to 1 p.m.

The session, titled “Retirement Planning: Choosing a Plan That’s Right for You,” will review three of the most common retirement plans for the self-employed — the Solo 401(k) Plan, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs and traditional Roth IRAs.

“This webinar is intended to shed light on the best vehicles to help self-employed individuals save for their retirement,” said Senior Employee Benefits Specialist Linda Conrad, who will present the session with my colleague Tom Donovan, CPA, a director at the firm.  “We will provide an overview of each of the plan’s characteristics, eligibility requirements, conversion rules and tax features.”

Conrad, who specializes in the design and implementation of qualified retirement plans, has more than 15 years’ experience in all areas of retirement and benefit plan administration and design.  Donovan, meanwhile, has more than 30 years experience advising Marvin and Company clients on a variety of personal and business matters. As head of the firm’s Tax Department, he often represents clients that are undergoing State or Federal tax audits.  

One hour of continuing professional educational units is available for CPAs.

PC-based attendees are required to have: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer.

Space is limited.  Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/459998874

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, call me at 518-785-0134, or email me kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

SOCIAL SECURITY BASICS ADDRESSED IN 6/20 WEBINAR

At one stage or another, each of us will retire from our full-time jobs.  But how can we best prepare for this significant turning point in our lives and, more specifically, will we be able to achieve the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement?

On Wednesday, June 20 from noon to 1 p.m., my colleague Jim Amell, CPA will host a free webinar focusing on social security basics, including how social security benefits are determined, how to optimize social security for your personal situation, and important income tax considerations.

“We are often asked to advise clients about when to apply for social security benefits, how benefits are taxed or whether they can work and still receive social security benefits,” said Jim, a managing director at Marvin and Company.  “These and many other questions will be addressed.”

One hour of continuing professional educational units is available for CPAs.

PC-based attendees are required to have: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer.
Space is limited. 

Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/992395770

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, please call me at 518-785-0134, or email me at kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

5/16 WEBINAR TO EXAMINE LESSONS LEARNED FROM COMPTROLLER AUDITS

Our team will host another free webinar Weds., May 16 from noon to 1 p.m. This month's session will focus on lessons learned from audits by the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

Ideal for accountants working at school districts and other local governments, the live session will cover topics ranging from internal control considerations when faced with staffing reductions to best practices.

“This gathering offers a good opportunity to learn the areas which are the current trend for audits performed by the Office of the New York State Comptroller and tips on how to avoid the same findings,” said Marvin and Company Managing Director Jim Amell, CPA, who will lead the webinar with Heather Lewis, CPA, an audit manager with the firm.

“For school district business officials and treasurers, as well as other government agencies required to make staffing cutbacks, we will also discuss the areas that become vulnerable to misappropriation due to these reductions and the risks/benefits that they and their board should consider,” added Amell.

Continuing professional education (CPE) credits are available.

PC-based attendees are required to have Windows® 7, Vista, XP or a 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS X 10.5 or newer.

Space is limited.  Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/446097018

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, please give me a call at 518-785-0134, or email me kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!

3/21 WEBINAR: COSO INTERNAL CONTROL FRAMEWORK 20 YEARS LATER

For the past two decades, accountants around the globe have relied on the internal control framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) to better understand enterprise risk management, its benefits and limitations and to effectively communicate enterprise risk management.

A new exposure draft released in December will update the original framework, making it easier to use and more relevant to today’s business environment.

On Wednesday, March 21 from noon to 1 p.m., we'll host a free webinar tailored to board members on finance or audit committees, chief financial officers, internal auditors, as well as accounting and auditing professionals.

“This session will focus on the proposed changes to the Internal Control Framework which is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012,” said Frank Venezia, CPA, director. “Participants will be introduced to changes that take it from a rules- to a principles-based approach that explicitly identifies the 17 core principles of internal control. We will also cover some of the more common internal control deficiencies we see in our practice, their causes and how to implement cost-effective compensating controls.”

Additionally, for-profit, non-profit and governmental entities will expand their knowledge of internal control concepts that apply to their organizations. More common internal control deficiencies and possible ways to mitigate control deficiencies will also be discussed.

Frank, who will lead the session, has more than 35 years of public accounting experience and has served as the director in charge of audits, management advisory and other services to a number of organizations including not-for-profit organizations and for-profit businesses in a variety of different industries.

PC-based attendees are required to have Windows® 7, Vista, XP or a 2003 Server, while Macintosh®-based attendees need Mac OS X 10.5 or newer.

Space is limited. Reserve your seat now by going to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/484792258

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

For more information, give me a call at 518-785-0134 or email me kpo@marvincpa.com.

Cheers!