Hey, fellow members, there are many things happening that impact us as we head into the summer and enjoy some of our nicest weather of the year. From the golf course to disclosure issues to use tax rules, there are some key items to look at that affect our clients and us.

Our chapter will be co-hosting the CalCPA San Francisco Chapter Golf Tournament at Harding Park Sept. 21. You will get the opportunity to play Harding Park—one of the finest muni courses in the country and host of several prestigious golf tournaments since 1937, including the WGC-American Express Championship in 2005 and last year’s Presidents Cup. This is your chance to play on the same course as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson—and your participation benefits our chapter scholarship fund. If you are interested in being a sponsor or player, contact Jane Dunbar.

The great thing about being a CPA is the network of other CPAs that keep us on our toes. A CPA friend attended a meeting on the 7216 disclosure issues facing the accounting professions. We all know that disclosure requirements are cumbersome: We need to get a signed 7216 disclosure for any disclosure with third parties, to perform any auxiliary service beyond tax return preparation and other various situations. For more information, visit CCH’s 7216 Compliance Resource Center. We can use our power as individuals and firms to try and change the requirements. Please write to your local legislators to ask them to help change the 7216 restrictions.

Many of my clients have been frustrated this tax season by requirement to register for use tax with the California Board of Equalization if they have at least $100,000 of gross receipts from business operations per calendar year and do not otherwise report to the Board. They will now be required to file an annual use tax return. Please see the BOE’s FAQs online for more information.

In next month’s President’s Message, I’ll share information from the June 24-25 CalCPA Council meeting. Enjoy your summer!

“I have used the MAP survey for six years and have found it to be an invaluable tool I refer to over and over again to manage my practice,” says Eileen Pastenieks, CPA of Warmerdam CPA Group LLP. “I use the information to determine, among other things, if my wages are in line with other firms in my geographic area.”

If your firm is not yet a PCPS member, you can join for $35 per CPA (maximum $700). Nonmembers can purchase results reports for $300 (survey participants receive a $100 discount; AICPA members receive an additional $100 discount.)

The survey closes Friday, Aug. 13.

For more information, go online.

To make an early registration or to obtain information on sponsorships, please contact Jane Dunbar.

Vaughn is a senior manager in the assurance and advisory department at Frank, Rimerman LLP in Palo Alto. She also is the financial coach to six entities competing in the 2009 Cleantech Open, a clean-technology business competition.

Our chapter will team up with the Silicon Valley San Jose Chapter and the Santa Clara County Estate Planning Council June 8 to present our Ninth Annual Estate Planning Symposium. I look forward to learning how to deal with uncertainty over the estate tax. Please join me at this event.

Financial literacy is an important initiative that CalCPA has championed over the last few years. Chapter board member Brian Sullivan is working to bring this initiative to our local high schools through a Hillsdale High School microlending project. This program is a collaborative effort among CalCPA, the San Mateo Union High School District, San Mateo Rotary, community businesses and local banks. The program aims to reach our youth and use the microcredit experience as a learning laboratory. The program is designed so that presenters can introduce financial literacy concepts and, at the same time, incorporate a discussion of the importance of ending extreme poverty and foster an understanding of the significance of the UN Millennium Goals.

The project began in 2008 at Hillsdale High in San Mateo with a group of nine students who were devoted to making a difference in the world. After learning that nearly half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day, these inspired students decided to create a club committed to informing their community about the needs of people in developing countries, the power of microloans to help them, and, ultimately, financing microloans to empower women and transform communities. The original nine students raised enough money to individually sponsor a woman each (which included a microcredit loan, business mentorship, financial literacy training and vocational training) in Guatemala. In April 2009, the students took a trip to the region to see their efforts at work.

Greg Lance, the students’ devoted leader and teacher, led the program. It is worth mentioning that Lance was named California Educator of the Year, in part for his dedication to this amazing group of students. CalCPA, Rotary and local banks would like to work together to expand this program to other local high schools. Please contact Brian Sullivan if you would like to be part of this incredible effort.

Register Today.

Renew online today. For rules, go online.

The program, a seven-month commitment offered at all 14 CalCPA chapters, is open to CalCPA members only. Class size is restricted to 15 members so it is essential that you register for this program now to ensure you have a seat in the program.

Register today.

For more information, contact program director Gary Hammond.