Stability in Roller Coaster Times

By Gayle M. Whittemore, CPA

Can anyone honestly say that the past 24 months haven’t been a perpetual roller coaster of economic and social change? Recessions, health care reform, local and worldwide financial earthquakes. All have a place front and center in our personal and professional lives.

Keeping our literal and figurative grip while on that wild ride is the theme of the coming year. As CPAs, our knowledge of the financial twists and turns facing our clients has never been more valuable or necessary. I am reminded of a family trip to Disneyland in December when my 13-year-old niece asked if Space Mountain was too scary for her. I reassured her that she would be fine and I would be sitting right next to her to keep her safe. Despite the blood-curdling screams, we both made it out alive, and that, as they say, is a metaphor for these economic times.

So how can we CPAs provide reassurance and guidance to our clients and our colleagues? I believe the answers lie in the mission of our organization.

We all share a common goal of maintaining the highest ethical standards. We don’t have to look far to see all of the financial fraud that has touched everyone’s lives. It’s our role to act as sentries and be honest in our appraisal of situations that can cause damage to our clients, and, ultimately, to us as individuals and to our profession. Telling the truth is never a multiple-choice quiz, and we all have the obligation to keep that at the forefront of our profession.

Just as in that trip to Disneyland, those of us who have practiced for many years know the best means for making it through the crowded streets of changing regulations and business conditions. It’s that knowledge that we need to impart to our younger colleagues who are beginning their careers. It is my goal as your new chapter president to work with our exceptional staff to focus more on outreach to college students and our chapter’s young and emerging professionals.

We all had mentors who helped us learn both the technical and personal sides of our profession, and it’s that mentorship that will lead the next generation of CPAs into their rightful position of being trusted advisers. CalCPA offer leadership training courses, and I urge all YEPs to take advantage of this incredibly valuable resource. Please visit our website to learn more about the new CalCPA Emerging Leader’s certificate program.

Speaking of urging, CalCPA is actively recruiting professionals to become a part of our advocacy programs at both the local and state levels. Our profession rightfully enjoys the highest standard of respect from elected officials and their staffs, and CalCPA has a robust lobbying effort to focus attention on issues that affect our profession. Just look at what we accomplished last year alone! I have been a part of the lobbying efforts for the past few years and can say that when CPAs put their minds to a common goal, anything is possible.

To that end, I am excited and appreciative to assume this new role as president and look forward to working with our committed board of directors and talented staff. This is our organization and our collective vision will determine how we make it through the spins and twists of these times.

Please join me in celebrating some of our colleagues at the upcoming May 22 Officer Installation at the Santa Monica Pier. We will celebrate our chapter’s past president Jenny Bolsky and her vast contributions to our chapter. We also will honor the top students to whom we have awarded scholarships and recognize lifetime members and others whose peers have nominated them for their achievements to our profession and our organization. I hope to see you there and ride the roller coaster together!

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 2:11 pm and is filed under President's Message. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.