Northeast Chapter to host summer networking events and programs aimed at increasing the CPA pipeline

By BETH VAN BLADEL
Northeast Chapter President

And TIMOTHY J. DOYLE
Northeast Chapter Educators’ Committee Chairperson

The Northeast Chapter will be hosting the following events this summer, and we hope you can attend. Registration links can be found in Northeast Chapter Digest emails.

Monday, June 12: Financial Professionals Golf Outing 
Thursday, June 29: NextGen CPA’s/CPA Candidates ValleyCats Baseball Night
Thursday, Aug. 3: Saratoga Racetrack Day at the Races

If you have any questions about the above events, please contact Beth van Bladel at the email address below.

In addition, the Northeast Chapter’s Educator’s Committee has been busy planning several events and initiatives in recent months. As the public accounting industry continues to search for the next generation of public accountants, the industry has had to rethink outreach strategies and approaches to better communicate why we believe public accounting is a great profession. As graduation rates and the number of incoming college students in the accounting fields continue to drop, these activities are vital to finding the next generation of accounting professionals.

On June 26 and 27, the Northeast chapter will host the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) event at Siena College.

The COAP program provides real insights into opportunities in public accounting and an introduction to the college experience and related opportunities. The program has long been an initiative of the Society’s efforts to recruit underrepresented individuals into the accounting profession. However, the program is open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex.

The Moynihan Scholarship Fund (MSF) sponsors the COAP program with eight college campuses across New York State.

Thank you to the Society, Siena College and the Northeast Chapter for all the efforts in making this event a success each year.

Anyone wishing to apply to the COAP program should complete the online application.

Additionally, the committee has been working on developing relationships with local schools and nonprofits to offer outreach programs that expose high school students to the many interesting people, experiences and opportunities that exist in the accounting profession. More on that in the upcoming months.

If you would like to get involved with the Northeast Chapter Educators Committee, please contact Tim Doyle at the email address below.

bvanbladel@bstco.com
tdoyle@bonadio.com

Northeast Chapter successfully completes superfecta of events

By STEVEN LEWIS

Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee Co-Chair

With the summer season in full swing, the Northeast Chapter successfully hosted a multitude of events, including the Financial Professionals Golf Outing, the NextGen Bar & Ledger Social Gathering, the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program, and a Day at the Races at the Saratoga Race Course.

Kicking off the summer, John Graham III invited NexGen members for practice lessons at the Pinehaven Country Club and helped them prepare for the 2022 Financial Professionals Golf Outing. Chapter Past President Andrew A. Matthews, along with Jim Conroy from Pursuit, a business lending company, led the planning of the golf outing. It was held on June 13 and allowed a wide array of financial professionals from across the Capital Region to make Saolam Nguyen connections and kick off the summer.

Additionally, Saolam Nguyen led the planning of the June 23 NextGen Bar & Ledger Social Gathering, hosted by the Northeast Chapter and the Albany County Bar Association. NexGen CPAs, CPA candidates and young lawyers gathered at Wicked Eatery Pub and Entertainment for live music, games and a bite to eat. The gathering emphasized networking, highlighted the CPA Candidate Winner’s Circle, and recognized CPA candidates passing sections of the CPA exam.

The Northeast Chapter continued their momentum by participating in the second day of the COAP program at Siena College on June 28. Twenty students from the Capital Region visited Siena College to learn first-hand about the opportunities and different avenues the accounting industry has to offer. Northeast Chapter members shared their experiences, beginning with Christopher J. DiSiena, who spoke about his role in providing compilation, review and taxation services. I spoke about the broker-dealer industry, highlighting the need for a data analytical mindset. Ge’Net Ninstant spoke about fraud examinations and business valuations. The event concluded with dinner, enabling the students and their parents to network with Siena alumni and other chapter members.

To conclude the summer fun, Beth van Bladel and Kylene Fitsik led the planning of the July 20 Day at the Races at the Saratoga Racetrack, sponsored by Cresa, a real estate advisory firm; ADP; and Pursuit. The fun-packed event built strong connections within the chapter, and offered networking opportunities with local firms. The event included not only Northeast Chapter members, but also NYSSCPA members traveling from downstate and western New York.

sm07lewi@siena.edu

Northeast Chapter gears up for summer events

By BETH VAN BLADEL
Northeast Chapter President

I am excited to share with you the news that the Northeast Chapter committees have developed an exciting lineup of summer events. To register for these events, links can be found on the Northeast Chapter web page or keep an eye out for NYSSCPA Chapter Digest emails.

On June 13, we will be holding our Annual Financial Professionals Golf Outing. Thanks to the mentorship of our CFO Committee member John Graham, our NextGen members have been hard at work developing their golf skills.

On June 23, the NextGen Committee has planned a Bar/Ledger Summer Outing for NextGen CPAs, CPA candidates and young lawyers, to be held at Wicked Eatery Pub & Entertainment in Clifton Park. You do not have to be a NextGen member to attend this event—there will be plenty of former NextGeners getting in on the fun! Our NextGen Committee met up at the Wicked Eatery recently to test out the menu and drink options.

On July 20, the Northeast Chapter will be hosting a day at the Saratoga Racetrack. Registration is limited to 50 people and will include admission, program, food and drinks, and exclusive trackside viewing in the Spa Verandas. The Spa Verandas include comfortable lounge furniture, mounted televisions, betting machines and private access to the track apron, for uninterrupted railside viewing as the thoroughbreds round the final turn and head for home!

I hope to see you at one of our events.

bvanbladel@bstco.com

Northeast Chapter NextGen members work on their golf skills.	Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee members test out the menu and drink options at the Wicked Eatery.

 

Message from the Northeast Chapter President:

I am happy to share that the Northeast Chapter Leadership has organized a full slate of specially-priced Fall 2021 CPE Events. See the bottom of the Chapter Webpage for details and registration links. If you have any questions, please email me at bvanbladel@bstco.com. 

The Multi-Generational Workplace

By Gelsomina DiPalma
Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee Chair

The Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee recently hosted a Zoom event, “Navigating the Multi-Generational Workplace,” on Thursday Nov. 4. Special thanks to all on the NextGen Committee, Chapter President Beth van Bladel, and our speaker, Elaine Angelo with ProKnowledge.

This event walked through each generation, from the Baby Boomers to Gen Z, detailing what world and social events helped shape each generation, their views/values, and how that translates to the workplace. We had four breakout sessions that gave everyone a chance to answer some questions, and scenarios related to how we interact in the workplace and the differences that come up between generations. Many topics came up through these breakout rooms, including working in the office vs remotely, having a collaborative approach, the boundaries between employees and their work/clients, and challenging the structure of the 9-5 mentality.

The event was a great success, bringing together the NextGen members as well as members and nonmembers from all generations. The NextGen committee hopes to use the feedback received to build upon this event next year.

Gelsomina.DiPalma@CohnReznick.com

NextGen is Happening!

By Gelsomina DiPalma,

Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee Chair

 As we enter into the fall, after an interesting, to say the least, year and a half, we are looking back on our summer events; one of which was our first NextGen Cocktail Hour. The Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee recently organized an informal cocktail hour for professionals in the area to meet and network. There were close to 30 people in attendance. Attendees varied across multiple firms and industries in the Capital Region. The event was a great success, bringing together the NextGen members, as well as members and nonmembers from all generations.

The trends in the CPA profession are alarming; we are witnessing a decline in the number of students going into accounting and more people leaving the profession as a whole. The Northeast Chapter is making this a focus and a priority when it comes to our events being offered this fall. As a result, the Northeast Chapter has revitalized it’s NextGen Committee and is planning more events to bring together professionals, not only those in NextGen but those of all ages. You’re encouraged to check out the NYSSCPA’s Northeast Chapter’s webpage for updates regarding our future events and keep an eye out for registration emails. Please also mark your calendars for our “Bridging the Gap: Multi-Generational Differences in the Workplace Workshop” scheduled for Nov. 4. Many thanks to our NextGen Committee for organizing the cocktail hour and our upcoming events this fall.

Gelsomina.DiPalma@CohnReznick.com

 

The Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee Cocktail Hour: Left to right: Northeast Chapter President Beth van Bladel; Northeast Chapter NextGen Committee members Chris DiSiena, Ge’Net Ninstant, Sylwia Skoney, Gelsomina DiPalma and William Sullivan. Not pictured: Lauren Gibson.

 

 

Message from the incoming Chapter President:

What the Northeast Chapter of the NYSSCPA means to me –

When I first joined the Northeast Chapter, I was inspired to start the Northeast Chapter Young CPA Committee (now known as the NextGen Committee) because I did not want to be the only Young CPA in the room at Chapter events.  This experience helped me to develop my skills in networking, project management and public speaking.  As a Young CPA I joined the Board of Directors and ascended through the ranks of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President-Elect, and President.  

My experience representing the Northeast Chapter on the Statewide Board of Directors expanded my professional network beyond the Capital Region and helped to develop my skills in negotiation and diplomacy. Feeling isolated as the only CPA in an organization, I started the Northeast Chapter CFO Committee so that our members in industry (including me) have a support system.

I am truly indebted to the NYSSCPA and the leaders of the Northeast Chapter for their mentorship and opportunities to develop my professional network, leadership skills and career goals.

Today I am volunteering to take on the role of President once again so that our Northeast Chapter members will continue to have professional development opportunities.  The strength of the Northeast Chapter resides in the engagement of our members.

Recruitment for Fiscal year 2021-2022 is underway and will close on May 31^st. Please consider getting involved by joining one of our committees, the Board of Directors, or the Executive Board.  Just send me an e-mail noting your professional background and expression of interest at bvanbladel@cfo-for-hire.com.

Thank you for your consideration,

Beth van Bladel, CPA
Director
CFO for Hire, a division of BST & Co. CPAs, LLP

Please note – All nominees must be in compliance with CPA licensing rules and NYSSCPA membership requirements.  

---

By Beth van Bladel, Northeast Chapter President

Northeast Chapter Game Plan

I hope everyone had a nice summer! The strength of our Northeast Chapter resides in the engagement of our members. I am excited to share that we have successfully recruited board and committee members to lead and plan events for the coming year.

On June 30th, the Northeast Chapter held its Annual Organizational Meeting and discussed the following member needs/concerns:

1. Want networking opportunities:

i. Bankers and Lawyers

ii. Legislators

2. Want CPE:

i. Ethics

ii. Tax

3. Want support groups:

i. CPA Candidates

ii. Members in Industry

4. Need help communicating with supervisors about:

i. Feeling isolated - want more engagement and connection with co-workers

ii. Feeling stressed - Work/life balance concerns

iii. Feeling valued - want to integrate personal purpose with work

5. Need help with retention and recruiting:

i. Do not want to lose valued team members

ii. Cannot find qualified candidates to recruit

iii. Want to inspire students to consider the accounting profession

Based upon the above list, the Northeast Chapter leadership will be focusing on the following committees and planning activities:

1. CFO Committee – virtually meets at 4 pm on the last Wednesday of every month.

2. Financial Professionals Golf Event Committee – event is scheduled for July 26th

3. Bar & Ledger Ethics CPE and Networking Event Committee – event date TBD

4. Tax Conference – event date TBD

5. NextGen Committee – event dates TBD

i. CPA Candidate Support Group

ii. Skills Development

- Networking

- Communication

- Generational Differences

- Work/Life Balance

6. Educators Committee – event dates TBD

i. High School and College Outreach

ii. COAP

iii. Scholarship Promotion

iv. Engagement with CPA Careers Committee

I have the following requests:

1. If you are interested in any of the above committees, please reach out to me.

2. Please support the Northeast Chapter by attending our events.

3. Please pay attention to Chapter updates posted on the Northeast Chapter Webpage and emails sent from the NYSSCPA.

Thank you,

Beth van Bladel, CPA
Director
CFO for Hire, a division of BST & Co. CPAs, LLP
bvanbladel@bstco.com
518-466-4669

Northeast Chapter Member Directory

Login to see the latest discussions in your Chapter's community