Inside AICPA

Brezik lauded for PFP contributions…AICPA and Accountemps
offer scholarships…Member dues requested.

Institute Honors Brezik for PFP Service, Enhances Web Site
Connie A. Brezik, CPA/PFS, was named winner of the 2004 AICPA Distinguished Service Award in January at the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Technical Conference in Puerto Rico. Brezik, who earlier headed the committee that plans the annual conference, is a former member of the AICPA’s PFP Executive Committee, PFP Member Services Task Force and Member Retirement Committee. Both Worth magazine and Accounting Today identified her three times as one of the nation’s most prominent financial advisers. Her firm, Asset Strategies Inc., has offices in Scottsdale, Arizona; Avon, Connecticut; New York City; and Casper, Wyoming.

Also at the conference, the Institute introduced an improved version of its PFP Web site (www.aicpa.org/pfp), which offers continually updated guidance for CPA financial planners providing investment planning, insurance and risk management, personal income tax planning, disaster preparedness and recovery, retirement and estate planning and elder care services. While AICPA members have access to certain of the site’s resources, only PFP section members can use them all. To enroll in the section, go to www.cpa2biz.com or call 888-777-7077. The site also includes information on practice management and members’ responsibilities to the public, a conference calendar, Webcasts on practical topics, listings of relevant state society events and a database of all CPAs holding the PFS designation so consumers can locate a practitioner near them.

Scholarship Nominees Sought
The AICPA and Accountemps are accepting applications for two $2,500 scholarships to be awarded in the fall of 2005. Applicants must be AICPA student affiliate members majoring in accounting, finance or information systems in full-time undergraduate or graduate programs and must have completed the equivalent of 30 semester hours and achieved a 3.0 grade point average. A committee of Accountemps and AICPA representatives will select recipients on the basis of scholastic achievement, leadership, future career interests, letters of recommendation and an essay. Applications, which must be received at the AICPA by April 1, can be downloaded at www.aicpa.org/download/nolimits/become/ships/accountempsaicpa_app.pdf.

Dues Reminder to Members
Because the Institute’s fiscal year 2004–2005 billing cycle is ending, it’s urgent that members who have not paid their AICPA dues do so immediately. Membership benefits include discounts on products and other valuable resources, as well as professional guidance and support during this time of unprecedented regulatory change. Members who haven’t received an AICPA renewal notice in the mail can pay their dues by phone at 888-333-5110 or by logging on at www.aicpa.org/about/dues.htm. Those not registered online should have their AICPA member number at hand. It consists of the last eight digits on the top line of their Journal of Accountancy mailing label.