Fellow Members,

I'm glad to see that Spring is here finally. Easter will be here in a soon. We have only two meetings left before the summer hiatus. At the end of the month is the 35th Meonske Conference April 23-24. The conference is one of the best in the nation. There is an exciting slate of speakers this year. It usually sells out every year.. Register soon!

At this month's meeting, you will be able to "give back" to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. Please bring in a donation of food or money.

On May 2nd will be the 5th Annual Golf Outing at Kent State University Golf Course. We're looking for golfers, hole sponsors, donations for door prizes and volunteers during the outing. Get together a foursome and join us! If you are not a golfer, consider volunteering part or all of the outing, we could use your help. Contact Dean Hull, Gary Floyd or myself.

See you at our next meeting on April 22nd.

Becky Price
President
Akron Chapter IMA

Tangier Restaurant
April 22, 2009
Pre-Technical Session - 5:25 PM Sharp

Molly K. Becker
Director of Communications and Marketing
METRO Regional Transit Authority
"Public Transportation - Benefits to You, Your Employees, the Economy, and the Environment"

Molly K. Becker is the Director of Communications and Marketing for METRO RTA in Summit County, OH. She started her career with METRO in 1997 as the communications specialist, and became director in 2003.

Her duties include media relations, internal and external communications, purchasing advertising, creating marketing campaigns and implementing them. Molly has led the communications and marketing efforts of the agency through numerous service reductions and cuts, two fare increases, and budget cuts. While the challenges of public transportation are numerous, Molly enjoys the creative opportunities her position offers.

Molly is the marketing chair for the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) and serves as the chair for the child passenger safety committee for Safe Kids of Summit County. In 2006, she was named member of the year for Safe Kids.

Ms. Becker lives in Akron, OH with her husband, Warren, and two children, Sammy and Sophie.

Tangier Restaurant
April 22, 2009
PAST PRESIDENTS' NIGHT
Technical Session

THEODORE J. DALHEIM, ESQ.
Controller, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group
"Business Law Basics - A Practical Approach"

Ted Dalheim joined Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group as Controller in 2007. Prior to his most recent position, Ted served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary for Marine Mechanical Corporation in Cleveland, OH.

Ted holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Miami University (OH) and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Cleveland - Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and serves on the board of directors for University Hospitals - Richmond Medical Center.

The last two monthly meetings for the 2008/2009 year will be held at Tangiers Restaurant on the following dates:
4/22/09
5/20/09

Dinner cost for the regular meetings is $25 (or $23 using the Pay Pal option) and $10 per Pre-Tech Session.

35th Annual Meonske Professional Development Conference
Kent State University
Ohio Council of the Institute of Management Accountants

One of the "Top five financial reporting conferences in America"
Friday, April 24 Conference and Thursday, April 23, 2009 Preconference Workshop For more information go to Meonske Conference for details - Registration Information to follow

You are probably being bombarded from many sources about upcoming conferences and seminars to help you cope with the uncertainties of our deteriorating economy. You are also probably receiving advice on how to do fair value accounting and prepare for the coming of "IFRS" (International Financial Reporting Standards). Why not skip the advice that might be out of date and hear it from the source? The 35th Annual Meonske Professional Development Conference at KSU on April 24 brings together a rare gathering of the leaders and thinkers of the accounting profession. Here's a brief sample of what you'll be seeing - the current chairman of the FASB (Bob Herz), the former chairman of the FASB (Denny Beresford), a member of the PCAOB and candidate for Chief Accountant of the SEC (Charles Niemeier, who is a critic of IFRS), and the accounting standards expert in the Ernst &Young National Professional Practice (Carlo Pippolo) - all together on the Friday morning Financial Reporting Panel! Should be a lively discussion. Then, at lunch, we get to hear a former chairman of the SEC (Harvey Pitt) who is just back from a consulting assignment in the Middle East - at a recent roundtable discussion among past SEC Chairmen convened by former SEC chairman Christopher Cox, whenever Harvey spoke, everyone on the panel leaned in to hear every golden word (just like an old E.F. Hutton commercial). In the afternoon session, one of several great speakers is the former CEO of Compac Computer Corporation and MCI (turned it around after the WorldCom debacle) and current chairman of First Data (Michael Capellas, who is also a former student of Norm Meonske). Never before has such a collection of stars appeared locally on the same day. Also, all Friday attendees will receive a black leather, executive briefcase in commemoration of our 35th Annual Meonske PD Conference. All this for the same price as last year's conference. If you haven't received a yellow brochure in the mail or at IMA chapter meetings, please go to the Ohio Council website, www.ohioima.org, to register.

Guess what? There's more. On Thursday, April 23, our Preconference Workshop will present concurrent tracks in the morning (giving you a choice of ethics & fraud OR a Fair Value Standards Boot Camp). During the afternoon, we start with Aaron Beam, former CFO of HealthSouth (a $2.5 billion fraud) and convicted felon, who will tell us what to do "When your boss tells you to do something wrong". We will finish the afternoon with a panel giving you some timely tips on how to "Make yourself more valuable in the Workplace" and some best practices in "Managing your career". This Workshop also holds to the same price as last year. Go to the Ohio Council website to register. So, that's it, the right Conference and the right Workshop at the right time. If you are watching your CPE dollars, this is one event that you don't want to miss. A sellout is expected - register early - see you in April at KSU!

"Are you shocked to learn that professionals who meet on a regular basis admit to daydreaming (91%), missing meetings (96%) or missing parts of meetings (95%). A large percentage (73%) say they have brought other work to meetings and 39% say they have dozed during meetings. One might be tempted to snicker at these statistics. but have you seriously considered how these inefficiencies affect you and your organization?"

Join us on April 21, 2009, at SS&G Financial Services, where we will be hosting Susan Aldrich for a fun interactive experience on how to run highly effective meetings.

Susan will be covering the following objectives:

• How to stay on time and on agenda.
• How to handle control freaks and those not saying a word.
• How to make meetings fun and interactive so people want to come.

Please invite friends, bosses, networking associates, colleagues! This is one meeting you do not want to miss!

Save the date information:
Date: April 21, 2009
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: SS&G Financial Services
301 Springside Drive
Akron , Ohio 44333-2434
Phone: 330-668-9696
Contact person at SS&G: Michelle D'Amico

Directions from 77N:
Take exit 137A toward Fairlawn, Medina Road/OH- 18
Turn left on Springside Drive which is .5 miles off exit, the same road Barnes and Noble is on
SS&G is on your right about a half mile down.

About the Speaker:
Susan Aldrich uses her high energy and sense of humor to motivate her audiences; she has spent the last 25 years as motivational speaker and trainer.
Susan launched her own speaking business more than 11 years ago and has quickly made a name for herself across the globe for her motivating discussions on time and project management, supervisory skills and team building.
Susan graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College . She belongs to the American Society for Training and Development. For more than 20 years, she has spoken at meetings, conventions and trade shows.

IMA Akron Chapter
CMA Review Class News
Look What's Coming

The IMA Akron Chapter, through the University of Akron Workforce Development & Continuing Education division, will be offering CMA Review classes. The Tuition is $650 . To register by phone please call (330) 972-7577. To register online please visit the University Continuing Education website at www.uakron.edu/ce/register.php

The Spring 2009 CMA Review class schedule has just been established. Part 1 Business Analysis (Waiver Exemption for CPAs) began Saturday February 7, 2009 and continue on February 14th, February 21st, and February 28th. Topics covered include: business economics, global business, internal controls, quantitative methods, and financial statement analysis.

Part 2 Management Accounting and Reporting will begin Saturday April 18, 2009 and continue on April 25th, May 2nd, and May 9th. Topics covered include: budget preparation, cost management, information management, performance measurement, and external financial reporting. The Tuition remains at $650 and the deadline for registration and receive the course material in advance is April 3, 2009. To register please call (330) 972-7577.

Did you know that Effective January 1, 2009, the exam will be offered according to the following schedule:
January and February: Parts 1, 2, and 3
March: No exam parts offered
April: Part 4 only
May and June: Parts 1, 2, and 3
July: No exam parts offered
August: Part 4 only
September and October: Parts 1, 2, and 3
November: No exam parts offered
December: Part 4 only

However, the University of Akron Continuing Education division is considering offering the exam on site at the University under a program offered by IMA National. Under this program we can offer you the opportunity to take the exam parts outside of the above schedule. Look for more on this in future newsletters, and hear about it at upcoming chapter meetings.

For additional information please contact Steve Law, IMA Akron Chapter Director of CMA Education at (330) 666-8395 or stevelawnj@hotmail.com

Please contact Roy Howarter if you have a job available or are looking for an employment opportunity.

Roy Howarter - Akron IMA Employment Director, 1- 800-321-5583

Undoubtedly, this is the toughest year on record to land a new job. Reaching your career goal will take courage and nerves of steel. Are you up to the challenge? Here are three tips for job-search endurance that will keep you on the right track toward your employment goal.

1. Keep your career goal realistic.
This is not the time to strike out in a risky career direction. Following your heart toward a career in which you have little qualifications could yield months of frustration as you find yourself competing against legions of candidates far more qualified. Unless you are in the position to hold out for a very long job search, concentrate on positions where you are best qualified.

2. Realize it will take longer to land your next position.
If you've never experienced a lengthy job search, set your expectations out several months and practice patience. You will apply for many positions as the perfect candidate, and get no response. Expect that. You will conduct perfect interviews and hear nothing back. Expect that as well. Just remember that eventually the right company with the right job at the right time will come your way if you stay calm and focused and don't let discouragement keep you from moving forward. Just keep with it.

3. Write a better resume than your competition.
Less jobs and more applicants equals extremely high competition. The quality of your resume has never been more important. For the best possible resume keep these guidelines in mind:

• Focus your resume. Avoid a one-size-fits-all resume.
• Showcase your best information in the top half of page one.
• Include accomplishments that illustrate your ability to solve today's business challenges.

4. Sharpen your interview skills.
With employers interviewing only the best of the best, when you are chosen to interview be sure you are your competitive best. You CANNOT "just wing" an interview and expect to be called back for a second. Today it takes solid interview strategy to earn a second round of interviews. Interview books are helpful, but they usually fall short of teaching you how to read the interviewer's mind to understand his/her hiring motivations. A study in the art of selling is more effective to achieve great interview performance. A few basic selling strategies include:

• Asking the right questions to understand the interviewer's "hot button" motivations.
• Formulate answers around the interviewer's motivations.
• Know your accomplishments well enough to weave them effectively through your interview to achieve top candidate status.

Throughout 2009, the best jobs will go to those who persevere and stay focused. Keeping your expectations and goals realistic will help prevent the emotional ups and downs. Prepare for your job search as if you were competing in a marathon. With patience, endurance and skill you will win your next job.

Deborah Walker, CCMC is a career coach helping job seekers compete in the toughest job markets. Her clients gain top performing skills in resume writing, interview preparation and salary negotiation. Learn more about Deborah Walker, career coach at: http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com

Kent State University Golf Course
Rt 59 Kent, Ohio
Four Person Scramble Format
Shot Gun Start
$65.00 Entry Fee includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Skill and Door Prizes
May 2, 2009
Online Registration Form

http://akron.imanet.org/Golf/GolfRegistration.htm

Please welcome: Deanna Reish of Jones Day
Elizabeth Button of SIFCO Industries
Harry Shood of RMI Titanium
Stacie Smith of Hospitalists Management Group
Kurt Kline of Hospitalists Management Group
Sheila Fowler of DaimlerChrysler Corp

The Nominating Committee of IMA announced that Sandy Richtermeyer, Ph.D., CMA, CPA will serve as Chair-Elect of the IMA Board of Directors for the 2009- 10 fiscal year. Following her one-year term as Chair- Elect, she will assume the position of IMA Chair on July 1, 2010. Currently, Dr. Richtermeyer is chair of the Department of Accountancy in the Williams College of Business at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Her teaching interests are in the areas of managerial accounting, corporate governance, nonprofit accounting, and information systems. Her research interests include technology enablement and enterprise systems, nonprofit accounting, and professional issues for accountants. Way to go, Sandy!

President -----------------------------Douglas Rinearson
VP Administration ------------------Dean Hull II
Past President ---------------------Becky Price
VP Communication ---------------Diane Saulino
VP Prof. Education ----------------Jeff Falter
VP Membership --------------------Yelena Kemp
Treasurer ---------------------------- Dean Hull II
Secretary -----------------------------Steve Law
Director, CMA Program -----------Steve Law
Director, Student Relations ------Lisa Morgan
Director, Program Book -----------Gary Floyd
Webmaster ---------------------------Gary Floyd
Director, Employment, Insurance and Archives --- Roy Howarter
Director, Newsletter --------------------Shirley Calvin
Assoc. Director, Speakers ------------Doreen Kuster
Assoc. Director, Program Book ------Ken Bechtol
Chair, Nominating Committee -------Becky Price
Director, Technical and Board Meeting Facilitation & Attendance- -Susan Arnold
Chair- Audit-------------------------------- Christopher Reed

The IMA's 90th Annual Conference & Exposition is set for June 6-10, 2009 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver CO. Registration opened in early January at IMA's conference website, www.imaconference.org. Among the improvements coming to the 2009 conference are the following: (1) the event will be held in early June (one week earlier than last year, to avoid conflict with Father's Day), (2) it will conclude 1/2 day earlier (to make the conference more convenient for attendees), and (3) IMA and all exhibitors will showcase full exhibit booths as part of planned improvements to the Solutions Showcase exhibit hall. Attendees will be able to choose from nearly 40 sessions and earn up to 20 CPE credits. Sessions will cover costing methodologies, Enterprise Risk Management, performance management, CMA certification, and on-the-job tips & tools. In addition to a bevy of keynote speakers (including David Walker, former U.S. Comptroller General), the speaker slate will include some local Akron favorites - Bill Jelen (MrExcel.com) and Norbert "Nobby" Lewandowski.

Please SAVE THE DATE now and include the conference in your 2009 vacation plans.

The economic downturn has created a shortage of many things, but staffing challenges aren't one of them. Today's uncertain business environment means accounting and finance managers need to be thoughtful about every personnel decision they make. Hiring the wrong people or hastily cutting staff levels too deeply can jeopardize quality and service levels, leaving clients disappointed when you need them the most.

One way to ensure that your workforce size remains in line with customer demand is to augment your full- time team with well-chosen interim professionals. Temporary staff can help you address unforeseen workload fluctuations by providing assistance on time- sensitive projects that demand immediate attention. Moreover, adopting a flexible staffing strategy enables you to easily expand or contract personnel levels with minimal disruption as business ebbs and flows. Here are some additional advantages of flexible staffing:

You'll save money. You'll turn some of your fixed costs into variable expenses by paying only for the human resources you need when they're truly needed, not year-round. You can minimize overtime expenses and lower the high costs associated with hiring, training and keeping employees on board.

You'll save time. Whether you're hiring for a full-time role or a mission-targeted temporary position, staffing firms can offer valuable assistance. Firms that specialize in accounting and finance staffing are experts on your local market, and they can save you time and resources in your search. Remember that it's not the hourly rate of the assignment that matters most but the overall cost of the project. Businesses can save money in the long run using a first-rate staffing firm because a higher quality candidate will finish the job more quickly and with greater accuracy.

You'll keep burnout at bay. Most companies today are having to ask staff to do more with less. But if employees are stretched too thin for too long, you'll notice a drop in morale, productivity, innovation and overall work quality. Bringing in temporary professionals to tackle highly specialized assignments or day-to-day responsibilities helps take the burden off your staff, freeing them up to focus on the most pivotal projects. As a result, you'll bolster retention of your core employees - especially important in preparing for when conditions begin to improve and your best people may be tempted by other opportunities.

Accountemps is the world's first and largest temporary staffing service specializing in the placement of accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The company has more than 360 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.

email: floyd@sssnet.com

web: http://akron.imanet.org