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News from Akron Chapter IMA August 2008
Akron Chapter IMA Newsletter )
The Summit Report August 2008
In this issue
  • President's Message
  • 2008 / 2009 Meeting Schedule
  • Board of Director News
  • CPE Credit for IMA Meetings
  • CMA Review Class
  • Message from Employment Director
  • Annual Program Book Update
  • Free dinner at Tech session meeting
  • CFS Job Postings
  • International Insights: The Benefits of Thinking Globally
  • Dear Members:

    Have a great summer!!

    Please forward newsletter items to:
    ima_newsletter@yahoo.com
    Thanks!


    Shirley Calvin

    President's Message
    Becky

    Fellow Members,

    The summer is drawing to the close. Our meetings will once again start in September. This month, on August 18th, the chapter co-sponsored a Night at the Races at Northfield with the Cleveland East chapter, where your fellow members and spouses experienced both a fun and educational night.

    Take some time and check out the chapter's website at www.akron.imanet.org. It is a great tool to see upcoming events, employment opportunities, information on the CMA review, awards, chapter history and the board of directors. If you don't have your CMA, please consider taking the review courses starting in September at the University of Akron. Compared to the reviews at other local colleges, the cost is lower. The tuition includes materials. For more information, go to http://www.akron.imanet.org/cmareview.htm

    Congratulations to Jeff Falter who was elected the Member of the Year and Ken Bechtol as Associate Director of the Year. Both are invaluable to the board and as members of the chapter.

    I hope to see you in a few weeks at the September meeting.

    Becky Price
    President
    Akron Chapter IMA

    2008 / 2009 Meeting Schedule

    All Regular Monthly meetings for the 2008/2009 year will be held at Tangiers Restaurant on the following dates:
    9/17/08
    10/15/08
    11/19/08
    1/21/09
    2/18/09
    3/18/09
    4/22/09
    5/20/09

    Board of Director News

    There are still several board positions that need to be filled -- (Secretary, Director - Librarian, Director - Member Relations, Co-director - Advertising, and Assistant Treasurer). If you are interested in any of these board positions, contact any current board member for information.

    CPE Credit for IMA Meetings

    For a complete record of CPE earned at Akron chapter pre-tech, tech and PD Seminar meetings (from September 2000 through May 2008), go to the chapter website, www.akron.imanet.org, click in "Events", and then click on "CPE History" (bottom of page). The link shows date of meeting, name of speaker, title of presentation, CPE categorization, and number of hours of CPE credit earned.

    CMA Review Class

    Attention!!!
    IMA Akron Chapter Members
    CMA Review Class
    Returns to the University of Akron

    Walk into CMA Exam with Confidence
    Register for Fall 2008 Classes

    Do you prefer

    • ·The discipline of a structured classroom setting?
    • ·A set schedule to keep you on track?
    • ·The leadership of an experienced and dedicated instructor team?
    • ·Discussion and networking with your peers?
    • ·Courses that may qualify for tuition reimbursement from your employer?


    Starting September 6, 2008

    Module 1: CMA Business Analysis *
    Prepare for Module 1 of the CMA exam by attending this 4-session class. Topics include: business economics, global business, internal controls, quantitative methods and financial statement analysis. Materials included
    Saturdays, September 6, 13, 20 and 27th
    8 am - 2:30 pm
    $650

    * Waived for current CPAs

    Module 3: Strategic Management
    This module is also a 4-session class that covers the topics of Strategic Planning, Strategic Marketing, Corporate Finance, Decision Analysis, and Investment Decision Analysis. Materials included.
    Saturdays, November 1, 8, 15 and 22nd
    9 am - 3:30 pm
    $650

    REGISTER NOW!!!
    Call 330-972-7577 or visit the University web site at www.uakron.edu/ce/schedules/IMA- CMA.php Akron University Workforce Development and Continuing Education Akron, OH 44325-4104 330-972-7598 Fax

    Message from Employment Director

    SUMMIT PLASTIC COMPANY has an immediate opening for a staff accountant
    Excellent benefits. Must include Salary History and requirement.
    E-mail to resumes @summitplastic.com or Fax: resume to CFO -- 330-633-9738
    Or e-mail to Akron IMA Employment Director R_SHowarter@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

    Annual Program Book Update

    This summer, we are updating the Membership Roster section of the Annual Program Book, which will be distributed in September. As a source document for membership information, Ken Bechtol is using a chapter dump dated 7-2-08. Please review your information on the IMA National website by going to www.imanet.org and then follow this path in the "Members Only" block at the lower left-hand side of the screen: Username (your IMA account number, found above your name on the label of Strategic Finance magazine), Password (usually your last name, unless you changed your password), click "Go", and click "My Profile". When screen displays your information, update any necessary changes to your "Home" and "Business" addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail address, and review your "Demographics" data. Be sure to logout after your website update. If you changed any personal information on your website entry after 7-2-08, please notify Ken Bechtol because he will be using the 7-2-08 chapter dump information for the membership roster section of the Program Book, unless you notify him differently. This section will reflect your name, any credential designations (CMA, CFM, CPA, etc.), employer name, work phone and e-mail address. If you would rather display your home phone number and e-mail address (rather than work information), please advise Ken Bechtol accordingly by August 21.

    Free dinner at Tech session meeting

    Solicit a NEW Advertiser for the Annual Program Book and get a "FREE" Akron chapter tech session dinner. Ad prices are $360 for the rear cover (already sold), $305 for the inside covers, $150 for a full-page ad, and $100 for a half-page ad. Contact Dean Hull (Dean Hull) for questions about ad sizes or content. To qualify for the prize, the ad must be from a prospective advertiser that has not placed an ad in the Program Book during the last three years.

    CFS Job Postings

    I am currently seeking talent for the following direct hire roles:

    Senior Auditor for a regional firm in Akron, desire degreed CPA or working towards, good mix of industry with some focus on non profit, good reputation in the area, salary will be based on experience level

    Financial Analyst roles, client in Solon with (2) analyst needs, one will focus on auditing and analyzing transactions, generating monthly and weekly reports, maintaining procedures, need someone proficient in Excel and Access, salary to $65K, the second analyst will focus on cash management and accounts receivable transactions, will also need solid Excel and Access, salary to $65K

    Cost Accountant for publicly held manufacturer in North Canton, desire a degreed CMA with 3-5 years of manufacturing experience, role will oversee inventory, maintain standard costing system, involved with product costing, experience with Oracle or Syteline preferred, salary in the $65-70K range

    Manager, Federal Tax, company is $7.5 billion and continuing to grow, corporate offices located in Cleveland, role will oversee federal tax, experience with FAS 109, FIN 48 and SOX required, preference for CPA, salary up to $100K

    Senior Reporting Accountant, Akron client seeks degreed CPA coming directly from large public firm, must have solid technical abilities, will assist in all aspects of SEC reporting, experience with SAP a plus, salary based on experience.

    Tax preparer for small local firm, degreed CPA preferred but will consider solid work experience in similar environment, must be very proficient in tax compliance for individuals, partnerships, and corporate, FastTax experience helpful, salary will depend on experience

    Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, large publicly held corporation on the east side of Cleveland adding a key role, position will assist in preparing annual budget, monthly reporting of profitability, business review, strategic planning and other ad hoc reports and analysis, this role will support multiple Plant Controllers in all aspects of forecasting, client desires MBA with 5-10 years, $90K plus bonus potential

    Tamra Emmett, Executive Recruiter
    tamra.e mmett@brunercox.com
    Ph: (330) 237-0101

    International Insights: The Benefits of Thinking Globally

    Understanding international business practices has never been more important for accounting and finance professionals than it is today. In a recent nationwide survey of executives by Robert Half International, 61 percent of respondents said their organizations are doing more international business today than five years ago. Following are two key ways that managers and their teams can gain a more global perspective:

    Be familiar with international reporting standards. The growing convergence of financial reporting standards requires professionals to be proficient with international usage. The generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) used in the U.S. for filing financial reports coexists with the international financial reporting standards (IFRS), which have been adopted by the countries of the European Union and other major nations around the world.
    International committees are working to reduce the differences between the two, and foreign companies listed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission may soon be able to file financial reports using IFRS instead of reconciling their reports with GAAP. In addition, it's beneficial to have at least a working knowledge of how U.S. corporate governance requirements affect foreign subsidiaries of U.S.- based firms.

    Boost your cultural literacy. Being knowledgeable of and sensitive to cultural differences and customs will help you immensely - regardless of whether you're a globetrotting frequent flier or you're part of an international work team. Strive to learn the professional protocol and cultural nuances of the countries in which your firm does business.
    Consult international etiquette books or country- specific guides. (For instance, did you know that exchanging business cards in Japan is a formal process and it's considered rude if you don't carefully study a contact's card when you receive it?) When doing your research, pay particular attention to proper greetings, gestures to avoid, and the appropriate use of first names, last names and honorific titles. And even if your job doesn't require you to be multilingual, foster goodwill and build rapport with your foreign colleagues and customers by learning a phrase or two in their language.

    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.

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