Happy new year! How crazy does that sound in May? Most of us consider the new year to have begun Jan. 1. However, if you are Chinese, the new year (the year of the dragon) began Jan. 23. Certainly, some of the tax professionals in our local chapter would consider April 18 a new beginning or “new year.” Congratulations to all of our tax professionals who have completed another rigorous tax season. I do not know how you work seven days a week from January to April each year!

The new year that is the subject of this message is the CalCPA year, which began May 1, and I will serve as your chapter president for 2012–13. By way of background, I have served on the chapter board since 2008 (thanks to an invitation from Barry Kohn). I am a principal with Brinig & Company, Inc., a forensic accounting and business valuation consulting firm. My professional experience also includes service as a naval officer and employment with KPMG Peat Marwick in Washington, DC. I am married with three children and live in Carmel Valley.

I am proud and honored to lead the chapter this year. I can report that the state of our chapter is very strong. We are the fourth-largest CalCPA chapter in terms of total membership (approximately 3,300 members … and growing) and we are the second-most active chapter as measured by total annual events completed. Wow! Our chapter has flourished under the leadership of past president Nai Hwang, and I look forward to continuing the tradition of strong, active chapter leadership.

How can we better serve you, our members? Service to the membership will be one of the guiding themes for conducting the chapter’s business this year and I encourage you to provide feedback. I look forward to meeting many of you at future CPE, networking and conference events. The schedule this year is very busy!

On behalf of our all-volunteer board of directors, and support staff of Cindy Holcomb and Geoff Wilson, I wish all of you a Happy CalCPA New Year!

• If your username is your email address, it remains the same.
• If your username is your CalCPA member ID, it will change to your primary email address.
• Your password will not change, BUT you will be forced to change it at first log in. Your default password, if you did not previously change it, is your last name with a capitalized first letter.

CalCPA – San Diego Chapter PO Box 16768 San Diego, CA 92176-6768

619 298-7880 office

619 228-7063 fax

Tickets are available online.

For questions or to book groups of 10 or more, contact Steve Herman.

• May 17 (Randy Jones All American Sports Grill, sponsored by Becker)
• July 20 (Padres at PETCO Park)
• Sept. 21 (Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, sponsored by Becker)
• Nov. 16 (Cozymel’s)
• Jan. 22 (Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza, sponsored by Roger CPA Review).

• May 17 (Randy Jones All American Sports Grill, sponsored by Becker)
• July 20 (Padres at PETCO Park)
• Sept. 21 (Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, sponsored by Becker)
• Nov. 16 (Cozymel’s)
• Jan. 22 (Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza).

• May 3: Downtown Discussion Group (US Grant Grill; San Diego)
• May 3: LaJolla/Life’s a Beach Discussion Group. (Sheraton La Jolla Humphrey’s Restaurant)
• May 8: SD North County Coastal Discussion Group (Ruby’s Diner; Carlsbad)
• May 18: La Mesa Discussion Group (Coco’s Bakery Restaurant; La Mesa)
• May 23: North County Inland Discussion Group. (Coco’s Bakery Restaurant; Rancho Bernardo)

For more information, contact program associate Cindy Holcomb.

Officers: President Paul Zimmer, Vice President Beth Smiley, Secretary Carlos Martinez, Treasurer Jeremy Nichols, and Past President Nai Hwang

Directors: Leslie Martin, Mark Schaim, Jeanne Shannon and Kelly Wallace

Date: May 10
Register online.