The Ohio society of certified public accountants: the year of the volunteer, 2006-2007 / annual report.

"WE MUST BE THE CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE." --M. K. Gandhi Mission statement

The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants represents the interests of its members--whether in public practice, corporate practice, government or education--and supports members in fulfilling their responsibility to serve the public interest.

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Objectives

* Maintain relevance to members by anticipating and meeting constantly changing needs and expectations.

* Support members in their responsibility to serve the public interest and obligation to maintain professional competence.

* Monitor professional performance and oversee professional standards by means of effective self-regulatory processes.

* Advocate the profession's interests and concerns before government, regulatory bodies and other organizations.

* Encourage qualified individuals to enter the profession and promote educational processes which develop these individuals.

* Promote public awareness of and confidence in the integrity, independence, objectivity and competence of Ohio Society members and the services they provide.

* Facilitate communication among members.

David A. Simko, CPA

2006-2007 Chair of the Board

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This year, The Ohio Society of CPAs' annual report is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the work of members who volunteer their valuable time and expertise to meet the needs of others and advance the goals of the Society. In a profession focused on getting the greatest return on every investment, it is gratifying to know that CPAs are willing to give so generously of themselves with no expectation of tangible return.

Volunteering is a passion for thousands of Society members. They put their passion into action through service in leadership roles on Society boards, councils and committees. They help build the image of CPAs by serving as speakers before business and civic groups. They provide compassionate support for fellow members in personal crisis. They open consumers' minds to saving and investing concepts. They author thoughtful and compelling articles for Society publications. They advise their peers in special interest sections and webinars. They teach at Society seminars and conferences. They reach out to elected officials on key legislative issues of concern to business and the CPA profession. They are the lifeblood of the Society.

Active volunteerism creates a healthy, thriving environment for every member. It is natural to ask the question: Why would our members spend time away from work and family to help others?

The members who volunteer demonstrate a real concern for their profession, their peers and their community. They are invested in what the Society represents. They find personal enrichment in sharing their time, ideas and plain hard work to shape the future of our profession. They are driven toward achieving excellence in all that they do--as professionals and as volunteers. They often share their experiences with others and reach out as evangelists who recruit other members to serve as volunteers.

The work of our volunteer members is so significant that the Society has inaugurated a new Outstanding Member Volunteer Award to recognize and celebrate this important, vital aspect of Society leadership. Our first award recipient is Matt Yuskewich, CPA. His profile is shared on page two of this annual report. We asked Matt and several other representative volunteer members to provide their perspectives on volunteerism--why they do it and what they get out of it.

After you read their stories and perspectives, I hope you will agree that The Ohio Society comprises the kind of caring professionals who make each of us proud to be a CPA.

"WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET, BUT WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE." --Winston Churchill 2006-2007 Outstanding Member Volunteer

J. Matthew (Matt) Yuskewich, MBA, CPA

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President, Winterset CPA Group

Columbus

Time as an OSCPA member:

25 years

Education:

BA, Economics, Ohio Dominican

MBA, Xavier University

Studies in Accounting, The Ohio State University

Why are you most proud to be a CPA?

As a CPA, I am a member of an elite group of respected professionals held in high regard by the public. I have been given the public trust as well as the responsibility to guard that trust. The requirements to adhere to professional, educational and ethical standards that come with the designation are meaningful to the public and challenging to the professional.

What trait do you most admire in others?

Sincerity--when people are speaking to you and are interested in what you have to say. That comes from being a teacher for three years and listening to every excuse in the book.

What talent would you most like to have?

I would prefer to be playing in the NBA right now, but with that not being an option, I think the ability to consume and digest an infinite amount of information would be helpful. There is simply way too much to know.

When The Ohio Society points to tax reform and other significant advocacy successes we've achieved, Matt Yuskewich, CPA is often a key member of the team responsible.

Matt's involvement with the Society has grown tremendously since he joined the Society's Taxation Committee in May 1985. He currently is a member of the Society's Tax Legislation Policy Committee as well as a CPA/PAC Trustee. He has also served on the Society's Governmental Affairs Advisory Council, the Society's Executive Board and the Leadership Council. Plus, he is concluding a three-year term on his third AICPA committee, IRS Policy & Procedures, and hopes to be considered for yet another.

What drives Matt, who has a full-time job as president of a firm representing 300 small businesses, to do all the volunteer work he does?

"The return on investment is 100% plus," he explains. "I may invest my time, but I gain far more in return, including relationships with great people, significant technical knowledge and the feeling I've made an impact."

Matt believes his efforts have yielded the greatest impact on Ohio tax reform and the Society's Political Endorsement Committee.

Advocating much-needed tax reform

In 2005, Ohio implemented a historic tax reform package that the Society played a key role in crafting and advocating. As a member of the Society's Tax Legislation Policy Committee, Matt provided testimony to the House committee studying Ohio taxes.

"It was a chance to stand in front of the legislative group preparing a study of the issue and say, 'Here's what we, as CPAs, think is wrong with the state's current tax system and here's what you can do about it,'" he says.

Giving a face to the Society

The Society's endorsement program features a 90% plus success rate over the past decade on endorsements of candidates for the Ohio Senate and House, statewide offices and Congress. Matt served as chair of...