Volunteer and Introduce Youngsters to Business Basics
The MACPA, in partnership with Junior Achievement, is once again hosting the MACPA Accounting Blitzes. This is your chance to teach business basics to elementary students in the Detroit area. Involving students in this economics-based program prepares them for the future and enforces the idea that each of them can be successful. The dates and locations for the Accounting Blitzes are as follows:

Thursday, November 29, 2007 (K-8)
Sampson Academy
6075 Begole
Detroit, MI 48210
313.596.4757

Tuesday, December 4, 2007 (K-5)
Edison Elementary
17045 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI. 48227
313.852.1066

The MACPA will provide training to all who volunteer. The training will be held at the MACPA office in Troy on November 9 (12:30-2:30 PM) and November 13 (11:30-1:30 PM). You only need to attend one of the training dates. To volunteer, please fill out this form. For more information, please contact David Johnson at 248.267.3700
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New MBT Tax Information on State Treasury Web Site
The Michigan Department of Treasury added more Frequently Asked Questions to the Michigan Business Tax web site. View the questions added October 24, or access the FAQ index page to view questions sorted by topic or chronologically. You can also submit your own question. The MACPA member web site provides further MBT resources, including a Q&A Forum, with questions sorted by category and the 10 most recently posed questions.
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Department of Treasury Posts Initial Guidance on Service Tax
Amidst movements to retract the state’s new tax on services, slated to go into effect on December 1, the Michigan Department of Treasury has provided the first round of guidance for implementation of this newly expanded Use Tax. A new web page includes an overview of the Use Tax, an initial FAQ, an explanation of taxable services, and information regarding registration, forms and filing deadlines. The MACPA also has devoted a web page to providing updates on the service tax, including the text of an email sent earlier this week from MACPA President & CEO Peggy Dzierzawski regarding actions in the Capitol and the MACPA’s involvement.
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Robert Half Releases 2008 Accounting and Finance Salary Guide
Starting salaries for accounting and finance professionals are expected to increase an average of 4.3 percent in the coming year, according to the just-released 2008 Salary Guide from Robert Half International. Public accountants, financial analysts and internal auditors are projected to see the largest gains. Click here to request a free copy.
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Randy Fletchall Elected Chairman of AICPA
On October 23, Randy Fletchall, a partner with Ernst & Young LLP, became the 95th Chairman of the Board of the AICPA. He assumed the leadership position at the fall meeting of the AICPA Council in Tampa, FL. In his inaugural speech – “A United Profession: A Force for Prosperity and the Public Good” – Fletchall spoke of the great responsibilities of the CPA profession and its contributions to all sectors of society.
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Network and Have Fun With the MACPA New Professionals Task Force
Join the MACPA's New Professionals Task Force on November 15, 2007 for good wine and great company. The New Professionals wine tasting mixer will allow you to develop new relationships with colleagues, potential clients and future business contacts. Developing a solid network early on in your career will help ensure a successful future. To register for this event please fill out this form or contact Nicole Shepard at 248.267.3700.  You must register by November 8, 2007 and be 21 or older to attend.  Hope to see you there!
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Advice From a Professional
Mark Rottermond, CPA
MRPR Group CPAs and Advisors - Managing Principal
B.B.A. - Michigan Technical University
M.B.A – University of Michigan

A brief description of Rottermond’s current position.
I am one of the owners of a public accounting firm known as MRPR Group, CPAs and Advisors. I am responsible for a number of client matters, ranging from accounting and taxation to bank financing and general business matters.

Rottermond on what he likes most/least about his current position.
As long as my client commitments are met, I can set my own hours. In addition, I meet many people during my work day that I would guess I would not be able to meet otherwise in other positions.

Rottermond on the benefits of working as a CPA or accounting professional.
For me, the best thing about my position in public accounting is three fold. (1) I am able to work with many different companies and, as a result, gain an understanding of how each business operates, how they are run from an management standpoint and how I can help them be more profitable by advising them on company business matters and saving them taxes, (2) I meet a lot of people during the course of my work schedule and, as a result, have developed some very strong business and personal relationships that I would not have been able to do otherwise. (3), I never work on any one client matter or issue for an extended period of time, which means I am not bored by repetition.

Rottermond on how his degree was valuable in pursuit of CPA licensure.
I took as many accounting related classes as I could from Michigan Tech. In addition, one of the classes was called – CPA Problems and Solutions – where all we did was to try to understand and solve questions and cases that were presented on previous CPA exams. My undergraduate training fully prepared me for sitting for the CPA exam.

Rottermond’s recommendations for students studying to be CPAs.
Take as many accounting related courses as possible in order to help in preparing for the CPA exam. In addition, load up on management and finance classes, as what you learn in these classes are used daily in the business world, not to mention in public accounting.

Rottermond on why students should pursue their CPA license.
Becoming licensed will provide you with evidence that you are accomplished in business matters that surround accounting, taxation, auditing and business matters in general. Even if you end up not having a career in public accounting, the CPA license will provide you with an added credential that will set you apart from others. In addition, you will be able to put what you learned on your way to becoming licensed to full use in almost any career or job that you choose to follow in the future.

Rottermond’s study tips for students preparing for the Computerized CPA Exam.
The biggest part of passing the CPA exam is to understand what the question is asking you and the reasons behind the question. Once this is understood, answer the question as best you can taking into account what the question is asking you and what you believe the purpose of the question is. If you know the subject matter AND understand the questions asked, the chances of passing the exam (in my opinion) increase dramatically.


Rottermond describes the path a student would have to take to find themselves in the position he currently has.
Once you become a CPA, you will need to be committed to public accounting and the rendering of services to the clients you are assigned to. Read as much literature about the practice area you are assigned to and become involved in professional groups in order to meet others that you can learn from. Just as in any career, you will get out of the profession what you put into it. The more committed you are to being a good CPA, the more successful you will be at it.
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