The Insider February 2015
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WeiserMazars LLP is an independent member firm of Mazars Group.
Welcome to the February 2015 issue
CONTENTS 41 Questions with James Blake
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Firm Initatives
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Annual Water Industry Outlook Survey
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We Are WeiserMazars
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Visiting Israel with Kathryn Byrne
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CRM
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New Wins & New Hires
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Webcast
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WorkDay
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Highlighted Win
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Upcoming Events
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Office Community
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Thought Leadership
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Press Mentions
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WeiserMazars Internal Newsletter 4 1 Q u e s ti o n s w it h J a m e s B l a k e
G
et to know James Blake, the New Jersey Office Managing Partner better as he answers 41 questions. Click here to see the view!
February 2015
Annual Water Industry Outlook Survey has launched
T
he Energy & Utilities Group has launched its 3rd annual Water Industry Outlook Survey! If you have clients in the water sector, please direct them here to take part in this important yearly event or see last year’s survey by clicking the image to the right.
v i s iti n g i s r a e l w it h K a t h r y n B y r n e Angel Bakeries is Israel’s largest and leading bakery group. The company owns and operates four bakeries across the country, producing 200 different types of breads, rolls, challahs, pita breads, cakes and pastries. Partner Kathryn Byrne visited a facility in Beit Shemesh which produces cakes and pastries and is in the same industrial park as our WeiserMazars Israel office. Katie was able to bring the CFO to visit our office and meet our Partner, Steve Fishhaut. She also visited the bakery in Lod which focuses on bread and pita products, where she met with Angel’s CEO. Katie also met with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and CFO of American Israeli Gas Corporation, the wholly-owned subsidiary of our client Overseas Public Utilities and Gas Corporation, while in Tel Aviv. The American Israeli Gas Corporation Ltd (Amisragas) is the largest Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retailer and supplier of gas and services to the industrial/commercial sector in Israel. LPG is a by-product of the crude oil refinement process. Since 98% of the population in Israel uses LPG for cooking and heating, in the absence of natural gas, Amisragas operates as a privately held public utility. They operate three filling and storage plants in the South, Center and North of Israel. Katie and Amisragas management discussed how the discovery of natural gas off the coast of Israel will impact their revenues. In addition, they discussed the impact of the new law requiring more transparency of prices charged to consumers and how it will impact their current prices. Finally, they discussed the costs that will be incurred to follow the government’s mandate to ensure all their tanks are covered above ground by a shelter and then dirt in order to protect the tanks from air strikes. Katie was even able to visit the filling and storage plant in the center of Israel to see the new facility for the tanks. Katie concluded her whirlwind travels in Israel with a visit to the local accounting firm that is both the Mazars correspondent and the Praxity representative in Israel.
February 2015
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New Wins
1. Florida Family Insurance ($330K) David McRoberts 2. GTL Renewal (300K) David McRoberts
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New Hires
New York Office: Tatiana Kondabarova Joseph J. Rosoff Nina Todorovska New Jersey Office: Michael Bardsley
3. University of Illinois Medical Center/ Mile Square Health Center ($200K) David McRoberts 4. Wyckoff Heights Medical Center (200K) Mike Kovar 5. Lyon & Healy (165K) David McRoberts
Highlighted Win In a major win for both the Chicago Office and the Insurance Practice, WeiserMazars was retained by Florida Family Insurance Company to perform an insurance statutory audit, GAAP audit, and consolidated parent company audit. Florida Family is a property insurer in the state of Florida that writes over $100 million in premiums a year. This engagement builds on WeiserMazars’ existing strong relationship with this client, as shown by the renewal of our services for three years for fees totaling more than $300,000 over that period. Partners David McRoberts and Brian Clouse worked to retain the client in a year of required signing partner rotation. Credit also goes to Adam Yanasak, Manager, and the rest of the Florida Family team for providing consistently solid client service.
February 2015
3/13 - Real Estate Institute Spring Luncheon 3/17 - NJO Partners Meeting 3/18 - Meet & Greet - Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP 3/18 - NYO Audit/Consulting Partners’ Meeting
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3/18 - 3/19 - Axis Innovation Tel Aviv
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3/20 - 3/22 - Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt’s VCs ON SKIs
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3/21 - LIO Partners Meeting
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Upcoming Events Thought Leadership 2/1 - What Does the Strengthening Dollar Mean to the Worldwide Economy?
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2/2 - Tax Alert: Illinois Tax Rate Change
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2/5 - WeiserMazars Benefits Bulletin Newsletter 2/11 - Real Estate Advisor: 2014 -2015 Annual Digest 2/20 - Tax Alert: Two Timely Elections Trustees and Executors Should Consider Now
2/24 - Tax Alert: Tangible Property Regulations for Small Taxpayers
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2/25 - WeiserMazars Healthcare Trends Newsletter
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2/25 - February Real Estate Advisor Click here
2/25 - PCS Wealth Advisor Annual Digest
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February 2015
Firm Initiatives Box Top$ for Education As part of our continuing efforts to help the less fortunate by teaming with the Mercy Inn Soup Kitchen in Long Island, we are getting involved with their program Box Tops for Education, which helps schools in the surrounding area raise money for education supplies. If you would like to participate, click here to see all of the participating products whose packaging you can collect. Please send all labels to Lisa Bott in LIO. Thank you!
Share Your Story! Have you attended a recent charitable event or raised money for a favorite cause? Tell us your story! As part of a new Share Your Story series, we want to highlight the charitable contributions of our firm and employees. Click on the image to fill out the Sharing Form or here to access it on KB to make sure your contribution is included. With your permission, we might highlight your story in a future issue of The Insider, on WeiserMazars’ social media, or in our firm’s year-end Annual Giving Report! We also want to know if you are a member or board member of a committee or organization in your community. Send an email to
[email protected] explaining your involvement and why your cause is important to you!
February 2015
Firm Initiatives
WeiserMazars TV Now you can catch up on what’s going on around the firm just as easily as with your favorite television programs. To better communicate important information, every week there will be updates covering material from newsletter and other email alerts to keep you informed. Have something you want shared? Send it to Teresa Hansen in the Long Island office and she will get it in the next week’s edition.
Green Team
Are you passionate about being green at home and in the workplace, being environmentally conscious, and reducing your carbon footprint? Help build environmental awareness among your colleagues by joining the Green Team! As a Green Team member, you can help develop green initiatives throughout our offices and participate in the planning and implementation of fun events! Want to learn more about the Green Team and how to join? Click here to read our Introductory Guide to WeiserMazars’ Green Team or email us for more information!
February 2015
Firm Initiatives We Are WeiserMazars
Go Red Charity Day On February 6th, We Are WeiserMazars sponsored Go Red, by the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America. WeiserMazars employees raised over $5,500 to help fight this disease. Thank you for your support!
Suggestion Boxes We Are WeiserMazars suggestion boxes are located in each of our office kitchens (mailroom in the New Jersey office). If you have any suggestions on topics or events, feel free to leave a note or email us at
[email protected]
February 2015
Firm Initiatives We Are WeiserMazars The Color Run Shine Tour We are WeiserMazars is excited to participate in the Color Run Shine Tour in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality! You can sign up as many individuals as you’d like, with WeiserMazars reimbursing you for the registration fee for you and one guest. Code the registration cost as “Employee Benefits” in your expense report and register under the team name “WeiserMazars.” Additional information will be provided as the events approach, and please contact the team captain of your respective office. The Philadelphia Color Run • Registration is underway. Register here! • Event date: April 25th • Location: Campbell’s Field, 401 North Delaware Avenue, Camden, NJ 08102 • Team Captain: Amber Kemps Central New Jersey Color Run Night: The Color Run is staying up late for New Jersey! • Registration is underway. Register here! • Event date: May 16th • Location: Raceway Park, 230 Pension Road Englishtown, NJ 07726 • Team Captain: Ken Pogrob New York Color Run • Team Captain: Jennifer Steinke *More information to come! Chicago Color Run • Registration begins March 5th. • Event date: June 7th • Location: Grant Park Butler Field, 235 South Columbus Dr. Chicago, IL 60603 • Team Captain: Amber Kemps
February 2015
customer relationship management/ CRM Want to learn more about CRM? Check out interesting information and statistics below! Contact Stephanie Koutsares x6885 or Oleh Balaban x5918 with any CRM questions.
February 2015
Webcast Missed our “Tangible Property Regulations” webcast? Don’t worry! The webcast recording and wrap-up slipsheet are now online. This webcast provided an overview of the new United States Tangible Property Regulations, discussed the costs that may be associated with the life cycle of tangible property and their treatment, provided a practical implementation approach and discussed required filings of 2014 tax returns.
Check out the page and contact speakers Christina Immelman, Demetri Yatrakis, and Donald Zief, with any questions. To register for future WeiserMazars webcasts, click here.
February 2015
WorkDay WorkDay gives you the ability to easily manage and maintain your personal data online, at any time, with the click of a button. Some of the key functions of WorkDay self-service are:
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Change address & phone numbers Update tax elections and direct deposit details Update emergency contacts Add professional licenses & skills View office, phone number and email addresses of other WeiserMazars employees
You now have the ability to view your personal compensation history and benefit information, including the firm’s contribution to your benefits. WorkDay is available 24/7 via an app on your computer, tablet and smart phone. Learn more by reading our Lets Get Started - Welcome to WorkDay guide or accessing WorkDay via the icon on your desktop and by clicking here!
February 2015
Office Community New York Officeiatives Tax Department Lunch and Learn On February 3rd, approximately 70 attendees participated in the monthly Tax Department Lunch and Learn. Led by Partner Joe Unger, the session was a repeat of the January Lunch and Learn which was sold out. It covered the Affordable Care Act and Tangible Property - Repair Regulations which became effective in 2014. Invitation to the event was extended firm wide and externally to clients and colleagues. The event was held in NYO, with participants attending virtually from Chicago, Long Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Paul Milonakis from IT coordinated the connection between the offices and provided outstanding technical support. Tax Associate Michael Kim presented on the Affordable Care Act and Principal Candace Quinn provided clarifying remarks on the subject. Senior Manager George Moffa and Manager Bonni Grossman thoroughly discussed the topic of Tangible Property/Repair Regulations. As moderator, Partner Joseph Unger questioned the presenters in order to help the audience understand how the regulations can be optimally applied in different situations with clients. The Lunch and Learns provide an excellent forum for our professionals to gain greater technical expertise and add value clients. Take advantage of the many upcoming Lunch and Learn sessions!
February 2015
Office Community Round Table Business Luncheon Michael Bernstein, Partner and Co-Chair of the Financial Advisory Services Practice hosted a Round Table Business Luncheon on February 19th with friends and clients of the firm, including private equity funds, investment banks and other financial institutions. This is part of a series which will take place throughout the year. Special Guest Speaker was Brian M. Murphy (pictured), Vice President of Corporate Development at Resolute Anethesia and Pain Solutions. For more information on the Round Table Business Luncheon Series and upcoming dates, please contact Michael Bernstein.
Long Island Officeiatives Go Red Charity Day On February 6th, the Long Island Office raised over $1,400 for the American Heart Association! Their Go Red Charity Day featured speaker Dr. Bruce Rutkin, MD along with a salad buffet lunch. If you were unable to attend his presentation or have any questions, feel free to reach out to him by email
[email protected] or by phone at 516.562.4100.
February 2015
Office Community New Jersey Officeiatives Go Red Charity Day The New Jersey Office raised $600 to help support heart health awareness. Thank you to all for your generous support and participation!
Caucus New Jersey Partner Howard Dorman appeared on Caucus: New Jersey with Emmy award-winning host, Steve Adubato. Caucus New Jersey combines in-depth documentary coverage with dynamic studio interviews. Click here to check out Howard’s appearance.
February 2015
Office Community pennsylvania Officeiatives Go Red Charity Day The Pennsylvania Office held their Go Red Day on February 6th, featuring local cardiologist, Dr. Sandy Abramson who spoke about heart health.
Cupid Cupid visited the Pennsylvania Office and left Valentine’s treats for all our lovely team members.
February 2015
Press Mentions “Movers and Shakers,” Long Island Business News, January 30-February 5, 2015 featuring Maryann Richer “Profiting from Diversity,” Commerce Magazine, February 2015 featuring Howard Dorman “Technology Presents Possible Solutions to Major Water Industry Challenges,” Water Techology, February 1, 2015 authored by Robert Wilson “Answering Industry Challenges with Metering Technology,” Water Technology, February 10, 2015 featuring Robert Wilson “Money Fix: Tax Deductions,” Newsday, February 15, 2015 quotes by Al Colanero “ProfNet Experts Available on Tax Planning Tips for Consumers,” WFXS, MyFoxWausau, February 17, 2015 featuring Richard Bloom “Community Leaders Judge the News: Results to be Announced at Fair Media Council Folio Awards April 24,” Long Island Exchange, February 16, 2015 noting James Kinney “25 Finance Experts Share The Single Easiest Way to Save Money Every Month Without Fail,” Scratch Wireless, February 25, 2015 featuring James Toto “Businesses need to get creative with lenders,” Long Island Business News, February 27, 2015 quotes by Gary Litvak “Regulator eyes revamped rules,” Long Island Business News, February 27, 2015 quotes by Lou Biscotti
February 2015
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A D V I S O February R Y 2015
