Tax & Accounting Newsletter: Fall 2015

A MESSAGE FROM FROM DEAN FRED SROKA

Welcome to the (very short) 2015 "post-busy season." A generation ago, accountants were buried from January through April. Today, the compliance season seems to run through October. Major contributing factors include the increased complexity of our clients' businesses, increased complexity of financial accounting rules and the tax law, and dramatically increased volume of required disclosures in both financial reports and tax returns.

In the coming month, we hope you can take some time to rest and recharge before interim audits and year-end tax planning starts up. Fall is traditionally the season for internal training. To help a bit, we've scheduled a number of events and included several training slide decks for your use. We've also included a survey to help us gain a better understanding of how our alumni are doing, and let you know how you are doing compared with your peers.

Best regards,

Fred

CAMPUS UPDATES

Have you been on campus lately? The entire campus has been under renovation as all the services and departments which were located at the Jessie Street building moved to the main campus building. The first floor transformed from the quiet library space to a bustling student services center -- The HUB. It is where you will also find enrollment services, financial aid, tutoring, counseling services, career planning, the bookstore and the new GGU Café.

The $15 million renovation also included technology upgrades in the classrooms, and the creation of community spaces on every floor for students to connect with other students.

If you are in the neighborhood please stop by and take a look. The School of Accounting (SOA) and Braden School of Taxation (BSOT) office is located on the 5th Floor, Room 5300 of the 536 Mission Street Building. We would love to take you on a tour.

ZOOM TO SCHOOLS OF ACCOUNTING & TAXATION

In an effort to build on services to our students and alumni, we are always experimenting with different ways to improve our services and make them more accessible to everyone. This term we launched a new approach to connecting with someone in our office. Instead of calling via a traditional land line, students and alumni can now connect with a live person at our front desk through Zoom technology. This simple, easy to use video or phone conferencing system is accessible whether you are near or far and can be used on any mobile device. Give us a ring.

Meeting ID: 881 966 6104

EXTENDED OFFICE HOURS

Also on the horizon, the School of Accounting and Braden School of Taxation will have extended office hours, Monday through Thursday from 6 to 10 pm.

TUTORING

Graduate Accounting and Taxation students now have access to free tutoring services in the Business Library. Our tutors are made up of current students and alumni who spend time working with students to improve their skills in different topic areas. Students can access any of the tutors during their tutoring hours in person, by email, or by using Zoom to the Tutor. In the same fashion as Zoom to School of Accounting or Braden School of Taxation, students can connect with their tutor remotely. Since the implementation of Zoom to Tutor, we have seen an increase in usage and the students are excited to use it.

Many alumni have asked for help with their internal trainings. We have plenty of basic slide decks which may be of help. Three sample decks are included in this issue. If you are looking for other materials, please give us a call.

TAX FOOTPRINT

Changes in business (mobile employees, digital products, and online sales) have greatly expanded our clients' tax footprint. At the same time, states and foreign governments are rapidly expanding their tax nets, often pushing the limits of the federal constitution and international agreements. Attached is a basic slide deck describing the changes in our clients' tax footprint and exposure.

• Download

CHOICE OF ENTITY

For decades, LLCs and S corporations have been the vehicles of choice for closely-held businesses. That said, individual tax rates are once again higher than corporate rates. Entity choice changes in response to both tax rates and tax footprint. The attached deck provides overview materials on choice of entity for different business sizes and industries.

• Download

CORPORATE OPERATIONS

In preparation for year-end tax planning, we've also included a summary of major corporate tax issues, including book-tax differences and tax provision process.

• Download

PUBLICATIONS

Both SOA and BSOT boast over 160 full-time and adjunct faculty with extensive professional experience in the field of Tax and Accounting. Many continue to stay active in the field bringing those relevant and current experiences in the classroom. And many continue to contribute to their craft.

KATHLEEN WRIGHT

Kathleen Wright, adjunct professor, frequently publishes in many journals including State Tax Notes. Her most recent article was featured on the front cover and tackles the subject of "living separate and apart" and what that means when reporting state and federal tax returns.

• Read the Article

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JOSEPH WALSH

Joseph Walsh, professor, regularly publishes in the various publications including Practical Tax Strategies. In the September 2015 edition, he tackles IRS section 751(b): deemed distribution, sale, and contribution approach. You can find this article in the journal -- J. Walsh, 95 Practical Tax Strategies 100 (September 2015).

• Read the Article

 

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Golden Gate University will make an impressive showing at the 2015 CalCPA Tax Update & Planning Conference with two presenters speaking on both November 23 in Burbank and November 24 in San Francisco.

CALCPA CONFERENCE

FRED SROKA

Topic: Advanced Partnership Tax Strategies & Concerns

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JOHN MCWILLIAMS

Topic: Income Shifting to Minimize Tax

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GGU IN SEATTLE

Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 6:30 - 8 pm, McCormick & Schmick's Harborside, 1200 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle, WA

Golden Gate University President David J. Fike and Dean Fred Sroka will hold a cocktail reception and conversation in Seattle for alumni of the GGU Schools of Accounting and Taxation.

RSVP Online

Stay in touch with GGU by attending any number of events throughout the year. To see what is happening at GGU, go to the Events Calendar to stay current.

CAREER FAIRS

In September, GGU SOA and BSOT hosted two career fairs, and both were well-attended by more than forty employers searching for GGU talented students and alumni. We are proud our growing employer partnerships and how well GGU is represented in the industry. Students and alumni were able to meet with representatives from small firms to the Big 4, and the energy in the room was exciting. Many students are now receiving internship and/or job offers and others are continuing to interview as the demand for our students and alumni is high.

If you are looking for to recruit professional talent, or are looking for opportunities for yourself, The Office of Career Planning is available to support your efforts.

BRADEN LEADERSHIP SPEAKER SERIES

Every Tuesday through December 1, noon - 1 pm, 536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA

GGU's Braden School of Taxation and School of Accounting present the annual Braden Leadership Speaker Series, featuring renowned thought leaders in a variety of fields. Upcoming speakers include:

NOVEMBER 3 - DAVID J. FIKE

President, Golden Gate University

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NOVEMBER 10 - SAMEER SRIVASTAVA

Assistant Professor, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley