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 I am honored to have been elected by my peers to be the President of the Cuban-American CPA Association and Foundation. I inherited an Association with a history rich in a tradition of community service. Because of the personal sacrifices, hard work, and countless hours expended by our past Presidents and our members, we have built a great organization with a strong foundation. Today, we are 500 plus members strong and growing everyday.
Our past presidents, honored during our 25th Anniversary celebration, laid the foundation for the great successes we enjoy today. However, like all other organizations, our Association, continues evolving. The significant change stems from the focus of the early years aimed at assimilating Cuban refugees into this great nation and becoming part of its grand traditions to its present focus of general community service. With your help, the Board of Directors (BOD) and I will guide the Association during this transition period never forgetting our roots and early struggles.
Our profession today has faced many challenges over the last several years, as a result of some of the well-publicized scandals (Enron, Worldcom, etc.). Our ever-changing profession has gone from self-regulation to an independent Oversight Board (PCAOB - Public Company Accounting Oversight Board). These challenges, however, come full of opportunities. Nevertheless, our profession is stronger and facing exciting times. For example, many college graduates now want to become fraud auditors and forensic accountants, a something previously unheard of. I am not unmindful that the new regulatory environment has placed pressure on us, our people, and our families. Today, CPA’s, more than ever, are in high demand with minorities filling employment gaps. Through the Association, we seek to provide leadership on issues affecting the accounting profession, the promotion of sound accounting practices and ultimately diversification.
Our Board of Directors has contributed countless hours devoted towards promoting our Association and our Foundation. Our “Pay it Forward” attitude has helped us focus on raising scholarship funds for minority students pursuing accounting degrees. In 2005, we funded close to $20,000 in scholarships and in 2006 we expect to fund over $30,000 in scholarships.
During my presidency, I expect to continue focusing on:
· Attracting top CPA's from all firms to join our Association and assume leadership positions.
· Raising the bar with regards to scholarship funding for minority students pursuing accounting degrees. What better way to build the community which we live in and the profession that we so much care about?
· Working with the Executive Advisory Board and the Board of Directors to seek and provide leadership on issues affecting the accounting profession, and
· Guiding the Executive Advisory Board and the Board of Directors so as to pursue growth opportunities and strategic alliances.
I am confident that we can achieve our objectives, because we have a “Dream Team” BOD and Executive Advisory Board (EAB) committed to attaining those goals. We now have representation on the Board of Directors from the Big Four accounting firms, national, regional and local firms. A diverse Board gives us the luxury to ensure that the interest of the profession is always well regarded. Given the top-notch leadership that we have on our BOD today and thanks to the contributions of the past presidents, the BOD, and the EAB, I believe that our Association is well poised to meet these and many other goals. I am really excited about the Association's future and I am looking forward to the upcoming year!
Very truly yours,
Hector Tundidor
President |
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