– 2008 –

July 15, 2008 - Auditor Timothy Carfang has received his designation as a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania. He is one of more than 50 CPAs at Malin Bergquist and specializes in international business and closely held business advisors services. He joined the firm in 2005 and received his bachelor of science degree in 2004 from the University of Pittsburgh.

July 2, 2008 - Auditor Sean Kocan receives his designation as a certified fraud examiner (CFE). He is now one of 12 CFEs and certified valuation analysts in the firm and specializes in international business and public company/ SEC services. The CFE is bestowed by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, a global association dedicated to providing anti-fraud education and training.

CPAmerica conference attendees from across the nation enjoy Pittsburgh's sights and sounds, including spectacular views of the Ohio River and Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

June 24-27, 2008 - Malin Bergquist serves as the host firm for the 2008 accounting and auditing conference of CPAmerica International, with CEO David Bluemling and COO Jeffrey Beach speaking at events to welcome the group to Pittsburgh to celebrate the city's 250th anniversary. Anthony Dodds, director of the firm's Public Company/SEC Group, gives a presentation on FIN 48 (accounting for uncertainty in income taxes). Christopher Luikart, information technology manager, leads a presentation on SAS 94 (effect of information technology on an auditor's considerations of internal control in a financial statement audit). Mark Miner, chief marketing officer, introduces Pittsburgh Business Times editor Lauren Lawley Head for her talk on "How to Work with the Press." Miner also jointly makes a presentation on "Tips for Winning Proposals" with Mary Bevans Gillett of Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth of Traverse City, MI.

CEO David Bluemling (center) and Duquesne University's Robert Kollar (right) are interviewed on "Our Region's Business" on WPXI-TV by host Bill Flanagan. View the clip.

June 22, 2008 - Bill Flanagan, president of the Pittsburgh 250 Commission and executive vice president of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, interviews CEO David Bluemling on WPXI-TV to promote the upcoming national CPAmerica International conference. Also appearing on the segment is CPA Robert Kollar, director of the Master of Accountancy Program at Duquesne University's Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, to discuss how the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants is addressing the shortage of talent in the field. In concluding the interview, Flanagan thanks Bluemling "for stepping up and showing the leadership to bring them here."

May 30, 2008 - CPA Marguerite Moffatt authors an article in the E-newsletter of Duquesne University's Non-Profit Leadership Institute, headlined: "Accounting for 'Contributed Services'." Malin Bergquist is a sponsoring firm of the Institute.

May 22, 2008 - The firm's Employee Benefit Plan Audit Group releases comment on the Department of Labor's proposed safe harbor rule for the timely remittance of employee contributions to small pension and welfare plans. The proposed rule, published in the Feb. 29, 2008 edition of the Federal Register, provides for a safe harbor of seven business days for “small plans” to remit employee deferral contributions. DOL previously had been reluctant to provide any type of safe harbor for the timely remittance of employee contributions so this development is a relief to the many stakeholders of employee benefit plans across the country.

New Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania board director Rebecca (Koehler) Dudenhoeffer, right, with Malin Bergquist colleagues at the May GirlsWalk! fundraising event on Erie’s Presque Isle. Others, left to right: Lacey Maxson, Jeanette Kistler, Leah Straub.

May 20, 2008 - Supervisor Rebecca (Koehler) Dudenhoeffer is elected to the board of directors of the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, serving more than 40,000 girl members and encompassing 27 counties. It was created in 2008 with the merger of five western Pennsylvania councils. Dudenhoeffer serves with the firm’s Public Company/Securities & Exchange Commission Group and also serves not-for-profit and privately held business clients.

May 13, 2008 - Partner Vincent Halupczynski speaks on "The Art and Science of Financial Oversight for Non-Profit Organizations," a forum hosted by The Nonprofit Partnership, held at the Gertrude Barber National Institute in Erie.

May 8, 2008 - The firm's Employee Benefit Plan Audit Group distributes an advisory to clients and friends entitled, The Importance of Internal Controls in Financial Reporting and Safeguarding Plan Assets, developed by the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Full text.

April 30, 2008 - Partner Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Business Group, is elected to the board of directors of the British American Business Council, Pittsburgh Region. BABC, an international business association promoting trade and investment between the U.S. and United Kingdom, forms domestic and transatlantic partnerships with other business and trade providers.

April 16, 2008 – CPA Seema Kukreja gives a presentation and serves as a discussion group facilitator about “Asia and the Changing Global Economy,” at a workshop for Pittsburgh regional educators sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. She is seen here with Armand Policicchio, Ph.D., associate professor of Asian studies at Slippery Rock University. See the agenda.

April 13, 2008 - In its annual finance supplement, the Erie Times-News publishes an article by Albert Isacks, director of estate services, on "Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples."

April 7, 2008 - Partner Joseph Petrillo's article, "Last Minute Tax Planning Tips," is published in a special "Tax Tips" section of the Greensburg Tribune-Review.

Ryan Brosius's article in the Business Magazine of the Manufacturers' Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania

April 2008 - The article "How to Reap the Most from Professional Advisers: Fail to Plan, Plan on Failing," co-authored by Ryan Brosius and partner Charles Deluzio, is published in the Business Magazine of the Manufacturers Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Click for a reprint.

April 2, 2008 - The firm announces that it has added four new professionals, including Robin Lancaster (paraprofessional), Michael Pede (level 1 accountant), Hilary Shah (senior accountant) and Uriah Wells (audit manager). Click for more.

Pennsylvania CPA Journal article featuring Clarence Kearney

April 2008 - Partner Clarence Kearney, Erie, is profiled in the "Member Spotlight" of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal on how he has translated his love of motorcycling into a leadership role with the "Roar on the Shore" community event in Erie in June. Full article.

March 2008 – The firm issues its inaugural Annual Review 2007, featuring the highlights of the past year in which the firm doubled in size with two mergers, and more formally established its niche specialty practices and regional office network. Click for the report.

March 28, 2008 – Chief marketing office Mark Miner is pictured and quoted, along with the Hon. Judge Joy Flowers Conti of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in a major feature article, "U.S. District Court Portrait Collection Nearly Complete," published in the Lawyers Journal of the Allegheny County Bar Association. Click for a reprint.

March 28, 2008 – Chief talent officer MaryAnn Fatheddin is quoted in the Pittsburgh Business Times article, “Firms Get Creative to Help Accountants Relax Before April 15,” featuring Malin Bergquist’s annual March “Getaway Weekend.”

March 17, 2008 - The firm announces that it has promoted seven individuals -- including Lisa Block (to senior accountant), Steven Bruckner (staff accountant II), Timothy Carfang (senior accountant), Lori Hetrick (senior accountant), Sean Kocan (supervisor), Nicole Sloboda (senior accountant) and Pamela Varsafsky (centralized billing). Click for more.

March 4, 2008 - Joan Morgan, a tax specialist in Cleveland for two decades, joins the firm as director of international tax. Full story.

March 2008 - The firm's tax partners issue two substantive updates for clients -- "Forthcoming Government Rebate Checks" and "Business Incentives in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008."

March 2008 - Radio commercials featuring the firm and its International, Public Company and Closely Held Business Advisors groups begin to air on KQV-AM in Pittsburgh.

Feb. 21, 2008 - Shu Lun Pan CPA Co. Ltd., the fifth largest CPA firm in China, renews its membership with Malin Bergquist's worldwide certified public accounting firm network, CPAmerica International. Click for more.

Feb. 15, 2008 - The Pittsburgh Business Times quotes CEO David Bluemling in a story about how niche services are driving CPA firm recruiting across the entire industry. Full story.

Feb. 1, 2008 - CEO David Bluemling is quoted in the Pittsburgh Business Times about the advantages for small businesses in using traditional CPA firms rather than retail tax preparation franchises. Click for more.

Clarence Kearney's article in the Business Magazine of the Manufacturers' Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Feb. 1, 2008 - Partner Clarence Kearney's article, "Will 2008 Bring Higher Tax Rates for Americans?", is published in Business Magazine of the Manufacturers Association of Northwest Pennsylvania.

Jan. 24, 2008 - The firm's International niche, led by partner Jeffrey Deane, co-sponsors "A Night in Celebration of Robert Burns," hosted by the British American Business Council at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. Click for details.

Jan. 7, 2008 - Partner Peter Kern, leader of the firm's Publicly Held Companies niche, makes a presentation to the Institute of Internal Auditors, Pittsburgh Chapter, on "Going Public - the Rex Energy Story."

Jan. 1, 2008 - Partner Jeffrey Anzovino, Greensburg, is reappointed to the City of Greensburg Planning Commission for a second six-year term.

Jan. 1, 2008 - The Brainstorming newsletter of CPAmerica International newsletter features the firm's cover story in the October 2007 Business Magazine of the Manufacturers Association of Northwest Pennsylvania.

See 2007 news