Malin Bergquist News 2009

Dec. 23, 2009 - Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Businesses Group, is elected North American Deputy of the International Practice Group (IPG). The group links international lawyers, accountants and tax advisers in more than 60 cities in Europe, Canada, Mexico, India, China, New Zealand and Turkey. The role gives Deane an opportunity to be a resource for VIPs advising foreign-based clients on U.S. expansion, and reach influential referral sources with praise about Western Pennsylvania as the go-to location for establishing a U.S. presence. More.

Dec. 17, 2009 - Partner Vincent Halupczynski authors lead article in December 2009 edition of Duquesne University's Non-Profit Leadership Institute e-newsletter entitled “Why Non-Profit Organizations Need to Closely Monitor Endowment Income Distributions Under State Law." Full text.

Dec. 15, 2009 - The Economic Club of Pittsburgh and British-American Business Council, of which partner Jeffrey Deane is a board director, co-host "Global Innovation: Building Synergies in Tough Economic Times," featuring remarks by Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, England, providing updates on the importance of innovation in the 21st century.

Dec. 11, 2009 - Partners Jeffrey Deane (head of Malin Bergquist's International Businesses Group) and Stephen Heilman are assisting the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants by helping prepare questions for future Uniform CPA Examinations. During the year, they have spent significant time at AICPA’s headquarters in New York City suggesting new examination questions covering the upcoming convergence of U.S. and international financial reporting standards. More.

Dec. 4, 2009 - Partner Vincent Halupczynski, head of the firm's Not-for-Profit/Tax Exempt Organizations Group, makes a presentation to the Southwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants titled "Update and Recent Developments on Nonprofit Taxes."

Dec. 4, 2009 - The firm announces that Christine Wilhelm, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager. She also is a certified fraud examiner (CFE) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and has practiced as an accountant since 2000. Wilhelm's professional experience covers a range of fields including corporate and individual taxation, business valuations, audits, reviews and compilations. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance in 2000 from Mercyhurst College.

Inaugural edition - Not-for-Profit/Tax-Exempt Organizations Group e-newsletter - view

Dec. 1, 2009 - Malin Bergquist issues the inaugural edition of its Not-for-Profit/Tax-Exempt Organizations Group e-newsletter, produced by partner Vincent Halupczynski. Top headline articles include " Why Non-Profits Need to Closely Monitor Endowment Income Distributions Under State Law" - " Checklist: Has Your Non-Profit Completed All Key Questions on New IRS Tax Form 990?" - "Halupczynski Speaks at Erie Nonprofit Day" - " Duquesne University's Nonprofit Newsletter Features Malin Bergquist" - and "American Cancer Society Bestows Top Statewide Corporate Excellence Award." View.

Dec. 1 , 2009 - The firm's Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, issues its eighth e-newsletter of 2009, featuring articles entitled "Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Bonus Scandal Shines Spotlight on Compensation Disclosures," "Updates on the SEC's Perspective" and "Malin Bergquist Adds Former PCAOB Officials to Public Company/SEC Team in National Joint Venture." Click to view.

Nov. 27, 2009 - The Pittsburgh Business Times quotes partner Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Businesses Group, in an article entitled "G-20 Begins to Pay Dividends for Pittsburgh Companies." The article highlights benefits and opportunities resulting from Pittsburgh hosting the G-20 Summit in September. Full text.

Left to right: WPXI-TV host Bill Flanagan, executive vice president of the Allegheny Conference, interviews partner Jeffrey Deane, Draeger Safety CEO Ralf Drews and Ardex America CEO Stephan Liozu about the impact of German companies on the Western Pennsylvania economy. View.

Nov. 22, 2009 - Bill Flanagan’s “Our Region’s Business” show on WPXI-TV features an interview with partner Jeffrey Deane as well as Stephan Liozu, CEO of Ardex Americas, and Ralf Drews, CEO of Draeger Safety, promoting the size and strength of the German business community in Western Pennsylvania, and discussing why the recent G-20 Summit was so powerful in raising Pittsburgh’s profile in Germany and throughout Europe. This is part of an ongoing effort by the German American Business Circle to educate the region about how German companies contribute significantly to the local economy through quality products, services and employment. View the clip.

Nov. 19, 2009 - Malin Bergquist's Tax Group hosts its annual federal tax seminar featuring guest presenter Dennis P. Benvie speaking on "Surgent McCoy's Best Federal Tax Update", at the Cranberry Regional Learning Alliance, with registration to begin at 8:30 a.m. Fee for the eight-hour CPE event is $155.00. Details and directions.

Nov. 13, 2009 - In a holiday-related story, "Pittsburgh Companies Retain Spirit of Giving," the Pittsburgh Business Times quotes chief marketing officer Mark Miner about Malin Bergquist's matching fundraising policy supporting the firm's cause of choice, the fight against cancer, and how the initiative is "increasingly a part of our culture." Full text.

November 2009 - A full-page financial adviser guest column, co-authored by partners Jeffrey Deane and Stephen Heilman, of Malin Bergquist's International Businesses Group, and headlined "International Accounting Standards Broadened to Impact Small and Medium-Size Businesses," is published in the Erie Business Magazine of the Manufacturer & Business Association. Full text.

Nov. 4, 2009 - The firm is featured in Duquesne University's Nonprofit Leadership Institute e-newsletter, a special edition "to share with readers an inspiring insight into a leading community service CPA firm, Malin Bergquist, one of the NLI's annual sponsors." The story quotes Vincent Halupczynski, Jeffrey Deane and Mark Miner, highlighting Malin Bergquist's firmwide fight against cancer and its sponsorship of the Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership. Full text.

Oct. 29, 2009 - At a dinner honoring American Cancer Society volunteers at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Malin Bergquist receives the Pennsylvania Division's highest annual honor, the "Corporate Excellence Award," for the firm's "leadership in the fight against cancer." With representatives of the firm's offices in Erie, Greensburg and Pittsburgh in attendance, Chief Marketing Officer Mark Miner -- a new member of the Society's board of directors in Pittsburgh -- accepts the handsome crystal on behalf of the firm, and cites the importance of leadership in opening new doors for ACS services and messages in the future.

Oct. 21, 2009 - Malin Bergquist again co-sponsors Northwest Pennsylvania's Annual Nonprofit Day, led by The Nonprofit Partnership, which provides education, training and tools to strengthen local nonprofit agencies. Partner Vincent Halupczynski, head of the firm's Not-for-Profit Organizations Group, makes a presentation on "Fundraising Practices: Track It Right! Book It Right! Report It Right!"

Oct. 19, 2009 - Two accountants receive promotions in the firm's offices in Erie and Pittsburgh. They include in Erie: Bradley Fretwell (to staff accountant II); and in Pittsburgh: Lisa Altschaffl (supervisor). More.

Oct. 9, 2009 - In the Pittsburgh Business Times' annual ranking of the region's largest public accounting firms, Malin Bergquist moves up to number 14, an increase of three places from last year.

Oct. 6 , 2009 - The Public Company/SEC Group issues its second e-newsletter in four days, featuring a "breaking news" article entitled "SEC Extends Auditor Compliance Requirement Under SOX Section 404(b)." View.

Oct. 5, 2009 - In response to clients receiving scam e-mails claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, Malin Bergquist reminds its clients and friends that the IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails to taxpayers. More.

Oct. 2, 2009 - Malin Bergquist's Tax Group, led by partner Joseph Petrillo, publishes year end tax planning tips for 2009. Click here.

Oct. 2 , 2009 - The Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, issues its latest e-newsletter, featuring articles entitled "PCAOB Adopts Auditing Standard No. 7", "SEC Makes IFRS a Higher Priority As G-20 Summit Calls for Strengthened Global Financial Regulation", "Proposed SEC Rule May Require New Disclosures on Executive Compensation." Click to view.

Oct. 1, 2009 - Director of estate services Albert Isacks begins his third term on the Trust, Estate and Gift Tax Technical Resource Panel of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for the 2009-2010 year. The purpose of the panel is to communicate with the Internal Revenue Service, Treasury and Congress about improvements to the law and rules governing fiduciary income tax, estate and gift and generation skipping tax.

Sept. 24-25, 2009 - Malin Bergquist is a major sponsor of the Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership to help Southwestern Pennsylvania maximize its worldwide recognition during the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit in Pittsburgh. G-20 is the group of finance ministers and central bank governors from important industrial and emerging-market countries from all regions of the world. This is the first G-20 Summit in the U.S. to be held outside of Washington, DC. The firm's sponsorship, led by partner Jeffrey Deane, is announced at a June 30 press conference held by Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny Conference CEO Dennis Yablonsky. More.

Sept. 25, 2009 - The Pittsburgh Business Times quotes partner Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Businesses Group, in an article entitled "Accountants Hope G-20 Will Address International Standards." The story focuses on the potential discussion of IFRS at the G-20 Summit. Full story.

Sept. 23, 2009 - CPA Ryan Brosius is honored as "40 Under 40: Members to Watch" by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants for "demonstrating leadership" and both are featured and pictured in the Fall edition of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal. Brosius

serves as 2009-2010 president of PICPA’s Erie Chapter and is a member of its Relations with Schools and Colleges Committee. This is the second consecutive year in which he has received the "40 Under 40" honor. Details.

Sept. 22, 2009 - In a special "Pittsburgh Summit 2009" edition, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quotes partner Jeffrey Deane in "Foreign Firms Call Pittsburgh Home," focusing on the importance of German-owned businesses in Pittsburgh, featuring Lanxess, Ardex America, Draeger Safety and Flabeg Solar. The article contains a link to Malin Bergquist's G-20 website in German and English. Full story.

Sept. 18 , 2009 - The International Businesses Group, led by partner Jeffrey Deane, issues its first e-newsletter, featuring articles entitled " New International Accounting Standards to Impact on Small and Medium Size U.S. Businesses", "IFRS 2: Share-Based Payment - White Paper ", "Malin Bergquist Sponsors Pittsburgh G-20 Partnership", Malin Bergquist Launches G-20 Website in German", "AICPA Invites Deane to Write CPA Exam Questions", and "National Reputation Grows for IFRS Expertise." Click to view.

Sept. 17, 2009 - Led by Albert Isacks, and as part of the firmwide fight against cancer, a team of 15 Malin Bergquist Charities volunteers answer telephones and assist behind the scenes at a fundraising telethon on WICU-TV and WSEE-TV in Erie, benefitting the John Kanzius Research Foundation. More on www.mbcharities.org.

Sept. 7, 2009 - The Associated Press quotes partner Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Businesses Group, in a nationally distributed article entitled "Pittsburgh Companies Seek to Capitalize on G-20," picked up by more than 150 major news outlets. Full text.

September 2009 - CPAmerica International's Brainstorming newsletter -- distributed to more than 2,500 certified public accountants with 80 independent firms nationwide -- carries the article, "Pittsburgh Firm Launches G-20 Web Site." More.

September 2009 - Erie's Business Magazine, produced by the Manufacturer & Business Association, publishes a finance column co-authored by partner Jeffrey Beach in Erie and CPA Stacey Sanders in Greensburg entitled "Exiting a Business in a Troubled Economy." Click for a reprint.

Aug. 28, 2009 - The Pittsburgh Business Times quotes partner Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Businesses Group, in a special section entitled "Business Owners Guide to the G-20." The story features Malin Bergquist's new G-20 website in German and English, "which aims to link the business press to some of the 70 German-owned companies in town... The goal is to feed stories of successful Pittsburgh businesses with a German connection to hungry German journalists looking for a local angle." Full story.

Aug. 27, 2009 - For the fourth consecutive year, Malin Bergquist sponsors the Pittsburgh Business Times' "Pittsburgh 100" which honors the 100 fastest-growing, privately held companies in the region. At the awards ceremony at the Duquesne Club, Malin Bergquist announces the winners in each of three categories -- technology (Co-eXprise Inc.), real estate-construction-development (SingleSource Property Solutions) and overall fastest growing (SingleSource Property Solutions). Full story.

Aug. 26, 2009 - Partner Jeffrey Deane, head of the firm's International Businesses Group, is interviewed on WDUQ-FM -- the highly regarded National Public Radio affiliate station of Duquesne University – about Malin Bergquist's Pittsburgh G-20 website featuring German-owned Ardex America, Draeger Safety and Flabeg Solar. The report says the German companies "all are successful firms that employ many in the region with well-paying, high-tech jobs" and that "cutting edge technologies are already being fostered in the area, but more investment can only mean good things for the city and region." WDUQ blog transcript.

Aug. 21, 2009 - To leverage the rare opportunity for Pittsburgh on the global stage during the upcoming G-20 Summit, the firm launches a G-20 website in German and English, answering the question "Why Pittsburgh?" It features the impact of German-owned companies on Pittsburgh's economy and highlights three German-owned companies with Pittsburgh as their U.S. base -- ARDEX, Draeger Safety and Flabeg Solar. The site is intended as a resource for the thousands of journalists who will descend upon Pittsburgh or monitor G-20 activity from afar.

August 2009 - CPAmerica International's popular Brainstorming newsletter, distributed to more than 2,500 U.S. based certified public accountants with 80 independent member firms, publishes a front-page, top headline story about Malin Bergquist's firmwide fight against cancer, noting that "When faced with great sadness... employees marshalled their resources and decided to turn their grief toward making a difference." More.

Pressley Ridge "Fundae" - Malin Bergquist's Travis Coble, left, and David Bluemling announce winners.

Aug. 7, 2009 - More than 35 employees and family members from Malin Bergquist serve as corporate scooping teams and official "favorite flavor" vote counters for Pressley Ridge's "Ice Cream Fundae" at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in support of troubled and developmentally challenged children and their families.

July 30 , 2009 - The Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, issues its latest e-newsletter, featuring articles entitled "FASB's New Standard No. 165 Clarifies Issue of Subsequent Events" and "FASB Codification Now the Sole Authority on U.S. GAAP." Click to view.

July 17-18, 2009 - Malin Bergquist co-sponsors "Roar on the Shore," one of Erie's largest citywide events involving thousands of biking enthusiasts, to raise funds for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families. Partner Clarence Kearney and his wife Sandy sponsor a concert by the headline band Warrant, and rock legend and reality TV star Bret Michaels is grand marshal for the official kickoff parade. The rally was founded by the Manufacturer and Business Association and Port Erie.

July 14, 2009 - CEO David Bluemling is named the 2009 Outstanding Entrepreneur by his alma mater, the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and receives his award at a luncheon held at the Longue Vue Club in Verona, PA. Details.

July 2009 - Erie's Business Magazine, produced by the Manufacturer & Business Association, publishes a finance column by Christine Wilhelm, CPA, CFE, CDFA, entitled "Dissolution of Marriage: Understanding the Financial and Tax Impact of Divorce Settlements." Click for a reprint.

June 23, 2009 - Chief marketing officer Mark Miner is elected to the board of directors of the American Cancer Society, Greater Pittsburgh Unit, for a three-year term, in connection with his role as head of Malin Bergquist Charities and its firmwide fight against cancer.

June 8 , 2009 - The Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, issues its latest e-newsletter, featuring "XBRL" - Public Companies Learn to Adopt New SEC Reporting Format ." Click to view.

May 26, 2009 - Carol Rose receives her designation as certified public accountant. She joined the firm in 2006, holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Penn State University (1985), and works in the firm's Employee Benefit Plan Audits Group and Closely Held Business Advisors Group.

May 13, 2009 - The firm announces the addition of a new team member in Erie -- Michael Tibbens. Tibbens is an information technology specialist, previously was senior IT specialist with Palace Business Centres. He is a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and holds an associate degree from Erie Institute of Technology.

May 12, 2009 - Malin Bergquist's Charities Committee announces the 2009 schedule for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walks in Erie and Greensburg/ Pittsburgh to raise funds for our firmwide initiative -- leading the fight against cancer. The firm will double Relay proceeds by matching any cash donation on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The firm's team invites clients, family and friends to join a most meaningful cause. The Relays are being organized in Erie by Robin Coburn and in Greensburg/ Pittsburgh by Kathryn Deluzio. Details.

May 8, 2009 - The firm releases its newly published Annual Report for the second year in a row. Click for a printer-friendly copy (4.1 MB PDF file).

May 8, 2009 - The Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, distributes its third e-newsletter of the year to clients and friends of the firm, featuring articles entitled "Smaller Company SOX Delays May Be Coming to An End" and "FASB Eases Guidance on 'Mark to Market' Rules." Click to view.

April 28, 2009 - Partner William Finnecy is interviewed by Congressman John Evans (R-Crawford/Erie Counties) on a televised Pennsylvania House of Representatives broadcast to promote financial literacy, and covering other topics such as the new stimulus bill, the housing market and coping with job loss.

April 10, 2009 - Partners Jeffrey Deane and Stephen Heilman make a presentation on "An Introduction to IFRS" (International Financial Reporting Standards) for students in the University of Pittsburgh's Accounting Club.

April 6, 2009 - Partner Jeffrey Deane is quoted extensively in an article posted on the AICPA's website IFRS.com entitled "Case Study: Midsize Firms Working with IFRS." The article later is listed on the AICPA's CPA Letter Daily e-newsletter. Full text.

March 2009 - The Business Magazine of Erie's Manufacturer & Business Association publishes a finance column by partner Craig Moffatt entitled "A Business Owner's Guide to Surviving Tough Economic Times." Click for a reprint.

March 31, 2009 - The firm announces that Judith Edwards has joined the Pittsburgh office. Edwards, an administrative assistant, previously was a benefits administrator for a human resources consulting firm in Pittsburgh. She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

March 2009 - The American Cancer Society's Pennsylvania Division publishes its Connections newsletter with a feature article about Malin Bergquist's cancer book project. Firm representatives are pictured making a delivery to Lisa Maloney of West Hempfield Elementary School.

March 25, 2009 - The firm's Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, issues its second e-newsletter to clients and friends, featuring articles entitled "Ready for Global Financial Standards?" and "Congress Turns Up Heat on FASB as Fair Value Debate Rages." Click to view.

March 22, 2009 - The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette publishes a guest editorial authored by Jeffrey Deane and Peter Kern entitled "Private Sector Commentary: Ready for Global Financial Standards?" The article focuses on whether to abandon a tried and true, but complex and globally unpopular financial reporting system and join the majority of the industrialized world in adopting international financial reporting standards (IFRS). Full text (HTML) or printer friendly (PDF).

March 20, 2009 - The firm co-sponsors a Pittsburgh Business Times presentation, "Secrets of Pittsburgh's Fastest-Growing Companies," moderated by managing editor Jennifer Curry. Panelists discuss their company's rapid growth and "perspectives on achieving, maintaining and, in some cases, dealing with rapid growth." They include Chris Hale, chairman of Victory Media Inc., Andy Hannah, president and CEO of Plextronics Inc., Jain Sushil, president of Empyrean Services LLC, and Patrick Hampton, chairman and CEO of MED3000 Inc. Details.

March 10, 2009 - Mitchell Kalkhof, CPA, CFE authors an article in the E-newsletter of Duquesne University's Non-Profit Leadership Institute, headlined: "Is Your Organization Prepared for the New IRS Form 990?" Malin Bergquist is a sponsoring firm of the Institute. Full text.

March 4, 2009 - Ryan Brosius receives his certified valuation analyst (CVA) designation. He is now one of 10 CVAs and certified fraud examiners in the firm and specializes in Forensic and Valuation Services and Closely Held Business Advisor services. He is President-Elect of the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a board director of the Penn State Behrend Alumni Board. The CVA is bestowed by The National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, an association dedicated to providing resources and training in the field of performing valuations and financial forensics.

March 2, 2009 - The firm's Public Company/SEC Group, led by partner Peter Kern, launches its inaugural e-newsletter to clients and friends of the firm, featuring articles entitled "Significant Changes Ahead for Business Combinations" and "Fair Value Accounting: Mark to What Market?" Click to view.

Feb. 2009 - The firm co-sponsors the sixth annual Ladies Only Luncheon at the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute in Erie, helping raise more than $50,000 for children's programming. More.

Feb. 13, 2009 – Chief Marketing Officer, Mark Miner, is quoted in a special accountants' issue of the Pittsburgh Business Times about marketing in tough economic times, and the launch of the firm's new German-language website. Click here for details.

Feb. 12, 2009 - Partner William Steger is quoted in th Erie Times News about the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Steger is treasurer of the Erie Area Civil War Consortium, which is co-sponsoring an Erie County celebration. Click here for full text.

Feb. 9, 2009 - Partner Stephen Heilman is elected to a three year term on the board of directors of the Three Rivers Rowing Association. The association's mission is to develop and deliver safe, sustainable programs and events that promote the benefits of rowing and paddling.

Feb. 4 , 2009 - On behalf of the firm’s Tax Group, partner William Finnecy authors an executive summary for clients entitled “Key Provisions in the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008.” Full text.

Jan. 22, 2009 - WICU-TV in Erie broadcasts a story about the firm's initiative to deliver sets of children's books to more than 400 public libraries and schools in Western Pennsylvania, featuring an interview with partner William Finnecy and school principal Fay Nelson of Our Lady's Christian School in Erie. Click for the story.

Jan. 22, 2009 - The Connellsville Daily Courier publishes a feature about Emerson Long III marching with the Army Reserves, 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion, in the parade following the inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington, DC. Click to view.