Seminars, December 2009

On December 3, 2009, Kimberly Eddy and Kevin Carnes, Principals of the Firm presented a seminar on the new 403 (b) audit requirements.  The Seminar was held at the Newton Marriot and gave participants the chance to review the new Department of labor guidelines for 403(b) plans. 

If you were unable to attend the seminar, feel free to download the presentation for Compliance with New 403(b) Audit Requirements

Sports Financial Advisors Association (SFAA) Elects Mitchell Halpern to Board of Directors

The Sports Financial Advisors Association ("SFAA") is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, to professional sports community, licensed financial advisors dedicated to working in the sports arena. SFAA members shall strive to maintain the highest standards of excellence and ethics. Athletes, their families, coaches, team executives, leagues, players associations and athletic organizations will know that SFAA members have the education, experience, integrity and resources needed to help them reach their financial goals. The organization will pursue these objectives by providing a broad range of member services including educational programs, networking opportunities, and an annual conference. Information regarding the SFAA can be found at www.sportsfinancial.org.

O'Connor & Drew Exhibits at NACUBO Annual Meeting

O'Connor & Drew PC were exihibtors at the annual National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) annual meeting held in Boston in June 2009.  The conference theme was Taming the Green Monster.  The theme was approriate as a reference to the legendary 37-foot wall in left field of Boston's Fenway Park and also to pressing issues that face the business office and to specific challenges that accompany sustainability.  Cal Ripken Jr. embodied the baseball theme with an enthusiastically received keynote message.Other keynote speakers were Gwen Ifill, television journalist, and Dan Ariely, behavioral economist; all spoke against a backdrop depicting a baseball diamond.

Food and Clothing Drive for Interfaith Social Service

We are collaborating with INTERFAITH SOCIAL SERVICES (ISS) to help individuals and families in need. Our office's food and clothing drive will run from now until the end of the year. With the upcoming holidays and the current economic climate, many people may need assistance. Our goal is to help this local agency in their mission of strengthening family life and offering assistance to anyone in need. (ISS) is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian agency serving people of all faiths. Established in 1947, all of ISS's programs work towards helping individuals and families move forward. By “strengthening family life and offering assistance to anyone in need”, the agency strives to provide for a more healthy home life for both adults and children. For more information, please visit their web site http://www.interfaithsocialservices.org

Pawtucket Red Sox Outing

On July 31 we attended the Pawtucket Red Sox game. Family and friends gathered for barbecue and then settled in to watch the Pawtucket Red Sox play Rochester. It was a great chance to see colleagues’ children and friends.

An enjoyable evening was had by all.

Summer Fun at Marina Bay!

On Friday June 27 the Firm gathered at Marina Bay for a evening of relaxation. Highlighting the evening, was the celebration of Mitchell Halpern’s appointment to principal. Before we enjoyed a barbeque, our interns led by  new Stonehill graduate Kevin O’Brien challenged the principals to a volleyball game. The interns were stunned to loose as they underestimated the stamina of the older principal group! The principals with the expection of one strained calf muscle were no worse the wear and proudly showed off their atheleticism

Thank You!

We wish to thank all of our staff for an outstanding effort during the past tax season. We realize that our staff is the reason why our clients receive their financial statements and income tax returns timely. We appreciate everyone’s personal sacrifices and hope everyone is able to enjoy some well deserved time off.

Taste of the South Shore

We were pleased to sponsor a table for the annual Taste of the South Shore event sponsored by the South Shore YMCA. This fundraiser is always an enjoyable time as it gives us the opportunity to thank the YMCA’s staff for their dedication to the community.  We were also able to sample delicious foods from many area restaurants. 

The South Shore YMCA mission is to improve the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Rooted in Christian tradition and values, the YMCA seeks to serve all people, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or economic circumstances.  As a non-profit association, the YMCA’s programs and services strive to strengthen the family, guide the youth of today, and meet the ever changing needs of our community.

New England Board of Higher Education

O’Connor & Drew sponsored a table for the annual New England Board of Higher Education awards ceremony held on Friday, March 14, at Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. The evening will also include a special presentation honoring the 50th Anniversary of NEBHE’s tuition-saving Regional Student Program. Click here for more information about NEBHE’s New England Higher Education Excellence Awards.

Each year, NEBHE presents four regional awards to individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional leadership on behalf of higher education and the advancement of educational opportunity and six state merit awards that honor the innovative work of organizations, institutions or individuals in each New England state.

NEBHE Chair-Elect, Massachusetts state Sen. Joan Menard commented:“This year’s Excellence Award recipients reflect New England’s rich cadre of professionals, organizations and colleges and universities — all working to pave the pathway of opportunity for every student.”

O’Connor & Drew Sponsors Booth at National Auto Dealer Association Convention

The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention was held in San Francisco in February 2008.

We are proud to continue as one of the exhibitors in this well established national convention. In our 19 years as an exhibitor, we have experienced the difference technology has made in the Automotive Industry. We enjoyed the opportunity to meet with many of our clients and share innovative ideas relating to this challenging industry. We co-sponsored a cocktail reception with the Massachusetts State Automobile Association.

More than 25,000-franchised auto dealers, exhibitors, media and guests attended the four-day event. A  record-setting 711 companies showed their wares this year on the exhibit floor’s 362,800 square feet. Products include everything from Web-based management systems and F&I packages to vehicle paint-protection film and car washes. The convention will be held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. NADA, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents about 20,000 new-car and truck dealers with more than 43,000 franchises nationwide, both domestic and import.

We are proud to announce that Harry Salerno has been elected Chairman of the Board of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. For many years, Mr. Salerno has been an active Chamber member.  He also is a Board member of the South Shore Savings Bank and the Rising Tide Charter Public School and the Treasurer of Easter Seals.

Mr. Salerno graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, he joined O’Connor & Drew. He also received his Masters of Science in Taxation and directed the firm’s tax department. For the last ten years, Mr. Salerno was the Managing Principal.

Mitchell S. Halpern have been recently admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court.

Kevin Carmes, CPA and Kimbery Eddy, CPA recently attended the American Institute's Certified Public Accountants National Conference on Employee BenefitsPlans. The seminar held in New Orleans featured experts on various aspects of employee benefit plans. Mr. Carnes and Ms. Eddy handled the audits of the firm's employee benefi plans. 

DAVID A. DIIULIS RECEIVES CFM DESIGNATION

O’Connor & Drew, P.C., Certified Public Accountants of Quincy, Massachusetts, announced David A. DiIulis has been awarded the Certified Governmental Financial Manager Designation.

Mr. DiIulis has been a principal of O’Connor & Drew since January 1996 and a member of their professional staff for approximately sixteen years. At O’Connor & Drew, Mr. DiIulis manages the Firm’s non-profit, higher educational institutions and municipal audit practice areas. David has also successfully completed the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Government Accounting and Auditing Certificate of Educational Achievement.

Contact: Jean Muncy, Marketing Director
617.471.1120