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BKR International Worldwide Bulletin
September/October 2022
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In observance of the US Labor Day holiday, the Executive Office will be closed on Monday, September 5. | |
Letter from the Worldwide Chair
I find it difficult to believe that this will be my last bulletin as the Worldwide Chair of BKR International. It has been a momentous two years. Back then, I don’t think any of us knew where we would be today. Now, at least, there is a way forward for us, both from a business and personal perspective. Whilst some are still living with the consequences of the virus, most of us are gradually returning to a new normality. I would also like to take a moment to remember those members of the BKR family who tragically passed away, either directly or indirectly, from the effects of COVID – we must remember them.
At the Annual General Meeting in Amsterdam, I hand over to my successor, Marycris Oplas of Alas, Oplas & Co., CPAs (Manila). I cannot believe that the time has gone so quickly. Dave Davis of Johanson & Yau Accountancy Corporation (San Jose) takes over as the vice chair and treasurer. I will become an ex-officio member of the Worldwide Board for one year, and my voting place from the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region will be taken by Marcel Blöte of Flynth Adviseurs & Accountants B.V. (Arnhem). Carine Tan of Peter Chong & Co. Chartered Accountants (Kuala Lumpur) takes over as Asia-Pacific Chair and Rui Pinho of Esteves, Pinho & Associados, SROC, Lda (Porto) as EMEA Chair. Thank you to their predecessors, Subir Dutta of Doshi Chatterjee Bagri & Co LLP (Kolkata) and Andre Buijsman of Flynth Adviseurs & Accountants B.V. (Amersfoort) for their input; I have appreciated it very much. A full list of the Worldwide Board can be found here.
As I look back at the challenges we faced, the main memory for me has been the optimism of all our members. I think that our first face-to-face meeting in Toronto in October 2021, so ably hosted by the Toronto office of Welch LLP, was the start of our journey back to business as normal! A big thanks must go to Kathy Steffan and Jim McConnery for all of their help. It was so good to get back together again in such a great hotel as the Royal York. The exchange of ideas between members was a delight to witness. This was reinforced in Memphis for the Americas and in Athens for the joint Asia-Pacific/EMEA Regional Meetings. At both, it was great to see the increase in the number of delegates attending. I am sure, as time progresses and restrictions around the world decrease, members will wish to share their business experiences in a safe and meaningful way.
This year’s BKR International Annual Worldwide Meeting is being held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the Movenpick Hotel in Amsterdam City Centre from October 22-25. The meeting is being hosted by Flynth. Members requiring visas to attend the Worldwide Meeting are requested to contact Andre Buijsman, our host from Flynth, as soon as possible. The meeting continues with the theme, “Your People, Your Future,” that we used at our regional meetings.
Other activities that are being offered to members before the end of the year include the annual Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region Future Leaders Program, planned for November 21-22 in Milan. This year’s Americas Region Managing Partner Roundtables take place in Las Vegas from December 4-5 at the Bellagio Resort.
In my piece for the Bulletin this time last year, I said it was the most optimistic piece I had written. Now I can say that I look forward with even greater optimism for the future of BKR, and I wish Marycris all the best for her time as chair. I know she will enjoy it as much as I have.
Finally, a big “thank you” to Tim Morris, our Worldwide CEO, our three regional executive directors, as well as all of the other BKR support staff with whom I have had the privilege of working closely during the past two years. Your support has been greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Graeme Boake
Boake Incorporated
Johannesburg, South Africa
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BKR 2022 Worldwide Meeting Registration Is Now Open!
Registration is now open for BKR's 2022 Worldwide Meeting in Amsterdam! Our flagship event will be held at the Movenpick Hotel from October 22-25.
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Click here for details.
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Click here to make your hotel reservations.
Please note that the deadline to register for the meeting is October 7, and the deadline for hotel reservations is September 29.
View the One-Month Calling Notice here and the Proxy Form here.
Members requiring visas to attend the Worldwide Meeting in Amsterdam are requested to contact Andre Buijsman, our host from Flynth, for a letter of invitation to support their Schengen visa as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam! Please reach out to tim.morris@bkr.com with any questions.
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BKR Leadership Visits Flynth Adviseurs & Accountants B.V. (Arnhem)
BKR CEO Tim Morris and EMEA Regional Executive Director Alistair Bryant visited the new Flynth headquarters in Arnhem on August 25. They were welcomed by Marcel Blöte and Andre Buijsman.
"Many thanks to Marcel and his team," Tim said. "We have had some very interesting briefings on re-branding, websites, and upcoming meetings. The offices look great, and it has been marvelous to have the chance to talk to a number of Flynth staff."
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BKR Asia-Pacific Future Leaders Meet in Bangkok
Asia-Pacific's Future Leaders met at the Mandarin Hotel in Bangkok from July 4-6. Eighteen attendees from across the region gathered for the three-day program, which primarily focused on the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
Read the recent article from BusinessMirror for additional details from the event.
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Download the Minutes from BKR's Americas Regional Meeting in Memphis!
Download the minutes of BKR's recent Americas Regional Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, here.
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BKR International Supports the Future of Accountancy
BKR International is an avid supporter of the AICPA Foundation, which recently provided student scholarships and helped train 65 new high school teachers in their APBP accounting course. We proudly acknowledge our member firms who also support the foundation: Anchin, Block & Anchin, LLP (New York), DiSanto, Priest & Co. (Warwick), Moore Beauston & Woodham L.L.P. (Charleston), and Snyder Cohn, PC (Washington, D.C.).
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Eurofast Ltd (Lefkosia) Awarded Best Cross-Border Tax Advisory firm in South East Europe, Opens New Office in Skopje
Eurofast Ltd is proud to have been awarded Best Cross-Border Tax Advisory firm in South East Europe by CFI.co. Receiving this recognition is a huge honor, and demonstrates the level of trust that clients and associates place on working with the firm.
Eurofast is also excited to announce the opening of a new office in Skopje and the renovation of its Nicosia premises.
Read more here.
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Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP (New York) Recognized in Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms, Announces New Partners
Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP is pleased to share that it has once again been recognized by Construction Executive in The Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized for the fourth year in a row as a Top 50 Construction Accounting Firm. Our Construction Industry Group members are some of the most talented minds in the industry, and they continuously deliver ideas that are valuable to clients,” said Phillip Ross, Anchin partner and leader of the Architecture & Engineering and Construction Industry Groups.
Read more here.
The firm has also announced James D. Lockhart and Raymond Haller were admitted as partners. Read more about James and Raymond here.
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Sayka Mejía (Santo Domingo) Appointed President of Committee for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism of ICPARD
"In accordance with the provisions of article 74 of regulation 2032 on Special Committees, we proceed to inform that the National Directorate has formed the Committee for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism."
With this decree, Sayka Mejía, partner at BKR member firm, MLA - Mejia Lora & Asociados (Santo Domingo), was appointed president of the ICPARD Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Committee for the period 2022-2024 as of July 8, 2022.
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Sandra Orcutt (Canton) Elected Treasurer of Ohio State Society of Enrolled Agents
Sandra Orcutt of BKR Member Firm Hall, Kistler & Company LLP (Canton) has been elected Treasurer for the Ohio State Society of Enrolled Agents for two consecutive years starting July 2022. The duties of this position include quarterly reporting, reviewing, and signing the society's federal and state income tax returns, and serving on the Budget and Finance Committee and the Annual Convention Committee.
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BKR Mourns the Passing of Lester "Les" Fordham, Jr.
It is with great sadness that BKR announces the passing of good friend and long-time member, Lester "Les" Fordham, Jr., managing partner of Fordham & Co LLP (Portland). His presence and contributions will be sorely missed by family, friends, and colleagues the world over.
Read the full obituary here.
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In Remembrance of BKR Friend David Hobe
It is with much sorrow that BKR Member Firm Hobe & Lucas Certified Public Accountants, Inc. (Cleveland) has announced the passing of firm co-founder, partner, friend, and mentor, David Hobe.
Read the complete obituary here.
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BKR's 2022 Marketing Brochure Now Available
Download the most recent high-resolution, print-ready version of BKR's Worldwide Marketing Brochure here. Distribute this brochure to clients and colleagues to promote your firm's worldwide reach through your affiliation with BKR.
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Become a BKR Americas Member Ambassador
Member development continues to be one of our top priorities, and BKR Americas' new Member Ambassador Program seeks member volunteers to assist in the recruitment of prospective firms. Currently, the Americas Region is focused on Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, as well as additional markets in Florida and other locations in the region, including Canada and Latin America.
Starting with the Americas Board of Directors, volunteers serve as active advocates for the association, share insights and perspectives on the benefits of BKR membership, and potentially attend recruitment meetings. To view the complete details, click here.
If you are interested in this unique opportunity, please contact bkr@bkr.com.
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Free Whitepapers on BKR's Member Forum
BKR has recently posted a number of free whitepapers and other resources on BKR's Member Forum. See what's available here.
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New Categories Available on Your Firm's Member Information Page
As many of you know, BKR International's world standing as an association is based in part on our ranking in numerous international surveys published throughout the year, most notably the International Accounting Bulletin's Annual World Survey.
In keeping with these publications, BKR has added new categories for Female Partners and Staff on the Member Information pages for each member firm.
We would like to ask all member firms to log into BKR's Member Services and visit their Member Information to ensure that all fee and staff data is current and accurate. This information is confidential, and only between individual members and the BKR Executive Office.
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Submissions for the November/December 2022 issue of the BKR International Worldwide Bulletin are due by Wednesday, October 5, 2022. | | | | | |
