Past Events

Arizona Valley of the Sun Zoom meeting Recaps – Student/Career Night, Accelerate your Career with a CMA, and Data Analytics -October 2020

October was an incredibly busy month for the Arizona Valley of the Sun local IMA Chapter while we hosted three chapter events.

 October 20^th featured our annual “Student/Career Night: Accounting Careers/Getting the Job” session. The event was hosted by our keynote speakers Christian Kaijser, Managing Director of Career Evolutions and Shannel Amaraweer, Campus Recruiter for Deloitte Services, LP.

Christian provided the students valuable insights on how to prepare for and find a job and Shannel spoke in detail about the job possibilites with her firm, Delloite. Christian shared the importance of knowing your “30 second pitch”- a quick summary that tells future employers who you are, what your skills are, and what type of position you are looking for. The more refined and purposeful this pitch becomes, the more likely you will be able to bend the ear of a future employer. Shannel gave an excellent walk-through of the Deloitte hiring process. All those on the meeting received valuable insights on how to distinguish themselves from other candidates.

 On October 27^th, AZVOTS hosted Mitra Kleinberg, of IMA Corporate. Mitra’s presentation was “Accelerate Your Career with the CMA Certification”. Those on the call were given key insights on the benefits of becoming a CMA and also the benefits of becoming an IMA member. I know when I was preparing for the CMA exam, I wasn’t aware of benefits such as scholarship funds that are available. It was also encouraging to see others on the call getting excited about taking the exam.

 Finally, on October 30^th, we learned about data analytics from Fatema El-Wakeel, MBA, CMA, and Data Analytics and Reporting Manager at Jaguar Land Rover. One of the key takeaways I had from the session was that you don’t actually need to be a computer guru to excel in data analytics. There are many positions that don’t involve technical skills like coding to be successful. The meeting also included a breakout session where participants were able to expand on their own experiences, either already working in data analytics or what they hope to develop in their careers. Several on the session also expressed interest in more training in the days ahead, which we as a chapter know how to provide. Stay tuned!

Over 30 people attended our June Zoom NetTech meeting as John Iannarelli, aka “FBI John”, educated us on the threats of cybersecurity.  John did an excellent job defining types of cyber attacks and gave several ways to protect our businesses from becoming targets. Having a backup of our data, updating patches, and documenting a response plan were a few examples John gave to help be better prepared for an attack. I was surprised to find out it only takes five minutes after a new computer is connected to the Internet before it could be compromised! 

John also provided us several ways to protect our home computers from cyber-attacks by simple measures such as shutting down our computers when not in use and making sure OS and anti-malware software are up to date.

 I know for me, it is too easy to think, “It will never happen to me,” but as John pointed out, it’s more a matter of when not if you will be a victim of cybercrime, Your President, Rich Leonard

Lee Kroll, Senior Client Partner at IBM, Artificial Intelligence, RPA, and Data Analytics and

Sat March 7- “GIVE BACK DAY with the IMA” Diamondbacks Spring Training 2020

Friday, Feb 21,2020- Beers with Peers, Macayos Cantina, Tempe

Wed, Feb 19- Women in Accounting and Finance Leadership Summit

• Ginger White, CMA, CSCA, MBA, MSSF, SSBB, SSMBB – Finance Controller, Sun Hydraulics: Panel speaker (Public/Manufacturing); Speaker "Six Sigma Lean Accounting Overview"
• Kimberly Yee, AZ State Treasurer: Keynote Speaker
• Sharon L. Heck, CPA, Treasurer and Chief Tax Officer, Intel : Panel Speaker (Public/Manufacturing)
• Libby Zukowski, CPA - Audit Manager, CBIZ MHM, LLC: Panel Speaker (Public/Public Accounting)
• Amy Vetter, CPA - CEO, The B3 Method Institute: Panel Moderator (Private Accounting)

Tues Feb 18,2020- IMA Global Update & Past Presidents Night

Ginger White,IMA Chair Emeritus - on Servant Leadership and IMA update and
Amy Vetter -“Becoming a Cherished Advisor ® : The Skills Needed to Create Greater Human Connection”

Tues Jan 21,2020: Federal & State Tax Update including WayFair and what it means for Arizonians,

Speakers: Deloitte Tax LLP, Sarah Hoyt, Daniel Ponce, Maile Hoffman, Christy Kiser, Will Stemple

 
Dec 10,2019- Start-ups and Starting a Business, Spouse Night & Toys for Tots Drive

Nov. 12,2019 - Data Security and Computer System Backups- Data Center Tour at Sungard Availability Service, Speaker: Pam Stofer, Consulting Principal, Business Development and Advisory Consulting, Infrastructure Transformation with Sungard AS

Oct 15,2019- Federal AZ Research and Development Tax Credits

Speaker: Tiffany Bisconer, CPA 

Sept 27,2019- Fall Social and Network Event - Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres

Sept 17,2019   Student/Career Night- Get the Job

Homer Lopez – “How to win the interview/Preparing for your Interview

Panel discussion – “Our 3 Under 30”, 

Abby Zufelt – “Personal Branding / How to use Linkedin to your best advantage”

The Arizona Valley of the Sun IMA Chapter teamed up with Salt River Fields to participate in the “Give Back Day with the IMA” Sunday, March 17th. Eight volunteers took to the field scanning tickets, monitoring the outfield lawn, and helping fans find their seats as the Arizona Diamondbacks took on the Chicago White Sox. The SRF staff made the afternoon even more of a homerun by providing lunch to our team! It was a great opportunity to serve our community and help support the Salt River Fields staff.  


Feb 19,2019: Take Charge of Your Professional Development! by Lisa Beaudoin, IMA National & Integrated Reporting by Lisa Beaudoin and Mary AdamsJan 19,2019 Beers With Peers
Jan Meeting -Federal & State Tax Update (with Sal celebrating 50 years with IMA)Sept. 2018- Sales Tax Update