Recruiting and retaining top talent remains a priority as 2022 draws to an end and the new year begins.

Since 1976, the Foundation of the Nebraska Society of CPAs has been committed to helping Nebraska college and university accounting students become future Nebraska CPAs. For the 2022-2023 school year, the Foundation Board of Trustees approved a total of $99,000 in scholarships to 76 accounting students at 14 Nebraska colleges and universities. Distributed to accounting students across Nebraska who are in their junior, senior, and graduate years of college, these scholarships are made possible by a transfer of funds from the Society to the Foundation as approved by the Society Board of Directors as well as through generous donations from many of our members. You will find a list of the Foundation Board of Trustees, photos of all scholarship recipients, and an honor roll of contributors starting on page 26 of this issue.

Hyping Accounting Careers

In addition, the Society’s Accounting Careers Committee, led by Society Past Chairman Ryan Burger, continues to expand its outreach to high schools and colleges throughout the state. In November, the Nebraska Society joined the AICPA and 34 other state CPA societies to launch the first-ever Accounting Opportunities Week, which added to the momentum of the committee’s ongoing efforts. In all, committee members gave approximately 25 presentations to more than 500 high school students and five presentations to nearly 300 college students in 2022. You’ll find a list of committee members on the Society website at www.nescpa.org/committees. You can “Join a Committee” from this page as well—just click on the link, complete the form, and return it to society@nescpa.org.

Intern Nebraska

Did you know the state of Nebraska offers a grant program that provides financial assistance to businesses that create new internships in the state? Through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, for-profit and non-profit businesses can offset up to 50% of intern wages, up to $5,000 per internship. Internships create lasting connections between students, businesses, and regions; more than half of young people who participate in an internship become full-time employees where they intern. Applications for the program are due March 15. You’ll find a link with more information on the Society website at
www.nescpa.org/careers/recruiting.

2023 Conferences Scheduled

The Society has scheduled the following conferences for the coming year. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend in person.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Tuesday, April 25 | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln

NOT-FOR-PROFIT & GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING CONFERENCE
Wednesday-Thursday, June 14-15 | Innovation Campus, Lincoln

WOMEN IN ACCOUNTING SUMMIT
Wednesday, August 30 | Riverview Lodge, Mahoney State Park, Ashland

FALL CONFERENCE & ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday-Friday, October 26-27 | TBD, Omaha

TAX CONFERENCE
Monday-Tuesday, December 4-5 | TBD, Omaha

We know you have many choices for CPE and are grateful for your participation in Society conferences and courses. Thank you for supporting your profession and the Nebraska Society of CPAs! If you have questions regarding CPE or suggestions regarding future courses or speakers, please do not hesitate to contact Society Vice President Kelly Ebert at kelly@nescpa.org.

Nebraska Legislature Convenes January 4

The First Session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, with 26 new and returning state senators taking the oath of office. Although the political makeup of the body is not changing, whether newly elected or appointed, the level of legislative experience will be significant. This lack of institutional knowledge and experience is likely to create challenges; however, with so many new leaders in the body and a newly elected governor, it’s also an exciting time for our state.

2023 will be a “long session,” whereby the Nebraska Constitution requires the Legislature to meet for no more than 90 legislative days. (No more than 60 legislative days are required in even years.) Presently, the session is expected to last until the second week of June.

The only item state senators are required to complete is the budget, but the list of issues that legislators wish to address is long and includes tax reform, K-12 school funding, criminal justice reform, ARPA funding, guns/constitutional carry, and abortion. Through our lobbying team at Radcliffe, Gilbertson, and Brady, the Society will be keeping a close eye on any and all issues that could affect the accounting profession, including licensing reform and the taxation of accounting services. Stay tuned.

Thank You!

Thank you for your membership and loyal support of the Nebraska Society of CPAs. We look forward to serving you throughout 2023 and the years to come!