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It Pay$
To Know
August, 2006
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Chicago Chapter
American Payroll Association
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P. O. Box 836 – Chicago, IL 60690 – (773) 631-8480
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Notes from
a long time APA and
Chapter member:
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Greg Seemuth’s viewpoint
on APA’s Congress and Illinois’s Statewide: Welcome, to August, just five months until another year
end. Yes, seven months have passed already, which is hard to
believe. During those seven months, APA National had another great
Congress, with many great workshops to assist us with our jobs in payroll and
other topics. If you missed that opportunity this year, it is time to
start planning and getting it in the budget for next year. This is a
learning experience that extends far beyond the workshops to five days of
networking with fellow payroll partners from other companies. When I
first starting going to Congress in 1987 I went to lunches and dinners with
the same group my boss had meet the prior year. Well, after two days I
found I learned more and made many new friends by finding a table where I did
not know anyone and discussing how they did things and share how my company
did the same things. It is surprising that what others are doing that could
improve things you are doing. In September, the Chicago Chapter has the pleasure of hosting this year’s statewide meeting that will offer each of us along with others outside the chapter to experience a taste of a National Congress. This is your opportunity to get a network going for yourself and learn at the same time. You will find that membership in APA National and a local chapter is well worth your time and energy as I have. You are never further than an email or phone call from someone that is willing to help you with a question or to assist you.
As a member of the Chicago Chapter since 1987 I have found that it is not what the chapter gave me but what I gave to the chapter that has made my years in payroll a most rewarding experience. Now that I am retired from Allstate Insurance Company, and will be leaving the area to start the next phase of my life I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the chapter members that over the years helped me in learning the knowledge I now possess. You gave me the change to return the favor and help when needed. You are like a family to me. To quote a rather famous commercial “Train tickets to Chicago $2.00, meeting fee $10.00, Chapter membership fee $40.00 but Chapter and National friends are Priceless.” Thanks for everything and I look forward to working with another chapter after I move. Hope to see you all at the Statewide in September. |
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August Meeting |
August 17th Meeting-
" Surviving and Winning an Audit" IRS, Worker’s Compensation and DOL: Ever wonder what would happen if your company was ever
audited. Ever wonder what practices
you need to implement now for a future audit? Wonder No More!!! Be sure to attend our August 17th meeting on three
very good topics by four leading experts in their fields. We are honored to have as our guest
speakers: 1) Preparing for an IRS Payroll
Audit, Kathy Weber, Director in the Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP Washington
National Tax Services’ IRS Team, Frank Rodjius, Director,
3) Preparing for a Workers'
Compensation Audit, Robert Frenzer, President, VISTA Resources. His presentation at APA’s 2006 Congress
was very informative. Along with these excellent topics we will be providing lunch and
cake in preparation for NPW.. We will
also have a split the pot raffle to benefit a charity from our members. Cost $20. A special Thank You to Hewitt Associates for hosting this meeting. The
meeting will be held at Hewitt
& Associates From
8:30-1:30- including lunch, officer elections, and National Payroll Week
(NPW) pre-celebration. After the
meeting is completed we will be holding officer elections. Please see the following for additional
information. |
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Officer Elections |
Officer Elections follow
the August Meeting
The positions of President, Vice-President, and Secretary are up for election. We are also looking for volunteers to assist with the Secretary position. Officers must be members of APA National and must maintain their APA National membership. If
you would like to become more involved with the chapter and
help our members gain additional knowledge
in Payroll, please volunteer. It is a great way to meet
people. |
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13th Annual
Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference
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13th
Annual Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference - Sept 20th thru Sept
22nd, 2006 Join us In the Payroll
Winners’ Circle!! Want that
winning feeling and that extra edge?
Want to hear the ‘Roar’ of the crowd saying ’Good Job, Good Job? Be sure to sign up for the 13th
Annual Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference hosted by the Chicago Chapter
American Payroll Association. It will
be held at the Chicago/Hoffman Estates Marriott Northwest Brochures have been mailed. Plans are finalized.
Reservations are being accepted.
Need more details please check out our web site for speakers, times,
and reservations? Plan on joining us in the Payroll Winners’ Circle! Vendor Information - Dennis Washington, CPP, 847/291-5750 |
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NPW Celebration |
Chapter Members Needed
for Proclamation Signings We have
an opportunity to be at the Palatine Board Meeting on 8-14-06 at 7:00 pm to
participate in the proclamation signing.
We also
have the same opportunity for Hoffman Estates on 8-21-06 at 7:00 pm. Please
contact Mary K if you can attend the signing for more details. |
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News about our
Members |
Member
News How important is a CPP in getting a
new Job?? Just ask Karyn Rhoades,
CPP. She attended the
Chapter’s review class in the winter and received her CPP designation in May
2006. She is now the SR. Support
Manager at PayCycle, Inc.
Amy Czech, PHR is moving
into the HR recruiting and employee relations role for Mitsubishi Electric
Automation. Amy we will miss you at
meetings. Good Luck in your new role. Monica Goodwin is the new payroll administrator for Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Welcome Monica; hope to see you at our August meeting and Statewide. It is a good way to net work with Payroll professionals.
Congratulations to Linda Reimenczak, CPP! She has made a job change to Stratex Partners. She is the VP of Payroll Operations. Linda is an APA and chapter member who has attended many meetings and Congresses. Congratulations again. Good Luck to all on their new jobs.
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Tips from our
friends at Account Temps |
Nearing
Retirement but not Quite Ready? Consulting Might be Right for You
As millions of baby boomers near retirement age, many of them are looking to extend their careers while also enjoying leisure pursuits more frequently. One option for payroll professionals who find themselves in this situation is to engage in project or consulting work after leaving their full-time positions.
In
a Robert Half International survey, 78 percent of executives polled said
their companies are taking steps to compensate for the potential loss of key
staff to retirement, including bringing these individuals in on a consulting
basis. These arrangements are advantageous for employees and employers
alike. The benefits for today’s professionals include:
· Flexibility – When chief financial offices were asked what they consider the most attractive aspect of a career in consulting in a separate survey by our company, the top response was a flexible schedule. Interim work enables individuals to choose the type, location and scheduling of their assignments. Professionals can decide whether to take on a project based on how it fits their personal objectives.
· Skills enhancement – Project work offers payroll professionals an opportunity to continue gaining expertise and refining their abilities. According to the American Staffing Association, 70 percent of temporary employees said they acquired new skills during their assignments.
· Variety – Consulting work provides exposure to different environments and diverse projects. For example, an interim payroll professional may be asked in one assignment to oversee a new pay-system software implementation at a local real estate firm and in another to help enhance compliance processes for a major manufacturer.
A common
question among those entering consulting is how they can secure their
assignments. One popular strategy is to work with a staffing service
that specializes in payroll positions. These firms maintain vast
networks of contacts in their local business communities and typically have
access to a variety of projects, including some that may not be
advertised. In addition, many offer benefits such as medical coverage
and continued education opportunities.
Accountemps is the world's first and largest temporary staffing service specializing in the placement of accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The company has more than 330 offices throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com. For more information, call the Chicago office at (312) 616-8367. |
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2006 Dues |
Annual Membership Dues Membership fees for the
2006 calendar year were due by January 31, 2006. But it isn’t too late to get them in. Don’t miss another event or newsletter. If you have already paid
your dues, thank you. Dues for 2006
will be $40.00. Remember, your dues cover
such items as postage, invitations, the website, telephone hotline for those
tough questions, post office box, CPP and FPC pins, career development and
networking with great people. Please mail the completed
attached form and your check, made payable to the Chicago Chapter APA, to the
Chicago Chapter, PO Box 836, Chicago, IL 60690-0836. A membership form is also
available at our website: www.chicagopayroll.com We are excited this year
to announce a special referral program!
A “referred by” section has been added to the membership form. Each time a new membership (anyone who was
not a member in 2005) indicates that they were referred by you; your name
will be added to a drawing. The
drawing will be held at our Holiday Party for a $ 50 Gift Certificate. |
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Helpful
Links |
Need State
Tax Forms?
Are you looking for a particular
state tax guide? Need to complete a
form or an application? There are 2
websites you can go to get further information: Go to http://snipurl.com/statecontacts for a directory with addresses and phone
numbers for each state. Our website www.chicagochapter.com also has
links to the various state agencies. Have
employees asked why they have to pay taxes?
Have you ever had a problem with a
tax protesters or maybe a teen that just started to work? Have a copy of Publication 2105, Why Do I
Have to Pay Taxes handy. This
publication can me found at http://snipurl.com/IRS_Pub2105. Are
you verifying your Social Security Numbers?
It is a snap now. You may verify up to five Social Security
Numbers with SSA by calling 800-772-6270.
To verify larger numbers of SSN’s either on paper or magnetic media go
to www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnvadditional.htm. For info on SSA’s online verification
procedures, see www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnv.htm. |
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2006 Chapter Events |
2006 Events Monthly Meetings August: National Payroll
Week Celebration Meeting Officer Elections Workers Compensation Audits November: Preparing
for Year End Special Events 13th Annual Illinois Statewide Hosted by the Chicago Chapter September 20 – 22 Marriott Northwest Hoffman Estates, IL Chicago Chapter Holiday
Party November 17 Wellington Arlington Heights, IL |
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American Payroll Association
Events |
APA’s Garnishment Forum will be
held on Thursday August 10th at the Sheridan Chicago Northwest. 2006 Payroll Best Practices will
be held on August 16-18 at the Drake Hotel. APA’s Local Tax Compliance with be
held September 14th at the Sheridan Chicago Northwest. Registration and more details for
these events can be found on the APA’s web site: www.americanpayroll.org.
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Charity Events |
If you have a special
charity that you would like us to know about please send an e-mail to the
chapter mailbox. Your charity may win
“Split the Pot” at our August 17th meeting. |
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Our Website For the
most current information on the Chapter please visit the chapter’s web site
at www.chicagopayroll.com When
reviewing the website be sure to check out the “In the News" section for detail information
regarding IRS topics and news. The IRS offers phone forums on various topics. Also, check out
the Job Postings. |
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Join Us
Membership Application
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1. Complete all required information on this form |
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2. Print it out |
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3. $40.00 check payable to "Chicago Chapter, American Payroll Association" |
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4. Mail to: |
Chicago Chapter,
American Payroll Association
P.O. Box 836
Chicago, IL 60690-0836
(Please allow 5 days for mail delivery)
Questions? (773)
631-8480
chicago_chapter_apa@hotmail.com
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Registration Form
for August Meeting
TO REGISTER, PLEASE TYPE IN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION, PRINT OUT & MAIL WITH YOUR PAYMENT.