Dreams Can Come True

Dreams Can Come True

I remember calling the Accountancy Board of Ohio and hearing those magical works, “You have successfully passed the CPA exam.” After celebrating, I took the ethics exam and passed it and in the fall of 1995, I earned my CPA license. One of the first things that I did was to join the Ohio Society of CPA’s (OSCPA). For those of you who don’t know, OSCPA is a professional association dedicated to advancing the accounting profession in Ohio. The Ohio Society represents the interests of its members―whether in corporate or industry practice, public practice, government or education―and supports members in fulfilling their responsibility to serve the public interest and maintain professional competence.

My intention in when I joined the OSCPA in 1995 was to enhance my resume. Around 2000, I decided that I needed to network more within the accounting community, so I began volunteering at the OSCPA. I participated in Accounting for Kids Day, member of the local scholarship committee, and on the board of the local chapter. I remember attending the annual summit in 2003 and watching the installation of the new Chair. I sat there in the audience and said to myself, “I want to be Chair of the OSCPA.”

At that point I began developing a strategy so I could reach this lofty goal. I began volunteering for more activities and networking within the society. In 2005, I was asked to serve on the Executive Board, and in 2006, I also began serving as trustee of the Ohio CPA Foundation. In 2008, I began serving on the Steering Committee for the Centennial Campaign. Also, in 2008, I was nominated for the chair of the society. I was so excited but that excitement died a month later when I learned that I was not chosen. I did not let that discourage me and kept working hard.

In December 2008, I received notice that I was nominated again for the Chair position. I put deeper thought into my questionnaire responses. However, I convinced myself that this lofty goal was probably not going to be achieved because I “don’t look like the past chairs.” I am not a partner in an accounting firm, or a CFO of a company. I am Peter Margaritis, The Accidental Accountant, who has worked in public accounting, has worked for 3 Fortune 500 companies, who has worked full-time in higher education as an Assistant Professor of Accounting, who is currently an adjunct and has his own speaking business. I am more right brained than left brained. What I do possess is a passion for the accounting profession and those who call themselves accountants. I want to see the stereotype of the profession go away. I want our profession to give back to their communities. I want to see our profession change and adapt to that change. I want to see the profession flourish and give those who call themselves accountant’s great financial opportunities.

Yesterday, I just finished attending a webinar on International Financial Reporting Standards when a call from the OSCPA office came in. I get a lot of calls from the OSCPA office because I have a lot of friends there, so this was not uncommon. I pick up the phone and the CEO of the society is on the other line to inform me that I have been selected as the nominee for the Chair-elect position to the Executive Board of the Ohio Society of CPA’s.

Dreams do come true, especially with hard work.

The Failed Bailout Bill

The House failed to pass the $700 billion bailout bill today which sent the DJIA plummenting 777 points. The largest one day point drop in our history. Many say that if sometype of bailout bill is not passed then we will be seeing the next Great Depression. Stock market crash, job loss, businesses fail, credit dries up, bankruptcy rises, and many loose their homes. Who's fault is it? It is all of our fault, not just Wall Street. Much research has shown that for every $1.00 we make, we spend $1.22. You don't have to be an accountant to figure out that is not good math. What have we been spending the extra $.22 on? Fast Food now takes credit cards, most restaurants do, what about the wide screen TV set, or the computer system. We all need to start conserving our expenses and begin saving again to put this country back on track. It is going to hurt for a while but just think of your parents and grandparents that survived the Great Depression of 1929.

Now that I kinda got this off my chest - I will try to go back and write jokes because that seems to be my theraphy.

Hurricane Ike hits Columbus, Ohio

Hurricane Ike hits Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, September 14th and knocks out power to over 300,000 households. Do you find this a little strange especially happening the day after the Buckeyes get demolished by USC? Is this a coincidence or does Woody Hayes have that much power in heaven that he can steer a hurricane to hit Columbus so the Buckeye fans would forget about the humiliating loss and move to more on to more important things. Over a 150,000 households still don’t have power on Wednesday but there are MANY in Houston, TX who have power. If you are reading this and beginning to agree with my thought process, then you need serious help Buckeye fan.

Weird

Weird
Yesterday, I witnessed a very weird sight. I went to the Reds-Cubs game in Cincinnati. The ball park was close to being sold out. However, 80% of the fans were Cubs fans. There was a sea of blue throughout Great American Park. I am sorry, Great American Wrigley Field! Every time the Cubs did something good, there was this huge ROAR from the crowd which must have been strange for the Reds players. It looked like something out of the Twilight Zone. When the Cubs took the lead 3 – 1 in the 7th inning, the place irrupted. I wanted to throw up on all of the Cubs fans. So a little respect! However, in the bottom of the 9th, the Reds came back to win and those POOR Cubs fan's had to walk out with their heads and tails hanging so low.

To the people of Cincinnati, if you decided to not go to the Reds game because the Bengals were playing at the same time but in Baltimore. You know better than that! Come on! We have a chance to keep the Chicago curse alive and you guys watched the Bengals loose. Shame on you.

Life Comes At You Fast

Life comes at you fast. Yesterday, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and that caught me completely off guard. I was stunned and when the doctor told me that my blood sugar level was 275 and it should be around 100. After hours of research about the disease, here is what I know. There is going to be a lot of people in Kentucky without a job because I have to substantially curb my bourbon intake. I could bring the economy in the state of Kentucky to a grinding halt. I have sent a letter to the governor of the great state of Kentucky apologizing for this and hope he will let me continue visiting. I hope this doesn't affect the NYSE on Monday morning and the Dow plummets. After many years of supporting the Kentucky economy, I have to quit drinking bourbon and start drinking more water. I have always said that bourbon is just "brown water" but now I have to drink clear water.

Many of you know that I own a "Kentucky" blue Miata with the license plate "Makers." When it is time to renew my license plate, I guess I will have to change it to "No More Maker's" or "Sober." I am even thinking of changing my dog's name from Maker's to "Dog. Life comes at you fast……..

Old Joke Has Truth

Have you ever heard the joke.....What is the difference between heroin and stand-up comedy? You can quit heroin! Well, last night I went to an open mike at the Surly Girl Saloon in the Short North and got back up on stage for the first time in over two years. It's not like riding a bike but more like a bucking bull. Or was that my stomach feeling like a bucking bull because of nerves or the White Castle's I had for dinner. I digress, back to the topic. It was great to break down the wall and get back up and suck on stage. I did maybe 3 – 4 minutes and got some laughs which felt good. My memory and timing were not sharp at all but that comes with more stage time.