Nine-Year-Old Beats the Odds and the Brackets to Win Hoops for Hope Tournament

Jack McCook, age 9, was victorious in his quest to win the AMD Hoops for Hope NCAA Basketball Tournament, and the coveted first place prize, the new iPad.  Jack is the youngest person to win in the 25-year history of the AMD-sponsored pool, which benefits AMD’s Charity of Choice. This year, all proceeds will go to Nurses for Newborns.  

Jack, who played the pool with his mom, Jennifer, was quick to point out that she didn’t help in selecting his brackets. “She asked me which team I wanted and I picked the ones that were on a winning streak.”

His “winning streak” methodology paid off as he picked six of the Elite Eight and three of the Final Four.  When asked about the biggest upset in his brackets, he immediately responded with “Mizzou”, his only pick not to make it to the Final Four.

“I knew that if Kentucky won, I was going to win the new iPad, said Jack.  I was so excited.”  Jack said it was the best day of his life, according to his dad, Brian McCook, a partner in AMD’s Healthcare Group.

Joe, Jack’s younger brother, played a bracket with his dad and was confident that the winning new iPad would become a family iPad.  Jack, however, says he thinks he will let him use it “maybe twice a week.”   

An avid football fan, Jack’s favorite team is the Oklahoma Sooners like his dad. When it comes to basketball, he likes college basketball but his favorite players are in the NBA – Kevin Durant  and Blake Griffin.

A strong competitor, he likes to play basketball, football, baseball and soccer, so beating 505 other players made him very happy. A well-rounded third-grader, he likes to play the violin and piano, too.    

On his way out, Apple gift certificate in hand for the new iPad and a smile from ear-to-ear, Jack said to thank the sponsors and everyone who played.  He is pictured here with Craig Campbell, tax partner and pool organizer and Robert Minkler, managing partner.

March Means Tax Return and Basketball Madness at AMD!

It’s March, and at AMD, that means stacks of tax returns and MARCH MADNESS.  AMD’s annual Hoops for Hope basketball pool is underway and looking to have its biggest year yet. Now in its 25^th year, the pool, started out as just an office pool, moved to one that included clients and colleagues, and seven years ago changed its focus to raising money for AMD’s Charity of Choice.  Each year, AMD partners and staff have elected a charity to support and Hoops for Hope has become one of the year’s largest fundraisers. AMD has donated all the prizes and 100% of the proceeds collected go to the charity. This year’s Charity of Choice is Nurses for Newborns. They provide a safety net for families most at-risk; to help prevent infant mortality, child abuse and neglect through home based programs that provide education, healthcare and positive parenting skills. 

Last year, with “tongue in cheek,” we added a Double Diamond Super Platinum Sponsorship. This year, with expectations of the tournament being even bigger, we thought the sponsorship name should be too, which resulted in the Triple-Diamond MEGA Platinum Sponsorship. For just $100 or a prize, a company or individual can get their logo displayed on our Hoops for Hope web page. We’ve already had an amazing amount of support from clients and friends eager to be a sponsor. With their help, we will be able to provide Nurses for Newborns with an even ‘bigger’ check this year. And we mean that literally, at the end of the tournament we present an actual ‘big’ check to our Charity of Choice at a special luncheon held at AMD. 

We hope you’ll join in the fun and participate in our Hoops for Hope tournament that benefits such a great cause. You may even get lucky and be one of the top ten winners. It hasn’t been revealed what the top prize is this year, but it’s always well received. Thanks again to our sponsors and all our friends that participate, we always look forward to this fun time of year, even with deadlines looming. Now take a break and fill out a bracket at http://amdllp.com/ncaa2012/!

You Have to be Believed to be Heard: The Importance of First Impressions

Thomas E. Hilton, MSF, CPA/ABV/CFF, ASA, CVA
Director, Forensic & Valuation Services Group

I spend a good deal of my professional life in a courtroom. Testifying before a jury places me under a microscope.  It has also made me more conscious about how I come across to other people…..both in and out of the courtroom. We are all marketing ourselves every minute of every day whether we are conscious of it or not. Others observe us and form impressions about us at lightning speed. Those impressions also shape the credibility others place on our expressed thoughts. 

We can better shape the perception we make on others if we are aware of the ways people form impressions of others.  A landmark study conducted at UCLA concluded that we need to be aware of the “Three V’s” of communication: verbal, vocal, and visual. When it comes to the believability of the message, the study found the following levels of influence on the listener: 

Verbal                            7%

Vocal                           38%

Visual                          55%  

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the first and most significant impression is formed visually and usually within a nanosecond.  Consequently, to make a first impression a good one, the following non-verbal tips are worth considering: 

Eye Contact�
Does anyone trust a person who cannot look us squarely in the eye? Eye contact is a critical component of credibility. Look directly at the person at the moment of introduction. Avoid the eye dart; it sends a message of anxiety, fear, and nervousness to the listener, and undermines credibility.   

Dress
“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression” said John Molloy, author of New Dress for Success. The most immediate visual impression we make is that of dress and appearance. Bert Decker, author of You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard, Updated Edition: The Complete Book of Speaking…In Business and in Life, has a theory he calls the two-by-four rule. According to the theory, the impressions made in the first two seconds are so vivid that it takes another four minutes to add another 50% more impression, positive or negative, to that communication.  Since those first two seconds are entirely visual, if a poor first impression is made, it takes a really long time to overcome the damage done. Consequently, the financial expert is encouraged to dress conservatively and appropriately for the venue in question. 

Body Language
“Stand tall. The difference between towering and cowering is totally a matter of inner posture” said Malcolm Forbes, publisher of Forbes Magazine. Walk or stand with your spine erect and your head up; avoid slouching or or walking with your head down. 

Temperament
Allow your personality to come through in subtle ways. Smile…..you want an expression of warmth and sincerity to become your first point of personal contact. Tonal quality is

New AMD Client Portal Provides Easy Access and Maximum Security

Debbie Brown, Tax Assistant and Portal Administrator

We strive to provide our valued clients with the best service available, so we are excited to announce the introduction of our new AMD portal service. 

Everyone these days is concerned about the confidentiality of information, whether in paper or electronic form.  Our portal provides a secure, convenient method of  electronic transfer of data to and from our clients as well as ongoing client access to certain documents created or maintained by the firm.  Additonal benefits include:

• Maximum Security for Uploading and Downloading Files of All Sizes
• Ability to Assign Access to Users Within Your Portal
• Convenient Instant Access to Documents
• Multiple Document Organization Tools

Interested?                                                                                                             

If you are an AMD client, and would like more information on how to facilitate data sharing with the AMD portal or to sign up, please contact Debbie Brown at 314-655-5535 or Renee Harpstrite at 314-655-5530.  Once you sign-up, we will provide you with log-in information, as well as an easy to follow, step-by-step instructional guide to assist you through the initial access process and we are always available to answer any questions you may have.

As always, we are here to serve you in the most professional way possible.  It is a priviledge to provide you with this option.

Holding Out on the 3% Withholding Repeal for Government Contractors

In 2006, President George W. Bush passed the controversial 3% withholding requirement on payments due to vendors providing services to the federal, state, and local government entities.  The 3% withholding applies to payments of $10,000 or more made after December 31, 2012, and in order to comply with the 3% withholding requirements, the payor would have to file Federal Form 945 and provide the payee with a Form 1099-MISC by January 31, 2013.  If not repealed, this may create cash flow dilemmas for companies that do business with government entities. 

On October 27, 2011, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 674 by an overwhelming vote of 405-16, which would repeal the controversial 3% withholding requirement.  However, the repeal came to a screeching halt when it reached the Senate.  To read more on the potential repeal of the 3% withholding requirement, follow this link: 

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-03/reid-plans-to-rewrite-contractor-repeal-to-punish-tax-cheats.html

AMD CPAs Share World Series Dream at St. Louis Cardinals Championship Parade

Millie Tutlam, Supervisor, Tax Services

The Cardinals made an unexpected run to win their 11^th Baseball World Series in 2011, and some AMD employees got an unexpected chance to volunteer for the championship parade. The parade was held on October 30, 2011 in downtown St. Louis where more than several hundred thousand fans attended. 

I was among the lucky volunteers on this joyous day. I would be lying if I did not admit that this day ranks up there with some of the memorable events in my life, like my wedding. We patrolled Market Street, and had the opportunity of being a few yards from the cardinals players, coach Tony La Russa, the Dewitt family, among others, as they rode down the parade route. 

This opportunity did not just come out of nowhere for AMD employees. We had the privilege of volunteering for Fair St. Louis during the hot and humid summer months. It was great volunteering during the summer, but the heat was unbearable for most of us. We put on a brave face and did a great job for Fair St. Louis. 

The heat paid off when Fair St. Louis Foundation was contacted and asked to provide about ten volunteers for the parade. They immediately contacted AMD. So Kris, Luke, Brent, De, Nicole, Lesley, Jane and I, had the opportunity of a lifetime. We volunteered at the parade from noon through the end of the celebrations which took place at Busch Stadium. 

AMD encourages its employees to give back to the St. Louis community. We don’t expect anything in return, all we want, is to reach out to the less fortunate, and help various charities. It is just amazing that we got the opportunity to volunteer at the parade and be close to Cardinals players from Molina, Freese, Carpenter, Craig, Skip, Motte, and Pujols This is something that I have dreamt of, but I did not expect it to come from volunteering.

Wellness Initiative Ramps Up at AMD

Kathy Hatton, SPHR, Human Resources Director 

Who doesn’t want to be healthy?  We know our employees want to enjoy their work and personal lives, so AMD has embraced employee wellness and started a Wellness Initiative. This program helps to make our employees aware of their health so they can make better choices and enjoy a better quality of life. 

We added in-office workout sessions and healthier Busy Season snacks in 2011, and now are ramping up our program by providing confidential Biometric Screenings and Health Risk Assessments for employees.  This voluntary program consists of a brief on-site 15-minute screening that can give employees critical information about their health. 

The screening results will clearly explain to participants what their numbers mean and what is considered a good range for health information such as blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index and other risk factors.  Once employees receive their results, we will offer an educational seminar titled, “Know Your Numbers.”  In addition, a registered dietician will present ways to focus on healthy eating, exercise and other preventative measures. 

At AMD, we are taking a cue from the classic James Brown song, “I Feel Good!” Participating in the wellness program is a great place to start.

AMD Staff Give Back to the Community at New Balance Girls on the Run 5K

Millie A. Tutlam, CPA, Tax Supervisor

It was still dark when I reported to my station at 5.45 a.m., for the New Balance Girls on the Run (GOTR) 5K. I received a brief rundown of my duties as a parking attendant, and went to work. The day was rainy and cold but this did not dampen the spirits of the volunteers and the girls who had been preparing for the race.

This was my first experience volunteering for GOTR, and I must admit that I was really impressed by the dedication of the young girls. They started reporting to the MUNY early in the morning despite the rainy conditions.

GOTR is a non-profit prevention program for girls in the 3rd through 8th grade.  Its mission is, “to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.” Kris Pearce, a senior associate in the AMD’s Tax Group, is a member of the Young Leaders Board.

One of AMD’s mission statements is, to encourage involvement in civic, community and professional organizations by partners and staff. We at AMD take this statement to heart and have continuously participated in many charitable endeavors through various organizations in the St. Louis area.

Each year, the social committee asks partners and staff to nominate a charity that the firm supports for a year. GOTR is our charity of choice in 2011. There are various fundraising efforts that AMD’s social committee puts together to raise funds for our charity of choice. Proceeds from our famous, “Hoops for Hope”, also goes to support our charity of choice.

The New Balance Girls on the Run 5K was held on May 15, 2011. AMD employees volunteered for this event. We volunteered for various duties from cheering squads, parking attendants, registration assistants, among others.

It is truly an honor to be part of an organization that encourages its employees to give back to the community.

IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate

Elizabeth Beauboeuf, Tax Associate

The Internal Revenue Service increased the optional standard mileage rates, effective July 1.  The business mileage rate increased from 51 cents to 55.5 cents per mile.  The medical/moving mileage rate increased from 19 cents to 23.5 cents per mile.  The charity mileage rate remains unchanged at 14 cents per mile.  These rates will be effective through December 31, 2011. 

For the full article, go to http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=240903,00.html.

Hoops for Hope Results in $6800 for Girls on the Run

Twenty-five years ago, Hoops for Hope was just an in-house basketball pool; today it is a major fundraiser, netting $6,800 for AMD’s 2011 Charity of Choice, Girls on the Run St. Louis (GOTR). Jill Indovino, Executive Director, Katie Helbig, Program Director and Maggie Siemer, Operations and Finance Manager of GOTR joined AMD last month for an appreciation lunch and to present the check to GOTR.  

Hoops for Hope, AMD’s NCAA basketball pool draws participation from AMD clients, colleagues, referral sources and friends of the firm from all over the U.S. Craig Campbell, CPA, tax partner, started the pool and remains the organizer. He is assisted by a large contingent of AMD staff who set-up the online pool, market it and count the proceeds. This year, Campbell implemented a new twist, “Double-Diamond Super Platinum Sponsors”. AMD had an overwhelming response to the sponsorship idea and landed the St. Louis Business Journal as the main sponsor. Publisher Ellen Sherberg ran the Hoops for Hope story in one of her weekly columns and EditorJoe Dwyer blogged about it on BizTalk, increasing the amount of participants. Several sponsors were also in attendance at the appreciation luncheon.

The proceeds from the fundraiser grew to a record amount this year with all the funds going to GOTR. AMD and sponsors donated prizes for the top eight, which this year included a variety of electronic devices and sports and entertainment tickets. 

GOTR St. Louis is a life changing, non-profit prevention program for girls in the 3rd through 8th grade.  Their mission is “to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.”

Girls on the Run of St. Louis is an Independent Council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of 160+ locations across the United States and Canada. GOTR-STL has over 150 programs throughout Missouri and Illinois. Kris Pearce, tax senior at AMD, is a GOTR junior board member and volunteer coach.