NAASA Enjoys Opening-Night Success

NAASA Enjoys Opening-Night Success
Once an Idea Among Few, Becomes a Reality for Many

By Richmond Young

The National Asian American Society of Accountants (NAASA) launched June 8 from Times Square in Manhattan, marking the beginning of the first North American organization created to give voice to students and professionals of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage who study and work in the field of accounting.

Once just a vision of dedicated accountants who held their first organizational meeting last August, the NAASA seeks to represent, develop and provide a broader sense of community for Asian American accounting professionals. The organization will serve as a networking and business opportunity vehicle; will provide professional guidance in the areas of taxation, accounting, auditing, management consulting and financial planning; and will encourage the study and pursuit of accounting through scholarships to outstanding accounting students and presentations and seminars to high school kids.

President Jeff Chin, partner with Ernst & Young LLP, commenced the evening’s ceremony by presenting the NAASA’s new officers and directors and introducing the event’s three keynote speakers, all of whom offered a unique perspective on the newly formed organization.

Keynote speaker Lou Grumet, executive director for the New York State Society of CPAs, discussed the origins of accounting, noting that the Mongol Emperor Ghengis Khan employed the system to track resources and manage the growth of his Asian empire. Now more than ever, the same system, albeit more advanced, will continue to be used to effectively manage Asian economic growth, especially in China, Grumet said.

New York City Councilman John Liu followed Grumet, presenting the organization with a proclamation plaque from the city. The proclamation formally recognizes the establishment of the NAASA. The councilman also touched on the valuable skills that an accounting background provides, mentioning how he began his own career as an accountant.

The final keynote speaker of the evening was Ralph Thomas, executive director for the New Jersey State Society of CPAs, who praised the NAASA for the ethnic diversity it brings to the accounting profession.

Following the keynote speakers, several NAASA officers made brief presentations, including Executive Vice President Rey Padilla, partner with Padilla & Company LLP, who discussed the NAASA’s objective to develop programs that will help its members achieve professional designations such as the CPA and CFM credentials. Rajiv Basu, NAASA vice president for internal affairs and partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, beseeched the members for their active participation, reminding them that NAASA ultimately exists to put forward “one voice” that can be heard clearly throughout the profession. Liren Wei, NAASA vice president for external affairs and partner with Wei, Wei & Company LLP, encouraged the attendees to spread the word about the upcoming membership drive on July 19.

Media covering the event included representatives from Chinese World Journal, SinoVision, India Post, ASB Communications, The Filipino Reporter, Ming Pao newspaper and the China Press.

Richard Young is a transaction services senior at PricewaterhouseCoopers.