UHY GLOBAL JANUARY 2020 REMARKABLE PEOPLE


SERVING CLIENTS, SERVING COMMUNITIES


LEADERS IN THE MAKING Every year, UHY Haines Norton (Auckland) in New Zealand links up with local schools to offer students a chance to win a scholarship – known as the UHY Haines Norton Study Scholarship – to study for a commerce or business studies. The firm recently announced its 2019 winner as final year student Steven Philalom, from Kelston Boys High School (KBHS) in Auckland’s Waitakere district. Steven is a school prefect who excels academically and within his community. The scheme is about identifying future entrepreneurs, managers or CEOs. “Winners are not necessarily top students or even accountancy students but those who apply themselves and set examples to younger students and peers,” says Debbie Robson, the firm’s marketing coordinator. The scholarship is open to final year students in West and Northwest Auckland, making it a uniquely local initiative. “It is a way we give back to our community in Auckland. There are not many local scholarships like this,” says Debbie. For some students, the financial assistance can mean the difference between continuing their studies or having to give up. A previous winner, Shona Mani from West Auckland, won a scholarship in 2017. “The assistance provided by the UHY Haines Norton Study Scholarship has helped pay my education expenses, allowing me to focus on studying,” she says. “My educational pursuits would not be possible without the support from UHY Haines Norton. I am so grateful for this opportunity.” Steven, whose Laotian parents met in a refugee camp, has a particular affinity for commerce-related subjects, excelling in Accounting, Economics and Statistics. But as well as his strong academic record, Steven has been involved in many of the committees and groups at KBHS. His work with the anti-bullying group Youth Cyber Zone has enabled him to help raise mental health awareness for young people. In particular, he has worked with younger students who were struggling but did not know how or where to go for help. Steven’s natural skills in listening without judging helped him direct them towards options for additional support. He also helped to organise events such as Pink Shirt Day to raise funds in support of anti-bullying, and awareness weeks, and took up a prefect leadership role at his Year 9 camp. Steven plans to undertake a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland, majoring in accounting and information systems. Asked what is important to him, he say, “Family, friends, good mental health, a sustainable future.” To find out more about the UHY Haines Norton (Auckland) member firm’s local involvement visit its community page. DRIVE FOR FUTURE TALENT When audit partner Steve Wendling, of UHY LLP, St Louis, Missouri, US, realised his son’s love of golf was more than a passing fancy, he had no idea it would lead to a sponsorship deal and platform for nurturing future talent. Steve saw that Jackson was the real deal as he started to enter elite junior tournaments run by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). The AJGA regularly held events in St Louis and Steve, who was responsible for business development in the Midwest, saw potential for a partnership to help young players develop their skills. Two years later, UHY LLP is the official accounting firm of the AJGA –– sponsoring seven tournaments annually and supporting an annual accounting internship at the AJGA’s headquarters. “UHY LLP’s relationship with the AJGA began with a local agreement to serve as the title sponsor of its St Louis tournament in 2018,” says Steve. “It was named the UHY St Louis Junior Championship, and in our first year as sponsor the tournament hosted 78 junior golfers from 22 states and seven countries.” UHY LLP went on to become a national sponsor of AJGA tournaments, combining support with community and charitable activity. A new three-year agreement began in 2019. Alongside this, the UHY Prep Series has been established. Administered by Steve, this series of two-day junior golf tournaments awards exemptions for entering the AJGA Junior Championships – effectively opening up the opportunity to compete to even more young golfers. At the recent UHY Detroit Junior golf tournament, a presentation of USD 37,000 was made to the AJGA ACE (Achieving Competitive Excellence) Grant programme, the Evans Scholars Foundation, and local non- profit organisation Vets Returning Home. The funds will support grassroots golf by helping young people pursue scholarships, and rehabilitating soldiers returning to civilian life. FUNDRAISER IS A WINNING MOVE UHY ECA in Poland has a reputation not just for professional excellence – ranked as one of the best audit firms in Poland – but also for its charity and community engagement. Since 2018, UHY ECA has sponsored a chess tournament in Warsaw to raise awareness of the life-limiting disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Grandmasters and amateurs take part while learning about CF’s symptoms and treatments. The entry fee for the 2019 event was donated to the Polish Society for the Fight against Cystic Fibrosis (PTWM), the main CF charity to which UHY ECA offers pro bono support. PTWM volunteers, mainly parents of sufferers, gave presentations and information, while coffee and cake boosted funds to PLN 15 880 (USD 4,120). Competitors played in two groups: under-13s and an ‘anyone else’ regardless of age or skill. Eleven grandmasters competed, including legends of Polish chess such as Bartosz and Monika Soćko, RadosławWojtaszek, Kacper Piorun, Mateusz Bartel and Michał Krasenkow. ‘’This cause is so close to our hearts and we were delighted to support the work of PTWM,” says Michał Kołosowski, partner. “It brought the community together and Warsaw TV and radio attended. We hope the next challenge will be even bigger and better!” HONOUR FOR MARIAN Her clients and colleagues know she is outstanding, and now she has earned one of the most prestigious awards in business to prove it. Marian Shaw, managing director at UHY Advisors, New York, US, has received an Outstanding Asian American in Business award from the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC). The AABDC recognises Asian American entrepreneurs, professionals and corporate executives who have played a key role in advancing the US economy. Marian received the accolade at a gala dinner for the 18th annual Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business award programme, which accepted nominations from across the country in seeking top candidates that best represent the achievements of Asian Americans in business. Marian joined UHY Advisors in 1998 and has over two decades of experience in federal, international and state income tax compliance, audits, research and planning. She serves several businesses including US multinational companies with foreign subsidiaries and foreign companies doing businesses in America. She is leader of the firm’s China Group and leads seminars to highlight the firm’s tax capabilities and work with high net worth clients in China. Marian says: “I am very proud to accept this honour from the AABDC, whose work in highlighting and advancing the role of the Asian American business community is invaluable. At UHY Advisors we have always placed a strong emphasis on developing and nurturing positive business relationships within the US and internationally, and our China Group is going from strength to strength. It is wonderful to be recognised for the role I have played in supporting these business interests, and the part they play in driving the US economy.” Marian is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and New York State Society of Public Accountants (NYSSPA).


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14