A Proud Sponsor of AUEC

A Proud Sponsor of AUEC

All you need to know about CPA Reviews 4

Becker CPA Review 5

Kaplan CPA Review 6

Lambers CPA Review 8

Gleim CPA Review 9

CPAs in the Making 10

CPA 2013 Passing Rates 16

Interviews to Experienced CPAs 18

Summary of Past Activities 24

4

Are you ready to take the CPA Exam?

Becoming a CPA can open up unlimited possibili-

ties for your career, but getting there takes prepara-

tion, focus and dedication. Becker CPA Review is

here to help you through the entire process—from

understanding the necessary educational require-

ments to passing the CPA Exam.

The Becker Difference

There’s a reason that Becker students pass at dou-

ble the pass rate of non-Becker candidates. It’s

because they are committed to giving you quality

preparation materials and the support you need to

be successful—from beginning to end. It’s a fact:

Students who prepare with Becker pass the CPA

Exam at double the rate of non-Becker candidates.

Committed to Quality

Becker’s CPA Exam Review provides you the

tools you need to be fully prepared on exam day.

It includes the most current content covered on the

CPA Exam. The course functionality mirrors the

exam in every way to minimize any surprises when

you sit for the exam. And the CPA Exam Review

is completely integrated, so all textbooks, lectures,

homework, and simulations work together to help

you prepare effectively and helps ensure your suc-

cess.

Becker’s CPA Exam Review offers you the

benefits of:

A complete focus on student success, with

flexible course formats and comprehensive

academic, customer and technical support

Best-in-class instructors, with years of real-

world accounting experience and teaching ex-

pertise

A 50+-year track record of helping over

400,000 candidates prepare for the CPA Exam

A dedicated team of nearly 100 curriculum and

subject matter experts, focused on developing

up-to-date and relevant course materials

Study tools offered by Becker’s CPA Review

Puerto Rico

Live courses in the classroom or distance

(Wed), with the best teachers in the field and

extensive experience in preparing candidates

for the CPA licensure examination.

Textbooks that include discussion of issues,

multiple alternatives and supplementary study

material. Each party has a particular exam

study book:

Financial accounting

Regulation

Audit

Business concept

"Flash cards" for review at any time. This

product is the famous flashcards where on one

hand you have a question and the answer back

to that question. The complete course includes

over 1,000 'flash cards "and are the best alter-

native to review the skills necessary to be suc-

cessful.

Computer program (Windows and Mac) that

includes:

Interactive Study Planner - This pro-

gram allows you to prepare a study

schedule to maximize the time avail-

able to study for the test.

PassMaster ™ software includes

thousands of questions from previous

exams (with answers), summary execu-

tion, time clock and links.

Final exam software and Simulation

software – this program contains simu-

lations and final exam with the advan-

tage that is similar in format to the live

examination (the simulations are 30%

of the exam)

5

By: Genesis Rivera, journalist

As a third-year accounting student, my goal, and the

goal of most students in the Accounting Department, is

to become a Certified Public Accounting (CPA). When

we decide to become a CPA, the first questions that

come to our mind are: “How do you study for this

test?”, and “In what ways can I study?” These questions

can create a certain amount of stress for us. But luckily,

there are a variety of reviews that are available to us.

Sure, we constantly hear about how great review

courses like Becker or Lambers are, but there is one re-

view course that is hands down one of the greatest there

is, and it’s called Kaplan CPA Review.

Kaplan CPA Review is a leading global provider of

CPA review solutions to professionals around the

world, helping hundreds of thousands of candidates pre-

pare for the CPA Exam. They have a 93% recommen-

dation rate from prior students and the review provides

you with all the material that you need to pass the CPA

exam while offering a comprehensive, yet simple ap-

proach to their CPA review called the "Learn, Practice,

Retain" methodology. One of the greatest things about

this review is that it is tailored to fit your schedule and

learning style. So no matter if you’re a full-time student

that works or has a family to take care of, Kaplan will

make studying for the CPA exam a whole lot smoother

and it can all be done completely online. Their “Live”

and “Self-Study” Online Review Courses are built on

the principles of convenience, flexibility, structure, and

interaction. They help us develop the skills that we need

to pass each section of the CPA exam on the first try!

The cost of this review is $1,799, and it includes:

Online review course for all 4 sections Study manual guidebook Multiple choice questions MP3 Audio Review Over 2,000 practice questions and simulations Interactive study calendar

On their website, there is a section in where you can see

samples of all the materials so you can have an idea of

how studying will be. They also provide you with some

practice questions of each section to test your knowl-

edge for the exam. Their guarantee states that “Kaplan

CPA Review is committed to helping you pass the CPA

Exam. If you utilize Kaplan CPA Review and don't

pass, you may be eligible to receive the next edition of

materials for the cost of shipping and handling”. They

also state that “Candidates that purchase Kaplan CPA

Review packages are provided with Online Access, in-

cluding all online updates, for a full 24 months from

time of initial purchase. In addition to the 24 month

Online Access, the purchase of our packages includes

free access to study manual content updates which will

be posted on our website for customers during the 24

month active subscription.” Kaplan has a long list of

eligibility factors that determine if a student will qualify

for their guarantee and how much time they have to act.

Kaplan is also endorsed by the Big Four. As recently in

2013, their passing rate is a 75%.

Even though their passing rate is a little low compared

to other reviews, Kaplan is on the most recommended

CPA review of all time. If for some reason you don’t

want to continue using this review, they have a great

return policy that not a lot of other reviews have. Their

return policy states that “In fact, if our 30-Day Risk-

Free Assurance Policy, you can feel confident that

you’ve made the right choice, if you are not completely

satisfied with your purchase from Kaplan, we will re-

fund 100% of the purchase price”. How great is that!!

We as accounting students and AUEC members, are

sponsored by Becker CPA Review, but that doesn’t nec-

essarily mean we have to use their review. We have

such hectic lives that include college, work, family and

friends, that we might not have the time to just sit down

and study for this important exam. With Kaplan CPA

Review you don’t have to worry about when and where

you have to study because they make such a perfect re-

view that you can go and study whenever you want and

because of that I highly recommend this review, not just

for me but for all of us who aspire to be a CPA.

6

Lambers have been known for over 45 years be-

cause of their quality review materials, great cus-

tomer service, and affordable price.

Lambers’ accounting instructors are excellent and they

perfectly understand what students need to learn in or-

der to pass and succeed in the CPA exam.

Their products provide something that students value a

lot: “flexibility”, as they know that most of the students

have a busy life. They guarantee and provide a quality

review program designed in a small way to “maximize

the students’ time and make sure they pass”.

Lambers offer reviews for the 4 parts of the CPA

Exam: Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR),

Regulations (REG),Auditing and Attestation (AUD),

and Business Environment & Concepts (BEC).

As a student you can select which of their products fits

you best. For example, there’s an Audio Pack, a Video

Courseware, and last but not least, there’s the “Classic”

Textbooks.

Regular prices are:

Full Review : $1,525.00

FAR: $550.00

REGULATIONS : $550.00

AUD : $450.00

BEC : $450.00

Even though it is a sacrifice to spend more than a

$1,000 in a Review, trust me that not taking one will

make taking the exam very complicated. Because most

readers don’t have any experience in a CPA Review,

we think it’s convenient to present you some of the ex-

periences and testimonies from other people that took

the CPA exam and succeeded thanks to the Lambers’

CPA Review. Miguel A. Jímenez and Gustavo A.

Pérez, two men who are now CPA’s, addressed the

JLMA Learning Center Corp and had this to say: "First

of all, I want to thank JLMA Learning Center Corp. for

their excellent service during my CPA review. Just got

my fourth positive result and without a doubt the

classes offered by Juan Lorenzo Martinez and his

CPA’s team were key for these results. Teachers are not

only experts in the material that the exams cover, but

they also focus in those areas where candidates typi-

cally have more doubts. I only used the material pro-

vided in the reviews and it was enough because it is

very comprehensive. To candidates who are consider-

ing taking the courses with JLMA, I recommend it

100% and I wish you great success! Again, thank you."

"I take this opportunity to recommend the Lambers’

CPA Review Course. Even with all my responsibilities

as a Controller of a construction company and a father

of three year old girl at the time, I could accommodate

classes within my limited time. I am now a CPA thanks

to Lambers and it has opened many employment oppor-

tunities. Today, thanks to Lambers CPA Review

Course, I am practicing my profession of Certified Pub-

lic Accountant, and it is one of the most rewarding ex-

periences I have achieved in life. If I did it, you can,

too. "

Just like Miguel said, Lambers’ teachers are dynamic

professionals with several years of experience with the

material. They are specialized in various segments of

the examination and committed to the professional suc-

cess of each student.

As you see, this is only one of many reviews given by

people who decided to take the Lambers’ CPA Review.

Lambers iis currently catalogued as one of the best

CPA Review providers. Its owner and one of the pro-

fessors, Juan L. Martínez, is a very specialized man

with several important certifications, including the

CPA, CISA, CIA, CFE, CGMA, CRMA, CRISC,

CGAP, CCP, CDP, and CBM, just to mention some of

them. He is a Professor at the University of Puerto Rico

and in other universities’ Business Administration De-

partments, mostly teaching accounting courses. He is

also a Lawyer admitted to the practice of the profession

in Puerto Rico, Federal District Court and the Court of

Appeals for the First Circuit. As you can read, Lambers

is filled with well-trained staff who strive to achieve

success through the achievement of each student who

passes the test after taking their reviews.

Another great thing about Lambers is that they have the

most modern facilities, specially designed to offer the

refresher course with: audiovisual equipment, a “Bose”

sound systems, Wi-Fi Internet, an illuminated lounge,

air conditioning and much more. They have a study hall

for students interested in reviewing before courses or

on weekdays so that they can prepare better for the

exam. They also have a computer room with 12 ma-

chines for use by their students, which facilitates their

practicing.

Certainly, Lambers provides everything you need as a

student in order to feel comfortable, motivated, confi-

dent, and positive. Make your decision and choose

Lambers so you can have your own experience with

them and you’ll see you won’t regret it.

8

If you want to take the CPA exam and

don’t know which review to choose, here’s

the solution! If you’re motivated and don’t

need a live course or a video classroom lec-

tures then GLEIM is for you!

Gleim guarantees that you'll pass the most im-

portant test of your lives, such as the Public Accountant

exam. Dr. Irvin Gleim has been helping and coaching

candidates pass the CPA exam since 1966. It will cover

every possible topic that may show up, so if you com-

plete the Gleim system, there will not be any surprises

while taking the CPA exam and it gives the same guar-

antee and provides a similar level of quality than others.

Study everything you need and nothing you don’t,

which is why I assure you will pass with Gleim. It’s one

of the most affordable review courses compared to

other overpriced systems and yet still one of the most

comprehensive review courses available to CPA candi-

dates. Gleim’s system costs $989.95, and with a 10%

off promotion on their CPA Guide that you can find at

their page www.gleim.com in the section of TOP CPA

COUPON CODE DISCOUNTS, you now pay $890.96.

They also have affordable offers on when purchasing

the sections separately (AUD, FAR, BUS,BEC) at

$274.95 each. You have 18 months of guarantee to

pass on your first try and if you don’t pass the CPA

exam sections that you have purchased, you will re-

ceive your choice of either a cash refund for CPA

Gleim online or unlimited continued use and appropri-

ate tutoring until you pass while Gleim will upgrade

your materials for free.

The CPA Review System includes:

1) Gleim Online includes 1,800- 4,800 Multiple-

Choice and True/False questions per part, 360 task-

based and written simulations, Outlines from CPA Re-

view books, Core concepts, Audiovisual presentations

and Detailed Performance Reports.

2) Test Prep includes Over 8,900 multiple-choice ques-

tions, including hundreds released by the AICPA,

Unlimited Practice Exams,

Emulates CPA exam format,

Study Sessions with imme-

diate feedback and Detailed

Performance Reports.

3) Review Books include

Comprehensive Outlines

aligned with the AICPA’s

CSOs, Real-word examples,

International Standard’s dif-

ferences clearly highlighted, Gleim success tips and

question-answering and time-management techniques.

One of Gleim’s best features is the ability to access the

book while working in the test bank.

4) Audio Review Software Download includes an al-

ternative, succinct presentation of Review book out-

lines. Download to mp3, phone, tablet, etc. and listen

on the go!

5) CPA Simulation Wizard includes 330 task-based

simulations for AUD, FAR and REG, 20 written com-

munications simulations for BEC, Emulates CPA exam

format and functionality and thorough answer explana-

tions.

6) Exam Rehearsals includes Full-length, timed prac-

tice exams and Perfect for Final Review or material.

7) Gleim’s Personal Counselor can design a study plan

that meets your needs. They have the best customer ser-

vice in the industry! Call (800)-874-5346 or email them

at CPA@gleim.com. The counselor will provide en-

couragement, instill confidence, and ensures your suc-

cess.

8) Video lectures (updated on 2014, only for FAR) The

videos for other sections will be released in the near

future.

Some people used Gleim to pass all 4 parts the

first time and some have finished all 4 exams in 6

months, with an average score of 90. Others have used

it for FAR after other systems failed them once or

twice. When compared with students who have used

other reviews, Gleim students have passed the exam

quicker and with better results than most of them. The

Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Flor-

ida recently had this to say about Dr. Gleim: “Dr. Gleim

is an innovative force in the field of accounting not only

through his teaching and research, but also through his

professional exploits as a self-made publisher. Dr.

Gleim has published training manuals for budding ac-

contants that became the field’s authoritative learning

tool for accounting students. Dr. Gleim President of

Gleim Plubications, Inc., self-published his first CPA

Review book in 1974, and now has more than 200 titles

to his credit.” If you can’t spend more than $1,000 on a

review course and feel you can stay focused on your

own without a live course, Gleim is the course for you!

If you are not ready or convinced to buy Gleim yet, try

the CPA Gleim Online or Test Prep free (details at

www.gleim.com).

9

Interviews to UPRH students now pursing the CPA certification:

10

Rebeca Colón

Why are you studying to become a

CPA?

I decided to be a CPA for many reasons. The

first reason would be that the university con-

stantly instills the importance of becoming a

CPA and urges you to not just stay with your

bachelor’s degree. Also, becoming a CPA

really opens up a lot of doors for you to move

up in the profession.

How do you study for the CPA exam

and what materials do you use to

study?

The review that I’m using is Becker CPA Re-

view. Since I’m currently working at the

“Colegio de Contadores Publicos Autori-

zados”, I mainly use their online classes,

study guides and flashcards. In my personal

opinion, using the online classes are some-

what better than the live classes because you

can see them at the time that you most feel

most comfortable. But having both resources

gives me a good chance of learning even

more, especially if the resources are in Eng-

lish because it really prepares you for how the

exam is.

How do you manage the time to study

and work?

Since starting I started working, it’s been a

little difficult juggling studying for the exam

and working, especially when you come

home tired from working. But I try to at least

get 4 hours of studying in, take a break, and

then continue studying until bedtime each

day. Saturdays I study all day and on Sundays

I decide to take a full-day off from studying

to just relax and be with friends and family.

What advice would you give to other

accounting students who want to be-

come a CPA?

First off, pay attention to the classes because

a lot of what we see in college is what you see

in the CPA review, even if it is with a little

more detail. Second, really learn from the

classes, don’t just memorize what you need

an that moment instead of really learning

about the material discussed because you will

see it in the CPA exam. Most importantly, if

your dream is to become a CPA, just do it and

really work hard for it. Take your time but

don’t let that chance slip away.

11

What are the reasons you aspire to obtain

the CPA certification ?

More than a professional achievement , it's a

dream I aspire to achieve from years ago. It is a

very prestigious and respected profession. It's

also a big step in order to continue a successful

career in the profession.

How do you study for the CPA?

What review are you using?

How do you manage you’re time?

For my first part ( Regulations ), I studied a lot

and dedicated more than 4 hours each day. I use

Beckers CPA Review;s virtual program. To

study, I arrived two hours before my work, used

that time to study, and when I came home at

night, I would study some more if I didn’t have

an assignment or test for college.

What obstacles have you faced while

studying for the CPA?

I am not the type of person that focuses solely on

studying and ignores extracurricular activities. I

think handling this balance and modifying my

study methods in order to accomplish my dream

of becoming a CPA has been the biggest chal-

lenge.

Did you passed any parts yet? How did

you feel while waiting for

results?

Yes , I passed Regulations. The reality is I was

quite worried about the grade, but when I saw it I

could not believe it. I think it was one of the best

days of my life .

How did it feel to see you passed?

The feeling is incomparable.

What advice would you give to young

people who are studying for the

CPA?

To believe it can be achieved and to devote time

and effort to this professional step. Many distrac-

tions will come, but the courage to face and reject

them will lead to success . My recommendation is

to study, to finish the book review exercise a

month before sitting down to take the exam, and

to have a full month to review . It worked for me.

Giancarlo Esquilín

12

When did you graduate from the UPR-H?

I finished in December 2013.

Where do you work now?

I’m currently working with CPA Sergio Díaz Sal-

daña, doing bookkeeping.

What are the reasons you aspire to get

the CPA certification?

The main reason why I decided to study for the

CPA is because it provides more and better em-

ployment opportunities, including having my own

office. It is also one of my professional goals I

want to accomplish, and with much effort and

dedication you'll get it.

What review course are you using? How

do you manage time?

I decided to take the live courses with Becker in

January 2013, but once finished the courses, I

study on my own in my house and meet in groups

with other classmates. I study about 15 to 20 hours

per week, which includes reading the book, prac-

tice exercises and listening to Becker recorded live

courses.

What obstacles have you faced while

studying for the CPA?

Sometimes I find it difficult to study on my own,

because I tend to be distracted easily, and for that

reason I continue meeting with my colleagues. If I

do not understand something because the material

may becomes too difficult, I have the support of

my colleagues and we help each other.

Have you have taken any part?

I have not taken any part.

What advice would you give to young peo-

ple who are studying for the

CPA?

We advise you to concentrate well, to maintain a

consistency in what they study, and to look for

someone who can help when not understanding a

material. It is also very important to spend enough

time reading the material and to practice all the

exercises and simulations as many times as possi-

ble. This represents a responsibility to ourselves,

and going all out to achieve that goal is desired.

Jaime Martínez

14

Reasons for

studying for

the CPA?

The reasons

why I decided

to study for the

C P A a r e

m a i n l y t o

achieve a per-

sonal goal I set

at the begin-

ning of my

studies in ac-

counting and to

achieve better

e m p l o y m e n t

opportuni t ies

and have a bet-

ter salary.

How do you study for the CPA?

I study by reading the chapters one by one and then

doing practice exercises after each chapter. Also I try

to accomplish an itinerary I did so I can allow me to

manage time in the best possible way.

Which review, if any, are you using?

I'm using Becker Review. I chose them because they

are with whom I am most associated with and be-

cause of the references of people who have taken the

course with them and have done very well.

Which what parts have you started studying

for? In what order are you planning to take

them and why?

I started studying with FAR (financial reporting) be-

cause it is the part that has more material and is what

I think it can give me difficulty. The plan is to con-

tinue after FAR, with BEC (business), REG

(regulation) and finally AUD (audit). This order can

vary, but so far those are my plans. My decision re-

garding the order is based on recommendations from

others who have already passed the exam, but it also

has to do with the order of the live coaching reviews

established by Becker’s calendar.

How do you manage time?

All I've done is study two chapters per week. Usu-

ally, I study in the evenings or at night, depending on

the time I’m out of work. I try to spend at least two

hours studying each day, which will increase as the

date to of the exam approaches. During the weekend

I take a day off to clear my mind a little bit form all

the studying.

How do you handle time (hours that you

work, study, etc)?

I usually work four of the five working days of the

week and on these days I’m usually out around five

o'clock. Then, I study about 2 or 3 hours before bed.

And whenever I'm free, I study a little bit more, but I

do not have an exact hour in which I do so (study).

What motivates you to keep moving forward

with your training to be a CPA?

My biggest motivation to become a CPA is getting a

good job with good pay. Eventually my long term

goal is to have my own office and be a successful

CPA.

What advice can you share for young stu-

dents pursing to become a CPA?

Although I am just starting this process that is shap-

ing up as one a little bit long and tedious, I can say

that the key is to divide the material in the best way

that you think will better serve and manage your

time. My experience taking the course with Becker’s

live courses has been a good one. And basically the

rest depends on desire you have to achieve the goal

of becoming a CPA.

Jean Torres

15

16

18

CPA Ismael Antonio Vélez de la Rosa

Where did you complete your studies?

At the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo and I

currently study Law at the Interamerican Univer-

sity.

Are you currently employed?

Yes, in a law firm.

What committees are you currently I

nvolved in?

The Young CPA’s Committee.

What were the reasons you aspired to obtain the

CPA certification?

Since my childhood I saw my father working in

accounting. This led me to want to be a CPA from

an early age. I took the exam as a challenge, as

an opportunity to grow and achieve new career

goals.

What obstacles have you faced in the CPA

profession?

Not many so far because I've had little time in

the practice.

What advice would you give to college students

studying accounting in college?

If you want to be CPAs, it can be accomplished,

but they have to have compromise and fight with

all their might. It is not easy, but it’s possible.

CPA Luis Miguel Lebrón

Where did you complete your studies?

At the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao.

Are you currently employed?

Yes, at BDO Puerto Rico.

What were the reasons you aspired to obtain the

CPA certification?

The biggest reason was to have better job oppor-

tunities, more job security, higher pay in employ-

ment, and be certified to serve as a token of my

academic preparation.

What obstacles have you faced in the profes-

sion to be CPA?

I think the biggest challenge to the profession is

to constantly find different problems that require

analysis and creativity to be resolved in an effec-

tive and efficient manner. The profession is con-

tinually changing, and as such, a CPA should be

able to engage these changes.

What advice would you give to college students

studying accounting in college?

My advice to students at the university level is

that they leverage the skills and resources they

have while studying and to get involved in activi-

ties that go beyond academics. This will make

them more complete and competitive when enter-

ing the labor market professionals.

19

CPA Juan Lorenzo Martínez

What reasons did you have to become a

CPA?

The CPA is recognized throughout the world as

the professional who is an expert in Accounting.

There is a huge difference between the people

who graduate from Accounting and the people

who are certified. This difference not only recog-

nizes knowledge and expertise in the area, but it

also really recognizes those who dedicated the

effort and time necessary to obtain the certifica-

tion. Moreover, in Puerto Rico, around 200,000

people graduate from accounting, but there are

only 3,500 CPA. But behind all that recognition,

in terms of the financial benefits, being a CPA

means getting paid more than twice or even

three times the amount of a regular accountant

and that’s what makes people become a CPA:

recognition and financial stability.

What are the advantages that you have ob-

served in becoming a CPA?

First of all, starting with education, passing the

CPA exam gives you a better understanding of

what accounting is. When you study at the uni-

versity, you see the classes divided; elementary,

intermediate, advanced and cost. But when you

are studying for the CPA exam, you realize that

everything falls under a single topic and people

who go through the experience have a better

idea of what accounting really is. Secondly,

you'll have a competitive advantage in this mar-

ket.

In your experience as a CPA, what types of

challenges have you encountered in the pro-

fession?

The CPA profession has several problems, just

like any other profession. Number one, there is a

lot of work. The main complaint of many CPA is

that this is an area that involves a lot of effort

and its time consuming, especially if it involves

either an audit, consulting or taxes, and almost

all of them have deadlines unlike other profes-

sions that establish their own due dates. This

involves a great amount pressure and time man-

agement. Also you are dealing with many finan-

cial responsibilities of many people. If you make

a mistake, it can cost a person a lot of money.

But there is also an ethical responsibility be-

cause you learn everything from everyone and

you become a confidant of people, because peo-

ple trust you financially more than others. But to

become a person that people trust in financially,

this makes me feel very important to people, es-

pecially in these times of crisis.

What made to decide to not just become a

CPA but pursue other types of certifications?

It increases your knowledge and also gives you

an increase of recognition. When you are recog-

nized as someone who not only graduated in ac-

counting, but for example, someone who become

a CPA and an attorney, that puts you aside and

apart from the group. That gives you an advan-

tage from not only a public recognition but an

economically one as well.

20

Where did you complete your studies?

Bachelor’s Degree- Florida State University;

Juris Doctor - University of Puerto Rico

Present employer?

I currently work at KPMG as the tax partner

in charge of Tax operations in Puerto Rico.

What committees are you currently

involved?

I am involved in different committees such as,

the Tax Affairs Committee, Fiscal Reform

Committee - College CPA and the CPA Society

Foundation - President .

What were the reasons you aspired to ob-

tain the CPA certification?

The CPA certification was a goal I set for my-

self to complete my professional development.

Passing the CPA test distinguishes accounts as

professionals who are prepared for functions

that require analysis and critical thinking. It

also enables them to add credibility to their

work and the work which they review.

What obstacles have you faced in the CPA

profession?

Yes, I have had challenges. The biggest chal-

lenge is to keep abreast of technical develop-

ments.

What advice would you give to college

students currently studying accounting in

college?

The profession you have chosen to study re-

quires dedication and effort. It is a distin-

guished profession that contributes to business

development and economic well-being. There-

fore, it is full of great satisfaction. It is impor-

tant to recognize that not everything is learned

in college, that the training process does not

end with a diploma, and that the investment of

time to develop on you’re own, beyond what

any employer can require, represents one’s

own knowledge that will be with you wherever

you are. He who does this distinguishes them-

selves and has better chances of success.

CPA Rolando López

21

CPA Raúl Palacios

Where did you complete your studies?

At the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras.

Present employer?

I work at PwC.

What committees are you currently

involved in?

President of the Association of Latino

Professionals in Finance and Accounting.

What were the reasons you aspired to obtain the

CPA certification?

I wanted to pass the test in order to get my

"promotion" and grow within the company I work

for.

What obstacles have you faced in the CPA

profession?

The profession requires you to sacrifice your per-

sonal time, so you have many days you question the

reason why you’re working as a CPA. However, it

yields economic benefits and opens many opportuni-

ties to discover your skills.

What advice would you give to college students

currently studying accounting in college?

Do not be discouraged by the classes, as often the

theory is more boring than practice. Give yourselves

the chance to become a respected professional and

focus on passing the CPA!

CPA Diana Rodríguez Flores

Where did you complete your studies? At the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras.

Present employer?

I currently work at KPMG Puerto Rico.

What committees are you currently involved in?

The committees I’m involved in are the Young CPA

Committee, the Society of CPAs from Puerto Rico-

Caguas Chapter, and the Society of CPAs from

Puerto Rico’s Board of Directors.

What were the reasons you aspired to obtain the

CPA certification?

I decided to get certified as part of my professional

development.

What obstacles have you faced in the CPA

profession?

Some of the obstacles that I have faced in the pro-

fession are creating a balance in order to stay active

in professional organizations and managing the

long working hours.

What advice would you give to college students

currently studying accounting in college?

I advise students to try to get the best possible

knowledge out of their university courses and to ac-

tively participate in professional organizations.

They should also try to take the CPA exam as

quickly as possible, as it is very dynamic and it is

constantly updated to reflect those changes in the

profession. Students should also look for internship

opportunities while they are in college because they

will help them identify if they really like accounting.

Finally, I advise them to identify a mentor who can

23

Identity Theft

Thursday, February 6, 2014

The purpose of this activity

was to provide students with

knowledge on the relevant

and important topic of iden-

tity theft. We wanted to pro-

vide a space with a different

topic and one not so related

to our field of study. This

conference was held by Mr.

Joel Negron, of Banco

Popular’s Division of Illegal

appropriation of identity.

Mr. Negron explained to the

38 members that assisted

what identity theft is, how

the law protects victims,

which kinds of theft are mo-

re common nowadays and

how to be aware of them.

Through images, videos and

a very dynamic presentation,

he captured our attention

and interested us on the sub-

ject. We understand that is-

sues such as these reinforce

our mission to develop com-

petent professionals with

expertise in various areas.

Food Gathering for the

Center: La Casita

The purpose of this activity

was to raise awareness

among students about the

situations of people who do

not have the resources to

meet their basic needs. To

do this, we conducted a col-

lection of food for La Casita

Center in Humacao, a cen-

ter whose mission is to help

improve the quality of fam-

ily life eastern Puerto Rico

area. This place helps the

homeless and people in eco-

nomic need receive various

types of assistance, particu-

larly through food distribu-

tion. Through the help of 30

members that participated,

we collected different types

of canned foods and juices

that were donated to the

center. Activities such as

these meet our objective of

contributing to the develop-

ment of professionals

through community service.

Learn How to Secure an

AICPA Scholarship

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

In this activity Frances

Cruz, one of AUEC’s pub-

lic relations representatives,

talked about the AICPA

scholarships available for

acco un t ing s tuden t s .

Through a very dynamic

visual presentation, she

spoke to her classmates

about the scholarship’s

background, the general

requirements and deadlines

for applying, and also gave

a list of tips for those apply-

ing for these scholarships.

AUEC

Summary of Past Activities

24

My Dear Employee is a

Thief

Thursday, February 27, 2014

In this conference, the CPA

and CFE Eduardo González

Green and his partner

Yamil Sanabria Gautier

showed important concepts

of the fraud triangle to over

50 AUEC members. They

also explained the reasons

that lead people to commit

frauds. Some of these rea-

sons are that companies do

not have formal fraud pre-

vention policies and that

they lack internal controls

and external monitoring.

The activity was of much

use for those who wish to

make their career’s investi-

gating fraud. Through this

conference, we provided

our members with informa-

tion about different oppor-

tunities in the accounting

field of study, such as fo-

rensic accounting.

Fundraising for “Noche

de Logros ADEM 2013-

2014”

26 and 27 February 2014

This activity was carried

out in order to help the

Business Administration

Department raise the neces-

sary funds to make the an-

nual activity that recognizes

the most outstanding stu-

dents graduating from our

department possible. We

want to encourage and in-

still our members to help to

these causes. For us, it is

important to build leaders

with a sense of social empa-

thy. In this "fundraising”,

members bought their food

and 20% of the total cost

was assigned to the Depart-

ment. In addition, the mem-

bers enjoyed a casual at-

mosphere that allowed them

to know each a little more

and share amongst each

other

Basketball Tournament

College of CPA’s University

Chapters Committee

Saturday, February 22, 2014

This activity was held at the

Sports Complex of the Uni-

versity of Puerto Rico, Río

Piedras. 11 teams attended

this event, 10 teams from

different universities and a

team of University Chapters

Committee. After a day of

great sporty dynamics, the

finals came down to a game

between the students from

the UPR Humacao vs UPR

- Mayagüez. In the end, our

“Buhos” of Humacao were

crowned champions! Third

place went to students at the

American University, Met-

ropolitan Campus. The

tournament’s Most Valu-

able Player was Kevin

Navarro, a member of our

association.

Summary of Past Activities

25