Commitment to Community

We're highly committed and passionate about volunteering and giving back to non-profit organizations and the Houston community. At Harper & Pearson, we recognize that we not only work in the community, we live here. Because of this, we’re committed to playing a leadership role in our community and industry. We embrace the opportunity to be a good corporate citizen through strengthening and enhancing the quality of life of the communities where we live and work.

Harper & Pearson contributes funds and services to a variety of local organizations. Our employees participate in volunteer efforts throughout the community, and we provide paid time off for employees to share their time and unique talents to benefit local community organizations. We offer time and resources for employees to donate services and support to the causes they believe in, making a positive impact in our community.

Power Tools for Non-Profits

Day:

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Time:

7:45 A.M. – 3:45 P.M.

Place:

Reliant Center
 

One Reliant Park, Houston, Texas

In its 19th year, The Power Tools for Non-Profits Conference provides inexpensive education and networking opportunities to over 500 people involved in the non-profit arena. Keynote speakers this year include Dr. Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D., Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University who will discuss the economic and demographic outlook of the Houston area, along with Dr. Ruby Payne, Author, Founder of AHA Process, Inc. who will bring insights into the culture of poverty. Tonja Rodriguez, Director of Non-Profit Services has been on the advisory board for the past two years and is excited about supporting this conference. The firm will have Bob Barr, Forensics & Litigation Manager at Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. leading a session on internal controls and fraud prevention.

CPA Society Awards

On May 24, 2012 the Houston CPA Society honored four Harper & Pearson employees. Such awards come with great prestige as it reflects an achievement of the Society’s mission to meet all challenges through community involvement and professional development.

Joe Richardson received an award for Distinguished Service to the Profession. Joe has contributed to the profession at many levels, including local, state and national, since being certified in 1975. He served a 6-year term on the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and currently is a consultant to the State Board. He has served as a consultant and auditor to many industries of both public and private business enterprises. The Houston CPA Society, Texas Society of CPAs and the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy have benefited from Joe’s involvement and stewardship to the profession.

Tonja Rodriguez graciously accepted a Presidential Citation for her significant efforts serving as Chair of the 2012 Scholarship Extravaganza. The Scholarship Extravaganza is an annual event raising funds to provide accounting scholarships to students seeking degrees in the accounting profession.

Robert Barr courteously accepted the Outstanding Committee Member award for his efforts on the CPE-By-the-Sea Committee. Robert has been a member of the committee since its inception 18 years ago. He has served as both Chair (3 years) and Vice-Chair (5 Years) during that period and continues to be very involved in identifying and helping coordinate speakers for the annual 3-day conference.

Brad Elgin, who was unable to attend, graciously received an award for Significant Contribution by a Member in Public Practice. Brad’s involvement started with the Young CPAs Committee when he first joined the organization. He is an active member of the Houston CPA Society and participates in several committees, including the Community Service (past Chair), Membership Development (past Chair/Vice-Chair), and CPAs Helping Schools Committees. Brad recently completed his first term on the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Society of CPAs as a representative for the Houston Chapter.

Harper & Pearson employees, family members and friends participated in The Woods Project “Walk For The Woods” inaugural walk on Sunday, May 6, 2012. The firm won an award for having the most corporate team walkers! Thanks to employees, family members and friends who joined the team. The Woods Project benefits low-income high school youth. The Woods Project will reach over 600 low-income high school youth in the Houston area this year. The event raised over $80,000!! The $80,000 raised from this event will make it possible for an additional cohort of 32 students to take part in their year-round programs, including 18 days and nights in the woods as well as Outdoor/Environmental Service Clubs at their respective schools. This walk was a wonderful experience for our employees to get to speak with the students. The firm is looking forward to the second annual walk!

walk-for-woods
walk-for-woods

Pictured From Left: Pat Buckley, Director of Employee Benefit Plan & Shareholder accepting “The Golden Shoe” and CEO, Steve Rosencrantz, Founder of The Woods Project. 

Harper & Pearson Proud Sponsor of the 2012 Houston CPA Scholarship Extravaganza

On February 18, 2012, The Houston CPA Society hosted the "Mardi Gras Madness" Scholarship Extravaganza fundraising celebration to raise money for accounting scholarships and the CPAs Helping Schools Program. Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. was pleased to be one of the top four underwriters for this special event. Tonja Rodriguez, Director of Non-Profit Services and Shareholder, was this year’s chairwoman. The event netted $149,000 with $106,000 being raised for scholarships and more than $43,000 for CPAs helping schools.

The contributions from the firm directly underwrote two scholarships. Harper & Pearson had over 20 employees that dedicated their time and effort volunteering and attending this successful event. There were over 240 Certified Public Accountants and their guests in attendance.

The scholarships funded by proceeds from the event are granted in $3,500 increments to students who intend to become CPAs in Texas, have demonstrated financial need, superior ethics, citizenship, and high scholastic achievement on campus based on the judgment of accounting faculty at each participating university. CPAs Helping Schools’ primary goal is to encourage all CPAs to be actively involved with the education of local youth. The funds raised support area education for grades PreK-12 through direct financial assistance made to teachers and administrators to underwrite special educational projects. In addition, CPAs Helping Schools’ members aid in improving the quality and scope of education to at-risk learners through mentoring, tutoring, collecting and distributing uniforms and other volunteer efforts.

Pictured, from left, are: Tonja Rodriguez, Event Chairwoman; Honorees Billy and Donnelle Atkinson; Houston CPA Society President Brian C. Jones.

Pictured, from left, are: Tina & Tom DeGeorgio, Current Chair of CPAs Helping Schools and Tonja Rodriguez, Harper & Pearson, Event Chairwoman.

Harper and Pearson participated as a team this year in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. There were over 35,000 participants this year.

The team consisted of Harper & Pearson employees, spouses, family members as well as friends and referral sources. The firm was thrilled about exceeding the fundraising goal that was set for the team! We appreciate everyone’s donations and support.

Harper & Pearson’s Cynthia Dopjera writes article on the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act”

On October 29, 2010 Cynthia Dopjera, Financial Institutions Practice Leader, wrote an article that appeared in the Houston Business Journal entitled “Law to Save Homes Affects Audit, Reporting Requirements.” To read the full article, click here.

Harper & Pearson’s Brad Elgin is highlighted in the September/October 2010 issue of Today's CPA

The Texas Society of CPAs wrote an article in their publication, Today’s CPA, featuring Brad Elgin that was entitled “Rising to the Occasion — Houston CPA Finds Fulfillment Volunteering for Special Needs School.” To read the full article, click here.

Harper & Pearson honored by Houston CPA Society

On May 20, 2010 the Houston CPA Society honored us with the Significant Contribution by a Member Firm award. Such an award comes with great prestige as it reflects an achievement of the Society’s mission to meet all challenges through community involvement and professional development.

Robert Barr, Tonja Rodriguez, Cynthia Dopjera and Patrick Buckley graciously accept the Significant Contribution by a Member Firm award given by the Houston CPA Society on May 20, 2010.

Harper & Pearson’s own Tonja Rodriguez named Outstanding CPA of the Year

At the same ceremony, Tonja Rodriguez was named Outstanding CPA of the Year by the Society in recognition of her professional achievements. To learn more about Rodriguez, click here.

Tonja Rodriguez (pictured right), CPA, Not-For-Profit Leader and Shareholder graciously accepts the CPA of the Year Award from Kathy Ploch, Immediate Past President of the Society and Tax Manager at Zientek & Company.

In an effort to help students attain the education required for their CPA certification, the Houston CPA Society began awarding scholarships to qualified individuals in 2005. Harper & Pearson participates in the funding of the scholarships as a Cum Laude contributor at the Society’s Scholarship Extravaganza. Our contribution enabled us to present a scholarship in our name at the University of Houston — Clear Lake on May 20, 2010.

Bob Barr; Susan Sample, Chair of Accounting Scholarships Committee; Professor Susan Sorenson, University of Houston – Clear Lake; Man Yi Vu, Scholarship Recipient; Cynthia Dopjera, Tonja Rodriguez and Pat Buckley proudly award Man with the Houston CPA Society Accounting Scholarship at the 2010 awards ceremony.

Client Portal User Agreement

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This Client Portal User Agreement "Agreement" is made by and between Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. (the "Firm") and you the "Client" upon the following terms and conditions:

1. Purpose. Firm provides a voluntary Client Portal (secure internet site) to permit easy and secure electronic transfer of documents between Client and the Firm, as well as ongoing Client access to certain documents (may include confidential documents) created or maintained by the Firm. The Firm has the sole discretion to decide what types of documents can be uploaded or viewed on the Client Portal.

2. Service Availability. Firm will use its best efforts to provide 24 hour daily availability of the Client Portal. However, Firm makes no representation or warranty that 24 hour service will be available. Client agrees and acknowledges that the Client Portal will, at times, be unavailable due to regularly scheduled maintenance, service upgrades or other mechanical or electronic failures.

3. Supported Browser. Client agrees to access the Client Portal using the internet browser, Microsoft Internet Explorer.

4. Security. Firm will use its best efforts to make the Client Portal secure from unauthorized access. The Client Portal will require industry standard 128 bit encryption on all communications between the Client's end user device and the Client Portal server. The Client Portal server operating system and applications software will be updated and virus-scanned regularly. However, Client recognizes that no completely secure system or electronic data storage transfer has yet been devised. Firm makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the efficacy of the security of the Client Portal and shall never be liable for any claimed actual or consequential damages arising from any breach or alleged breach of security of the Client Portal.

5. Login Accounts and Their Security. Firm will set up individual login accounts (Client users) for those who need access to the Client Portal. (Firm strongly recommends that Client establish a policy that login information not be shared among its employees.) In order to maintain security, Client agrees to designate a single individual (if a business, must be owner or officer of Client) as the authorized person to contact Firm to request employee (user) logins. All logins will be transmitted by email to users. Additional user requests must be in writing by the initial designee.

6. Termination of Login Account. Client agrees to notify the Firm's portal administrator via email at portal@harperpearson.com immediately when an individual login account is to be terminated. Firm will make every effort to terminate access immediately. However, Client can not be assured that access has been terminated until they receive an email confirmation of termination.

7. Dispute Resolution. The parties agree that any dispute between Client and Firm relating to this Agreement, or the breach of it, shall, if negotiations and other discussions fail, be first submitted to mediation in accordance with the provisions of the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") then in effect before resorting to arbitration. The parties agree to conduct the mediation in good faith and make reasonable efforts to resolve any dispute by mediation. Failure or refusal by either party to mediate shall not in any way affect any subsequent arbitration. The parties agree to conduct the arbitration in Houston, Texas, or other mutually agreed upon location.

If the dispute is not resolved by mediation, the dispute shall be subject to binding arbitration under the Dispute Resolution Rules for Professional Accountancy and Related Service Disputes of the AAA, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrating shall be heard before one or more arbitrators selected in accordance with these rules. The parties agree to conduct the arbitration in Houston, Texas, or other mutually agreed upon location. The arbitrator may only award actual damages and may not award consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages. The prevailing party in any arbitration or litigation shall be entitled to recover from the other party reasonable attorney and expert witness fees, court costs, fees, and expenses of the AAA, as the case may be, incurred in the same, in addition to any other relief that may be awarded.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, neither Firm nor Client shall be compelled to arbitrate any dispute between the parties which arises out of or is related to any claim asserted against either party by a third party unless the third party (whether one or more) agrees to join the arbitration and can be compelled to join it.

8. Term and Termination. This Agreement and the services contemplated by it may be terminated by either Firm or Client with or without cause and with or without notice at any time; provided, however, that the warranty disclaimer in Section 4 and the dispute resolution provision in Section 7 shall survive any termination.

9. No Unlawful and Prohibited Use. You are prohibited from using the portal to damage, disable, or overburden Firm's servers or network or impair the portal or interfere with any other party's use of the portal. Hacking, password mining, or any other means to gain unauthorized access to the portal, portal accounts, computer or network is prohibited. Posting or transmitting any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic, or profane material or any material that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any law is also prohibited. Firm will fully cooperate with any law enforcement authorities or court order requesting or directing Firm to disclose the identity of any one posting any such information and materials.

10. IRS Circular 230 Disclosure.To ensure compliance with requirements imposed on June 20, 2005 by the United States Treasury, Firm informs you that any tax advice contained in communication (including any attachments) using the portal was not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of 1) avoiding tax-related penalties or 2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax related matters addressed in this communication.

11. Miscellaneous. This is the entire agreement between Firm and Client regarding its subject matter. This Agreement does not modify or affect any existing or future engagement letter or agreement between the Firm and Client. This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of Texas and is to be construed under the laws of the State of Texas as they may from time to time exist.


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