The Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation is pleased to launch the semi-annual E-newsletter. The E-newsletter will serve as our vehicle to reach out to our students, alumni, friends and supporters and to share with all news, featured stories and plans for the future.
In the first edition of the E-newsletter, you will learn about the exciting continued growth of our graduate tax program. Few months ago, we were delighted to celebrate the commencement of Class of 2011 at the recently opened Valley Performing Arts Center. We were proud to learn that almost 90% of the students in that cohort graduated on time within two years of the start of the program. Equally important, one hundred percent of the graduates that were surveyed at the end of the program “strongly agreed” or “agreed” with the following sentence: “My life has been affected in a positive way thanks to the education I have received in this degree program.” Indeed, almost 90% of the graduates had a job lined up upon graduation. Furthermore, more than two thirds of the graduates reported receiving more responsibilities from their employer following graduation, and seventy percent of the graduates received a pay raise since starting the program earning a median of $70,000. Before graduation the student editors managed to publish the second edition of the TAX DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL. The three articles selected for publication are available at: http://tdjournal.csunacctis.com/index.php/home
The 30 graduates, their friends and family enjoyed an evening of reflection, excitement and pride. The commencement speaker was our very own Mr. Harvey Bookstein, CPA. For those who missed the event, you may wish to view parts of it online at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14941004
At around the same time in May, the Admission Committee was busy reviewing applications for the Class of 2013 that has joined us on campus just a few weeks ago. The diverse group of 30 highly accomplished and driven tax professionals for the incoming class represents our 5th cohort for the program. On average, the incoming graduate students have six years of work experience in the field, sixty percent are CPAs and another ten percent are Enrolled Agents. Women make up over half of the incoming students. The average age for students entering this cohort is 37 years old.
We would not be so fortunate to have recruited such talented professionals to our program, but for the vital support we received from donors in awarding numerous scholarships. Almost a third of incoming students were awarded scholarships of up to $2,500 that were generously contributed by the Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation, Ernst & Young, LLP, Deloitte and SingerLewak, LLP.
Over the past year, the Bookstien Tax Clinic has continued to grow conducting over 30 workshops on federal tax issues to members of the community, educating over 1,200 taxpayers on federal tax issues through community education, and representing over 120 low income taxpayers who were facing a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service. In total, the 100 students participating in the Bookstein Tax Clinic over the past year have provided more than 5,000 hours of pro bono tax service to the community.
Dr. Rafi Efrat
Director, Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation