Spring 2009
In support of Dave Beringer’s continuing involvement with the John Muir High School Business and Entrepreneurship Academy, Martin Werbelow LLP provided a $500 scholarship to an Academy student, who was selected from a large pool of applicants. Criteria for the scholarship went beyond academics and grades, but also considered community service activities, on-the-job training, successful submission of a business plan as part of the Academy’s senior project, letters of recommendation, and an interview at the office of Martin Werbelow LLP. In a ceremony at the school, Dave Beringer happily awarded the scholarship to Bree Blades, a senior in the Academy, who plans on attending UCLA in the fall.

January 2009
MWLLP Receives a “Passing” Grade on Peer Review: As part of the AICPA-monitored independent peer review process with new peer review rules effective for 2009, Martin Werbelow receives a “Pass” rating on their tri-annual System Review Report. The peer review process is conducted to determine the adequacy of a firms system of quality control in their accounting and auditing practice. The “Pass” rating is the highest possible and affirms that Martin Werbelow’s quality control systems have been “suitably designed and complied with” all applicable professional standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Copy of Opinion Letter.

Fall 2008
Erich Rail, who has been with Martin Werbelow since 1987, is named as new Managing Partner by a vote of the firm’s partners and principals. As part of the firms longtime management succession strategy, Steve Boyer, after serving as the firms Managing Partner for 16 years, steps down and passes on the firm management responsibilities to Erich, effective immediately. With the transition of responsibilities, Steve will return to "normal" partner responsibilities including serving the everyday needs of his longtime business and individual clients.

April 2008
Min Higa was recognized for his dedication and years of service to Foothill Vocational Opportunities at a celebration hosted at El Portal Restaurant in Pasadena. At an event called "Celebrating Decades of Service", several current and former long-time board members, which included Min and five other community leaders, were honored in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the organization over the years. Min has been involved with Foothill Vocational since 1981 in many different capacities including serving as a board member for over 25 years and currently serving as Treasurer. Foothill Vocational Opportunities is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 that helps maximize the personal and economic potential of disabled individuals by providing training, employment counseling, and creating meaningful employment opportunities.

In the News Archive:

2007

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December Happy Holidays! Martin Werbelow held its annual holiday party at the home of Steve and Colleen Boyer in Pasadena. Martin Werbelow partners and staff and their guests came out in force to socialize and have some fun to celebrate the joy of the holiday season (Photo). Everyone had a great time and there was plenty of food and drink for all! Everyone at Martin Werbelow wishes all of our clients and friends a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! Fall During a luncheon held at the historic Athenaeum Library on the Cal Tech campus, the Pasadena Community Foundation and its Executive Director, Jennifer DeVoll, honored Martin Werbelow for 41 years of dedicated service to the Foundation and the Pasadena community (Photo). Starting in 1966, Martin Werbelow has been represented on the Foundations Board of Directors by partners Wallace “Buzz” Martin, Dave Werbelow, and Dave Beringer, all of whom have given their time and energy to help guide this wonderful organization through the years. The Pasadena Community Foundation was established in 1953 and has served as a leader and resource for philanthropy seeking to improve the lives of people in the greater Pasadena area. September Mike Hagedorn, Manager (Photo), has been named to a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation. Mike will also serve as Treasurer for the Foundation which operates as the philanthropic arm of the Tournament of Roses Association and oversees the grant-giving process as well as managing charitable contributions on the behalf of the association. Mike has been an active member of the Tournament of Roses Association since 1989 and participated on numerous committees over the last 18 years for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. January During 2002, Martin Werbelow purchased software which allowed our assurance engagements to be performed on a paperless basis. This has turned out to be a great success all around. In late 2006 and as part of the firm’s ongoing initiative to continue further into the paperless environment, Martin Werbelow started taking the additional steps necessary to have the rest of our practice go “paperless” by the use of Document Management System (DMS) software. The firm saw this as a natural follow-up, especially in the increasing technological and competitive world in which we operate. After several months of dedication, hard work, and preparation by our IT department personnel, the new DMS software was successfully launched on January 15, 2007! The new system has been well received and everyone in the firm looks forward to being able to work in a “paperless” environment in the future.

2006

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Winter Over the last couple of years, Martin Werbelow has found a greater demand by the business community (including some of our clients) to report financial results under international standards other than US GAAP. These are International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and are the result of the changing marketplace in which we operate as well as the increasing influence of the international community. To this extent, Martin Werbelow has taken the steps to provide the necessary education and training to accounting professionals as well as investing in the latest technical resources available. We still remain willing and able to report financial results for our clients under US GAAP, but we think IFRS is going to be a significant influence on all future accounting standards and we are happy to be able to offer this added level of accounting service to our clients and friends. Fall Dave Beringer wrote an article that appeared in the Fall 2006 Edition of Community Matters, a newsletter published by the Pasadena Community Foundation. The article addressed new tax legislation and the new opportunities to donate IRA assets to a charitable organization. Click here to read the article.

2005

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December MWLLP Aces Peer Review: As part of the independent peer review process monitored by the AICPA, Martin Werbelow receives a clean opinion without letter of comment. This is the highest level for an independent peer review of accounting practices and the results conclude that the firm continues to comply with the rigorous quality control standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Copy of Opinion Letter. October Dave Beringer was awarded a “Shining Star” from the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House in acknowledgement for his ongoing efforts in helping direct the organization.

2004	View Close
December A Day at the Races: To help celebrate the 2004 holiday season, Martin Werbelow staff members took the afternoon off and went to Hollywood Park to socialize and watch the horses run (Photo). A good time was had by all and in honor of the Martin Werbelow event, the second race of the day was named for the firm and won by Jockey Corey Nakatani riding aboard Loucamania.

2002	View Close
Winter Martin Werbelow celebrates their 50th Anniversary by looking back at the history of the firm and the words of wisdom passed on by the partners over the years.

Community Involvement
Dave Beringer serves as a business advisor to the John Muir High School Business and Finance Academy. Martin Werbelow hosts the Academy members for the monthly meetings in our Pasadena office.