College of Business News

Senior and graduate accounting students from Montana State University’s College of Business are offering free help preparing tax returns for MSU students and individuals who made less than $58,000 last year.

The help sessions will be held on the MSU campus in Reid Hall 302 (computer lab). No appointment is necessary. Sessions will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on the following dates: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, 28; March 5, 19, 26, 28; and April 2. At the sessions, students will be available to prepare federal and state income tax returns and answer tax questions. Free electronic filing will be available for most 1040 forms.

Individuals who are interested in free help should bring their 2012 W-2 forms, other tax documents, social security cards and copies of their 2011 tax returns (if available). International students and employees should also bring their passports and visas. Tax assistance for international students and employees begins Feb. 26.

The student accounting volunteers are part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which was established by the Internal Revenue Service to assist people who may find it difficult to pay for tax preparation services. The program also gives accounting students practical experience.

Each student accounting volunteer has passed an IRS tax preparation exam, completed at least one comprehensive tax course, received specific training related to common tax issues, and has access to a variety of federal and state reference materials. The sessions are sponsored by the MSU College of Business and Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals.

Tim Melevin, an assistant visiting accounting professor at MSU, supervises the students. For questions, please email vita@montana.edu.

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Dedicated teachers, dynamic researchers and faculty devoted to the betterment of Montana are among the winners of the top Montana State University 2013 faculty awards announced this week. The annual awards honor achievement in faculty research, teaching, outreach and creative projects. The awards were presented at the MSU Spring Convocation, which took place at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, in MSU’s Procrastinator Theater.

Laura Black, associate professor of management, received the Women’s Faculty Caucus Distinguished Mentor Award. It carries a $1,000 honorarium. The award recognizes an MSU faculty member for mentoring junior women faculty members by helping them negotiate the promotion and tenure process, encouraging their research and teaching activities, and providing “whole woman” role models. Colleagues say that since coming to MSU in 2002, Black has been a dedicated and committed advocate and mentor for numerous female faculty members in the College of Business and across campus. She has created a supportive research and teaching environment for those faculty members and has initiated informal mentoring relationships with junior faculty in the College of Business. Black regularly shares resources, creates opportunities for others and provides guidance in teaching, research and administration.

To see the full list of faculty and staff award winners, click here for the MSU article. For more information about MSU’s 2013 Spring Convocation, see: http://calendar.msu.montana.edu/events/7011.

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Montana State University (MSU) College of Business (CoB) management instructor Craig Ehlert will present “10 Ideas for Success for Family-Run Businesses” at the Montana Chamber of Commerce 13th annual Business Days at the Capitol, January 7-8 in Helena. The seminar will run from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel.

“We’re pleased to have the Family Business Program at Business Days again,” said Webb Brown, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce. “Anyone who is interested in attending this free seminar should know they do not have to attend any of the other Business Days activities. In fact, some of those opportunities have already filled up.”

The free seminar is part of the CoB’s State Farm Insurance Family Business Program On the Road series. Ehlert’s program will feature 10 ideas for success for family-run businesses, focusing on experiences from companies who have won Family Business of the Year Awards in the past. The interactive workshop will provide attendees with ideas for improving their business practices.

Ehlert will also provide details on the Family Business Day program, including nomination information and an update on the On the Road speaker series.

Established in 1994 as an outreach program through the CoB, the Family Business Program offers education and information to Montana businesses that are owned and managed by families. The program allows businesses to share ideas and concerns that are not only common to most family-owned businesses, but which apply to all businesses. The program also provides recognition to pioneering and successful family businesses through the Montana Family Business of the Year Awards.

The CoB introduced the Family Business Program On the Road in 2007 in conjunction with the Business Days at the Capitol. Business Days at the Capitol started in 2001, (formerly Chamber Day at the Capitol). The Montana Chamber Foundation is a sponsor of the Family Business Program, along with State Farm. Additional support is provided by Stockman Bank.

The Business Days at the Capitol program starts at noon, Monday, Jan. 7, with the traditional “State of Business Address” luncheon. The Lawmaker Appreciation Reception and Dinner that evening will include presentations to High School Business Challenge winners and a keynote by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

Business Days continues the next morning, Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 a.m. with the “Eggs & Issues” breakfast featuring legislative leadership. It ends at noon with a luncheon and keynote presentation by Governor-elect Steve Bullock.

More event information can be found at http://Events.MontanaChamber.com. More information on the Program can be found at http://www.montana.edu/wwwdb/FamilyBusiness/FamilyBusiness.html.

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