Say “Yes” to Advancing Our Profession

For nearly 129 years, the accounting profession has preserved an esteemed reputation through a commitment to protecting the public interest and upholding the profession’s core values of competence, integrity and objectivity. Each and every day, CPAs live those values through the work they do for their organizations, employers and clients. You now have a new opportunity to further strengthen our profession and play an integral part in its vitality for the future.

On March 24, the AICPA governing Council voted to proceed with a member ballot on a proposal that would enhance our profession and position us for continued success far into the future. The proposal already has strong support: 52 state CPA societies; leaders from many CPA firms of all sizes; finance leaders from businesses and organizations worldwide; and the AICPA’s Business & Industry Executive Committee, Private Companies Practice Section Executive Committee, Government Performance and Accountability Committee, Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee, Pre-certification Education Executive Committee, and National Accreditation Commission. We urge you to vote “yes” as well.

Keep profession relevant and strong

Specifically, the Institute is asking members to support a proposal to create a new association with The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) representing the entire accounting profession, while preserving our respective membership organizations. This is an incredible opportunity to build on the strength of our profession today to ensure its continued relevance amid rapid technological change, demographic shifts and regulatory complexity, domestically and around the world.

Overall, the proposal fits within a broad portfolio of activities to promote and grow the CPA profession for both public and management accounting. Through the new association, AICPA members would gain access to enhanced resources, insights and educational opportunities to better serve their clients and organizations. By representing 600,000 accounting professionals in 91% of the world’s countries, the new association also would provide a broader platform for our advocacy efforts, including an enhanced voice to defend against onerous, unnecessary regulations increasingly originating overseas that could potentially be considered for the US market. Membership in the new association would be automatic for AICPA members and be included as part of their AICPA dues. Members also would retain existing membership benefits.

Vote on member ballot by June 16

Now through June 16, members have an opportunity to vote on the ballot. Last week, AICPA members eligible to vote should have received their personal and confidential electronic ballot information from an independent third-party voting administrator under the name of “AICPA Independent Tabulator.” For more information about the proposal and to hear perspectives from your peers, visit www.aicpa.org/horizons.

Thank you in advance for demonstrating your commitment to the profession and voting on this important proposal. We hope you will join us and vote “yes” to advance the profession for the future.

Timothy L. Christen, CPA, CGMA, Chairman, Board of Directors, American Institute of CPAs.

Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, President and CEO, American Institute of CPAs.

Say “Yes” to Advancing Our Profession

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