Here’s what CPAs should expect from their state association in these tough times.
Elaine Weiss, chief executive of the Illinois CPA Society, says the recession makes society membership never more important.
She acknowledges “the economy is tough” and says it’s essential that associations give “our members the guidance to run an effective business and then serve their clients.”
“Most important,” Weiss says during a break at the Midwest Accounting and Finance Showcase in suburban Chicago, “you have to help your members who are in economic crisis.”
See more clips from the interview here:
15 Responses to “Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth from Your State CPA Society? [VIDEO]”
Michelle Elder, CPA
We in California have two CPA associations, and I as a sole practitioner am blessed to have the Society of California Accountants who’s membership is the sole proprietor to the small cpa firms (less than 4 cpa’s). With this group of dedicated professionals I have access to a pool of knowledge to better serve my clients. The other CPA Society doesn’t provide that same networking opportunities, and actually it’s the complete opposite, more adversarial.
This Organization also has CPE at a price point that encourages participation and the price always includes lunch.
SCA is a fantastic organization.
Lana Kupferschmid
I am a member of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, Inc. (www.nccpap.org) I get much more for my money with this growing organization. You should check it out.
Elisa A. Armetta, CPA
Unfortunately I have to agree. My FICPA membership is expensive and their CPE courses are just as expensive if not more and I don’t feel they do anything for the small firm owner. Though nowadays my AICPA membership is getting rather costly too and I was debating dropping them both this year. I feel as a member we should get the courses for no more than $50 for an 8 hour CPE course as our membership fees definately cost us more than what we get in return. I actually didn’t contribute to the Educational Foundation or PAC as I just couldn’t justify the cost of that on top of my membership fee so that’s where I saved myself the money this year on both the FICPA and AICPA memberships, I paid only the dues required and nothing more.
Dale W Bender
Permit me to add my 2 cents regarding benefits received from one’s state CPA society. The work done by the Society could not be an individual and achieve the same results. The representation by the Society in legislative affairs, services rendered by the Education Foundation for CE, the opportuntied for participation various state committees have more than paid for themselves many times over. The best part are the friendships, professional relationahips amongst members throughout the state and the resources that are brought to the table make practicing as a CPA an adventure in business. One is not alone when one needs an assist from a business friend.
Len Williams
Wow, one can spend a whole day on this, but I’ve just returned from 2 weeks of vacation and must create some billable output.
In the interest of brevity, Johanna has pretty much expressed the way I feel. Via CalCPA, we get representation in Sacramento; I learn from the continuing education programs; and the networking of professional friends and colleagues has been priceless. The TaxTalk listserve alone is worth the dues several times over.
Conrad Davis
I’m echoing the comments of Mitch and several others. I am the current Chair of CalCPA. One of my talking points this year is the importance of understanding what it means to be part of a profession. It isn’t just a dollars and cents weighing of the ROI on my dues versus the cost of CPE etc. CalCPA like other state societies supports protects and enhances our profession. So many have gone before us and dedicated their time and other resources to create a profession in which we get to work and serve our clients. They have looked forward and created designations and education that enhance our services. They have advocated on our behalf to protect the community and our profession. Now we are changed with continuing to carry that responsibility for future generations. They are so many ways to get involved such as mentoring and educating emerging CPAs. I encourage anyone who feels like their state society is not doing enough to get more involved and make the difference.
That said, CalCPA does offer great educational benefits and other services that demonstrate tangible value for your dues dollar. I also appreciate the feedback being given by some of the commentators. We are always looking for ways to better serve our members.
Mitchell Freedman, CPA/PFS, AIF®
I respectfully (??) disagree with the negative comments regarding state societies in general and CalCPA specifically.
I have been an active member of CalCPA since about 1979 and prior to that, when I practiced in New York I was an active member of the NY State Society of CPAs. Let me start with this. State societies are enormously valuable to the public practicing CPA and the CPA in Industry, Government, and Academia. These organizations at the state wide and chapter levels are the grassroots membership organizations for CPAs.
As membership organizations they require membership involvement. If one is merely going to be a dues-paying (checkbook) member then maybe there isn’t too much value. If however, one wants to be involved in chapter or state committees or in membership governance there’s enormous value.
What does the state society do? How about representing CPAs interests, needs, education. The lobbying activities alone are worth price of admission. What has CalCPA done? Its education foundation (a sister entity) is the envy of all other state societies. CPE costs have been controlled by both the foundations executive and the volunteer Board of Trustees. What about the very inexpensive cost of chapter CPE events? What has CalCPA done for you? It created the MEWA (mulit-employer welfare association) that provides health and medical (and other) insurance with better coverage and less expense than going to an outside insurer. It created another sister organization, the mutual E&O insurance company Camico, which defends and indemnifies CA CPAs and now CPAs from many state societies against mal practice claims (and now other types of risks). What about the networking ability at the chapter and statewide levels. What about the opportunities to be educated to be a leader. What about the opportunities to learn to, become and be assisted to be a media representative. Compare the CPE costs to those costs of AICPA (CPA2Biz) courses and conferences.
If you don’t see value then you’re just not looking hard enough. I suggest members get offe their respective butts and contribute time and energy to this MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION. It’s yours. You’ll get out of it what you put into it.
Now, who was that president with the initials JFK who said, “ask not what your country (insert state society) can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country (insert state society).” Your profession has been good to you. Give back to it by supporting your state society with your time and your money. You’ll be much the better for it.
Teresa Mason
I agree with both Johanna and Leonard. The Cal Society of CPAs is a very vibrant and active association advocating the our profession on a daily basis.
Their education foundation is second to none in the country in the quality and quantity of programs they make available to the profession. Having sat on several conference planning committees if you are unhappy with a program be vocal and complete the survey’s – they are used extensively to plan future programs and your comments do make a difference.
I was chair of the Cal Society in 2007-08 and I would challenge those that don’t feel they are receiving value for their dues to get involved and speak up specifically regarding their issues. If folks don’t speak up then the issues can’t be addressed – the Cal Society is so proactive in every aspect of the profession that I’d be surprised if they don’t have a solution in place to address your needs. Your chapter is the best place to start.
To respond to one issue Elaine talked about – helping members in need. California has several programs to help out. One that has been extremely effective is a program that assists firm owners when there is a crises.
Being involved with CalCPA has been extremely rewarding from a personal and professional level. Johanna – I too have received numberous referrals from other members I’ve met through the years.
Like Leonard because of my involvement in Cal CPA I now have the opportunity to work at the national level with the AICPA and look forward to continuing to advocate for the profession.
Daniel Morris
Wow. What a great question. The value of State Society Membership. I am a member of both California and the Oregon Societies and the AICPA, including the Tax Section. I receive excellent value from California, appropriate value from Oregon, and basic value from the AICPA.
Some years – I have received excellent value from all three. I have never received poor value from any of them.
I am biased. Full disclosure. I was on CalCPA’s Council, Past President of the Silicon Valley Chapter, past chair of various committees, and a member of various AICPA committees/groups/etc. I also am an instructor/author for several of the education foundations.
Although I am biased – I am objective enough to comment.
IMHO, if a State Society is failing to deliver a full value to you (the member) start with a mirror and ask “what have you done to produce value for the profession? your colleagues? your fellow CPAs? Are you whiner and complainer – a “dues only paying member”? or do you get involved? Have you forwarded any constructive ideas outside of complaining about the cost of dues? A true professional is one that does more than wait for others – a true professional is engaged.
Dues are probably too low to be effective. We (our profession) are under attack by lawyers, consumer activists, governmnent regulators, elected officials, and (non-cpa) “special interests” that want to increase our costs of doing business and limit our abilities to provide valuable services to our customers. Who is defending our profession’s interests? I doubt it is you, the individual member. It is our State Societies.
Are they perfect. No. But they do something and that is far better then nothing. Many members want meetings, ideas, magazines, articles, access to information, educational choices, representation, and a whole host of services and just like in your business – these items all have costs. Membership dues pay the freight. Are all expenditures of great value? Probably not. Are State Societies attempting to be judicious with their spending? their perks? I think they are.
Your return on investment via State Society Dues is exceptional – largely because volunteers and talented professionals work together so the very large majorities of members are free to focus on their daily business and not with the various regulatory antiques that think they know best on how to perform CPA services.
I have worked with over 10 State Socieities and I have found each and every one of them to be open and accepting and desiring to deliver value far exceeding members dues.
So, if you are unhappy – 1st pull out that mirror. 2nd – pick up the phone and have a candid conversation.
The choice is yours.
Johanna Sweaney Salt
In the interest of full disclosure, I am the 2010/2011 Treasurer for CalCPA (a volunteer position). And while it may sound somewhat self-serving, I feel compelled to respond to the comments about the cost of membership being too high.
Quite simply, for the price of two lattes a week, I benefit from belonging to an organization which has done more for my professional career than I can measure. I have colleagues up and down the state with whom I can consult when I have a complex question or unfamiliar situation. Many of these colleagues have turned into personal friends. I have received numerous referrals from other CPAs for clients who needed assistance in my particular areas of expertise. I have an advocacy team which works tirelessly with our legislators to pass necessary legislation. I have been able to serve the community in Financial Literacy efforts. I find the CPE to be second to none.
My question to those posting is, “How involved are you in your local chapter? When is the last time you attended a discussion group, chapter meeting, etc.?” From my experience, you get back tenfold and more what you put in.
Leonard C. Wright, CPA/PFS, CFP, CLU, ChFC
There are many facets to involvement in professional organizations. I have always viewed it to be my responsiblity to seek and establish meaningful professional relationships and education opportunitites with those that I meet through the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the AICPA, and the Nevada Society of Certified Public Accountants. I tend to focus on my area of specialization and the activities that the various organizations provides in that area.
I will unequivocally say that by having an open mind and continually seeking the top people in the profession, I am an extraodinary financial planner whose professional relationships now include the heads of stock exchanges in other countries as well as leading government officals in other countries. The AICPA PFP section has gone through an information and service revolution and is extraordinary.
If I have a critical bone, it is where I believe all CPA organizations need to evolve to with respect to the different disciplines and to cross educate and integrate into one day seminars a segments. Particularly important is the CPA/PFS credential. We have been in the most serious economic crisis for the last 10 years, and the years coming up, since perhaps in American History…time will tell. But while the magnitude of the crisis has not been fully revealed, the magnitude of the impact of the CPA/PFS is crystal clear. Quite simply, if CPAs don’t embrace working with other CPA/PFS, they will see attrition of clients who no longer require their services or fewer services because their losses will be so magnificent as compared to thier overall net worth.
One important last thought. My involvement nationally and now internatinally started at home in California with the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. If not for all of the proactive programs in California that are so abundant in numbers and scope, it would have been an extraordinary challenge to get a national exposure opportunity. The old adage is still true today…you get out of it what you put into it.
Millian Toms CPA
I was a member of the Illinois CPA Society and dropped it after the first year. THEY are not responsive to the small firm members and only take care of the larger organization members. Elaine Weiss sets the tone and service provided so she is only talking about her highter paying members. I speak from recent experience:
After 36 years in the Michigan Association of CPA’S where service is provided to the membership regardless of size, where the leaders are very approachable and available to help, I could tell the difference immediately.
d. swaidan
I strongly believe the fees for cpe, membership, and VIP program are too high. Recently, I attended a calcpa class where the instructor’s input was less than 10% and the rest of the 90% of the time was spent on reading and discussing case studies in class by attendees. I don’t think I’m getting my money’s worth from the State. Also, the web site is not user friendly. Need to improve.
E.O Harrison
California society dues are too high vis a vis the service. AICPA is far superior and the fees is about half the State. If I can ditch the State without losing the AICPA membership, I’ll do it. They operate like a government bureaucracy with little regard for client services. The website is not user friendly. They are like a joke.
John Morgan
What is this lady talking about? She’s just trying to protect her job. My state society does not do anything about what she’s talking about.
It did get me thinking of the value of my state society membership though.
I’m a member of the California Society of CPAs.
Membership costs me about $475/year. Plus, some years I contribute more for the PAC, etc.
If I had to value what I received as far as benefits I would put that value at less than $200.
Maybe it’s time to drop my membership and save a few hundred a year.