AICPA, small business administration form alliance.

As part of its continuous efforts to support smaller CPAs firms in serving their small business clients, the AICPA signed a strategic agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration giving CPAs greater access to the SBA's programs and nationwide network. The alliance will help the SBA market and deliver its products and services through the AICPA's network of 44,000 accounting firms nationwide.

"'This is very important for CPAs," said AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon at a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., last month. "This agreement ... really aligns the AICPA and SBA and makes mutual resources available between the SBA and the CPA profession."

The strategic alliance agreement will open pathways for CPAs to join the SBA in advocacy efforts for small businesses. It will enable CPAs to help clients work more closely with the SBA's network across America. CPAs will be able to draw more easily on SBA...