CBA's new ED: Patti Bower discusses her role and the CBA's plans for 2009.

• Position: CapitolBeat - California Board of Accountancy's Executive Director - Interview

How did your career lead you to the CBA's top job.

I started in the enforcement, division and, after moving up through enforcement, I moved into the licensing division and eventually became licensing chief, which brought a new set of challenges. Being part of the process in two very different divisions gave me an appreciation for how the CBA operates in concert.

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What are your primary responsibilities?

Like any executive, providing leadership to staff and day-to-day management. Improving communications is also a top priority, and I'm in frequent contact with CBA president Robert Petersen, CPA.

How do you interact with board members?

In a nutshell, I implement the policies the CBA votes to move forward on. On any given day, I may be speaking with CBA leadership about pending legislation, or discussing new ways to accomplish outreach to engage our licensees and consumers. I also oversee the work that staff will bring before the CBA at board meetings.

What is the CBA's staff structure?

We have three divisions: administration, licensing and enforcement. The administration division encompasses everything from communications, outreach and human resources. The licensing division--with which all of our licensees come into contact at one time or another--includes units that handle initial licensing, practice privilege, examination, client services, and license renewal and continuing competency. An investigation unit and program committee assistance comprises our enforcement division.

How can CPAs volunteer to serve the public via the CBA?

We have a need for CPAs to serve as members of the Administrative or Qualifications committees. The CBA is recruiting licensees with diversified backgrounds that have the technical skills, interest and commitment to serve on either committee in 2009. Being a committee member is an opportunity to actively participate in the regulation of the profession and to become an integral part of an organization charged with providing consumer protection amidst changing consumer demographics and the evolving nature of the profession.

Committee appointments are for two-year terms, and individuals may serve a maximum of four terms.

You can download more information at www.dca.ca.gov/cba/misc_notices/commapp2.pdf.

How is the CBA evolving with the profession and the consumer user of CPA services?

This is a very exciting time. Forensic or investigative accounting is the hot new major on college campuses, and...