Chair's corner.

• Author: Bunting, Robert L.
• Position: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' chairman's views

This edition of The CPA Letter touches on two subjects that are more related than they might first appear.

The AICPA has created a new tagline for the profession: "America Counts on CPAs" (see page 1). I like it a lot and I hope that you do, too. I like it because I believe that it is true. America counts on CPAs for financial reporting and auditing, for tax advice and compliance, for business and personal financial advice and in many other areas. American business and government count on CPAs for their expertise as controllers, internal auditors and CFOs. CPAs are counted on in so many segments of American life that it is hard to list them all.

I view it as an honor and a privilege to be among this prestigious group of professionals on whom so many count. In fact, I'm committed to do the kinds of things that ensure we will continue to occupy this important position of trust and respect. I suspect that everyone who takes the time to read these words shares those feelings. You can help disseminate this message by using the CPA logo with the new tagline on your business communications, such as business cards, stationery, brochures, client publications and the like.

Since we have adopted this new tagline, seems appropriate to ask ourselves what we can do to make sure that America keeps counting Won CPAs. We can probably, agree that our privileged place in the world is largely due to our much-needed expertise in an increasingly complex world. I hope we agree as well that our status is also based upon the trust we have earned by practicing our craft with integrity and a commitment to our profession's ethical and behavioral standards.

There is another less heralded reason that we are counted on in America. CPAs are well-respected financial experts in every community. They often give their time to serve as unpaid treasurers of community and charitable groups. They are often the ones explaining the financial facts at church and community member meetings. And, as reported elsewhere in this newsletter (see article on page 5), they are providing free tax services to many who cannot afford to pay. I believe that America counts on CPAs, at least in part, because as individuals and as a profession we give something back.

The AICPA's 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program is an opportunity for more of us to give back to the communities that have honored us with their trust. More...