CPA day 2012: the foundation of CalCPA's advocacy efforts.

• Author: Allen, Bruce C.
• Position: CapitolBeat

The holiday season brings together friends and family to enjoy each other's company and recount the events of the last year over good food and drink. CalCPA is doing so by looking back on a successful legislative year that included the signing of our legislation to implement the ethics requirement of 150 hours, the formation of a retired licensure status for CPAs and many other victories against onerous legislative proposals.

All this was made possible through the hard work of numerous member volunteers, who sat down and built relationships with legislators and provided expertise and guidance to CalCPA's Government Relations Committee and staff.

This time of year is also a time to look ahead and lay the groundwork for another successful advocacy year. The first step in building this foundation is Jan. 18: CalCPAs CPA Day at the Capitol in Sacramento. It's a time to exercise your right as a citizen and member of the CPA profession by meeting with your elected representatives and informing them of the vital role CPAs play in their local communities as well as in the California business community.

Here is what some past participants have said about their CPA Day experiences:

"I always thought that I would be the last person to be involved in anything political until I attended CPA Day at the Capitol. Now I know that it is one of the most important and critical aspects of CalCPA's advocacy efforts to combat the number of forces opposed to our interests. Additionally; I was able to expand my professional network and become acquainted with key legislators and staff."

--Thomas Parry

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"Attending CPA Day at the Capitol allows me to be a voice for my profession. I was able to remind elected officials who CPAs are, what we do, who are clients are and what we mean to our communities. I reminded legislators that my colleagues and I are always available to be a sounding board for them and their staff, or assist in financial literacy for their constituents."

--Linda Montgomery

"Two years ago, our visits with legislators played a role in bringing CPAs from California into substantial equivalency with CPAs from across the country--this was a huge step forward. We now have an opportunity in January to convince legislators that California needs to join 48 other states in adopting mobility legislation."

--Steve Wimmers

"This is an opportunity to see the political process at work. There has never been a better time to have the voice...