Elevating the engagement.

• Author: Mintzer, Andy
• Position: Message from the chair

"You don't get many chances to pay back what's been done for you. Take them."

This quote from Woody Hayes, former head football coach at The Ohio State University, has resonated with me and perhaps sums up my feelings for being selected as 2016-17 CalCPA chair. So many of the skills, credentials and connections that define who I am as a CPA are a direct result of CalCPA. And so much of the visibility and value that I enjoy as a CPA in California are due to the efforts of CalCPA.

CalCPA has been there for me and I want to do my part to ensure that a valuable and vital CalCPA is there for our members of today and tomorrow.

I started my career in the Tampa office of Arthur Young & Company in 1978 after graduating from the University of South Florida. I had the opportunity to work with that Big 8 firm in several offices before relocating to California in 1985. Almost immediately upon my arrival in California I joined CalCPA, which had only about 15,000 members. As an auditor and a GAAP/GAAS enthusiast, I quickly found myself at the Los Angeles Chapter Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards Committee (or AP/AS Committee as we call it). I was impressed by committee members' depth of knowledge and credentials--and I was in my element discussing the technical accounting issues of the day.

Even as a new kid on the block I was welcomed and asked to participate with some nationally credentialed accountants. Being asked to participate meant a lot to me back then and I realize it means a lot to all our members to be welcomed and invited to participate. Bring a new or prospective member with you to a CalCPA event--or reach out and talk to a new arrival at a meeting.

My priorities for the coming year will be to elevate the engagement of our members by supporting increased opportunities for involvement--all with the goal of helping our members serve the public as CPAs while focusing on our strategic priorities.

* Advocating for members on issues that affect the profession;

* Attracting, educating and supporting CPAs in the professional and personal growth; and

* Enhancing and promoting the visibility of the CPA profession and CalCPA.

I will make it a priority to support and enhance membership engagement opportunities at the chapter and committee levels, as well as reach out and Increase our Influence and footprint by collaborating with other organizations and financial professionals.

One day you may find yourself looking for a promotion, trying to...