Life begins at 40,000.

• Author: Sweaney, Johanna
• Position: Message from the chair...

Every level I have been involved with in CaICPA--from the local area discussion group up to the state level--has been positive. For every hour I invest in CaICPA, I get back tenfold--easily--in terms of networks, knowledge and skills. It's been so worthwhile.

Because of this, it was an easy decision to continue my involvement with CaICPA--and I'm honored to serve as CaICPA's 2012-13 chair.

The Voice of 40,000

CaICPA's advocacy in Sacramento results in tremendous value to CaICPA members and the profession. Our efforts help members to be viewed as leaders in professional competency and integrity by clients, employers, the public and government officials. In the past few years we have worked with the California Board of Accountancy and the Legislature to keep California substantially equivalent by developing and refining the new 150 hour education requirement for new licensees as well as create a "Retired" status for retiring licensees.

What's more, CaICPA gives us the opportunity to be heard. CaICPA advocates aggressively on your behalf, and as a CaICPA member, your voice gains the strength of 40,000.

During my term, I would like to build on our recent advocacy successes.

High on our legislative and regulatory agenda this year are working to conform California's interstate practice laws to the rest of the nation and opposing legislation that would impose a sales tax on services. Furthermore, 2012 is an election year and redistricting will drastically alter California's political landscape, resulting in significant turnover--and a corresponding need to build new relationships with legislators.

With so much change on the horizon, there's never been a better time to get involved with our advocacy efforts and contribute to CPA-PAC to help elect individuals who support the CPA profession.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that members consistently tell us that advocacy is one of the top reasons they belong to CaICPA, the percentage of members who contribute to the CPA-PAC has declinedevery year since 2007.

I find this somewhat astonishing. Your contribution to CPA-PAC supports candidates--on a bipartisan basis--who understand the essential services we provide.

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The World is Shrinking

Membership is growing but the world is shrinking and borders are blurring. CaICPA's two most recent chairs were not born in this country. Two other members on CaICPA's board of directors also are immigrants.

As a small practitioner, I have clients...