Moving Forward.

• Author: GURSEY, DONALD L.
• Position: CalCPA - Brief Article

Staying Focused in a Time of Transition, Change and Challenge

Welcome to a new CalCPA year filled with change and opportunity. I'm sure that every new president looks into their crystal ball and feels that solutions are within reach and the issues at hand should be resolved within the coming year. My challenge is to keep us on course as we implement new mandates and the Governance Task Force recommendations.

Just last month, our membership voted to accept historic changes to the CalCPA bylaws. These newly updated and modernized bylaws institute fundamental changes to our governance structure, which will allow the organization to operate more efficiently and provide improved member service. We must implement our governance changes immediately, as they will enable us to sail smoothly into modern times. The Transition Task Force is already at work so that we can move forward as a unit and examine the broad range of issues critical to CaICPA's survivorship.

Among the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, a top priority is to work with Susan Waters, our new executive director, and introduce her to the complex issues that require our immediate attention. Waters has veteran experience as an association executive, most recently as executive director of the Massachusetts Bar Association, where she oversaw the restructuring of both governance and staff. Water's arrival in Redwood City is a homecoming of sorts as she served as executive director of the San Francisco Medical Society for 13 years in the '80s and early '90s. I hope the entire membership joins me in welcoming her.

As we round the bend in our first year of the new millennium, the profession faces challenging issues, which require careful thought and consideration, yet simultaneously demand immediate attention and action. Following are just a few such issues:

The Uniform Accountancy Act, which is coupled with the California Board of Accountancy's sunset review, approaches critical mass this year. The state of California will look to CalCPA for recommendations as reports are submitted to the Legislature and Department of Consumer Affairs; a hearing is held to determine the CBA's future; and legislation is introduced to make changes related to substantial equivalency. The board of director's voted more than a year ago to support substantial equivalency and the 150-hour requirement. Now we will have to voice our resolve strongly to ensure that these critical issues are acted on--to...