Pay it Forward: CalCPA Members Discuss the Importance of Giving Back.

from giving to our scholarship funds to contributing to CPA-PAC to leading financial literacy presentations to serving on nonprofit boards--not to mention the many other ways CalCPA members give back to their communities and the profession there's no doubt they take seriously the "Public" in the title, "Certified Public Accountant."

To recognize this work, CalCPA annually hands out a Public Service Award to a CPA who has been especially active in service to the profession and community; a Public Service Firm Award to recognize firms for their public service contributions on the local, state or national level; and a Distinguished Service Award granted on the basis of long and distinguished service or for a singular act resulting in extraordinary contribution to the profession, CalCPA and/or the community.

We recendy spoke to the following service award winners about the importance of giving back and what drives their efforts:

Distinguished Service Award; Chrislynn Freed (2022), retired professor of clinical accounting, USC; Marc G. Parkinson (2021), retired senior partner, Petrinovich Pugh & Company, LLP; Ron Klein (2020), VP Risk Counsel, CAMICO

Public Service Award;

Lewis Sharpstone (2022), Lewis Sharpslone & Co.; Leonard Wright (2021), wealth management advisor, Northwestern Mutual, and Gina Ballard (2021), partner, HCVT; Abraham Reichman (2020), managing partner, Frankel Reichman & Rizzo LLP; Ken Teasdale (2019), partner, Armanino; and Fausto Hinojosa (2018), audit principal, managing partner, Price Paige & Company Accountancy Corporation.

What does "giving back" mean to you?

Parkinson: It means giving your lime to the profession to help make it stronger and better for yourself as well as others. We don't live in a bubble, where we can only think about ourselves. We need to continue to improve our profession and the people who work in it. As to community, it's basically the same thing. Giving back means helping it become better.

Reichman: As CPAs, we have an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to our communities. There are so many opportunities to take on leadership roles and provide services to many underserved areas and groups. I have enjoyed making a difference to certain groups that I have personal connections with, such as helping oversee an organization that helps feed members of my community in Los Angeles. Giving back to my community and the profession has provided great personal satisfaction and has helped me see what...