PCPS update.

• Position: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Private Companies Practice Section

Critical Information for CPA Firms

PCPS is here to help you succeed. How? We look at resources and regulations and consider the impact they will have on you, our member CPA firms. We bring up-to-date tools and information that shape your practice today and affect your firm in the future.

What can you do now to get ahead of the game? Here are the best resources, sites, information, and events available for CPA firms today. Take advantage of them. Tell us what you need. We're here to help.

PCPS/TSCPA National MAP Survey Available Now

This year's National MAP Survey results are now available! The report provides detailed benchmarking information regarding salaries, billable hours, service offerings, and expenses from more than 2,000 local and regional firms across the United States and allows you to compare data tailored to your firm size, specialty, and region.

This year's survey contained additional questions that delved deeper into the success habits of top performers as well as new practice management questions about marketing, business planning, and owner/partner issues. Key findings included:

Firm Growth. Almost one-third (32%) of firms grew by at least 10% in fiscal 2003 over the previous year; a majority (72%) of respondents cited general business growth and merger and acquisition (12%) as the explanation.

Billing Rates. The average billing rate for owners rose to $159 per hour, up from $149 per hour in 2003.

All survey results are available for FREE to PCPS members. And new this year, PCPS has contracted with an outside consultant to prepare a detailed commentary on CPA firm best practices and big picture take-aways from the survey results. PCPS members, who didn't get a chance to participate in this year's survey, can now review and analyze the national results at www.pcps.org.

Nonmembers can join PCPS for $35 per CPA in the firm (up to a maximum of $700) to take advantage of this member benefit. Alternatively, non-PCPS members can purchase data reports for $300 with a $100 discount to respondents and an additional $100 discount for AICPA members.

CPA Marketing Tool Kit Now Available

The AICPA Strategic/Member Communications Team recently launched the CPA Marketing Tool Kit, a set of online tools and resources to help members market their practices and increase visibility. This site was designed to provide small firms and sole practitioners with comprehensive marketing guidance. Created in partnership with the New Jersey Society of...