Providing you value.

• Author: Angelo, John F.
• Position: AffinityProgram; California Society of Certified Public Accountants

There's a lot that goes into running a business or practice--everything from company credit cards to insurance to employee background checks, all of which can come at a high cost. Enter CalCPA's Affinity Partner Program, which allows CalCPA to provide programs and services to members who, without the benefit of CalCPA's group purchasing power, might be unable to obtain the service.

BECOMING AN AFFINITY PARTNER

Not just any product or service can be included in the program, though. CalCPA affinity partners must offer prices, products or services that members would be unable to obtain elsewhere in the marketplace; appeal to a large segment of CalCPA's membership; or benefit a small segment of CalCPA's membership who otherwise would be unable to obtain the product or service.

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In most cases, affinity partners pay a royalty to CalCPA for using CalCPA's name, staff time spent on the program and access to CalCPA's membership list. Additionally, affinity partners pay CalCPA an upfront fee, considered an advance against royalties earned and is not in addition to regular royalties.

Affinity partners actively market their products or services to CalCPA members. Although CalCPA does not absorb the cost of its affinity partners' marketing efforts, it will provide free access to CalCPA's membership list; an introductory feature article regarding the program in CPA Focus; articles in other CalCPA publications (if possible); a listing in the Guide to Member Benefits; opportunities to place informative material in CalCPA's new member packets; and a listing on CalCPA.org's members-only benefits directory.

For an affinity program to be considered for approval, the vendor submits a written proposal to the Member Insurance and Benefits Committee at affinityprograms@calcpa.org that describes the product or service; the benefit to CalCPA members (discount price, unique service, etc.); the benefit to CalCPA (royalty or other advantage); a brief history of the company and its principals; references; and marketing plan.

AFFINITY PARTNERS

CalCPA's affinity partners include:

MBNA-CalCPA credit card: The CalCPA MasterCard includes the CalCPA logo, no annual fee, optional travel rewards program and 24-hour MasterAssist emergency network referral assistance. Personal and business cards are available. For more information, call (800) 847-7378 and mention priority code NET7.

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