State Societies of CPAS
| Author | Kathleen Simons |
| Pages | 694-696 |
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Independent professional societies for certified public accountants (CPAs) exist in each of the fifty U.S. states and in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. CPAs may choose to join their state's professional organization, generally known as [state's name] Society of CPAs or [state's name] Association of CPAs. Such societies provide CPAs with common interests and goals a wide range of professional activities. The societies are also avenues for members to become leaders in their profession. In the larger states, the state societies are divided into chapters by geographic location. The relationships between the state societies and the national organization, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and also between the state societies and the state and national boards of accountancy, are discussed briefly in this entry.
The societies are run by full-time and/or part-time staff as well as a board of directors, with officers elected from the membership. State societies have executive directors and finance their operations primarily through membership dues.
State societies sponsor education programs and provide resources for members and opportunities for them to network with other professionals. They represent the interests of the profession at the state legislative level and have an array of committees that members can join. The societies provide publications for members and nonmembers, and frequently sponsor public education sessions.
Frequently state societies offer additional benefits to their members, such as access to insurance plans for professional liability, life, and health insurance. State society members often list networking as an important reason to
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join; often joint meetings/functions are held with other state professionals, such as lawyers, bankers, or educators.
In many states, practicing CPAs are required to complete continuing professional education (CPE) credits to maintain their license. While licensing is the responsibility of the board of accountancy, state societies often offer a variety of CPE courses. These courses are offered as seminars, online workshops, or through self-study videos...
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