The CBA's top officer.

• Author: Oldman, Marshal
• Position: Professionleaders - Interview

Marshal Oldman, Esq. took his place as the new California Board of Accountancy president of at the end of November. Appointed to the CBA by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in March 2007, Oldman has served on various CBA committees and was CBA secretary/treasurer before being elected vice president in November 2010 and now president. He is a partner in the trust and probate firm Oldman, Cooley, Sallus, Gold, Birnberg & Coleman LLP.

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How did you become interested in being an attorney?

Once I saw a Perry Mason episode as a child, I decided that is what I wanted to do.

Are there any differences in the way CPAs are regulated compared to how attorneys are regulated?

In many ways the regulation is similar in that both regulatory schemes control licensing, examination and discipline. The major difference is that attorneys elect licensee members of the Board of Governors for the Bar while the governor and other appointing persons choose all of the members of the CBA. Moreover, attorneys do not have the renewal and extensive continuing education requirements of accountants.

What have you learned about the CPA profession during your time on the CBA?

I have learned a great deal about the importance of the profession in the management of our economy. The essential role played in auditing of public companies and keeping track of financial statements is critical. Prior to my involvement with the CBA, my interaction with accountants--other than as clients--concerned taxes and forensic accounting as part of litigation.

What are some of the significant issues facing the CBA?

Some of the continuing issues are staffing of the enforcement team, which, prior to the economic downturn was extremely difficult since we needed investigative CPAs to act as part of the enforcement staff. Under personnel rules that apply in the executive department, we were not able to pay enough to attract qualified persons. This seems to have improved in recent months and I look forward to filling the remaining openings.

The question of mobility continues to haunt the board. A bill introduced in 2008 was opposed and defeated. Along with Hawaii, California is the only state that does not allow for mobility. Hopefully, the Legislature will now see its way to approving the concept before California becomes entirely isolated.

Another movement that is beginning in other states is the question of board independence from a state's overall regulatory system. This is...