This is your Society.

• Author: Dickson, Michael R.
• Position: A message FROM THE CHAIR

This is a time of transition. The way we practice accounting is changing, and the type of services public accountants can provide to their clients--public and private--are changing. Winter has passed as spring arrives. Tax season has ended and many are contemplating plans for summer. In June, the Society will induct a new Executive Board, along with a new chair.

As we prepare for this changing of the guard, it is important to realize that The Ohio Society of CPAs is only as strong as its members. The members are the lifeblood of the Society and are responsible for the success of its programs and initiatives. Without energized volunteers, many of the Society's activities would not be possible. I began my term as chair by calling for members to take an active role, to get involved in not only the Society, but their profession. Many have stepped up to this challenge, as evidenced by those who have made the member initiatives program, and other Society programs, possible.

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The Year in Issues

This involvement and commitment has also helped us navigate through several controversial issues this past year, some of which I addressed in past columns. This past summer, two separate sets of auditing standards were created for pubic and private companies. The peer review process is being scrutinized, with many changes being considered.

A recent issue that is especially close to my heart is clarification of what non-attest services can and cannot be performed for an audit client. CPAs are in a position to help clients harness the power of technology to grow their businesses. The challenge is being able to perform these and other services without compromising the public's confidence in the profession's objectivity. I sincerely believe that our services in this area are harmonious rather than conflicting.

Staying the Course

If we are to succeed as an organization and a profession, it is important that involvement continues to be a priority for you and every other member of The Ohio Society of CPAs. Your opinions, your time, and your talents, when organized together, represent a powerful force. A...