A talk with Barry Melancon.Recently, AICPA AICPA See American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). President Barry Melancon sat down with the Journal news staff--for the first of a series of periodic talks--to share his thoughts on issues ranging from the CPA (Computer Press Association, Landing, NJ) An earlier membership organization founded in 1983 that promoted excellence in computer journalism. Its annual awards honored outstanding examples in print, broadcast and electronic media. The CPA disbanded in 2000. Vision Project to derivatives legislation. From his unique vantage point, what does he see in the immediate future for the profession? Journal: What are the major items on your agenda at this moment? Melancon: CPA WebTrust is an immense project, of course, and the Institute is committed to making it successful. I'm also very pleased with the CPA Vision Project. In one year, we put together 200 full-day forums, which over 3,000 members attended. I think even a for-profit company would have had trouble doing as much so quickly. I am pleasantly surprised that international issues appear to be very important even to smaller firms and companies. Businesses everywhere are going to be interacting much more internationally. Journal: The Institute has two accreditations--PFS and ABV ABV Above ABV Alcohol By Volume ABV Abuja, Nigeria (airport code) ABV Assault Breacher Vehicle ABV Accredited Business Valuation specialist ABV Auxiliary Building Ventilation ABV Annual Buy Value ABV Air Bleed Valve . Are any more under consideration? Melancon: Council just approved a new approach to accreditation on the basis of a report from the special committee on accreditation of specialization, chaired by Robert Israeloff. It requires us to be more proactive, and we're planning to dedicate ded·i·cate tr.v. ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing, ded·i·cates 1. To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate. 2. staff to manage the expansion of the accreditation program. The eldercare eld·er·care n. Social and medical programs and facilities intended for the care and maintenance of the aged. assurance service, too, may lead to a new accreditation. CPAs may need to think differently about specialization than they have in the past. First, practitioners should consider accreditations as being tied closely to the CPA designation: You're not a PFS PFS, n post facilitation stretch; therapeutic approach utilized during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in which the patient begins the stretch midway between the fully relaxed and fully stretched position and uses maximum level of effort to or an ABV--you're a CPA/PFS or a CPA/ABV. You build on the "CPA." Some small firms may think specialized accreditations work against them because they can't possibly specialize in every area--and thus earn every new designation we issue. However, by specializing in one or two areas, a small firm can gain a reputation among the general public and other CPA firms for expertise and thus become part of a one-stop shopping network. Here's an example: A former partner of mine has his own firm now and does only high-level tax consulting work. By concentrating on this niche, he's earned a reputation far beyond the town where he's located. He gets referrals from firms that do not specialize in his area, and, in return, he refers clients who need audits, for example, to firms equipped to handle them. He has become part of a network, and thus he his clients even when want services he does not personally provide. Journal: Let's talk about state regulation. What's happening with issues such as the Uniform Accountancy Act and the 150-hour requirement? Melancon: We're making some progress with the UAA UAA ochre codon, one of the three stop codons. ; it's important for the profession and we're not going to lose sight of that. Our goal is forty states and I think we'll get there. The UAA may change as we go forward, but the overall premise of what we're trying to create is winning over the profession. A number of states recently approved the 150-hour requirement, bringing the total to 43, with several more very close. The American Accounting Association has been with us on this with great leaders, such as Steve Albrecht and Mike Diamond, who are attuned at·tune tr.v. at·tuned, at·tun·ing, at·tunes 1. To bring into a harmonious or responsive relationship: an industry that is not attuned to market demands. 2. to changes in the profession and the need to make changes in educational programs. We have been discussing the issue with the leadership of the National Association of Black Accountants, which has been trying to help us on this issue. NABA NABA North American Butterfly Association NABA National Association of Black Accountants NABA National Adult Baseball Association NABA North American Bullriding Association NABA North American Broadcasters Association NABA Namibian Biotechnology Alliance contributed to the success in the key state of Massachusetts, which recently passed the 150-hour requirement. Journal: Looking at traditional financial accounting, what is your view of the FASB FASB See: Financial Accounting Standards Board FASB See Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). , especially now that it is under attack for its proposed derivatives standards? Melancon: My position--the Institute's position--has always been that the FASB is the best of our known alternatives, which would include government standard-setting. There's certainly room for improvement, as there is in any organization, but we support FASB's process. Journal: Any final words on your priorities? Melancon: Repositioning repositioning Laparoscopic surgery The changing of a Pt's position during a procedure to improve access or visualization of the operative field, which may be linked to complications, as it changes anatomic planes of operation. Cf Laparoscopic surgery. the profession for tomorrow and embracing an entrepreneurial spirit--these have long been on my list and will not go away. |
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