Discounts for CalCPA members. (Affinity Programs).

Daily, CalCPA receives inquiries from companies that are willing, even eager, to pay for the privilege of being identified with CalCPA. But not just any company makes the cut to be a CalCPA affinity partner. Potential partners must meet certain criteria, receive approval from the Members Insurance and Benefits Committee, and survive a rigorous due-diligence process and contract negotiations.

Among the affinity programs that made the grade and currently offer you discounted products or services are:

OFFSITE, FULL-SERVICE HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES

Administaff, www.administaff.com, provides CalCPA members a one-stop shop for human resource services at discounted rates. Administaff does the payroll, makes workers' compensation payments and offers customizable benefits packages. You'll also receive services such as tracking of government compliance issues, benefits administration, training, retention and performance management. For more information, call Peter Kadison at [phone], ext. 4927 and mention CalCPA.

BUSINESS BANKING

Cal Fed, www.calfed.com, offers CalCPA members discounted rates on credit card processing enabling them to reduce costs when accepting credit card payments. Also, for a limited time, Cal Fed has special offers for all its CalCPA business customers, including three months of free business checking, $50 off your first order of business checks and no loan origination fee on business loans of less than $100,000. Cal Fed is the third largest financial institution headquartered in California, with more than $56 billion in assets and 350 branches in California and Nevada. Call (800) CALFED4 and identify yourself as a CalCPA member to see what Cal Fed can do for you, or visit your local Cal Fed branch.

PROFESSIONAL WEB SITE SOLUTIONS

Execusite provides CalCPA members with a customized Web site that is more than just an online brochure. Execusite waives its normal $295 setup fee for CalCPA members and offers a free 30-day test drive of its services. Visit www.execusite.com and click on the Free Test Drive button. To ensure your discount, enter the media code CACPA. For more information, call Execusite Member Services [phone].

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Through GEICO Direct, www.geico.com, CalCPA members may be eligible for discounted auto insurance rates. Although discount rates vary by state, CalCPA members who reside in California may qualify for a 25 percent reduction off GEICO's already low rates. For more information, call [phone] and mention that you are a CalCPA member.

AFFINITY AND BUSINESS CREDIT CARD

Through MBNA America N.A. you can show your support for CalCPA every time you make a purchase with the custom-designed California Society of CPAs' Platinum Plus SM MasterCard[R]. There is no annual fee and the card carries the CalCPA logo. To apply, call [phone] and mention priority code D827. Your firm also may apply for the MBNA no annual fee business credit card. Call [phone] to apply or to get more information.

NEXT DAY LETTER AND PACKAGE

UPS, www.ups.com, offers CalCPA members $1.50 off Next Day Air Letters, 10-percent off Next Day Air Packages and 20-percent off International Packages. To make these savings yours or to set up an account, call [phone]. The discounts will be applied automatically to your account, no matter how many shipments you make. Mention access code # C-700045.

THEME PARK AND ATTRACTION DISCOUNTS

Discounts are available to you and your employees on a variety of theme parks and attractions, such as: Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain and more. Applications also are available for The Disney Club, which offers special savings on merchandise, vacation packages and collectibles. For information, contact Genna Ivarson [e-mail] or (800) 9CALCPA, ext. 2404.

If you have questions about these CalCPA affinity programs, contact CalCPA Director of Member Relations John Angelo at [e-mail].

Judith Graziani is director of CalCPA's member insurance plans. She can be reached at [e-mail].