Join a State Committee.

ALCPA STATE COMMITTEES address issues that affect every aspect of the profession and influence CalCPA's and the profession's direction. State committees' recommendations and findings are presented directly to CalCPA's Board and Council.

Serving on a state committee gives you the opportunity to work with other professionals on projects that increase the technical knowledge of our members, enhance the image of the profession, influence the formation of regulations and legislation, draw the best and brightest into accounting and study the CPA's role in local, national and global economies. Not only will you receive the satisfaction of helping to promote the profession, you'll build leadership skills and make valuable personal and business contacts.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

There are 25 state committees and one section group. Membership on state committees is balanced to ensure representation by geography, firm size, experience and expertise. Because California is fortunate enough to have so many members interested in state committee participation, some committees have a membership ceiling. Some committees meet more frequently than others, and as a general rule, you'll be expected to attend about four committee meetings annually. Depending on the work to be accomplished, a committee chair may call fewer or more meetings, or divide the committee into subcommittees to work on specific projects. Most committee meetings alternate between Southern and Northern California locations. Costs related to meeting travel are at the member's expense.

To apply, visit www.calcpa.org/members/committees and download an application form. Applications will be accepted through May 15 each year. Appointments are confirmed in writing and are finalized in July. For more information, contact Member Relations at [phone].

The following state committees--accompanied by a brief description of their respective purposes--are accepting applications for the 2003 committee year:

ACCOUNTING EDUCATION & CAREERS *

Serve as part of a forum to promote the exchange of relevant information, knowledge and ideas between accounting practitioners and educators; facilitate development and support of educational innovation; foster development of collaborative research between practitioners and educators; expand awareness of career opportunities; and stimulate support of accounting as a profession.

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES & AUDITING STANDARDS *

Determine CalCPA's position concerning proposed accounting principles and auditing standards; generally be CalCPA's official voice on financial accounting, auditing and reporting matters; and inform CaICPA members of accounting and auditing issues through chapter technical sessions and other oral and written communication vehicles.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Develop and coordinate CalCPA's program for awards and other forms of recognition for significant contributions to the CPA profession, CalCPA and the community.

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY

Oversee CalCPA's communications strategy; recommend policies to CalCPA Council; and advise staff on furthering CalCPA's internal and external communications goals.

ESTATE PLANNING *

Foster the high quality of services provided by CalCPA members in the field of estate planning through advocacy, education and the provision of resources to CalCPA members.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES *

Identify emerging global issues for CalCPA members and raise member awareness of international opportunities to increase members' practice and employment opportunities and profitability.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Review state legislation and pending or proposed regulations affecting the practice of public accountancy; help determine appropriate CalCPA action in accordance with CalCPA policy; initiate the introduction of legislation and regulations in subject areas approved by CalCPA Council; administer CalCPA's legislative relations key person program; and coordinate CalCPA efforts with those of the AICPA on federal issues.

GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING & AUDITING *

Participate in the profession's overall effort to improve the quality of financial reporting on governmental entities by providing practical guidance to CPAs in the area of governmental accounting and auditing.

HUMAN RESOURCES *

Assist members and firms to efficiently and effectively attract, develop, deploy and retain high-quality team members, and be a resource who mentors and counsels members on human resource issues.

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES *

Assist the membership to apply knowledge, skills and resources to enhance their businesses through consulting with clients, and make information and resources available in the areas of management and general business consulting.

MANAGEMENT OF AN ACCOUNTING PRACTICE *

Assist CalCPA members to efficiently and effectively manage their accounting practices.

MEMBERSHIP *

Assist CPA candidates in attaining certification and full membership in CalCPA in a timely basis and develop programs with chapters to integrate all new members into CalCPA to allow them to become contributing members of the profession and of CalCPA.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING *

Identify and develop PFP services and educate members as to these services, including development of curriculum that may enhance member practices; assist government relations in monitoring regulations that may affect PFP practitioners; and make recommendations to CalCPA on actions in response to proposed regulations.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT *

Provide updates and interpretations on ethics issues and regulations, and encourage members to maintain the standards set forth in CalCPA's Code of Professional Conduct.

TAXATION *

Provide up-to-date information and guidance to members on tax laws, programs and regulations.

TECHNOLOGY *

Identify and study the significant developments and problems of technology affecting the accounting profession, and support member use of technology through local committees.

The following committees have an independent appointment process and are not included in the application process at this time. If you are interested, please contact the committee chair.

AMICUS CURIAE 

Serve as a friend of the court on accounting-related issues.

AUDIT

Oversee the financial reporting of CalCPA.

CALIFORNIA COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING

Represent CalCPA in a joint effort with the League of California Cities to carry on projects that promote the use of sound and meaningful accounting and auditing procedures, and improve the quality of reporting by municipalities.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is presented to a member whose influence on the profession, CalCPA or the community is distinguished when compared with that of other contemporary leaders. The recipient is selected by a committee of past award recipients.

CEO GOALS AND PERFORMANCE

Set goals for the CEO and evaluate his or her performance. The committee consists of the CalCPA chair, first vice chair, treasurer, immediate past chair and one appointed member at large.

FINANCE

Assure the financial integrity of CalCPA.

LITIGATION SECTIONS

Litigation Sections is a separate membership group within CalCPA. Members form an expanded forum to facilitate participation and exchange and disseminate ideas and resources; identify relevant current events and trends; analyze technical issues; and interpret applicable standards. Membership information and applications are available at www.calcpa.org/LIT.

MEMBERS INSURANCE & BENEFITS

Develop and monitor CalCPA's member affinity programs, which are designed to utilize the membership's group buying power to offer discounts on products and services and provide revenue from sources other than dues and investment income.

NOMINATION & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Collect and process the candidate applications for officers of CalCPA and at-large members of the CalCPA Council; nominate officers and at-large members of the CalCPA Council; identify and develop future leaders; improve diversity; and propose programs and budgets to meet leadership development goals. Committee composition is determined in CalCPA's bylaws Article XIII (3).

PEER REVIEW

Provide Peer Review services to California firms.

* Denotes state committees with corresponding chapter-level committees. There are other chapter committees that do not have corresponding state committees. For a complete listing of chapter committees, please contact your chapter coordinator.