Society Update | April 13, 2012
On behalf of our Board and staff, please allow me to express my appreciation for your continued support of RISCPA. We often refer to the organization as your Society, because we're here to provide our members with a voice advocating for key matters affecting your profession. But we also look to provide you with access to high quality continuing education, premier networking programs and an atmosphere of first rate camaraderie. As we approach the conclusion of our April 30th fiscal year, we would like to recognize some of the past year's accomplishments and highlight those issues we are currently addressing:
In the past year we have: - Improved RISCPA's ranking from No. 5 to No. 4 on the Providence Business News's annual rankings of local Business and Professional Associations in Rhode Island;
- Created a more progressive CPE program, offering a blend of traditionally delivered courses with an attractive mix of online opportunities. Additionally, through the RISCPA CPE Tracker platform, members are able to keep apprised of their licensing in RI and throughout additional jurisdictions where applicable;
- Continued to produce the top-notch online quarterly publication, What Counts, keeping members up-to-date on the latest news involving the profession, providing a focus on members and their activities, and offering insightful stories within the Ocean State community, which are relevant to our members;
- Provided more up to date information through the Society Update emails, which are generated bi-weekly;
- Developed an online proxy voting system in an effort to provide an expanded platform to help facilitate the member voting process, which will be introduced at the upcoming Annual meeting on April 25th.
ADVOCACY EFFORTS:
- In 2011, we spearheaded the approved legislation promoting 51% simple majority as it relates to CPA firm ownership. In addition a number of our members worked collaboratively to help move the approval of meaningful pension reform through the State House, which continues as the legislature addresses local municipal reforms;
- In 2012, we are currently supporting a move against the proposed elimination of the RI Bureau of Audits as well as the proposed legislation calling for municipal audit rotation every three years;
- Continued our active cooperation with the New England states under the New England Collaborative to help share valuable information and to develop shared political, networking and educational programs;
- Maintained an on-going and robust relationship with the AICPA to identify and support key legislative measures to advance the profession, including:
- Dodd-Frank Act:
- FASB independence preserved
- No new regulations of financial planners
- Liability limits successfully fought
- CPA exemption from CFPB regulations
- Plus (not part of the Dodd-Frank Act)
- Ban on new tax strategy patents
- Repeal of 1099 expanded reporting
- S-Corp self-employment tax proposals defeated
- Red Flags Rule exemption for CPA firms
- Agreement on IRS regulation of paid tax return preparers
Communication remains an important component to supporting our viable membership. Through our What Counts, Society and CPE Updates we're able to keep you informed on a regular basis. That said, if you're not receiving these publications, please let us know by contacting Susan Breen, RISCPA Marketing Director.
Until next time,
|
