The National Society of Accountants ... committed to your success.

In today's business world, the importance and desirability of specialization and niche marketing has been enthusiastically touted to the heavens. Many members of the National Society of Accountants have heeded the call and discovered the wisdom of finding and taking advantage of an area of practice that uniquely meets the needs of their specific clients. Many have been able to improve and expand their practices by providing services that were previously unavailable in their communities.

This need for specialization extends beyond accounting practices. Accountants have found they need specialization in their professional membership society as well. The National Society of Accountants recognized this need and set about sculpting itself into the association of choice for small business accountants. The byline found on many NSA publications reads, "Main Street's Accounting and Tax Professionals." NSA found its niche and proudly caters to the needs of accountants and tax professionals serving small business clients and individuals.

The credentialing arm of NSA, the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation, offers credentials specifically geared toward the small business accountant--the Accredited Business Accountant (ABA), the Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), and the Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP). Attainment of the credentials evidences learning, experience, and expertise in these areas and signifies a practitioner who was willing to go the extra step in order to exhibit to the public a special set of skills and knowledge.

NSA provides quality seminars on accounting and tax issues featuring nationally recognized speakers and proudly updates its members as changes occur that affect them or their clients. These opportunities provide the edge needed in a competitive and rapidly changing environment. Providing members with a new area of practice, Serving Aging America, offered in three levels, can lead to attainment of another credential, the Elder Care Specialist (ECS).

Nonlicensed accountants in some states are currently prohibited by statute from referring to specific established standards. In response to that situation, "Tax Accounting Guidelines for Small Business" were developed to provide guidance and reference information. Acronyms seem to abound in the accounting profession, so the Guidelines quickly became referred to as "TAGSB." TAGSB was in the developmental stages for a number of years and, after comments and suggestions were received and reviewed during the exposure period, the document was recently finalized and will be made available to NSA members. The Guidelines will remain an evergreen document.

As part of its service to its members, NSA publishes a number of magazines and newsletters that contain timely information, helpful articles, and background reference material. The NPA Magazine features articles specifically targeted toward the small business accountant by well-known authors and features industry news. The NSA Technology Advisor focuses primarily on offering information related to technology required of today's accounting and tax practitioner. A number of e-newsletters are transmitted at regular intervals to the general membership, the affiliated state organizations, and State Directors. While accountants often feel inundated with information being hurled at them from all directions, it is reassuring to know where to turn to find the publications that will best serve their needs.

Perhaps the best single benefit of being a member of NSA would be the networking provided. The web of professionals available through such an organization forms an asset that represents such a large body of knowledge and experience that it truly staggers the mind. Using the NSA website ("Find a Professional" feature), one can reach a practitioner in any state and probably find one who has dealt with any accounting and/or tax issue.

Yes, the National Society of Accountants effectively established itself as the society for Main Street's Accounting and Tax Professionals and continues to provide its members with additional opportunities and knowledge that will enable them to hone their skills and grow their practices. NSA found its niche!

--Wanda Samek, President

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