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Letter from the Chair:
To Members of The Ohio Society of CPAs:
The majority of Ohio CPAs see membership in The Ohio Society of CPAs as important and advantageous to their individual work and to the collective benefit of the profession. A recent membership survey revealed that the Society's greatest values are in keeping members current through education, training and information, as well as protecting the integrity of the CPA credential; and supporting a pro-business environment through lobbying activity. There is no other organization in the state completely dedicated to looking out for our interests as CPAs.
OSCPA's membership data reveals a statewide organization joined by more than 23,000 Ohio CPAs and accounting professionals in an impressive scope of business sectors, government agencies, educational institutions and non-profits. The Society's roll call ranges from sole practitioners who serve small businesses to CPAs in the largest accounting firms who provide business advice and audit services to global enterprises. Society members work for non-profits serving niche causes and mega institutions of higher learning. Members also represent nearly every type and size of corporation and industry in Ohio. What's even more amazing--1,312 of our dues-paying members live and work outside of Ohio, representing 49 states.
But statistics only go so far. What binds us all together? What drives Ohio CPAs to be OSCPA members? Who are we as a Society? In these pages, Ohio Society members do a great job of telling the Society's story. It's a good read and provides inspiring personal perspectives. Simply put, Ohio Society members are the best in the business and are committed to staying on top.
Why else would our members have achieved the highest credential in the accounting profession? Why else would they submit to peer review and support a Code of Conduct that is among the most rigorous of any profession? Why else would they join together within the framework of a central Society to protect and promote the integrity of our profession? To network, learn and grow as professionals? To serve the public interest? To recruit the next generation of CPAs?
This is our Society. It exists to meet our professional needs today and help us prepare for tomorrow. This annual report describes some of the great accomplishments and services The Ohio Society provided over the 2008-2009 fiscal year. It was a year of pride and purpose that celebrated the Society's Centennial anniversary--not by looking back, but by looking forward and paving the way for CPA leaders to come.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve our Society. As with any involvement in the Society's work, I have profited more than I have contributed.
Sincerely,
Jay J. Moeller, CPA
Executive Board Chair
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OSCPA: A valued asset when you need it
The economic downturn negatively impacted numerous businesses and organizations. Within the association community overall there were dire predictions of drastic decreases in membership renewals. The Ohio Society of CPAs, however, had reason to see the recession in a different light. The recession gave the Society even greater opportunity to deliver real value to our members across a wide spectrum of services--from career coaching, job boards, recession alerts and networking events, to our outstanding continuing education program that offers convenient, low-cost CPE across a wide range of formats.
This year, many members turned to OSCPA for help. Some were job hunting for the first time in more than a decade and needed help preparing to seek a new position. Members called the Society for guidance on how to reactivate their CPA license after years of inactive status. Members expanded their personal and professional networks through increased involvement in Society education and training events and by volunteering for Society financial literacy and student initiatives. The Society's Professional Issues Update events were filled to capacity.
To meet members' diverse needs, the Society took an integrated approach to recession-support initiatives, This year, for example:
* OSCPA launched "Navigating the Recession," a collection of online tools and resources to help members manage their businesses and careers in an uncertain economic climate.
* OSCPA's online Financial Crisis News Center delivered the latest national and state news from our members' perspective with sections on both national economic stimulus acts, and a library of podcasts featuring prominent economists, financial and tax experts.
* The Society added special tracks on the economy to our conferences. National economists and other speakers provided insights on business, retirement and tax planning in a turbulent market and explored the outlook for the CPA profession.
* The online Career Center was expanded to offer job-seeking CPAs two options--a place to post resumes for full-time or per diem work.
* The Society partnered with Career Coach Janice Worthington to provide career services that included live coaching webinars, a Q/A career column and articles in Society publications.
* The Society developed a strong online and social presence through our communities on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. These tools enabled real-time conversations.
During this year and into the next, members see real value in maintaining their CPA credential, continuing to grow in specialized knowledge and reconnecting with their peers through OSCPA.
Kathleen M. Hoover, CPA
Partner, Corbels & Associates, Inc.
Solon, Ohio
I've been an Ohio Society member for more than 30 years. As a young staff person just out of college, I was fortunate to join a regional firm that valued membership in professional associations. We were expected to be members and the firm covered the cost. It wasn't enough to just be a member on paper. The firm encouraged active involvement--attendance at meetings and participation on committees. As time went on, I became very involved with the association of firms to which our firm belonged. Once I left that firm and joined with my current partner, we didn't have the resources to belong to an association of firms, so the benefits and advantages of membership in OSCPA became even more important to me.
Initially, as members of a small firm we wanted to be connected--to have access to other CPAs and to affordable and convenient CPE. As time passed, however, I became increasingly aware of what OSCPA does to increase the profile of the CPA profession. This work includes lobbying efforts and representing our views on professional issues in addition to giving back to the community and fostering student awareness through the Foundation.
One of the ways I serve my profession through OSCPA is as a peer reviewer. This work has innumerable benefits. Professionally, it certainly ensures that I stay on the cutting edge of what's current. I believe that peer review strengthens the profession. I'm glad that I can contribute to that. More than anything, though, I enjoy the interchange with other CPAs--those who work at firms as well as those who serve as technical reviewers and committee members. It's very rewarding to know that our profession is made up of so many people who have a commitment to quality for themselves, their firms and their clients. The exposure to other firms has broadened my perspective since everyone has different ideas and approaches. At the same time, there's that sense that we are all struggling with the same issues.
Membership in OSCPA is important to anyone who cares about the future of the profession. Or who wants "CPA" to continue to be a respected title. Or needs access to affordable resources. Or appreciates opportunities to meet with other CPAs. If you're a practicing CPA in the state of Ohio, why wouldn't you belong to OSCPA?
As CPAs, we all get caught up with day-to-day pressures of our jobs, but being a CPA is more than just technical requirements and deadlines. It's about understanding and integrity. It's about doing the right thing. As a CPA, if you take time to reach out beyond yourself and your firm, you'll make a difference--you'll gain some personal satisfaction, enhance the image of the profession and promote yourself at the same time.
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William B, La Place, CPA
Partner--Retired, Deloitte & Touch LLP
Cleveland Ohio
When I became certified, almost all CPAs joined The Ohio Society of CPAs. It was the thing to do for a young CPA. It was expected. We thought that it was great because membership was a plus for us both professionally and socially. As members, we were all exceedingly active. It was a day and age when the profession didn't allow taking another firm's client. This was a "gentlemanly profession." And so, as a result, we were bonded socially and in friendship more than we are now. Today, unfortunately, some of our younger CPAs decide not to belong to the Society. This is a mistake. They miss something of great value.
All CPAs should be part of the Society because it represents our profession in this state. The Society does a lot of important work for the profession that members may not realize. Much of the professional impact in the state legislature comes from the Society. That's a real plus. In addition, the Society's constant push to provide needed information, relevant and high-quality CPE, and professional development in general are very important to the profession and to each of us as individuals.
CPAs need to have a set of standards for themselves. The primary one at the very beginning has to be ethics. We must have very high ethical standards at all times--that's what this profession is all about. We have to be skilled and constantly renewing whatever we're doing education-wise, whether it's through CPE offered by the Society or taking additional courses via the internet or at the universities. Further, we need to develop ourselves as far as personalities are concerned so that we become--how do I phrase it? So we become more blended into society than just having the reputation of being "green-eye-shade pencil pushers." Incidentally, CPAs are doing much better in this area than they used to do. The Society can take credit for some of that.
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