A record-setting number of members – more than 200 – garnered the latest news on issues related to the profession at the annual Members Advisory Forum on May 12, 2004, in Lansing. The meeting was formerly named Regional Advisory Council.

Speakers included AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon, State Board of Accountancy Chair Edward Kisscorni and Licensing Administrator Suzanne Jolicoeur, MACPA President and CEO Peggy Dzierzawski and MACPA Lobbyist Tom Hoisington.

Special highlights of the day included presentation of the William A. Paton Award (see sidebar) and Michigan Accountancy Foundation Fifth Year Scholarships.

Attendees gained a national perspective as Melancon looked at what is to come in the areas of image, quality and regulations. While his formal remarks focused on those three topics, Melancon spent nearly an hour addressing questions presented by MACPA members.

On image, Melancon noted that the latest Gallup poll shows CPAs have virtually regained the positive status held prior to Enron. He attributes the success to a combination of several factors, which included image campaigns conducted by the AICPA and state societies and grassroots efforts and volunteerism by individual CPAs.

Melancon encouraged members to stay attuned to efforts at increasing the quality of services CPAs provide, particularly in the areas of governmental, public company and employee benefit plan audits. Melancon promoted member participation special “quality centers” addressing these three areas, which are under particular scrutiny.

To date, regulatory changes have focused heavily on SEC-registered companies and firms. “Our task,” says Melancon, “is to be a catalyst for a reasoned look at what (regulatory change) is appropriate for private companies and their CPAs.” He says the AICPA’s Private Company Financial Reporting Task Force is taking a close look at whether or not standards should be different for private companies versus public companies.

“This issue of creating two different models of accounting has come up every decade since the 1970s,” says Melancon. “If there are ever to be two models, this may be the time due to the environment of the last two years.” Melancon said the task force has developed a long list of pros and cons, and has listened to passionate discussions from both perspectives. The group will continue to gather information before making a recommendation, possibly in December.

MACPA President and CEO Peggy Dzierzawski

MACPA President Peggy Dzierzawski talked about numerous association initiatives over the past several months, recognizing the crucial role members have played in achieving success. Public service tax assistance programs, student and educator outreach and e-file results all provide positive reflection on the profession, she said.

Following Dzierzawski’s presentation, MACPA Chair of the Board Karen Wiltsie and other executive committee members converged on the stage to congratulate Peggy on her 30-year anniversary with the MACPA. (See Chair’s Message.)

State Board of Accountancy Licensing Administrator Suzanne Jolicoeur

State Board of Accountancy Licensing Administrator Suzanne Jolicoeur reported on early response to the recently launched Computerized CPA Examination. She also noted that a test center was established successfully in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula due to pressure exerted by the State Board and the MACPA.

“We felt it was important to make the test accessible from all areas of the state,” Jolicouer said. She indicated that so far, the Troy Prometric site was the most popular of the seven testing centers.

State Board of Accountancy Chair Edward Kisscorni

State Board Chair Edward Kisscorni explained that the Board has spent more than a year studying how provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 might translate into laws and rules governing private companies in Michigan and their CPAs. He anticipates the Department of Labor to formally adopt recommendations later this month.

MACPA Lobbyist Tom Hoisington

Closing the day-long program, MACPA Lobbyist Tom Hoisington urged members to establish and maintain contact with their legislators. CPAs are a “valuable resource” to state legislators who rely heavily on input from their constituents, he says.

“When given the opportunity to speak out, you should,” says Hoisington. “When given the opportunity to participate, you must.”

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