“Those who choose not to participate in democracy
are doomed to be controlled by those who do.”
- Abraham Lincoln

Thomas H. Beard 2008-2009 MACPA Chair of the Board

While the MACPA focuses most of our advocacy efforts at the state level – where CPA licenses are regulated – we also foster relationships with legislators at the national level. Just recently, MACPA leaders and our Legislative Advisory Group met with members of Congress.

The two most impressive elements of our two days on Capitol Hill were:

1. The access the MACPA’s impeccable reputation has gained us (in other words, legislators and staff members made time for us), and
2. The reception we received during our meetings (legislators and staff members were truly engaged in conversation with us and view us as a premiere resource on complex financial and tax matters).

Our group met with 13 members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation; in fact, spending significant time with many. Michigan’s delegation has gained influence in Washington, based on seniority and (notable for the CPA profession) committee assignments. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a member of the Senate Finance Committee; Congressman Dave Camp, the ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee; and Congressman Gary Peters on House Financial Services were among the 13 members who welcomed us into their offices and openly discussed the issues important to our profession including:

• The CPA profession’s role as a trusted advisor, especially through the nation’s economic crisis.
• Recommendations for consideration during Congress’s debate on reform of financial regulatory structure.
• The need to stop issuing patents on tax planning strategies.
• The benefits of passing mobile workforce legislation.

Read more about these issues here.

The MACPA has made great strides in advocacy. The reputation of the MACPA and Michigan’s CPA profession as a trusted business advisor and honest broker of information on complicated issues has opened doors for us. It has enabled the effective and successful protection and advancement of the CPA credential’s integrity…but it all starts with you, our members.

Your involvement is key to this continued success – participation in our State Keyperson Program and other grassroots initiatives and support of the MACPA Political Action Committee (PAC) are so important. I encourage you all to learn more about these efforts, and your role on our Government Relations web page or by calling a member of our Government Relations team at 248.267.3700.

Our experiences in Washington are just one aspect of the work we do throughout the year to build relationships that bring value to our members and support the profession. In Michigan, I’d like to spotlight our partnership with the Detroit Red Wings. Through this venture, we’ve been able to offer members a great deal on unbelievably exciting hockey entertainment while at the same time raising over $3,000 to support the Michigan Accountancy Foundation scholarship program. Read more here.

Finally, I urge you to take a look at the huge array of CPE programs offered over the next couple of months. As our members take courses to enhance their skills and meet the approaching CPE reporting deadline, we’ve developed programs with member needs in mind -- important topics, excellent speakers, varied formats (from online to onsite), and geographically diverse locations. Plus, in these tough economic times, we’re making it more affordable with a Member Appreciation promotion in addition to your member discount on CPE registrations.

A focus on member needs and the profession is the driving force behind the MACPA. In tough times that focus doesn’t change – it becomes even more important. As always, feel free to call me, other board members, and our staff any time with comments, questions or suggestions.

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