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Accounting Professional Associations
Professional membership associations often provide the support and resources modern accountants need to thrive in today's temperamental market. Besides acting as member advocates, these associations - many serving specific disciplines - can offer continuing education and credentialing opportunities, financial programs, employment services and a number of other benefits. In addition to state organizations, there are national associations for every type of accounting professional and every specialty within the profession. Here are links to and descriptions for some of the best:
Founded in 1887, the AICPA represents the CPA profession nationally regarding rule-making and standard-setting, and serves as an advocate before legislative bodies, public interest groups and other professional organizations. The AICPA develops standards for audits of private companies and other services by CPAs; provides educational guidance materials to its members; develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination; and monitors and enforces compliance with the profession’s technical and ethical standards.
The AICPA’s founding established accountancy as a profession distinguished by rigorous educational requirements, high professional standards, a strict code of professional ethics, a licensing status and a commitment to serving the public interest.
American Accounting Association
The American Accounting Association is the largest community of accountants in academia. Founded in 1916, we have a rich and reputable history built on leading-edge research and publications. The diversity of our membership creates a fertile environment for collaboration and innovation. Collectively, we shape the future of accounting through teaching, research and a powerful network, ensuring our position as thought leaders in accounting.
The Institute of Internal Auditors
Established in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is an international professional association with global headquarters in Lake Mary, Florida, USA. The IIA is the internal audit profession's global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator. Generally, members work in internal auditing, risk management, governance, internal control, information technology audit, education, and security.
Globally, The IIA has more than 185,000 members. The IIA in North America comprises 160 chapters serving more than 70,000 members in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean (Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Turks & Caicos), Bermuda, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago. Members enjoy benefits offered by the North American Service Center including local, national, and global professional networking; world-class training; certification; standards and guidance; research; executive development; career opportunities; and more. Internal auditors throughout North America enjoy free members-only webinars and national conferences such as the General Audit Management Conference, the Governance, Risk, and Control (GRC) Conference, and the All Star Conference. The IIA’s Audit Executive Center provides chief audit executives relevant and timely thought leadership and connections to peers for benchmarking and sharing best practices. And resources such as IIA Quality Services make The Institute an indispensable partner to you and your organization.
The Institute of Management Accountants
IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) is the worldwide association of accountants and financial professionals in business. Founded in 1919, we are one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. We are committed to empowering our 100,000+ members—and those throughout the rest of the profession—to strengthen on-the-job skills, better manage companies, and accelerate careers. We invite our members to discover the myriad possibilities within the profession and build an actionable future in management accounting.
The Association of Government Accountants
AGA is the member organization for government financial management professionals. We lead and encourage change that benefits our field and all citizens. Our training events, professional certification, publications and ongoing education help members build their skills and advance their careers.
The Professional Association of Small Business Accountants
The Professional Association of Small Business Accountants (PASBA) represents Certified Public Accountants, Public Accountants, and Enrolled Agents who provide accounting services to small businesses throughout the United States.
Accounting Resources
Practical information is not always easy to come by, but a solid resource list goes a long way in helping accounting professionals stay on top of their field. This section offers valuable links to resources on government regulation, licensing, certification, continuing education, breaking news, marketing and more:
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Established in 1973, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is the independent, private-sector, not-for-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut, that establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations that follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The FASB is recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission as the designated accounting standard setter for public companies. FASB standards are recognized as authoritative by many other organizations, including state Boards of Accountancy and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). The FASB develops and issues financial accounting standards through a transparent and inclusive process intended to promote financial reporting that provides useful information to investors and others who use financial reports.
The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) supports and oversees the FASB. Established in 1972, the FAF is the independent, private-sector, not-for-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut responsible for the oversight, administration, financing, and appointment of the FASB and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
Founded in 1908, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has served as an association dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of the country’s 55 state boards of accountancy for more than 100 years. As a driving force within the accounting profession, NASBA accomplishes its mission by creating a forum for accounting regulators and practitioners to address issues relevant to the viability of the accounting profession. NASBA takes pride in offering its member boards a rich portfolio of products and services, all designed to effectively aid boards in their goal to protect the public.
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
The PCAOB mission is to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of broker-dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws, to promote investor protection.
The PCAOB seeks to be a model regulatory organization. Using innovative and cost-effective tools, the PCAOB aims to improve audit quality, reduce the risks of auditing failures in the U.S. public securities market and promote public trust in both the financial reporting process and auditing profession.
This site is full of news, insights, tips and tools for the accounting professional, with resources for accounting departments in small and large companies, private or public. Read informative articles and blogs on practice management and current trends or download policy templates to help systematize your office.
ADP Accountant Portal - Small Business Services
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