Jan. 25, 2008

Corporate CPAs and Financial Executives to Benefit
from New Financial Leadership Forum

Executive Education, Advanced Training, Professional Networking and Advocacy to be Key Focus from Founders, CalCPA and California CPA Education Foundation

(REDWOOD CITY, CA) January 28, 2008 – The Financial Leadership Forum (www.financialleadershipforum.org), a joint initiative of the California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) and the California CPA Education Foundation (Education Foundation), was launched today to provide executive education, advanced training in finance and business management, professional peer networking, thought leadership and essential resources for CPAs and business and finance executives.

“The Forum is committed to ethical responsibility, excellence, strategic innovation and best practices in financial and business management,” said Loretta Doon, a CPA and CEO of both CalCPA and the Education Foundation. “Our goal is to support our member CPAs, financial decision makers and executives in the California business community through powerful programs and resources to help them not only excel in their current or future roles, but also deliver value back to their organizations.”

A prominent offering of the Financial Leadership Forum is executive education jointly presented with leading institutions of higher learning, including UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business Center for Financial Reporting and Management. Programs will cover such topics as valuations for mergers and acquisitions, internal controls, financial reporting, capital investments and cost reduction strategies.

“CalCPA members and Education Foundation customers have indicated that they are looking for stronger, more advanced training in specific areas of financial management as well as professional career development guidance,” said Patricia Cochran, Education Foundation president and CFO for Vision Service Plan. “Melding our strengths as educators to the CPA profession with those of California universities has enabled us to offer programs of greater value to California CPAs and executives.”

Professional peer networking opportunities will include participation in economic forums, CFO of the Year events, and local breakfast roundtables.  

“For decades, CPA associations have been searching for more effective ways to meet the needs of CPAs in business and industry, particularly those in executive and financial management positions,” said Teresa Mason, CalCPA chair.  “We’ve spent the past two years conducting research, interviewing CPAs in corporate positions, investigating best practices, and building partnerships and collaborative opportunities … all to add a spotlight on CPAs and executives in business and industry and better meet their professional needs.”

Individuals interested in attending executive education courses or taking advantage of other valuable programs offered by the Financial Leadership Forum should visit www.financialleadershipforum.org  for information. To join the mailing list, please email to editor@calcpa.org.  

About the Financial Leadership Forum

Financial Leadership Forum is a joint initiative of CalCPA and the Education Foundation. The Forum has been developed to enhance support for finance executives and business leaders through tailored programs and resources targeted to their professional needs.

About California Society of CPAs

The California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) (www.calcpa.org) is the nation’s largest state accounting organization. It serves more than 31,000 members in public practice, private industry, education and government.

About California CPA Education Foundation

The California Certified Public Accountants Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides quality continuing education and information to CPAs, other accounting professionals and professionals in related fields.