Make Sure Legislators Hear the Voice of CPAs
California CPA magazine: October 2008
Now that political season is in full swing, we’re hearing our presidential candidates promise not to be beholden to special interests while they reform the office of president and return it to doing the people’s business. The implied message is that special interests are always bad and avoiding their influence is always good.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
America is made up of special interest groups and you probably find yourself belonging to one or more such groups. Indeed, as a CPA and business person, you are among the special interests politicians refer to.
The real risk is if one special interest group becomes stronger and more involved than all of the other special interest groups so that a balance of interests is not maintained.
To retain a balance of power among competing interest groups, business groups—including CPAs—need to become more politically active. Besides electing a new president in November, California voters also will see the election of 40 new state senators and Assembly members. Additionally, all sitting Assembly members and incumbent senators occupying odd-numbered seats are running for re-election.
It’s the perfect time for CPAs to get involved with the new legislators and make them aware that CPAs live and vote in their districts. You, as a voter, have their attention right now, while they are running for election and re-election. You won’t have this opportunity again for two or more years—CalCPA encourages you to seize this opportunity. Invite them to visit your firm or employer, especially if you work for a large employer in the district. Ask to meet with them to discuss your concerns, or invite them to speak to a group that you are involved with (a local chamber of commerce, rotary club, nonprofit). Volunteer to help with the campaign. In some hotly contested races, articulate individuals are needed to walk precincts and get out the vote.
The most important part is making sure that the candidates know you—and know you are a CPA. It would be wonderful if every legislator coming to Sacramento knew what CPAs do and knew at least one CPA in their district. The job of representing California CPAs in the state Capitol would be much easier if that were the case.
California labor unions—especially the public employee unions—wield tremendous political power in the state, due in part to their members’ willingness to get involved at the grass-roots level in political campaigns and to contribute millions of dollars to those campaigns. Every legislator coming to Sacramento in January will understand the power of the unions.
However, unlike their predecessors from earlier decades, few will have an in-depth understanding of the important role that CPAs play in California’s economy. Most will never have experienced the privilege of running a business or the terror of making a payroll. Term limits have not delivered on its promise of making our state Legislature an entity controlled by citizen legislators who are putting their own personal business aside for a brief period while they perform their public service. We’re still seeing career politicians moving up from local politics, or working for a legislator and doing a brief stint at the state Capitol while they seek the next office.
Legislators and candidates are, for the most part, good people trying to do the right thing. It’s just that the right thing is not always readily apparent, and there is inherent suspicion of all special interests—except the ones that got you elected. We need to help the Legislature understand the complex business environment in which CPAs operate so that they are more able to make the right decisions.
If you have questions about how to get involved in politics to help your profession, call CalCPA’s government relations department at (916) 441-5351. And make sure to vote in November. California is counting on you, like America counts on CPAs.
Wanted: CBA Committee Members
The California Board of Accountancy is recruiting licensees who have the technical skills, interest and commitment to serve on either its Administrative or Qualifications committees beginning in 2009. Being a committee member is an opportunity to actively participate in the regulation of the CPA profession and become an integral part of an organization charged with providing consumer protection amidst changing consumer demographics and the evolving nature of the profession.
Committee appointments are for a term of two years; appointed individuals may serve a maximum of four terms. All applicants requesting appointment to a committee must be actively licensed for a minimum of two years prior to appointment.
The Administrative Committee receives and investigates complaints against licensees. It meets four to five times a year, generally for one day, alternating between a northern and southern California city.
The Qualifications Committee reviews accounting and attest experience of applicants for licensure and makes recommendations to the CBA. Responsibilities include conducting work paper reviews, with the applicant or employer present to respond to inquiries.
The application deadline is Oct. 31. For more information visit www.calcpa.org/CBA_Committees.
Bruce C. Allen is CalCPA’s director of government relations. Jeannie Tindel is CalCPA’s director of legislation.
