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In the Beginning

The California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the biggest CPA organization in California and the largest state CPA society in the nation, has a proud99-year history as a nonprofit corporation. From humble beginnings with36 members and only a few hundred dollars in its coffers, CalCPA has flourished and grown to more than 33,000members as the role of CPAs as financial professionals has became more defined and integral to the California economy.

Establishing Integrity
From the earliest days, CalCPA helped to establish the CPA license as the guardian of the public interest, whether it was to assure shareholders of their right to reliable financial statements and material corporate information, or individuals seeking financial advice or fair treatment on their tax obligations.

In 1945, the Legislature amended the California Accountancy Act to grant the attest function exclusively to CPAs. It also established a new Board of Accountancy that was charged with adopting rules of professional conduct for CPAs and to establish a system of regulation for the profession in California that still exists today.

In 1992, in response to public confusion, CalCPA supported the Bonnie Moore case, in which the California Supreme Court held that only CPAs may advertise as accountants, protecting consumers who, according to surveys, believed that all accountants were CPAs.

A Legacy of Answering the Call
CalCPA has a legacy of answering the profession’s call. In 1959, it formed the Group Insurance Trust of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. After almost 50 years, the GIT is still exclusively dedicated to providing quality and cost-effective group health and welfare programs to owners and employees of CalCPA-member firms.

In1966, CalCPA created the California Certified Public Accountants Foundation for Education and Research to recognize that CPAs needed to keep up on legislative changes and to continue to improve their services. In 1993, it became a separate entity, the California CPA Education Foundation.

In the early 1980s, CPAs were faced with amounting liability insurance crisis. In response, CalCPA created a mutual insurance company owned by and for CPAs, dedicated to assuring its members professional liability coverage at stable rates. The company would operate solely for the benefit of its members. Accordingly, any excess revenue, after claims payments and administration, belongs to its policyholders. CAMICO opened its doors to California in 1986 and now serves CPAs nationwide.

Advocacy for the Public, Business and CPAs
CalCPA always has advocated for the highest ethical and professional standards for California CPAs, working closely with the California Board of Accountancy and state Legislature to ensure the interests of the public, business and CPA community are served.

In 2004, CalCPA formed CalCPA Institute, a supporting 501(c)(3) organization, to create a home for its scholarship programs, financial literacy initiative and educational efforts, including leadership training and development and outreach to colleges and universities.

In 2006, CalCPA and the Education Foundation named Loretta Doon, CPA, CEO of both organizations, strengthened the infrastructure of each by increasing shared services to provide more seamless delivery of support to members and customers and to ensure the organizations’ long-term success.

In 2008, riding high on a wave of record breaking membership growth, CalCPA remains committed to our members’ success and strengthening our profession.