Affinity Partner Program

Purpose of CalCPA’s Sponsored Affinity Programs

To add value to CalCPA membership by providing attractive products and services geared to members who, without the benefit of CalCPA’s group purchasing power, might be unable to obtain a comparable product, service or price.

View a list of current CalCPA Affinity Partners

Affinity Program Criteria

• Provide a unique benefit in terms of price, product or service that members would be unable to obtain elsewhere in the marketplace; and

• Appeal to a large segment of CalCPA’s membership or provide a specific, unique benefit to a small segment of CalCPA’s membership who would be otherwise unable to obtain the product or service.
  

Royalties

In most cases affinity partners are expected to pay a royalty to CalCPA. The royalty compensates CalCPA for the use of its name, staff time expended on the program and access to CalCPA’s membership list. Royalties may be paid monthly or quarterly and for the sake of simplicity are generally calculated as a percent of sales. The royalty amount is negotiable and subject to mutual agreement by CalCPA and the affinity partner.

Additionally, upon approval, affinity partners are expected to pay CalCPA an upfront affiliation fee, a minimum of $5,000. This fee is considered an advance against royalties earned and is not in addition to regular scheduled royalties. After paying an advance the affinity partner pays no further royalties until CalCPA has “earned” the advance in accordance with the agreed upon royalty schedule. Only after the advance is fully “earned” do regular royalty payments commence.

Marketing

Affinity partners are expected to actively market their products or services to CalCPA members. Although CalCPA does not absorb the cost of its affinity partners’ marketing efforts, it will provide the following to its partners at no cost:

• Access to CalCPA’s membership list
• Informational articles in all appropriate CalCPA publications
• A listing in the Guide to Member Benefits
• A listing on CalCPA’s online, members-only benefits directory and link (if appropriate) to the affinity partner’s website.

Advertising Opportunities with CalCPA

Affinity partners are expected to purchase advertising in our member publications. There are a variety of publications, both print and electronic, at competitive rates.

Electronic Media

Online Ads

Place a display ad on any one of our website pages to reach CalCPA members, students, consumers and more!

Classifieds

Reach members and other CPAs with our online classifieds. To place an ad, use our secure online forms (if you are not logged in as a member, you will be prompted to log in or set up an account on the next page).
Products & Services Listing
Include your link on the listing more CalCPA members turn to get their needs met.

E-Newsletters

BUZZ and Advantage
Our e-newsletters exclusively for CalCPA members
Daily Clips
E-headlines delivered to CalCPA members each business morning (coffee not included).

Print Media

California CPA
Reach 31,000 CPAs with targeted advertising in our unparalleled monthly publication.
Technology and Business Resource Guide
Advertise in our annual must-read resource guide for members.

Sponsorship Opportunities with Member Programs

There are many exciting sponsorship opportunities for companies and vendors that want to be visible with the CPA community in California. Sponsorship opportunities at both the chapter and state level with CalCPA are designed to provide support of a member program in return for acknowledgement and networking for the sponsoring entity. Customarily, support is in the form of a monetary contribution. Acknowledgement is flexible and can take a variety of forms.
CalCPA enters into sponsorship arrangements to enhance member service while offsetting cost, while the sponsor or vendor benefits from the chance to gain visibility with the CPA professional community, introduce or highlight products or services and engage in personal interaction with CPAs. Sponsorship is available at the chapter or state committee level.
For more information, e-mail sponsorship@calcpa.org.

Overall Commitment of Involvement with CalCPA as an Affinity Partner

The overall commitment as an affinity partner in the first year should be approximately $25,000 by a combination of upfront affiliation fee, advertising, sponsorship and members’ savings or demonstrated value on the product or service.

Approval Process

The following steps are generally necessary in order for an affinity program to be considered for approval:
1.    The vendor submits a written proposal to:

      The proposal should contain the following elements:

• A description of the product or service
• The benefit to CalCPA members (discount price, unique service, etc.)
• The benefit to CalCPA (royalty or other advantage)
• A brief history of the company and principals
• References
• Marketing Plan
  

2.    The proposal is reviewed and, if appropriate, is presented to the Members Insurance and Benefits Committee (MIBC) at its next meeting. (Note: Meetings are held three times per year).
3.    The MIBC reviews the proposal and determines whether or not it is a product or service that meets affinity program guidelines and would be of interest to members.
4.    If the MIBC approves the program, a due diligence investigation through relevant sources is conducted.
5.    The vendor is informed of the MIBC’s decision.
6.    Contracts are reviewed by appropriate sources, revised as necessary and signed by the appropriate parties.