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

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

• 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.

Affinity partners, in most cases, are expected to pay a monthly or quarterly royalty that compensates CalCPA for the use of its name, staff time expended on the program and access to CalCPA’s membership list. Royalties 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 a minimum upfront affiliation fee 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. 

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 print and electronic member publications. 

Electronic 

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

Daily Clips
E-headlines delivered to CalCPA members each business morning (coffee not included).

Print

California CPA magazine
Reach 35,000 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
Sponsorship opportunities at both the chapter and state level with CalCPA are designed to provide support of a member program in return for acknowledgment and networking for the sponsoring entity. Customarily, support is in the form of a monetary contribution. Acknowledgment 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
1. The vendor submits a written proposal to:

      The proposal should contain:

• 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, presented to the Members Insurance and Benefits Committee at its next meeting. (Note: Meetings are held three times per year).

3. The committee reviews the proposal and determines if it is a product or service that meets affinity program guidelines and would be of interest to members.

4. If the committee approves the program, a due diligence investigation through relevant sources is conducted.

5. The vendor is informed of the committee’s decision.

6. Contracts are reviewed by appropriate sources, revised as necessary and signed by the appropriate parties.