October 1999

Society Recruits Student Associates

By Frank Pagani

Students actively pursuing an accounting curriculum at a college or university that provides courses to meet the requirements for the CPA exam can now become NYSSCPA associate members. The new associate membership category, one of five created earlier this year through a bylaws change, provides students with access to all Society services and benefits for annual membership dues of just $30. Applicants require the sponsorship of an NYSSCPA member or the endorsement of an accounting professor.

For many years, the Society has helped accounting students prepare for the CPA exam, via membership in the New York Association of CPA Candidates. Unlike the Candidates Association, which also charged $30 membership dues for associate members, student associates will have the opportunity to serve on committees and to enjoy the entire range of member discounts--from rental cars and eyewear to insurance programs and CPE courses.

"This is a very exciting development for the Society and students because the new category will offer so much more to the student than the prior Candidates Association," said Marc Haynes, NYSSCPA Membership Committee chair and former CPA Candidates Association president. "And, because of the extensive experience and success of the Candidates Association, the Society is well positioned to meet the needs of new student associates."

For the approximately 1,200 members of the New York Association of CPA Candidates, the Society is arranging a special process for associate membership in the Society.

The Society asks for the support of members in education and current CPA candidates to recruit student members. The chairs of college and university accounting departments also will receive recruitment information. In addition, Haynes regards CPA candidates as valuable resources because they can serve as ambassadors to their schools' accounting departments.

Student applicants must be sponsored by a Society member or accounting professor. Membership is good for 12 months, after which students may apply to renew but again need to be sponsored by a Society member or professor.