October 1999

CPA License Plates Rolled Out

By Lillie Balinova

After months of planning with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, CPA license plates became available on September 1 to all of the state's licensed certified public accountants with New York-registered automobiles.

The first CPA to order the plates was Beatrix McKane, an NYSSCPA member in Centerport, N.Y.

"In this day and age of major changes in the profession, it's important to keep the concept of the CPA alive and well," McKane said. "Having CPA plates gives us additional visibility."

The idea of CPA license plates came from Society President Alan E. Weiner.

"I was visiting the DMV website last February and I noticed it had an area for customized plates and, more specifically, license plates for professionals," he said. "I clicked on the professional site and up came roughly fifteen different state-licensed professions that had specialized plates, such as MDs, professional engineers, and dentists. The light bulb went on, and I thought 'Why not CPAs?'"

He asked Society staff members to look into the possibility of creating CPA plates. After numerous conversations with the DMV and design ideas going back and forth, Weiner had to make the decision as to style and color--red or blue? He did not think that the color red and its reminder of red ink would please CPAs and their clients, so the final design features "CPA" in a blue box.

Weiner also decided that the plates should be made available to all licensed New York CPAs, not just Society members. Weiner does not expect any CPA to get a client because of these plates but believes they will help give CPAs a sense of belonging to their profession and a way to express their pride.

The initial cost of the standard license plate is $34.50, with an annual renewal fee of $25, which covers the current registration period. (Applicants need not wait until the expiration date of their registration.) Individuals who already have personalized or "vanity" plates can order a personalized CPA plate (with up to six characters) for $63, with an annual renewal fee of $50.