NYSSCPA Sends Dues Notices to Members

NYSSCPA Sends Dues Notices to Members

By William Pape, Director of Member Relations

Fiscal Year 2004–2005 annual dues invoices have been mailed to all members in good standing.

Each invoice was accompanied by a letter from John Kearney, incoming New York State Society of CPAs president for the year commencing June 1.

In his letter, President-elect Kearney stresses the important role that the Society is playing in helping to shape the future of the profession in New York state; pending legislation in Albany could significantly impact the CPA license. He also notes that Society dues help to ensure that continuing professional education is provided across the state through the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE). The letter reminds members that statewide committees and chapters provide significant professional opportunities for networking and self improvement.

Analysis shows that dues-allocations support Kearney’s assertions and the Society’s strategic goals. The professional competency goal, as stated in the strategic plan, accounts for 55 percent of the budget, and includes committees, The CPA Journal, ethics, peer review and FAE. The advocacy goal, including the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program, chapters, governance, government relations and member services, totals 32 percent. The recognition and visibility goal is 13 percent of the expenditures, and includes communication, member insurance, The Trusted Professional and the website.

Voluntary Response

The invoice also includes voluntary payments for COAP, the Excellence in Accounting Educational Scholarship and CPAPAC. The total invoice reflects an assessment based on a person’s membership category, with a minimum suggested contribution of $10 each for the COAP and scholarship, and $25 for the political action committee.

Members can choose to increase their contribution as they wish or to opt out and not pay at all.

While most members pay their dues by check, they can also pay online at the Society website, www.nysscpa.org. This approach allows them to review their dues status and data that the Society maintains about their membership, including their contact information, privacy options, fields of interest, and a complete CPE record of all FAE courses they have taken.

Members can correct erroneous contact information and change their listed fields of interest and privacy options. These fields are used by the Society as a guide in marketing its education programs.