March 2001

Society Launches Government Affairs Section on Website

NEW YORK—New York State Society of CPAs members looking for legislative news and government updates can now find this information in the Governmental Affairs Center, a new section of the Society’s website. Located at www.nysscpa.org/ legislative/gov-affairs.htm, the section was designed to update members on state, local, and federal government developments, as well as to provide useful government-related information and links.

“Keeping the membership informed is a top priority of the Society,” said Dennis O’Leary, NYSSCPA director of Government Relations. “This [the governmental affairs section] is a great way for the Society to make sure its members stay informed on issues that are important to CPAs who work and live in New York.”

Linked to the website’s main page, the section provides a gateway to pages focusing on regulatory issues, legislative issues, and Society political action committee activities. The section also provides access to a legal affairs area monitoring important happenings in the state and federal courts.

“Keeping abreast of the laws affecting the practice of accountancy is vital for CPAs,” said James Woehlke, the counsel for NYSSCPA. “Our Law Information Center gives members news of the latest court decisions that impact the practices of Society members and their clients.”

Recent government activities in which the Society has taken a keen interest include the reintroduction of legislation to amend New York accountancy law in the state Senate and Assembly.

Introduced in February, the proposed bills seek to incorporate certain aspects of the Uniform Accountancy Act into state law (See the front page UAA story). The UAA is a piece of model legislation developed cooperatively by the American Institute of CPAs and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

In supporting the proposed legislation, www.nysscpa.org is providing downloadable versions of both bills in its Government Affairs section.

The Governmental Affairs Center also provides information pertaining to the activities of Society political action committee CPAPAC, which works to strengthen the profession’s voice with the state Legislature, and links to legislators and various government agencies.