Change is inevitable in our profession, but this year, we enter a busy season that seems especially rife with new and shifting developments. That includes the tax implications stemming from the Affordable Care Act and the demise of the Defense of Marriage Act; new local, state and federal tax codes; an increased regulatory environment in the wake of legislation such as the Dodd-Frank Act and the Consumer Protection Act; and a host of new accounting and auditing standards. Indeed, New York CPAs will have their work cut out for them in 2014.

To succeed during this demanding time, you’ll need to utilize every resource at your disposal. But as you reach for your agency phone numbers and your reference guides, keep in mind that the NYSSCPA can be one of the most useful tools in your arsenal.

Often, what you need most during the busy season is the human element—contact with other professionals who can act as a sounding board or fully understand your concerns. The Society affords you the opportunity to meet and maintain an open dialogue with your fellow CPAs through its 15 chapters and more than 60 statewide committees. It also offers an exclusive, members-only benefit that can become crucial during tax season: the technical hotline, which makes it easy for members to get help with confusing technical queries. (To contact the technical hotline, dial 212-719-8309 or email technical @nysscpa.org.) There are the Society’s online and print publications, including the Tax Stringer and The CPA Journal, which shed light on the profession’s legislative, regulatory and administrative developments, particularly as they concern tax and audit policies. And of course, the Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE) continues to offer educational seminars and conferences that speak to the hot-button issues of the season, such as the current health care law and accounting and auditing standards.

In addition, the Society may be of use to you in a very tangible way this busy season, with a new program for renting state-of-the-art office space and conference rooms at its 14 Wall Street headquarters. Visit nysscpa.org for more details and instructions on making a rental request. 

We’re entering a period that could prove challenging for even the most veteran of professionals, but you don’t have to go it alone. Make the most of your membership and take full advantage of the NYSSCPA’s resources. Remember: We’re here to help you.