This summer, many of our chapters participated in an important Society tradition: They gave high school juniors throughout the state a glimpse into our profession through the NYSSCPA’s Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession program (COAP). A free summer program held on 11 college campuses, COAP is designed to teach students about the breadth and depth of accounting as a career choice, through workshops, field trips and interaction with businesses and firms in their own communities. Now in its 28th year, COAP is just one of the ways in which we introduce the next generation to the opportunities afforded those who hold a CPA license, but it serves another key purpose. With a keen focus on underrepresented populations in our professional community, it gives us an opportunity to ensure that as the face of the country changes—and as technology moves us toward being a true global village—the CPA world keeps pace.
There was, perhaps, no greater champion of COAP than David J. Moynihan, the Society’s 2009–2010 president, whom we lost earlier this year. Dave was a founder of the Syracuse Chapter’s COAP program and also served on its board. Moreover, he believed in taking time to encourage young and aspiring accounting professionals whenever he could.
Dave’s commitment to young people is one reason why our Society chose to honor his memory by establishing The Moynihan Fund, an educational trust that finances the NYSSCPA’s Excellence in Accounting Scholarships and COAP programs. When we launched both the fund and our fund-raising drive Carry It Forward (read about at it www.gofundme.com/carryitforward) this past spring, personal tributes poured in from CPAs who were touched by Dave at some point in their careers and emerged as better professionals—and even better people, as some have said—for it.
In the months ahead, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to do good in Dave’s name, and to support COAP and accounting education initiatives at the same time.
One such opportunity, suggested by an NYSSCPA member, coincides with the Annual Ethics Update. These sessions, which many of our chapters hold in the fall, allow CPAs to meet a portion of their New York state ethics CPE requirement while also fitting in some fun (the updates are often paired with a social event). The first ethics update takes place in Dave’s home chapter, Syracuse, on Aug. 18, and will be immediately followed by the chapter’s annual Summer Sizzler Clambake. And here’s where The Moynihan Fund comes in: This year, the chapter will be accepting donations for the fund during the event. Dave, as some of you may recall, was the ethics section leader for several chapters, and his memory looms large at these functions. Though Syracuse will be the first to collect donations for The Moynihan Fund at the Annual Ethics Update, it won’t be the only one—check with your chapter’s officers about how you can support the fund at your own ethics update.
In addition, the NYSSCPA’s Open House, to be held at its 14 Wall Street office on Dec. 7, will also include opportunities to donate to the fund. If you’ve attended any of our Open House functions in the past, you know they’re a great way to make new contacts, catch up with old friends and enjoy a glass of wine or two.
I’ll keep you updated on other opportunities to grow The Moynihan Fund as they arise. I also challenge you to send me your own ideas about how we may further honor Dave’s memory. I hope we can count on your support to carry forward not only his passion for education and the profession, but also the hard work and dedication of the generations of CPAs who came before us. Our predecessors gave us a helping hand when we needed one—now, it’s our turn.
president@nysscpa.org