IPA Readers Overwhelmingly Favor Interstate Licensing, National CPA License

IPA readers overwhelmingly favor interstate licensing for CPAs in the U.S., an exclusive IPA survey on regulatory issues and the AICPA reveals: 85.2% think cross-border licensing should be approved. In addition, 70.5% of respondents endorse a national CPA license.

The IPA survey was sent electronically

On other regulatory issues, most subscribers believe their clients would welcome different financial reporting standards for public and private companies: 30% say their clients would be "delighted," while 24% say they'd be "pleased." Another 18% say their clients would be neutral about differing financial standards.

On satisfaction with AICPA services, most subscribers say the institute is a bit out of touch with the needs of partners at small and mid-size accounting firms. IPA subscribers were asked "How good a job do you believe the AICPA does in keeping in touch with the needs of partners at small and mid-size accounting firms?" An astounding 44% rate the institute as below average or poor in this area; less than 30% say it is good or excellent. Another 27% gives the AICPA an "average" grade.

Subscribers gave the AICPA good marks on its services. The strongest area among IPA subscribers was conferences, with 88% of respondents describing themselves as satisfied, very satisfied or extremely satisfied with AICPA conferences. The lowest-ranked AICPA service was regulatory leadership, with nearly a third of respondents expressing some degree of dissatisfaction.

Following are the results of IPA's survey results and a representative sample of comments.

Part I: Licensing

1. Regulators increasingly are discussing the possibility of cross-border licensing of CPAs within the U.S. In your opinion, should interstate licensing be approved?

2. In your opinion, should there be a national CPA license?

Part II: AICPA:

1. How satisfied are you with the following AICPA services?

Sample comments:

* "The AICPA is formal, reserved and removed. Generally, the rank and file don't have an Tm here to help' attitude. The attitude is more 'We're big and important, and don't bother us.' There are a few exceptions, but this is the general personality and culture of the organization."

* "The [AICPA] leadership over the last four years as an organization should be commended. [It has] evolved in ways that most corporations would not have been flexible enough to pull off."

* "We are getting flooded with communiqu?s. The importance of this stuff really needs to be rated."

2. How good a job do you believe the AICPA does in keeping in touch with the needs of partners at small and mid-size accounting firms?

Sample comments:

* "The addition of Jim Metzler as the local firm connection is starting to enhance the communication and responsiveness we need." (Editor's note: Metzler, a former partner at a local firm in Buffalo, N. Y., joined the AICPA in 2003 as Vice President Small CPA Firm Interests.)

* "They are out of sync."

* "They are getting better. The new liaison is an improvement."

3. I'd like the AICPA to pay more attention to ... IPA asked participants what issues they'd like the AICPA to pay more attention to. Most answers fell into the following categories:

* Demonstrating value of membership and differentiating its benefits from those offered by state societies and other organizations;

* Lobbying on specific regulatory and legislative issues, such as workload compression, liability, the 150-hour rule, and serving as an advocate for CPAs;

* Customer service, reacting to member feedback and providing high-value communication with members;

* Providing education and leadership on small firm issues.

4. The AICPA's decision to move select operations to North Carolina from New Jersey and New York is a smart decision.

Part III: Financial Reporting Standards

1. Steps are being taken toward different financial reporting standards for public and private companies. In general, how do you think your private company clients will react if different financial reporting standards for private companies are implemented? (Respondents could provide multiple answers.)

IPA periodically surveys its readership on pressing issues at the forefront of public accounting firm management and leadership. If you wish to participate in future surveys, please e-mail the editor, Julie Lindy, at jlindy@hudsonsawyer.com with the subject line: Reader Surveys.