Accounting Organizations

Accounting organizations offer financial professionals knowledge to grow both personally and professionally

By Kelly Shetsky, Anchor/Reporter

Professional accounting organizations are made up of professionals who are more than willing to share their expertise with others. It’s a chance to pick the brains of other CPAs and learn ways to build your client base. There’s no competition among members because you’re not from competing firms. Instead, you network and grow both professionally and personally.

By joining an accounting organization, you open yourself up to growth-oriented strategies and programs. You gain access to educational literature, industry news, programs, events and much more. There are accounting associations that run the gamut from campus groups to female organizations. When considering an accounting organization:

1. Join CPA organizations to network with other professionals.

2. Pay annual membership dues to professional accounting organizations.

3. Expect benefits to range from professional discounts to an increase in personal knowledge.

Use accounting organizations to network and develop your personal skills

Accounting organizations range from local groups to international associations. All have one goal: to further the financial industry. They offer members valuable resources and relationships.
Try: Use the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) website for a list of CPA organizations you can join. AGN International-North America, Inc. (AGN-NA) is the North American division of AGN International. AGN-NA brings professionals together in a cooperative environment, with the purpose of sharing resources and information to help members grow and meet their goals faster. AGN-NA is open to all non-competing accounting firms. Register online for membership and to participate in training. American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA) operates with the goal of connecting female accountants so they can achieve their professional, personal and economic potential. Members of ASWA range from partners, controllers, financial officers, financial analysts and recent college graduates. Register for the annual conference online.

Pay annual dues to join accountant organizations

Membership dues for accounting associations vary depending on which organization you choose to join.
Try: American Accounting Association (AAA) membership includes online access to journals that provide useful industry information to members of associations for accountants. You can choose between print versions of journals for a fee starting around $40 up to around $200. Submit your application online to join. Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is a professional accounting and business fraternity located on campuses throughout the US. BAP encourages interaction between students, faculty and CPA professionals. Click on a region on the BAP website to find the closest chapter.

Benefit from CPA associations professionally and personally

Accountant organizations link you to peers, special interest groups, industry newsletters and journals, placement listings and resources for research, teaching and practice. While you build your profession, you're also increasing your self esteem and confidence as a CPA.
Try: Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is a bit different from an association of certified public accountants because it’s an organization for state and local finance officers, both in the US and Canada. Members of the GFOA benefit from an annual conference, publications, training programs and educational programs. Log-in to register for GFOA events. The International Group of Accounting Firms (IGAF) gives you the chance to tap into the resources and technical skills of firms around the world through forums. IGAF is comprised of more than 140 firms, adding contacts to your referral base so you can build new accounts. Use the IGAF website to register for any of the more than 50 meetings, conferences and seminars each year.

Consider a company membership in lieu of individual membership to accounting organizations so that several employees can benefit.

Accounting Organizations