ASCPA BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF JOINING ASCPA NOW

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1 ASCPA The Arkansas Society of CPAs (ASCPA) was established in 1916 as a statewide professional organization for CPAs. With more than 3,000 members strong, ASCPA strives through its membership, improve the Profession and serve the public interest. While membership in the ASCPA is voluntary, the time has never been better to be a member. BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF JOINING ASCPA NOW No dues increase for 2011 No CPE fees increase for 2011 A new website with secure access for members, Members may login with their ASCPA membership ID #, and password of your last name. The ASCPA membership # may be found on the annual dues statement, Newsletter mailing label or by calling the Society office. The first letter of the password (members last name) must be capitalized). After the first logon you will be prompted to change your User name and Password if desired. Features of the website include: 1. Ability to pay membership dues online 2. Members may maintain and update their membership record online 3. Register for CPE online, with a seamless transaction that enters the registration into the ASCPA database, without the need for ASCPA to manually process or enter these transactions in most cases. 4. No credit card processing fee charged for paying online by credit card. 5. CPE Tracker/Records kept online. Members can now log on and view their CPE history and upcoming events. They can also add non-ascpa sponsored courses to their transcripts to manage a complete file of their CPE. 6. Firm administrators will now have access to register their staff for CPE courses, pay membership dues online for one or more persons, make address changes and other necessary updates.

2 YOUNG CPAs, STUDENT & EDUCATOR INVOLVEMENT EFFORTS New CPA Reception The ASCPA hosts a reception annually for Arkansas newest CPAs. The reception is held immediately following the Certificate Ceremony when the new CPAs receive their official certificates from the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. At the reception, the Society presents two new CPAs with free one-year ASCPA memberships in a drawing previously held by the Society. Each new CPA is presented with a small gift and an ASCPA membership information packet. Emerging CPAs Conference This conference is for Young CPAs who are age 40 and under and for new CPAs, to allow them to hear an update on current topics, career choices, and real issues that other Young and new CPAs are facing and hear the solutions offered by a variety of CPAs on a panel of experts. This event promotes networking with other young and new CPAs. Mentor Program A mentoring program has been established where a young CPAs are paired with experience CPAs for mentoring. The pairings are based on shared interests and areas of expertise, as well as geographical location. The pairings and program are kept entirely confidential. Emerging CPAs in the News An Emerging CPAs Section is included in the ASCPA Newsletter, which includes the profile of a young or new CPA and relevant information and articles pertinent to Young and new CPAs. Young CPAs Events Young CPAs networking events are help periodically, such as social events, to better involve young and emerging CPAs. CPA Exam Overview In coordination with Becker CPA Review, the ASCPA hosts a CPA Exam Overview as a free event to both students and young professionals. The event includes as a demonstration of an audit simulation that replicates those on the actual CPA Exam. The event is a hands-on learning experience for students and young professionals, with a representative from the State Board of Public Accountancy in attendance to answer questions specific to the CPA Exam application in Arkansas. Guide to Public Accounting Firms A Guide to Public Accounting Firms is printed and distributed annually to ASCPA student members and department heads of colleges and universities in the state. A link to the Guide is placed online on the Student Lounge section of the ASCPA website as well. The Guide contains information on the CPA Exam and job search assistance articles. It provides students with a free directory of public accounting firms throughout Arkansas, from which they can apply for employment or internships. The Guide also helps public accounting firms gain exposure to students as they prepare to begin their careers.

3 Student Education Fund Scholarships The ASCPA's Student Education Fund, augmented annually by contributions from members, provides scholarships to accounting majors at Arkansas colleges and universities. The Student Education Fund is supported entirely by contributions. It is a non-profit corporation, and gifts to the Student Education Fund are tax deductible. Securities and any other property, as well as cash, may be contributed. The Society contacts accounting department heads of qualified and unqualified higher education institutions to inform them of the availability of scholarships, application procedures, and requirements to become qualified to offer these scholarships. Student Career Fair The ASCPA holds a Student Career Fair annually. This event helps students to gain access to firms and businesses and gives them a chance to meet with prospective employers for the purpose of helping them find employment upon graduation. It also assists businesses and firms with staff shortages to conduct interviews with students for consideration for possible future employment. Student Newsletter The ASCPA publishes a quarterly Student Newsletter that is distributed to accounting department heads of Arkansas colleges and universities as well as ASCPA student members. The Student Newsletter is also available on the Student Lounge section of the website. Student Lounge The Society s Website has a Student Lounge section, as well as a Young CPAs Section which include Career Information, Student Newsletter, Scholarships, and Links to the AICPA s Young CPAs Site. On this site, students can play accounting games, keep abreast of all the latest developments, and much more. Visit the Student Lounge section at College Educators Conference The College Educators Conference is held each year for a nominal cost to attendees It serves as forum for accounting educators at Arkansas two and four-year colleges and universities, to meet with their peers to hear discussion on current topics, future trends, and teaching strategies and to exchange ideas. Feed the Pig ASCPA participates with the AICPA and other state societies to extend the reach of the highly successful 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy initiative by emphasizing a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign, entitled Feed The Pig. This campaign targets year olds, commonly known as career builders. The campaign targets these young Americans through a variety of media including, TV, radio, print, web, digital and outdoor advertising. ASCPA has worked to promote the campaign via the website, Newsletter, ad visuals including piggy banks, and a cardboard cutout of Benjamin Bankes, the campaign mascot. The ASCPA promotes the campaign to inspire members to re-ignite the savings habit and build long-term financial security. For more information, visit:

4 Financial Literacy Arkansas Society of CPAs is part of 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, a national effort of the CPA profession to improve the financial understanding of Americans across the country. It provides a comprehensive approach to financial education, focusing on the information that people need at each stage of their lives from childhood to retirement. The program is promoted via the ASCPA website, Newsletter and presentations at chapter meetings. Members are encouraged to volunteer. Various presentation materials are available for members to utilize including speeches geared toward various life stages, along with PowerPoint slide presentations and other materials. Money Management articles are also available which provide helpful information to the public. Contact the ASCPA for presentation materials or visit: Kids Count Presentations Kids Count is a financial literacy program adopted by the Arkansas Society of CPAs, which helps teach children to save money. Coordinate visits are made to elementary schools where CPAs talk to children about saving money and provide handouts, lesson plans, a drawing activity, a reading list of financially themed books, poem cards, and plastic piggy banks to the teacher and students. To request sample materials, please contact the Society office at Middle School and High School Presentations Society members can take an active role in promoting the CPA profession among students in Arkansas' high middle and high schools. The ASCPA office maintains key presentation material for members' use, such as videos, speeches and brochures.

5 ADVOCACY It is important for the Society to build friendships at the Capitol and to obtain favorable legislation. The Society maintains a close working relationship with elected officials and appointed government officials. Legislative Appreciation Event The Society hosts a biennial hospitality reception for the entire Arkansas legislative delegation and the Society membership. This reception provides an opportunity for CPAs and Society leaders and staff members to personally meet and become acquainted with Arkansas legislators. ASCPA Chapters host annual appreciation events for legislators in their various chapter areas. Key Person Program All ASCPA members are asked to assist with the legislative effort by serving as contact persons for members of the Arkansas General Assembly and the United States Congress in Washington, D.C. This program makes lobbyists of volunteer members who are willing to contact legislators and who have agreed to establish a rapport and maintain a liaison between the CPA profession and members of the legislatures. This legislative contact network conveys the profession s views on issues being considered by the legislatures while maintaining a personal rapport with officials. Members of the program have the unique opportunity to impact laws affecting the CPA profession. As a result of the legislative key person program, several bills have been deferred and defeated which would negatively impact accounting services, as well as promote legislation favorable to CPAs. Each ASCPA Chapter maintains a designated legislative representative to promote contact with legislators in that chapter area. Planning Agenda The ASCPA Legislative and Taxation committees work closely to plan a legislative agenda at the onset of the legislature s session. This typically has involved a one-day training session as well as a legislative agenda planning meeting. Legislative Tax Guide A Legislative Tax Guide is published and distributed to legislators every other year just prior to the Arkansas General Assembly legislative session. The Legislative Tax Guide is intended to answer general questions legislators may have concerning tax issues, and to assist them and their CPA in preparing their tax return.

6 PROFESSIONAL LIAISON PROGRAMS The ASCPA serves as a liaison to several different organizations including: Arkansas Bar Association The ASCPA partners with the Arkansas Bar Association by co-chairing the Arkansas Annual Tax Institute Conference. In addition, members of the Arkansas Bar Association may receive the Society s discount on CPE courses and conferences. Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy ASCPA works closely with the State Board of Public Accountancy when legislative issues arise which may affect the CPA profession. ASCPA leaders participate in an annual liaison meeting with the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. The ASCPA hosts a reception following the annual CPA Certificate Ceremony, where candidates who have successfully passed the National Uniform CPA Examination, administered by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy receive their official certificates. The Society works closely with the State Board of Public Accountancy on recommendations to the Governor for appointments to fill vacancies on the State Board of Public Accountancy. A representative of the State Board of Public Accountancy is invited to attend the CPA Exam Overview event hosted by the Society, to answer questions from student and young professionals specific to the CPA Exam application process in Arkansas. IRS & DFA The ASCPA hosts an annual liaison meeting with representatives of the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Finance and Administration. ASCPA members are surveyed prior to the meetings for input. Members of the Taxation Committee as well as Society leaders are invited to attend. The results of the meeting are covered in a special ASCPA Newsletter insert. Tax Advisory Council The Society is an active member of the Tax Advisory Council which meets quarterly to review and improve state laws. Other members of the Tax Advisory Council include the Arkansas Society of Public Accountants, Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration, Arkansas Bar Association, and other taxpayer oriented groups.

7 COMMUNITY Chapters Each ASCPA member automatically is eligible for membership in one of the ASCPA s ten Chapters. Central South DeGray Southeast Northeast Texarkana Northwest Valley Ozark Western The Chapters provide an excellent opportunity for members to become actively involved in the Society through participation and special activities. Chapters hold regularly scheduled meetings and provide an opportunity for networking with your peers in the Accounting Profession. The Chapters host a wide variety of programs throughout the year, including technical update sessions, informative speakers at chapter meetings, CPE credit and social events. Committees/Task Forces Committee or Task Force service is a rewarding experience, and it adds to professional development and self growth. Members are invited to actively participate in committees and task forces, through an appointment mailing each year. Committees and Task Forces are involved in administrative, educational, legislative, member services, public relations, professional and technical areas. The ASCPA President-Elect appoints committees and task force members, and the ASCPA staff works with each group to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. Current ASCPA standing committees include: Accounting Principles & Auditing Continuing Professional Education Emerging CPAs Federal Tax Institute Industry and Commerce Legislative Nominations Peer Review Professional Ethics Public Relations Taxation

8 Awards The Society confers several professional awards including the Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award, Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry, Outstanding Emerging CPA Award, Outstanding CPA in Government Award, Public Service Award for Individuals, and the Public Service Award for Firms. In addition, the Society presents an annual award for Outstanding Discussion Leader. Public Relations Program The Society works to enhance the image of the CPA in Arkansas among the general public through exposure in newspapers, radio and television. Society members can take an active role in promoting the CPA profession in their community groups, and among students in Arkansas' schools by volunteering to make presentations. The ASCPA office maintains presentation materials for members' use, such as videos and brochures. Senior CPA Luncheon The Society hosts a Senior CPA Luncheon as an annual event for members that are age sixty-five and over and their guests. The luncheon usually includes a guest speaker and offer senior members and their guests the opportunity to visit with long-time friends and colleagues. Night at the Ballpark The Central Chapter of CPAs and the Society co-sponsor a Night at the Ballpark event, which provides an opportunity for young CPAs and their families as well as all other CPAs in the Central Chapter to have a fun networking time at an Arkansas Travelers baseball game. Mac Angel Memorial Golf Tournament The Mac Angel Memorial Golf Tournament is an annual event, of which proceeds support the ASCPA Student Education Fund toward accounting scholarships for students at Arkansas colleges and universities. Student Education Fund The ASCPA Student Education Fund was created to aid, promote, develop and advance education and research relating to the study, teaching and practice of accountancy and to be principally committed to providing scholarships to Arkansas students attending Arkansas Colleges and Universities. The Student Education Fund is supported entirely by contributions. It is a non-profit corporation, and gifts to the Student Education Fund are tax deductible. Securities and any other property, as well as cash, may be contributed. The Student Education Fund presently awards scholarships annually to qualified students at Arkansas colleges and universities.

9 DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING Continuing Professional Education (CPE) It is critical that CPAs remain current with new developments and techniques. To encompass the needs of CPAs in public practice, industry, education and government, the ASCPA offers over 100 courses and conferences per year. Courses are held at locations throughout the state to make keeping up to date with new developments convenient for ASCPA members. The Arkansas Society s CPE program contains seminars and conferences conducted in a classroom environment, as well as self-study, webcast programs, and on-line courses. As a member of the ASCPA, you will receive an annual CPE Schedule and valuable brochures on each conference. Also, as a member, you pay a discounted rate for courses offered by the Arkansas Society. You save every time you attend an ASCPA CPE program! The CPE Department keeps track of all credits earned by members and prepares an annual statement available to the member for their use when reporting at the end of the year. The CPE section in the ASCPA Newsletter, keeps members up-to-date on upcoming opportunities. The ASCPA CPE Catalog is published annually showing CPE offerings all over the State. Special event flyers and conference brochures are also mailed to members throughout the year. ASCPA Conferences include: Annual Convention The ASCPA holds an Annual Convention, usually at a resort area, where members may participate in technical sessions and social activities with other members of the Profession and their families. Accounting & Auditing Conference The A&A Conference is a two-day event that allows CPAs and other financial officers to further their development and recognition of generally accepted accounting principles, auditing standards and auditing procedures. Federal Tax Institute This annual conference is a two-day event. Topics will cover state and local tax issues affecting individuals and corporations. Traditionally, this is the largest ASCPA conference, with both attorneys and CPAs in attendance. Fraud Conference This annual event is a one day conference. The event is intended to help participants how to protect their businesses from the menace of fraud. Industry, Commerce & Banking Conference This annual conference is a two-day event, designed to meet the fast-paced needs of CPAs in industry, commerce, banking and private practice. College Educators Conference A College Educators Conference is held each year for a nominal cost for accounting educators at Arkansas two and four-year colleges and universities, for meeting with their peers to hear discussion on current topics, future trends, and teaching strategies and to exchange ideas.

10 Leadership Conference The ASCPA's leaders play vital roles in the long-term vitality of this organization. Each year, the Society offers a Leadership Conference, presented by dynamic speakers that inspire, train and educate all ASCPA leaders, including its board of directors, committee and task force members for the upcoming year. Technology Conference The Technology Conference is an annual event designed for CPAs and other business professionals to provide tools and skills needed to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of changes in computer technology. Young CPAs Conference The Young CPAs Conference is geared toward CPAs who are age 40 and under, to allow them to hear an update on current topics, career choices, and real issues that other Young CPAs are facing. This event promotes networking with other young CPAs. Peer Review Program The Arkansas Society of CPAs administers the AICPA Peer Review Program. This program is designed to be educational for firms in public accounting to further enhance the quality in their performance of accounting and auditing engagements. The program also enables firms to communicate with their fellow peers on the objectives of the Accounting Profession. ASCPA Ambassador Program The ASCPA sponsors the AICPA Ambassador Program, whereby selected leaders of the Society attend an outstanding training program to prepare them to more effectively deal with the media, promote the Profession, and respond effectively to media during any type of crisis.

11 NEWS & PUBLICATIONS ASCPA Newsletter ASCPA Newsletter is a monthly publication that provides up-to-date information concerning developments in the Profession, news about members, upcoming events and other general information. The ASCPA Newsletter is mailed to all ASCPA members and made available for viewing on the ASCPA website, Annual Report The ASCPA Annual Report is a comprehensive report printed and disseminated annually to all members to provide them a financial summary and an operations and management review highlighting accomplishments throughout the preceding year as well as future plans and goals. Leadership Guide The Leadership Guide is produce annually as a reference manual for the purpose of assisting and educating Society Leadership on their responsibilities and duties. Online Directory of Peer Reviewers This online directory contains qualified peer reviewers from Arkansas and surrounding states for firms required to have a peer review in the current year. Policy Manual The Policy Manual, outlining ASCPA policies and procedures, is produced annually and distributed to all current and incoming Officers and Directors. Press Releases The Society sends press releases on a monthly basis to recognize members participating in various Society activities and events. Social Networking Sites ASCPA may be found on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook is a free-access social networking website that members may use to contact the Society or communicate between themselves on the website s discussion board. Existing Facebook users can find us by typing the keyword Arkansas Society of CPAs in the search box. If you are not a Facebook user, you can sign up by going to the site at: It is free and anyone can join. The objective of the group is to bring CPAs from Arkansas to one place for sharing and a connection. Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time. The public can follow us via the link, ASCPA s Facebook friends will automatically receive the twitter updates. The twitter page will be periodically updated with recent events, CPE courses, etc. Technology & Productivity Weekly All ASCPA members are provided a free subscription to Technology & Productivity Weekly, which is posted on the ASCPA website. Headlines are ed weekly to Society members. Yearbook Each year, the ASCPA publishes a Yearbook that contains Officers and Directors, AICPA Council Representatives, State Board of Accountancy Members, Committee Members, Chapter Officers, as well as an overview of Society services and benefits.

12 GUIDANCE Emergency Assistance Plan The Emergency Assistance Plan offers help to a surviving spouse or an estate in disposing of a practice and provides minimum conditions for that disposition. Information Exchange Service The Society maintains a bank of ASCPA members who work in various specialized areas. Occasionally, an ASCPA member will have a question arise that is out of his/her area of expertise. The ASCPA staff can help put members in touch with other members to assist with questions and/or advice. Part-Time Assistance Program Each year, to assist members and firms, ASCPA compiles a list of CPAs seeking part-time employment during tax season. It also compiles a list of firms wishing to hire part-time staff. The lists are distributed to both parties. Resume Service When you are ready to make a move, or looking to hire, turn to the ASCPA Resume Service for help with your job search. Upon request, the Society will send a copy of your resume to prospective employers. Members can also post their resumes and job openings on-line. Strategic Plan Each year the ASCPA Strategic Planning Committee reviews, and updates our strategic plan. This involves delegating assignments to committees and task forces to implement. ing a strategic survey (one for members and one for non-members), which is also made available online. Surveys are also given to CPE course registrants throughout the year to complete. The survey results are compiled and given to the Strategic Planning Committee at their annual December meeting.

13 MEMBER SERVICES & DISCOUNTS Member Discount Programs The Society offers many discount programs and services to members, which include: Arkansas Federal Credit Union Bank of America credit card Car Rentals CCH, Inc. for tax publications The CPA Journal magazine The CPA Technology Advisor magazine Dell Computer Corporation FedEx Printing FedEx Shipping First National Merchant Solutions credit card processing for clients Hewlett Packard I.C. System collections Intercall Conferencing for telephone and web conferencing Monroe Systems for Business calculators and supplies Office Depot office supplies RIA for tax publications Sam s Club advantage and business membership cards Standard Business Systems office copiers and hardware Tech Depot for office technology and accessories. Insurance Plans The Society offers a variety of insurance plans. Following is a list of the current insurance plans available to ASCPA members. The Society can provide you with contact information for each plan. ASCPA members can find more information about each plan at 1. Health and Dental Insurance The ASCPA has partnered with BRAVO and Stephens Insurance, LLC using QCA Health Plan, Inc. (Qualchoice) as the group health benefits provider. BRAVO offers outstanding health insurance and an array of plans to ASCPA members, who are employers having 1 to 199 eligible employees. Other non health insurance group plans are also available. BRAVO also offers affordable dental coverage through Delta Dental, with the freedom to choose a dentist; and 90% of Arkansas dentists participating 2. Automobile and Homeowners now available through Travelers Insurance 3. Accidental death and dismemberment 4. Business overhead 5. Daily hospital indemnity 6. Disability income protection 7. Individual long term care 8. Long term disability professional liability 8. Term life 10. Dental and vision.

14 ASCPA MEMBERSHIPS The Arkansas Society maintains different categories of membership to fit the differing needs of its members. Including: Public Practice Partner/Shareholder/Individual Practitioner Certified Member in Public Practice as a Partner, Shareholder or Individual Practitioner. Public Practice Employee Certified Member serving as an employee in Public Practice. Non-Public Practice Organization Certified Member serving as an employee in Industry, Government, Commerce or Legal. Non-State Resident Certified Member that is employed and resides outside of the state of Arkansas. Inactive Member has voluntarily left the workforce for an indefinite period of time. Unemployed Member has voluntarily left the work force for an indefinite period of time; or is temporarily unemployed for up to one year. Associate A person who has passed the CPA Exam, but has not met the one-year experience requirement; or a person who has graduated and is sitting for the CPA Exam; or a professional staff employee who is engaged in an accounting capacity and directly supervised by an ASCPA member; or a non-cpa Educator of a college or university. Student A person majoring in accounting at a recognized college or university, who has attained at least junior class standing, with the goal of becoming a CPA, will remain eligible as a student member until graduation. Retired Must have been a regular member for at least three years preceding retirement application, be retired from primary profession, be at least 60 years of age or older, or be totally disabled and eligible to receive social security benefits, and be in good standing with the Society at the time of retirement. In addition, recent changes have been made to the membership categories for: Life Membership Must be approved by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors present during any regular meeting. The recommendation must have been received from an ASCPA Chapter, and the member must be fully retired and have served the Society in an officer and/or director position. In addition, a member with consecutive membership of 40+ years may become a life member. Life members shall not be required to pay annual dues or assessments levied by the Society.

15 Educator Membership Professor of college or university, who agrees to participate in at least three Society activities per year. Dues for this classification will be waived annually. Now that you have learned more about the Arkansas Society of CPAs and all that it has to offer, we hope you will consider becoming actively involved.