By bbr

Atlanta, GA – Over 150 CPA members of The Georgia Society of CPAs from across the state recently met at the Georgia State Capitalin in honor of the 2013 CPA Day at the Gold Dome.

“The Georgia Society of CPAs launched CPA Day at the Gold Dome because CPAs offer a unique and intelligent perspective, and events like this make a very real connection between the profession and Georgia’s legislators. GSCPA members take seriously the issues that impact the CPA profession, the clients and employers they serve and the State of Georgia at large,” said Boyd Search, CEO of The Georgia Society of CPAs.

GSCPA members had the opportunity to hear from high-profile legislators including House Majority Leader Larry O’Neal; Senator Jack Murphy, Chairman, Regulated Industries Committee; Senator Judson Hill, Chairman of the Finance Committee; and Charles Beaudrot, Administrative Law Judge, Tax Tribunal. The event also included high-level updates from 3 CPA legislators – David Knight (HD-126), David Wilkerson (HD-33) and John Carson (HD-43).

During the morning program, GSCPA members also heard from J. Sam Johnson, CPA, current chairman of the Georgia State Board of Accountancy. The purpose of the State Board is to protect the public welfare by providing for the regulation of the practice of public accountancy and the certification of those who are entitled to engage in CPA practice. Johnson took the opportunity to speak to the CPA members on the state of the State Board.

“In spite of the fact that CPAs and CPA firms paid in excess of $1.2 million in fees to obtain and renew individual and firm licenses in the 2010 and 2011 biennial period, I stand before you as the chairman of what is likely the weakest and most underfunded state board in the country. It is my opinion that a more autonomous board having a high level of input in its budgetary and financial matters would more effectively and efficiently meet its stated purpose to protect the public welfare and license qualified individuals,” said Johnson.

Other highlights from the agenda included a networking breakfast and the opportunity for members to meet one-on-one with their individual elected officials.

“It means a lot to the Georgia General Assembly to hear from CPAs on their knowledge and experience of the respective industries they serve as well as on tax matters. I appreciate the help and support I have received from the GSCPA and its members as it pertains to the House Ways and Means Committee. CPAs are a valuable resource and offer an objective view on what affects Georgia and our citizens,” said Representative David Knight, CPA.

The Georgia Society of CPAs prides itself on acting as a voice for the CPA profession in Georgia as well as advocating for the interests of its members, the CPA profession and Georgia’s business community before regulatory and legislative bodies.

“The services that CPAs provide are most critical to the financial markets with regard to investors requiring accurate and dependable information for decision making. These services have a tremendous impact on a state’s commerce, economic health, and citizens in terms of a state’s GDP and a state’s tax collections. GSCPA members offer guidance and objectivity for lawmakers in making sound decisions for the state of Georgia,” said Representative John Carson, CPA.

For more information on CPA Day at the Gold Dome, contact Don Cook, vice president, legislative affairs at 404-504-2935 or dcook@gscpa.org.

GSCPA is the premier professional organization for CPAs in the state of Georgia. With over 13,000 members throughout the state, the purpose of the GSCPA is to achieve excellence by providing superior advocacy, leadership, service, lifelong learning and personal and professional development opportunities. For more information, access GSCPA’s web site at www.gscpa.org.