In addition to having access to the general member benefits of the AICPA, as a CPA practicing in business, industry, and government you can take advantage of a variety of resources designed specifically for you. Below is a listing of the major AICPA offerings to CPAs in business, industry, and government.
Financial Management Center
The Financial Management Center (FMC) is a Web site that provides organization decision makers, financial executives, and financial management professionals a wide variety of resources, tools, and information about financial management and accounting, including the traditional areas of reporting, audit, and tax. The Financial Management Center was designed primarily for those practicing the profession in business, industry, and government, however, other CPAs and business professionals will also find helpful resources.
Strategic Management Resources
CPAs working in business, industry, and government need to not only be experts in accounting but they also need a broad base of business and management knowledge to be effective leaders within their organizations. The FMCenter provides numerous resources to help you in your role as a strategic advisor and decision maker. You can't simply know GAAP; effective management knowledge and skills are necessary too!
Management Accounting Guidelines (MAGs)
These publications offer practical implementation guidance on strategic management topics such as Evaluating IT Investments, Risk Management, and Strategy Mapping. Developed cooperatively by the AICPA, CMA-Canada, and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) the MAGs are authored by academic or professional business writers and reviewed thoroughly by AICPA, CMA-Canada, and CIMA member volunteers to make sure they contain actionable advice and content.
Strategic Management Infocasts
These web-based interactive presentations focus on selected financial management issues and provide guidance on current and evolving strategic management practices and concepts. Presented by subject matter experts, Infocasts provide high-quality interactive learning experiences with practical takeaways for participants.
AICPA Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey
Since this quarterly survey of CPA decision-makers in business & industry is a barometer of their outlook for our economy, readers of this survey can gain insight as to whether these leaders will be letting out the sails in the expectation of clear sailing or battening down the hatches in preparation for stormy seas. Questions are asked about the decision-maker’s overall outlook for the economy, overall outlook for his or her organization, growth expectations, and other projections as well as current challenges.
BusIndNews, the Electronic Newsletter for CPAs in Business & Industry
BusIndNews contains timely information on current issues and developments in the accounting world that directly impact business and industry. It also overviews new AICPA offerings and provides links to other research and information that may be of interest to Business and Industry members. If you are an AICPA member in business and industry and not already receiving BusIndNews, please e-mail us at BusIndNews@aicpa.org. Archived newsletters can be viewed as well.
Government E-news, the Electronic Newsletter for CPAs in Government
Government E-news provides updates on current developments in the government accounting environment. Published quarterly, it also provides information on new AICPA offerings geared to members practicing in government and links to other resources and information that may be of interest. If you are an AICPA member in government and not already receiving Government E-news, please e-mail us at GPACnews@aicpa.org. Archived newsletters are available as well.
Corporate Finance Insider
Published on the first Thursday of every month, the AICPA Corporate Finance Insider is an advertiser supported electronic newsletter that covers financial management and corporate compliance issues, nationwide job opportunities, plus career advancement strategies from the experts, self assessment tools, compensation research and hiring trends for those who recruit, train and manage CPAs and other financial professionals.
Government and Business & Industry Supplements to The CPA Letter
Included several times a year with The CPA Letter these supplements cover topics of special interest to members in Business & Industry and Government. Written from the perspective of the Business & Industry or Government member these supplements provide more in-depth coverage of current issues in the accounting world. These supplements are available online along with The CPA Letter.
Audit Committee Effectiveness Center (ACEC)
A key element in the corporate governance process of any organization is its audit committee. As its role expands, making the audit committee as effective and efficient as possible becomes critical. The Audit Committee Effectiveness Center presents the guidance and tools to make audit committee best practices actionable.
Audit Committee Toolkits
Available on the ACEC these broad samplings of checklists, questions, reports, and guidelines were developed to help audit committees do the job they need to do. Currently three different toolkits are available:
A Toolkit for private companies is currently being developed.
The Toolkits are available as a print books, or you may download the Toolkits from the ACEC and customize them to fit your own organization's needs.
Audit Committee Matching System (ACMS)
As this name implies the ACMS was designed to match AICPA members interested in serving on an audit committee with organizations looking for audit committee members. As an AICPA member, you may register your willingness to be on boards and audit committees; and organizations may seek potential board and audit committee candidates for free by doing a search.
Other AICPA Resources That CPAs in Business, Industry, and Government May Find Particularly Useful
Ethics Decision Tree
If you are challenged with an ethics issue at some point in your professional career, chances are you don't know where to turn, whom to talk to, or what to do next. We have created the ethics decision tree to help walk you through a process of resolving an ethics dilemma. Customized decision trees exist for Business and Industry and for Government.
AICPA Competency Self Assessment Tool (CAT)
CAT has been developed to help CPAs measure their overall skills and proficiency levels against the highest and most valued capabilities in their specific area. While self-review forms focus on what you have done, CAT pinpoints what you could be doing. It helps you identify growth is needed, and what new skills will increase your worth and make you a better CPA. The CAT assists you in assessing your strengths and areas for development in four key areas: Personal Attributes, Leadership Qualities, Broad Business Perspective, and Functional Specialty.
Antifraud and Corporate Responsibility Center
Some of the biggest challenges facing business today are re-establishing confidence among investors, promoting ethics and integrity in the workplace, and establishing clarity in reporting procedures. This resource center includes tools and information you need to combat fraud—whatever your role in the business community. Information is presented by perspective and by topic, including Fraud and Ethics Case Studies and how to detect and prevent fraud. A special resource page is available specifically for members in Business, Industry, and Government.
Information Technology Center
The IT Center provides a venue for CPAs, their clients, employers, and customers to research, monitor, assess, educate, and communicate the impact of technology developments on business solutions. The AICPA Information Technology (IT) Center serves CPAs who hold the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) Credential, members of the AICPA Information Technology Section, and CPAs who want to maximize information technology to increase efficiency and boost profits.
Conferences
Multiple conferences are offered at locations throughout the United States. AICPA members receive a 10 percent discount on all conference registrations. Below is a listing of just a few of the conferences offered that are particularly relevant to Business, Industry, and Government members:
- Controllers Workshop
- Government Accounting & Auditing Update Conference (GAAC)
- National Not-for-Profit Financial Leaders Forum
- National Not-For-Profit Industry Conference
- International Financial Executives Leadership Forum
- TECH+
- National Auto Dealership Conference
- National Conference on Banks and Savings Institutions
- National Construction Industry Conference
- National Conference on Employee Benefits Plan
- National Conference on Credit Unions
- National Healthcare Industry Conference
- National Conference on Securities Industry
- National Real Estate Conference
- National Restaurant & Hospitality Industry
CPE
Visit CPA2Biz to see the latest self-study CPE offerings.