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CPA Professional Associations
- Young CPA Network
- Professional Association of Small Business Accountants
- Institute of Management Accountants
- The Institute of Internal Auditors
- American Association of Finance and Accounting
Professional associations for CPAs provide resources and information as well as numerous opportunities for networking that are critical for career advancement. While some of these associations are free to join, others require you to pay an annual membership fee. Regardless of the cost, professional CPA associations offer a vast number of resources. Whether you’re interested in new developments that are impacting the field of accounting, training, mentorship programs or webcasts, the following five associations are a good place to begin.
1. Young CPA Network
The Young CPA Network was created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This organization caters to aspiring CPAs who are searching for mentorship and advice from professionals within the industry. The network provides education on the challenges that CPAs may come across in the field as well as learning opportunities. Young CPA professionals can take advantage of opportunities to not only further develop their understanding of the accounting profession as a whole but also their career and interpersonal skills. The Young CPA Network also runs an E.D.G.E. conference which educates its members on the best methods for making valuable networking connections and teaches about the most successful ways to stand out as an accounting professional.
2. Professional Association of Small Business Accountants
CPAs who specialize in medium and small business should consider the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants (PASBA). This organization provides its members with resources designed specifically for small- to medium-sized businesses, allowing them to help their companies in the best ways possible. The PASBA was founded in 1982, and it is known for pushing its CPA members to build their own firms rather than working as independent contractors or accounting freelancers for small businesses. Members can enjoy mentorship programs, informational sources and regional, national and local conferences.
3. Institute of Management Accountants
The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) was founded with the goal of supporting finance and CPA professionals who have the responsibility of various internal accounting duties in their respective businesses. Headquartered in New Jersey and founded in 1919, the IMA also has a presence in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The association is recognized worldwide for providing certification and training opportunities that are designed to strengthen its members’ professional skills and, ultimately, enhance their career outlooks. For example, the IMA administers the Certified Management Accountant certification — a credential earned by more than 70,000 of its members globally.
4. The Institute of Internal Auditors
With more than 180,000 members across the globe, the Institute of Internal Auditors mainly focuses on the auditing aspect of accounting. The organization, made up of professionals in the field, has one goal: to ensure that accountancy is performed honestly and ethically worldwide. The association verifies and guarantees that its members are moral, highly trained experts who perform their job duties in trust and confidence. Some of the services offered by the organization include continuing education, thought-leadership and awards of various credentials and certifications such as the Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership and the Certified Internal Auditor.
5. American Association of Finance and Accounting
The American Association of Finance and Accounting (AAFA) was founded in 1978. This group of executive-level headhunter accounting agencies strives to attract worldwide talent for their nationwide business contacts. Although many CPAs join professional associations for career development opportunities and training, a few are not satisfied with the process, particularly when they realize that the association offers limited jobs and training resources to its members. However, in the AAFA, finance experts and accountants benefit from rewarding and lucrative positions across the U.S.
Although there are many professional accounting organizations available for CPAs, it is important to consider the benefits of each association before you join. The best professional associations for CPAs provide their members with business development opportunities, continuing education, general skill development, networking opportunities and prestige in the industry.