American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Overview:

Profession(s): Accounting & Auditing
Member Type(s): Certified Public Accountants
Scope: National - United States
Formed: 1887
Members: 330,000
Address: 1211 Avenue of The Americas, 19th Floor, New York, NY, 10036, USA
Phone: 212-596-6200
Fax: 212-596-6213
Website: www.aicpa.org

Description:

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the national professional organization for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States.

Mission/Aims:

AICPA Mission:

To provide members with the resources, information, and leadership that enable them to provide valuable services in the highest professional manner to benefit the public as well as employers and clients.

In fulfilling its mission, the AICPA works with state CPA organizations and gives priority to those areas where public reliance on CPA skills is most significant.

AICPA Objectives:

Advocacy:
Serves as the national representative of CPAs before governments, regulatory bodies and other organizations in protecting and promoting members' interests.

Certification and Licensing:
Seeks the highest possible level of uniform certification and licensing standards and promotes and protects the CPA designation.

Communications:
Promotes public awareness and confidence in the integrity, objectivity, competence and professionalism of CPAs and monitors the needs and views of CPAs.

Recruiting and Education:
Encourages highly qualified individuals to become CPAs and supports the development of outstanding academic programs.

Standards and Performance:
Establishes professional standards; assists members in continually improving their professional conduct, performance and expertise; and monitors such performance to enforce current standards and requirements.

Principal Activities:

By engaging in activities to achieve their mission, the AICPA develops standards for audit and other services provided by CPAs, provides educational guidance materials to its members, creates and grades the Uniform CPA Exam, and monitors and enforces compliance with the profession’s audit, technical and ethical standards.

Member Benefits:

Complimentary subscription to the Journal of Accountancy
Complimentary subscription to The CPA Letter
Access to the Technical Information Hotline
Access to the Professional Ethics Hotline
Access to the AICPA Library
Exclusive offers and discounts from our Elite Values partners
Insurance programs
Retirement programs
Exclusive content for members only

Training/Licensing/Certification:

We offer specialized credentials in personal financial planning, technology consulting and business valuation.

Affiliations:

Associations to which we are a member:
International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
Global Accounting Alliance (GAA)

Verification Criteria:

The licensing authority and requirements for CPAs falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Accountancy for the state, district, or country in which a CPA practices. In adherence to the AICPA mission, the Institute seeks the highest possible level of uniform certification and licensing standards while promoting and protecting the CPA designation. The national organization representing the state boards is the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

The requirements, which are set by each state board of accountancy, include: completing a program of study in accounting at a college or university, passing the Uniform CPA Exam, and obtaining a specific amount of professional work experience in public accounting (the required amount and type of experience varies according to licensing jurisdiction).