October 1999

Northeast

By Katharine K. Doran, CPA, Chapter President

"Where exactly is the Northeast Chapter?" I have heard this question frequently as I represent our chapter at NYSSCPA functions. The Northeast Chapter includes 11 counties, extending from just south of the Capital District up to the Canadian border. We have more than 1,100 members, with over one-third of the members employed in industry, education, or government.

The Northeast Chapter faces the same challenges and concerns as CPAs throughout the state. The accounting profession is changing rapidly. Our practices are evolving as a result of consolidations, the demand for additional services from CPAs, and the proposed UAA. We must keep up-to-date with technological advances to remain efficient and competitive. Perhaps the biggest challenge we face is attracting and retaining talented staff. We all want to hire the brightest and the best but it seems that fewer people are choosing the field of accounting. We need to get the message out that a career in accounting can be as rewarding as it is demanding.

How do we address these issues? Continuing education is essential, not just to maintain our licenses, but to advance and grow in our profession. In addition to FAE courses in our area, our chapter committees offer programs relevant to our members. For example, we will sponsor a seminar on research resources available on the Internet in November. We are in the process of forming a Practice Management Committee, which will hold roundtable discussions and seminars geared toward small and medium-sized practices. Our Cooperation with Educators Committee will work with our Young CPAs Committee and CPA candidates to present panel discussions about career options in the accounting profession at local colleges and universities.

Our young CPAs have been busy sponsoring social, networking, and educational events. Several of our current directors and committee chairs first became active Society members through their involvement with the Young CPAs. This committee is extremely important because the Young CPAs are the future of our profession.