CPA Involvement in Associations Beneficial, Survey Shows

CPA Involvement in Associations Beneficial, Survey Shows

By Stephanie R. Myers

Active involvement in industry and professional associations is important to hiring managers, a recent survey showed.

The survey, developed by staffing service Accountemps, noted that 86 percent of 150 senior executives surveyed found participation in industry and trade organizations to be beneficial.

Hiring decisions are based on skills and expertise but also on demonstrations of ongoing commitments to a profession as well as commitments through membership in associations where individuals have the chance to network, the poll said.

Also, attending conferences, seminars and courses where continuing professional education credit can be earned is vital, the survey pointed out.

Dawn Fay, from Accountemps, noted that the survey reflects how employees benefit from trade associations.

“I always tell people the key is to pick an association you know you’ll be a participant in,” Fay said. “And I certainly think that most employers are very supportive for a lot of reasons.”

Fay added that employers will sometimes provide dues money for their employees to join professional associations.

“When companies pay for employees to participate, they know the company is investing in them,” Fay said. “Not only does your employee grow, it gives visibility to your organization.”

Being a committed member of an organization makes a difference, Fay said.

“I think people make a mistake by not being consistent with membership, and people will say it’s not beneficial because they’re not active,” she said. “There’s so many benefits—you have a resource of people to learn from, and it can help you grow your business.”

Philip Chenok, immediate past chair of the Society’s Future of the Profession Committee and former president of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, agreed, and said that while being a member of a professional organization is important, it’s imperative to be involved.

“I think being a member of an organization is good and useful, but on top of that, if you can devote some time as a participant in activities of the organization, that can be very beneficial, both from a resume point of view and gaining a lot of experience,” Chenok said. “It’s one thing to be a passive member, but I would think that if you had indicated in your resume that you had served in one or more committees of the organization, I think that’s something an employer would particularly look at.”

Joining a professional organization is also valuable in helping members keep abreast of industry developments, Chenok added.

“It’s beneficial because even if you’re a passive member, you’re going to get the association’s publications, and it gives you an opportunity to stay current,” he said.

Fay said membership in associations provides the opportunity to nurture networking skills as well.

“Not only should people be interested in getting technical knowledge and skills about Sarbanes-Oxley, but the soft skills are important,” she said. “The way we do business nowadays, it’s a much more interactive profession, and those soft skills are just as important. Being part of an organization and having that on your resume, they get the idea that you’re willing to interact.”