Support SB 691

By Denise M. Patterson, CPA

Congratulations to all those who have successfully navigated another tax busy season. That’s right, by the time this message is available, the 2009 busy season will have ended—April 15 will have come and gone. So, take a few moments to enjoy the sunshine and warmth of the spring season!

Here’s a look at some recent developments:

Senate Bill 691 is a CalCPA-sponsored measure introduced Feb. 27 by Sen. Leland Yee (co-authored by Assembly members Fiona Ma, CPA and Roger Niello, CPA). SB 691 would revise existing law regarding licensure. Currently, the law requires an applicant for licensure to comply with education, examination and experience requirements under one of two pathways that set forth different standards. Pathway 1 requires completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a college or university with completion of at least 24 semester units in accounting and 24 semester units in business related subjects, CPA Exam passage and two years of qualifying experience.

Pathway 2 educational and examination requirements are the same as Pathway 1, but also requires proof of completion of a minimum of 150 semester units prior to licensure and instead accepts one year of qualifying experience. 

Pathway 1  would be sunsetted Jan. 1, 2014 under SB 691,  and all applicants would be required to comply with Pathway 2. The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee April 27. For additional information on CalCPA’s support of SB 691, please refer to our online resources. Eliminating pathway 1 would bring California’s licensing standards up to those of 46 other states and remove barriers to interstate commerce for California CPAs and their clients. Existing CPAs that did not get a license with 150 hours of education would be grandfathered in.  

In recognition of its 100th anniversary, CalCPA will be hosting a gala celebration Friday, June 19, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. The evening will feature a reception and silent auction, and will continue with dinner and dancing. Registrations for the anniversary celebration can be made online.

Also—don’t forget to renew your membership! CalCPA offers a number of benefits to its members. Additionally, the Fresno Chapter has outstanding educational and social activities available each year. Please remember to renew your membership!

Until next month, have a wonderful spring!
— Denise M. Patterson, CPA (FL)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm and is filed under President's Message. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.