Chair's Message

Sharing Professional Passion

George Cohen, CPA

One of the responsibilities of the Chair of the ASCPA is to meet with our members in order to better represent their interests and listen to their issues and concerns. This is done in person at meetings or networking events, online or by telephone. By far the most pleasurable and rewarding experience for me this year has been traveling to chapter meetings.

In Arizona, we are fortunate to have so many active and informed members who are passionate about their careers and profession. I was both delighted and comforted by meeting so many of you outside the Phoenix area. I was also put on notice to be prepared to discuss the issues of the day, or “what keeps us up at night.”

Whether the topic was interstate mobility, SOX, finding and retaining quality staff, technical training, financial literacy or member benefits, I found the passion of our members runs deep, as does the expectation that our leaders will do whatever it takes to best represent our interests. The turnout at our Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott and Tucson meetings was encouraging from a participatory perspective. Many of those in attendance were not just waiting for information to flow to them. They did not hesitate to voice concerns, seek those with a common mindset, and take appropriate actions to help shape their professional environment.

Most impressive is the growing presence of our young leaders and future leaders. One thing I learned early on when serving in a volunteer capacity was the easiest way to move up (and out) was to find my replacement. (Actually, when I think about it, this also applies to business as well.) The comfort of knowing the work you have done will be carried on by those you have confidence in, is a real stress-buster.

Certainly, there will always be continuing and emerging issues that challenge the profession. As a professional membership organization, we must continue to influence those people who are in a position to affect our professional lives, and we must demonstrate our passion to do so. It is incumbent on all of us to encourage representation by informed, energetic and passionate individuals. I strongly encourage you to continue to meet and challenge each other, and to expand your circles of influence outside the meeting room. Whether through face-to-face encounters, e-mails, (i.e., list services or blogs), or on a soapbox, seek out others who are also passionate and then enjoy the sparks that fly in a very positive way.

I often tell young professionals not to wait for their ship to sail, but rather swim out and meet it. For now, I am sleeping well knowing we have a lot of swimmers at both the shoreline and the horizon. Thank you all for your passionate involvement.

Talk to you soon.

AZ CPA – February 2007