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FICPA members Hike the Hill to advocate for CPA profession in Tallahassee

The Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) on Jan. 12 held its annual in-person advocacy event, Hike the Hill, at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. The event – which was the Institute’s first full-member, fly-in advocacy day – brought FICPA members together with lawmakers to advocate on behalf of the CPA profession in Florida.  

“During Hike the Hill, our members met with numerous policymakers who impact our profession every day,” FICPA Chair Kristin Bivona said. “The FICPA is the voice of Florida CPAs in our state’s Capitol, and we were honored to have the opportunity to talk with legislators about issues relevant to the CPA profession in Florida.” 

Advocating on CPAs’ behalf is the cornerstone of the FICPA’s mission, and member involvement is crucial to ensuring CPAs count in the political process.  

The FICPA was honored to hear a keynote address from Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin. Secretary Griffin expressed her excitement to partner with the FICPA in supporting and strengthening the CPA profession.

In addition to meetings with legislators at the Capitol, Hike the Hill included a Legislative Briefing Luncheon, during which the FICPA celebrated the members of its inaugural Leadership Academy graduating class.  

“Effectively communicating with lawmakers, and the strength of our legislative relationships, are paramount to our success in Florida’s governmental process,” FICPA Director of Governmental Affairs Justin Thames said.

Hike the Hill was the second of the FICPA’s two CPA Advocacy Days in January, following last week’s Virtual Advocacy Day, which offered FICPA members an interactive CPA lawmaker panel featuring Rep. Mike Caruso, Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Cyndi Stevenson; a discussion of the CPA profession from House Majority Leader Mike Grant, Sen. Travis Hutson, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bobby Payne, and Senate Finance and Tax Committee Chair Ana Maria Rodriguez; and a Florida Economic Update from Dr. Jerry Parrish.
 

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