Shelly Weir and Justin Thames review the key issues from the Florida Legislature's Legislative Session and recent Special Sessions, look ahead to the 2022 election season, and discuss how to champion the CPA profession to students and the public at large.
FICPA Leadership
FICPA 2021-22 Chair Kristin Bivona, President & CEO Shelly Weir, and 2022-23 Chair Julian Dozier look back on a busy year and look ahead to an exciting future for our organization and our members.
The latest edition of CEO Conversations features a pair of leaders with expertise in preparing accounting students and Young CPAs for what's ahead.
In this newly created role, Summerlin will lead a high-caliber team to create and implement strategies aimed at enhancing member value through a focus on sustainable growth.
The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) announced on Wednesday that Justin Thames has been named the Institute’s Chief External Affairs Officer.
“The FICPA is the voice of Florida CPAs in our state’s Capitol," FICPA Chair Kristin Bivona said, "and we were honored to have the opportunity to talk with legislators about issues relevant to the CPA profession in Florida.”
2022 Virtual Advocacy Day: Watch the full replay
The Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) on Jan. 6 held its second annual Virtual Advocacy Day. The event brought FICPA members together with lawmakers to advocate on behalf of the CPA profession in Florida.
You can watch the full replay by clicking on the video player above.
“The FICPA is the voice of Florida CPAs in our state’s Capitol,” FICPA Chair Kristin Bivona said. “Our Virtual Advocacy Day agenda featured numerous policymakers who impact our profession every day. We were honored to have the opportunity to meet with them 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.
#Advocacy isn't just a buzzword. Here's exactly what we got done for Florida #CPAs in 2021 with the help and leadership of our Public Accountancy Bill sponsors, Sen. @JoeGruters and @RepMikeCaruso, and fellow CPA lawmaker, @RepStevenson. #CPAsCount pic.twitter.com/C3qk5ToQI4
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 6, 2022
“I’m thrilled to be with you all as we kick off our advocacy days and raise awareness about the CPA profession among our state lawmakers,” FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir said in her opening remarks. “With your continued support, we will strengthen our position among policymakers, the public and the profession nationally.
The Virtual Advocacy Day event included a legislative briefing from FICPA Governmental Affairs Director Justin Thames and of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee’s Jennifer Green; 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.
"I want to thank you, @FL_Thames and @FICPAShelly, for your leadership, your new ideas and your creative thinking." - @RepMikeCaruso #CPAsCount
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 6, 2022
“As #CPAs, we serve broad interests and we understand financial impacts. ... What concerns me the most is addressing real issues that people in Florida face.” - @RepStevenson #CPAsCount
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 6, 2022
"We could always use more CPAs up here in Tallahassee. ... We're the strongest supporters of the profession, and we'll continue to be so." - Sen. @JoeGruters#CPAsCount, and would love to count even more in the years to come in the Florida Legislature!
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 6, 2022
Thank you to our CPA Lawmakers - Sen. @JoeGruters, @RepMikeCaruso and @RepStevenson - for being generous with their time today and standing up for the CPA profession in Tallahassee. #CPAsCount pic.twitter.com/BlQkv5PYLi
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 6, 2022
“Whether we connect virtually or in person, effectively communicating with lawmakers is paramount to our success in Florida’s governmental process,” said Thames.
On Jan. 12, the FICPA will host its first full membership fly-in advocacy event – Hike the Hill – in Tallahassee.
This is a conversation focused on people, as Shelly and Scott discuss attracting new CPAs, retaining the talent already in the profession, the rise of remote work, and what our industry might look like in the years to come.
Shelly Weir and AICPA Chair Bill Pirolli the talent pipeline, the future of the profession, how to promote and retain employees, technological advances, and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
We are bolstering our engagement with four new Regional Directors of Membership, who will serve area chapters, individual members and firms around the state. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Geraldine Grady, your new Regional Director serving Tampa and Southwest Florida.