Membership and active participation in professional organizations is important to demonstrate your drive, commitment, and pride in the profession. The following are the main professional organizations in accounting:
AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the central professional organization for CPAs. It continuously updates and refines the body of professional knowledge, regulates membership admission, innovates social responsibilities in emerging areas of practice, and polices the conduct of its members. It presently has about 320,000 members, with the majority of them in public accounting. Its monthly publication is the "Journal of Accountancy. " For information about the Institute's programs, write to:
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N. Y. 10036-8775
At the state level, each state has a state society of CPAs. In California, the California Society of CPAs (CSCPA) is located at 275 Shoreline Drive, Redwood City, Ca. 94065-1412. Its telephone number is (415) 802-2600.
IMA - Institute of Management Accountants
The National Association of Accountants (now the Institute of Management Accountants) was founded in 1919 to represent the interest of management accountants. It presently has more than 100,000 members and more than 350 chapters worldwide. Its monthly publication is "Management Accounting." The IMA's address is:
Institute of Management Accountants
P.O. Box 433 10 Paragon Drive
Montvale, N. J. 07645
AAA - American Accounting Association
The American Accounting Association (AAA) was founded in 1916 and focuses its activities on accounting theory, research, and all phases of accounting education. It publishes a quarterly journal, "The Accounting Review." The AAA's address is:
American Accounting Association
5717 Bessie Drive
Sarasota, FL 33583
IIA - Institute of Internal Auditors
The Institute of Internal Auditors was founded in 1941 to represent the interest of internal auditors. It established the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation in 1974, and publishes a quarterly magazine "The Internal Auditor." The IIA address is:
Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc.
249 Maitland Avenue, Box 1119
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701-4201
Other professional associations:
National Association of Black Accountants
3001 Street, N.E., Suite 107
Washington, DC 20002
American Society of Women Accountants
35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2250
Chicago, Il. 60601
American Women's Society of CPA's
11 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 600
Chicago, IL. 60601