Georgia Society of CPAs Fact Sheet

Who We Are:
The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants is the premier professional organization for CPAs in the state of Georgia. With over 11,000 members throughout the state, the purpose of the GSCPA is to promote the study of accountancy and applicable laws, provide continuing professional education, maintain high ethical and work standards, and provide information about accounting issues to the membership and the public.

Mission Statement & Core Purpose:
The mission of the GSCPA is to help members achieve their vision of the future by:
Providing leadership in a changing environment
Offering opportunities to learn and demonstrate skills critical to success
Promoting and advancing the accounting profession
Fostering high standards of integrity and objectivity
GSCPA...providing members with opportunities for success.

Membership Demographics:
The GSCPA represents over 11,000 members throughout Georgia.
50% work in public accounting
36% work in industry
14% work in government and education
66% reside in Metro Atlanta

The organization is divided into 22 chapters throughout the state. Each chapter elects annual leadership, and is encouraged by the Society to enhance local opportunities for education and networking.

CPAs are diverse, business professionals offering a wide range of services and solutions to complex issues. The GSCPA members volunteer their services one of 32 committees ranging in topics from Personal Financial Planning to Legislation, from Accounting Educators & Career Awareness to Minority Issues.

Functions:
The GSCPA Staff and Membership collectively work toward several initiatives, including: 

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) - CPAs must complete 80 hours for continued education courses over a two-year period, and 16 of these hours must be in accounting and auditing (A&A). Of the 80 total hours, a CPA must take a minimum of 20 in any given year to keep their certification current. The GSCPA offers courses and conferences to help members reach their requirement and expand their wealth of knowledge to keep the CPA designation valuable.

Competency and Professional Ethics Peer Review - The GSCPA Peer Review staff ensures quality control for members by assuring that member firms are performing at a level that meets or exceeds professional standards accepted by the State Board of Accountancy.

Legislative Representation - The GSCPA constantly monitors State and Federal legislation regarding taxation and all matters affecting the accounting profession. Our lobbyist works on behalf of all members insuring the passage or defeat of important legislation. The Key Person Program matches a CPA with every senator and representative on the State and Federal level. The CPA contacts his or her senator or representative regarding legislation that affects the profession.

Member Services - The GSCPA provides services and products essential to the success of CPAs and the accounting profession. Health insurance, affinity programs, public relations efforts, career services, networking, professional development, and industry review standards are among the member benefits.

GSCPA vs. State Board of Accountancy
The GSCPA is the professional association for Certified Public Accountants in Georgia and membership is voluntary. The Georgia State Board of Accountancy is the regulatory board that coordinates the CPA exam and licensing. The Society and the State Board work closely together, however, they are two separate organizations.

Today's CPA
While the CPA designation has always stood for value and trust, it now also represents trusted professionals who enable people and organizations to shape their future. CPAs are trusted individuals capable of providing a variety of services, including, but not limited to, the traditional tax and audit services. Services in which they are recognized as competent include assurance and information integrity, management consulting and performance management, information technology, financial planning, and international business. Combining insight with integrity, CPAs deliver value by:
Communicating the total picture with clarity and objectivity,
Translating complex information into critical knowledge,
Anticipating and creating opportunities, and
Designing pathways that transform vision into reality.