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UPGRADE APPLICATIONS: If you are currently a Student or Associate member and need to upgrade your membership to the next level, please do not complete the online application. Instead, please download the membership application in .pdf format, complete it, and send it along with a $25.00 application fee to Marsha Moffitt at mmoffitt@arcpa.org or fax it to (501) 664-8320. You will be billed for any applicable upgrade dues.
- 2011/2012 Annual Dues
- ASCPA 101
- Who We Are
- Chapters
- Directory of Officers
- Meet Our Staff
- Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program
- Join Our Society
- Member Services
- Annual Convention
- Annual Leadership Conference
- Awards
- Career Center
- Emergency Assistance Plan
- Information Exchange Service
- Insurance
- Legislative Efforts
- Part-Time Assistance Program
- Peer Review Program
- Professional Liaison Program
- Public Relations Program
- Reference Library
- Resume Service
- Other Special Services
- Communications
Who We Are
The Arkansas Society of CPAs (ASCPA) is an active professional organization of CPAs working together to improve the profession and serve the public interest.
With over 90 years of service to the accounting profession, the mission of the ASCPA is to act on behalf of its members and to provide support in enabling its members to perform quality professional services while serving the public interest. To achieve its mission the ASCPA:
- 1. Promotes membership in the Society by all licensed CPAs.
- 2. Provides a forum for personal and professional interaction to exchange ideas and experiences.
- 3. Seeks to maintain the integrity of the CPA designation and the licensing process.
- 4. Supports requirements for maintaining and enhancing members' professional competence.
- 5. Provides standards of professional conduct and monitors performance to enforce the professional standards.
- 6. Promotes the services performed by CPAs which encompass the integrity, objectivity and competence in the profession.
- 7. Identifies and provides selected services to fulfill the needs of the diverse membership (industry conferences, personal financial planning, insurance and other programs).
- 8. Provides adequate and timely professional information to its members.
- 9. Provides a variety of high quality education opportunities to assist members in continuing professional expertise.
- 10. Represents the interests of its members to government, regulatory bodies, and other organizations for improved external relations.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program
The Society's extensive Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program offers over 100 accredited courses and seminars annually. In addition, CPE is available through self-study materials, in-house programs, conferences, and chapter meetings. Programs are scheduled year-round to meet the professional needs of all members.
Top-rated discussion leaders conduct seminars in every area of accounting. It's easy to take advantage of these programs. You may register online, in person, by mail, by fax, by e-mail or toll-free phone. The CPE Department keeps track of all credits earned by members and prepares an annual statement available on request for use by the member.You can also access your transcripts online.
The CPE section in the ASCPA Newsletter keeps members up-to-date on schedules and opportunities. The ASCPA CPE Catalog is published annually showing CPE offerings all over the State. Special event flyers and conference brochures are mailed to members throughout the year.
Annual Convention
The ASCPA holds an Annual Convention, usually at a resort area, where members may participate in technical sessions and social activities with other members of the Profession and their families.
Annual Leadership Conference
The ASCPA's leaders play vital roles in the long-term health and vitality of this organization. Each year, the Society offers a Leadership Conference, presented by dynamic speakers that inspire, train and educate all ASCPA leaders.
Awards
The Society confers several professional awards including the Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award, Outstanding CPA in Government Award, and the Public Service Award for Individuals, and the Public Service Award for Firms. In addition, the Society presents annual awards for Outstanding Discussion Leader, Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry.
Emergency Assistance Plan
The Emergency Assistance Plan offers help to a surviving spouse or an estate in disposing of a practice and provides minimum conditions for that disposition.
Information Exchange Service
The Society maintains a bank of ASCPA members who work in various specialized areas. Occasionally, an ASCPA member will have a question arise that is out of his/her area of expertise. The ASCPA staff can help put members in touch with other members to assist with questions and/or advice.Members can also access the information online.
Legislative Efforts
It is important for the Society to build friendships at the Capitol and to obtain favorable legislation. The Society maintains a close working relationship with elected officials and appointed government officials. ASCPA Chapters host annual appreciation events for legislators in their area, and the Society hosts a biannual hospitality reception for legislators statewide. Workshops are offered to educate members on the legislative process. All members are asked to assist with the ASCPA legislative effort by serving as contact persons for members of the Arkansas Legislature and the United States Congress.
Part-Time Assistance Program
Each year, to assist members and firms, the ASCPA compiles a list of CPAs seeking part-time employment during tax season, and also a list of firms wishing to hire part-time staff. The list is distributed to both parties.
Peer Review Program
There are two types of peer reviews - system and engagement. A System Review includes determining whether the firm’s system of quality control for its accounting and auditing practice is designed and complied with to provide the firm with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional standards, including SQCS No. 7, in all material respects. This type of review is for firms that perform engagements under the Statement on Auditing Standards (SASs,) the Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) or examinations of prospective financial information under the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAEs) or audits of non-SEC issuers performed pursuant to the standards of the PCAOB.
Approximately 14,000 firms are likely to have a system review over the next three years. The scope of the peer review does not encompass other segments of a CPA practice, such as tax services or management advisory services, except to the extent they are associated with financial statements, such as reviews of tax provisions and accruals contained in financial statements.
In a system review, the reviewer will study and evaluate a CPA firm’s quality control policies and procedures that were in effect during the peer review year. This includes interviewing firm personnel and examining administrative files. To evaluate the effectiveness of the system and the degree of compliance with the system, the reviewer will test a reasonable cross-section of the firm’s engagements with a focus on high-risk engagements in addition to significant risk areas where the possibility exists of engagements being performed and/or reported on that are not in accordance with professional standards in all material respects. The majority of the procedures in a System Review should be performed at the reviewed firm’s office. This type of review is for firms that are not required to have a system review and only perform services under SSARS or services under the SSAEs not included in System Reviews. The objective of an Engagement Review is to evaluate whether engagements submitted for review are performed and reported on in conformity with applicable professional standards in all material respects. An Engagement Review consists of reading the financial statements or information submitted by the reviewed firm and the accountant’s report thereon, together with certain background information and representations and, except for compilation engagements performed under SSARS, the applicable documentation required by professional standards.
This type of review does not cover the firm’s system of quality control, so the reviewer cannot express an opinion on the firm’s compliance with its own quality control policies and procedures or compliance with AICPA quality control standards.
Engagement reviews should improve the quality of engagements and should protect the public that uses and relies on those reports without imposing any additional burden on reviewed firms. More than 14,000 firms are likely to have an engagement review over the next three years.
Professional Liaison Program
The ASCPA serves as a liaison with the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy and the Arkansas Bar Association, and maintains a close working relationship with them as well. The Society is also an active member of the Tax Advisory Council, which meets annually to review and improve state laws; other members of the Tax Advisory Council include the Arkansas Society of Public Accountants, Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Arkansas Bar Association, and other taxpayer oriented groups.
Public Relations Program
Seeking exposure in newspapers, radio and television, and by providing speakers for community groups, the Society works to enhance the image of the CPA in Arkansas among both the general public and special groups such as bankers, lawyers and government officials. Society members take an active role in promoting the CPA profession among students in Arkansas' high schools and colleges. The ASCPA office maintains key presentation material for members' use, such as videos, speeches and brochures.
Resume' Service
When you are ready to make a move, or looking to hire, turn to the ASCPA Resume Service for help with your job search. Upon request, the Society will send a copy of your resume to prospective employers. Through a service called Career Bank, members can post their resumes and job openings on-line.
Other Special Services
Members benefit by other group privileges, such as discounts available from Accounting Professional Search Services, Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Fedex Kinkos, Genesys Conferencing, Alamo Rental Car, Avis Rental Car, Capital Confirmation, Career Bank, The CPA Journal, The CPA Technology Advisor, Dell Computers, Dental & Vision Insurance, FedEx Shipping, Fidelity Investments Brokerage Group, First National Merchant Solutions (Credit Card Processing), Hertz Rental Car, Hewlett Packard, IC System (Collection Services), Bank of America Credit Card, Monroe Systems for Business Calculators, Office Depot, Research Institute of America, Regions Insurance, and Sam's Club Warehouse.
For additional information on these special services, email Robin Harris at ascpa@arcpa.org.
Insurance Plans
The ASCPA has partnered with BRAVO and Stephens Insurance, LLC using QCA Health Plan, Inc. (Qualchoice) as the group health benefits provider. BRAVO offers outstanding health insurance and an array of plans to ASCPA members, who are employers having 1 to 199 eligible employees. Other non-HIPG plans are available. For more information, please click on the link below-
"Thank you for offering BRAVO. I am now saving $350 per month on my medical insurance premium." - ASCPA Member
Perhaps one of the most important benefits available to members is the various insurance plans. Following is a list of the current plans available. Specific questions about any of these plans should be addressed to the appropriate plan administrator.
Professional Liability Insurance
Underwritten by the CNA Insurance Companies and endorsed nationally by the AICPA.
Limits from $100,000 to $5,000,000 are available.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.To apply online visit www.cpai.com/regions
Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Disability Income Protection
Association Plan underwritten by United States Life.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Long Term Care
Long Term Care is an asset protection plan unederwritten by Unum. It provides benefits for coverage of Nursing Home expenses as well as Optional Professional Home Care Benefits and Total Home Care Benefits. If you can't perform two of the Activities of Daily Living (eating, bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, or continence) or suffer Cognitive Impairment, including Alzheimer's Disease, and require the stand-by assistance of another person, you are eligible for benefits. Benefits are payable after a waiting period is satisfied, usually 90 to 180 days. Benefit Periods are 2 years, 3 years, 6 years, or Lifetime. Optional inflation protection is available. Benefit amounts range from $30 to $300 per day.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Business Overhead Expense Plan
Underwritten by United States Life.
Benefits up to $15,000 per month are available.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Underwritten by United States Life
Available for you, your spouse and your children.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Daily Hospital Indemnity Plan
Underwritten by Unimerica Insurance Company.
Pays up to $200 per day while hospital confined. Available for you, your spouse and your children.Endorsed by the ASCPA.
Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Term Life Insurance
Underwritten by United States Life.
Up to $1,000,000 in coverage is available for you, your spouse and children.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
CPA EmployerGard
Underwritten my CNA
CPA EmployerGard provides Employment Practices Liability.
Coverages include wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment (both 1st party and 3rd party claims) and failure to make partner as well as other types of protection.
Limits of Liability range from $100,000 to $2,000,000.
Virginia Surety, an A rated company, is the insurance carrier.
The EmployerGard was created exclusively for CPA Firms.
Endorsed by the ASCPA.
Administrator: Vernon Dutton or Holly Schieber
Regions Insurance, Inc.
1500 Riverfront Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
501-664-8791 / 888-272-6656 (Toll-Free)
Vernon.Dutton@regionsinsurance.com, / http://www.regions.com/rig/cpa_society.rf
Dental Insurance
Quality, affordable dental coverage through a partnership with the ASCPA and BRAVO is now offered through Delta Dental. Have the freedon to choose your dentist with 90% of Arkansas dentists participating.Go to www.mybravobenefits.com or call Bobby Whitfield or Mary Busby at Stephens Insurance, at 1-800-852-5053.
Group Health Insurance
The ASCPA has partnered with BRAVO and Stephens Insurance, LLC using QCA Health Plan, Inc. (Qualchoice) as the group health benefits provider. BRAVO offers outstanding health insurance and an array of plans to ASCPA members, who are employers having 1 to 199 eligible employees. Other non-HIPG plans are available. For more information, please click on the link below-
AICPA Endorsed Insurance Plans
Insurance plans endorsed by the American Institute of CPAs are available to AICPA and/or ASCPA members:
CPA PLAN
Provides up to $1,000,000 of term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
800-223-7473Group Insurance Plan
Provides term life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits
on an employee benefits program basis for public accounting firms.
800-221-3019Long Term Disability Income Plan
Provides long term disability income benefits for AICPA and/or ASCPA members.
800-221-4722Administrator for AICPA Plans: Aon Insurance Services
AICPA Plan Agent
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
The ASCPA Newsletter
Published monthly, the ASCPA Newsletter provides up-to-date information concerning developments in the Profession, news about members, upcoming events and other general information, including the latest professional pronouncements. Be apprised of legislative happenings and acquire knowledge of technical information provided by the Society's committees.
Yearbook
Each year, the ASCPA publishes a Yearbook that contains Officers and Directors, AICPA Council Representatives, State Board of Accountancy Members, Committee Members, Chapter Officers, as well as an overview of Society services and benefits.
Technology and the Society
Acutely aware of the rapid technological changes occurring, the State Society has staff and committees working to provide upgrades to our services. Delivery of timely and accurate information to our membership is our foremost challenge.
