CalCPA Celebrates Century of Serving Accounting Profession

Association Also Delivers Financial Education to Public

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With almost 35,000 members, the California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) is celebrating a century of supporting financial professionals on whom Californians and businesses rely for advice and services.

CalCPA members and staff are marking the centennial with a celebration tomorrow evening at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel.

Founded by 36 individuals in 1909 in San Francisco, CalCPA is now the nation's largest state association of accounting professionals. Its 14 chapters offer professional development events for members, scholarships for accounting students and opportunities for CPAs to serve their communities.

"Throughout CalCPA's history, we have constantly strived to ensure the highest standards for our members while providing them tools and services that can help them better serve the public," said Loretta Doon, CalCPA's chief executive officer.

Doon noted that in recent years, CalCPA and its members have worked to improve the financial literacy of Californians. "With the current recession, individuals and families need to make wise financial choices," Doon said. "Our high school and Dollars & Sense community programs help Californians understand how they can improve their savings, investing and budgeting skills."

CalCPA offers financial literacy programs through CalCPA Institute, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit founded in 2004. These programs provide instruction on such topics as proper credit card use, money management and smart ways to invest.

CalCPA members also work with the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief efforts, including providing disaster preparedness advice regarding taxes and financial matters.

In 1959, CalCPA formed the Group Insurance Trust (GIT) of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. The GIT offers group health and welfare programs to owners and employees of CalCPA-member firms.

In 1966, CalCPA created the California Certified Public Accountants Foundation for Education and Research. Today known as the CalCPA Education Foundation, it provides continuing education opportunities for CPAs and financial professionals throughout the United States.

In 1986, CalCPA created CAMICO, a mutual insurance company owned by and for CPAs that provides CPAs across the nation access to professional liability coverage at stable rates.

About CalCPA

The California Society of Certified Public Accountants is the nation's largest state accounting organization. It serves almost 35,000 members in public practice, private industry, education and government. It is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif.

SOURCE California Society of CPAs