Cognitor Rationale Remains a Mystery to Me
Re: AICPA's Plan for Cognitor Designation Forges Ahead
From: Phil Chenok, PBCHENOK@cs.com

I have been following these developments with considerable interest. Although I have tried to read everything I can about the proposal, the "Cognitor" designation has not as of yet been described crisply enough to evaluate. Words like "knowledge-leveraging", "competency building", "knowledge-sharing", and "infrastructure marketing" are too vague for me to understand.

Questions in my mind include: What services will Cognitors offer?  What skills will Cognitors possess?  What preparation is necessary to become a Cognitor?  Why will an organization need a Cognitor in the first place? 

Perhaps answers to these questions have been provided to Council members but it certainly isn't clear from any of the material I have read thus far. Perhaps Max Stinson of Reilly Industries, who is quoted in the story, can clarify what it is he is doing in practice that would be covered by the designation.

Editors Note: Phil Chenok is a former chairman of the American Institute of CPAs.

-- Nov. 15, 2000

Read more Letters to the Editor regarding the Cognitor designation.