AICPA Failing to Lead the Profession
Re: AICPA's Plan for Cognitor Designation Forges Ahead
From: Mike Cabrera, CPA, macabrera@mindspring.com
 
I am a 28-year veteran of the CPA wars, former AICPA committee chair, member of five committees, and former member of council.

The AICPA is failing to lead the profession. Its policies are not aiding its members, quite the opposite, the AICPA is helping to devalue the CPA brand. The actions of the AICPA are typical of most large organizations - trying to grow and obtain more members and revenues so that staff and leadership can perpetuate their existence and jobs.

The AICPA has promoted certain positions, such as the specialty designations, that have hurt the average local CPAs. As an example, many CPAs, including me, used to do business valuations for estates, divorce proceedings etc., simply by virtue of being CPAs. Now, because the AICPA championed the CVA designation, a "mere CPA" cannot perform that service any longer. Is this equitable? Does this represent the interests of the profession or its members?

This is but one small example. Now the AICPA plans the biggest boondoggle of all - the "Cognitor" designation. Give me a break! These guys will completely gut the value of the CPA brand if they see the potential for hundreds of thousands of potential new "AIXYZ" members. Members who pay dues and buy useless CPE and "new" specialties and designations.

-- Nov. 29, 2000

Read more Letters to the Editor regarding the Cognitor designation.