Accounting Alone

Until about fifteen years, political scientist Robert Putnam ago has caused a bit of a touch with his book Bowling alone, citing the famous drop in the number of people who bowl in leagues as a substitute for a decline in "social capital" and citizen participation in the United States over the past 50 years.

Then the media has taken place, and nobody worried about the social commitment (or if they have, it was to say that we could have too much of it). And in any case, it was unlikely anyone to write anything called "single accounting" (except me now) - accountants have always been committed to their profession, both before and after social media.

So why bring this up now? Because I will encourage everyone to their level of commitment. If you're not part of a group of his colleagues, join a - or create one. If you already belong, participate in a committee or volunteer for a position. And if you do all those, start recruiting others to join, and increase their level of commitment, too.

Why? First, it is good for you, at this time.

Whether through a forum of active social media as QBOChat, the local branch of the CPA firm state, or a larger organization, such as an agreement or a network, or the National Conference Professional or the American Institute Public Accountants CPA interact with their fellow practitioners will help to solve problems, learn new valuable things, recruiting and retaining new employees, promote your business and find new business and mergers and partners. With increasing competition both within the profession and outside, now is the time to enjoy the will of accountants to share all kinds of valuable tips and best practices with colleagues.

And secondly, it will be good for the industry, now and in the long run. As it continues the release of the baby boomers, accounting, like everything else, it will fall by demographic cliff, even with regard to ride the younger generation being attracted to other areas. A vibrant, highly committed profession will be better able to overcome the departure of the baby boom, and attract new members to fill their spots, there is nothing to identify new opportunities for its members say.

If you are a member of the AICPA there is already a great opportunity to talk to their profession happening now. In the week after the April 18, you should have received an email from the institution in the vote on a proposal to create an international association with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The new group would be an important accounting basin internationally, while preserving the bodies of the individual members of the AICPA and CIMA.

In our April issue, we find an article written by the vice president of the Institute Carl Peterson about why he thinks the proposal is good for the profession, and our May issue we find an article by Noah Ash Institute on value of world public accountant credential management, which was the main product of the original joint venture between the AICPA and CIMA. On the side of the scam, columnists our spirit accounting, Profs. Paul Miller and Paul Bahnson oppose the proposal in his column in May (and almost everywhere else).

Whatever side you take, the ballots are due on June 16, and taking into account the potential of the proposal in the profession impact, both here and abroad, it is important that everyone grief.