Institute Names Metzler Small Firm Liaison

On July 31, the AICPA selected James C. Metzler, CPA, a nationally recognized consultant to small firms and previously a partner of a local Buffalo, New York, firm for 24 years, to fill the newly created position of vice-president for small firm interests. Metzler, who is a long-term member volunteer, will oversee the AICPA’s firm practice management initiatives—which include partnering for CPA practice success (PCPS) and management of an accounting practice (MAP)—and act as a liaison between the Institute and small firms, helping them find more effective ways of delivering the high-quality services their clients need.

“I couldn’t be happier that Jim’s joined our team,” said Barry C. Melancon, AICPA president and CEO. “Over the past 18 months, it’s become increasingly clear to members, financial statement users and the business world how vast the differences are—in clientele and services—between small firms and their larger, more visible counterparts serving public companies.” One of the Institute’s top priorities is protecting firms that do not audit SEC-registered entities from laws and regulations created to govern the actions of those that do.

Melancon added that at meetings of state societies and other local practitioners’ groups, Metzler will be soliciting from members their wishes and concerns about various issues, including the potential for regulatory excess, and conveying them to the AICPA board of directors and the strategic planning committee. “Now that Jim has arrived,” he said, “the small firm perspective will be even better represented when the Institute formulates positions on rules and legislation and plans its various activities.”