Professional Issues

AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon, speaking at the fall meeting of the Institute’s governing Council in Las Vegas in October, gave an update on globalization’s impact on the profession, the AICPA’s ongoing efforts to support members and the public during the economic downturn and recovery, and on new technology efforts on the horizon.

Melancon noted the importance of the Institute’s involvement in international associations including the International Federation of Accountants and the Global Accounting Alliance.

He said the globalization of the world’s economies will mean that CPAs’ ability to operate across borders will no longer refer just to state boundaries but to international borders as well. He also discussed international reporting standards and sustainability.

Because members will need to be able to demonstrate a competency in IFRS, the AICPA plans to launch in May 2010 an IFRS Certificate of Accomplishment for CPAs, which will require 72 hours of content to complete, he said.