Think back to your high school civics course. You probably remember learning about state government and wondering why you needed to know about it, since you were going to be a CPA.

Most people don’t think they’ll ever need to get involved in the political process and don’t realize how it can influence lawmakers’ decisions. As a CPA, getting involved gives you the opportunity to impact policy decisions and educate legislators on ways their decisions affect your profession and the business community.

The MNCPA government relations staff monitors legislative activity and advocates on behalf of the profession. However, the true value of speaking out is in legislators hearing from CPAs in their local communities. Writing a letter, sending an email or making a phone call are great ways to express concern to policy makers about the impact of their decisions.

Once an issue is introduced as legislation, CPAs have another opportunity to educate legislators by testifying before a legislative committee. Testifying is a very effective and impactful way to communicate to legislators how proposed changes will impact people in their districts. It is important that CPAs stay engaged in these discussions and provide legislators with a unique perspective as a trusted advisor and resource.

Longtime MNCPA member Todd Koch has been involved in MNCPA advocacy efforts for many years and has seen the process run full circle. Recently, he shared his experience.

The story of one member’s passion for our profession

As CPAs, we are passionate about the profession. This is why we choose to do what we do. For me, advocating for our profession began as a result of my frustration with the old Minnesota corporate minimum fee. It impacted businesses that were losing money as well as low-margin businesses. These problems were not considered in the original legislation, and a change needed to be made.

As my frustration grew into a passion, it directed me to become more active and involved with the MNCPA’s advocacy efforts. Issues that other CPAs and I were concerned about needed to be addressed by someone directly affected and heard by the legislature.

I was eventually asked to testify at a hearing on the matter, and I was happy to do so. I thought if legislators understood the impact of this issue on real-world people, things could easily be changed.

I soon realized making changes at the legislature was not going to be easy, but it was possible. I didn’t understand how the process really worked, so I looked to the MNCPA for help. MNCPA government relations staff helped prepare me for what was ahead.

At the Capitol the day I was to testify, I realized that nearly every person there either worked for the state or was a lobbyist. I was the only one who dealt with these issues in the real world.

All went well when I testified, and it was rewarding to do something for the good of my profession. It took additional sessions of testifying before something was done about the Minnesota corporate minimum fee but, in the end, it was well worth it.

I have since followed a similar path to deal with other tax issues at the legislature. It’s important that we as a society be involved. The legislature hears many demands and cannot be an expert on all issues. When we consistently educate legislators and advise them on important issues, opportunities eventually arise for the issues to be addressed.

If you are passionate about a certain issue the MNCPA is working on, I strongly advise you to take your passion to the Capitol. The more CPAs we have educating legislators, the better our chances are for effecting positive change.

How you can get involved The MNCPA continues to support changes that benefit CPAs and the Minnesota business community. This legislative session brings new opportunities for you to help shape the policies that govern the CPA profession. Legislators will look for advice as they debate policy and issues affecting you. As a trusted business advisor, you can offer an expert opinion.

Getting involved in MNCPA advocacy efforts is simple and the time commitment is minimal. Learn more about the issues and ways to get involved on our website, or by contacting MNCPA Director of Government Relations Geno Fragnito at gfragnito@mncpa.org.