The MNCPA and its members — a symbiotic relationship
Chair's Message
Bob Cedergren, CPA | June/July 2023 Footnote
Editor's note: Updated May 30, 2023
There has never been a better time to be a CPA than today! I know this is a bold statement, but it is one I genuinely believe and I hope you do as well.
The opportunities available to CPAs are greater than at any previous time in our profession. When I speak to college accounting students, I often comment that by becoming a CPA, they will have employment opportunities for their entire working career given the ongoing need for CPAs in public accounting, business and industry, nonprofits and academia.
Today’s CPA is not saddled with the stereotype of the pocket protector and green eyeshade who spends 60-plus hours per week pounding away on a calculator. No, today’s CPA is a trusted business adviser who is typically the first call for a business owner when they need advice. Today’s CPA may certainly spend time performing audits or providing tax planning and tax compliance related services, but that is not all the CPA of today is capable of doing. In today’s technology-driven environment, CPAs are also familiar with cloud computing solutions that support a client’s business, work with artificial intelligence (AI) or robotic process automation (RPA) and is conversant in cryptocurrency and virtual reality. The opportunities for a CPA in today’s complex, ever-changing environment are endless. Dare it be said, the CPAs who were founding members of the MNCPA in 1904 would not recognize the profession of today.
Continuing education is a vital part of maintaining a CPA’s skillset amid the demands of the profession. The MNCPA is well-positioned to provide the CPE a CPA needs to maintain their license. Whether it is a 1-credit online seminar or a full conference, the MNCPA helps fulfill the CPE requirements for CPAs. In fact, the MNCPA provides continuing education equivalent to nearly 100,000 CPE credits on an annual basis. One of the premier CPE opportunities the MNCPA provides is the upcoming Management & Business Advisers Conference (MBAC). This year’s event is June 13–15. This three-day conference is presented in a virtual format the first two days and both in person at Mystic Lake Casino and livestreamed the third day. You can register at
www.mncpa.org/mbac to learn about changes to leases, FASB and employment law, or stretch your knowledge about digital assets, ESG, work culture and burnout, automation and artificial intelligence.
The MNCPA also provides many other benefits to members, including networking opportunities and advocacy on behalf of the profession at the Minnesota Legislature. Similarly to being a CPA, there has also never been a better time than now to be an MNCPA member.
For those of you who are members, thank you for your support of the MNCPA. For the CPAs and accounting and finance professionals who are not MNCPA members or have CPAs at your firm or business who are not members, please encourage them to become MNCPA members. The work the MNCPA does is dependent on having a thriving membership and the MNCPA works tirelessly on behalf of all licensed Minnesota CPAs whether they are MNCPA members or not. Joining the MNCPA is easy and can be done by visiting
www.mncpa.org/join.
With the arrival of summer, I’m hopeful each of you are able to spend time doing what you enjoy most, whether it be heading to the cabin, taking in a baseball game, enjoying time outdoors gardening or doing home projects. Enjoy the summer!
Sincerely,
Bob Cedergren, CPA
Chair, MNCPA board of directors
boardchair@mncpa.org
