IN TOUCH | PRESIDENT & CEO’s MESSAGE “We thank you for your continued loyalty and membership as we continue to shape programs, services and activities designed to enhance your opportunities and member experience and protect this great profession.”
Full Speed Ahead By Tammy J. Hofstede
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elcome to the new fiscal year! As we recognize the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years, we have evaluated and adjusted how we can better continue to serve you, our members. As we move forward to the next “new normal,” we will have expanded in-person and virtual learning, relevant and timely updates utilizing videos, advocating for the profession and addressing the pipeline challenges. As we start a new fiscal year on May 1, here are a few things we have planned for the year ahead:
Membership renewal We made the decision to have no dues increase for the second year in a row to help members keep costs down and catch up from the impact of COVID-19.
Go-to resource The WICPA is committed to being your go-to resource. During challenging times like those we’ve had the last two years, we rely on best practices and idea sharing of members more than ever. We are your connection to up-to-date, accurate and trustworthy information through our Featured News, social media, Connect, high-quality publications and e-news. Committee meetings and membership events are also valuable opportunities to build relationships with other professionals from different areas of the state to share ideas and common challenges. Although finalizing our media room was delayed longer than we expected due to equipment purchases and the continued impact of COVID, we plan to deliver new videos that include featured members and committees, state and national updates and interviews with members and invited guests. We will start our virtual monthly member orientation meetings again in the fall for those who wish to learn more about the WICPA.
CPE 2022 is the first year of the new two-year CPE reporting period for WICPA membership and CPA license renewal. 4
On Balance
May | June 2022
To assist members with their CPE, your WICPA membership includes discounts on continuing education to keep you up to date on tax laws, technology, human resource issues and new standards. We will again offer free CPE programs, including three programs by Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and one selected program from each of our conferences that will include ethics. That’s 12+ new complimentary, formal CPE credits plus the free programs already in our course catalog. Our conferences are back in person, and we continue to offer livestream as an option. Our primary venue for most of our conferences will be held at the new Brookfield Conference Center, which is easily accessible from the interstate and has free parking and an attached hotel with negotiated reduced room rates for out-of-town attendees. We researched and hired a new livestreaming vendor for our conferences. Starting in fall 2022, livestream conference attendees will have the option to select and attend concurrent sessions. The new vendor will also bring new options for our sponsors to market their products and services to our livestream attendees. For quick and convenient CPE, we have planned more oneto four-hour livestream programs including the Wednesday and Friday breakfast program season passes. The popular Individual Income Tax Update program with June Norman, a favorite that includes the Master Tax Guide, will continue to be held in person in several locations across the state (a livestream option is also available).
Increasing the pipeline It is more important than ever to be investing in the student pipeline to our profession, and the WICPA is taking a leading role in this effort. In collaboration with our new High School Educator Committee, we are able to partner and communicate with students about the numerous opportunities in the accounting profession. In addition, a high school student membership category will be added this fall for students interested in pursuing accounting. We will be developing new recruitment and marketing materials along with swag items to promote the profession. We plan to record presentations by young professionals and provide the videos to wicpa.org
