The FICPA’s Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the Board of Governors’ policies and overseeing the Institute’s activities. As in previous years, Florida CPA Today asked Executive Committee members to share their thoughts on issues facing the profession and the Institute.

Jose E. Valiente (FICPA President-Elect)
is founding partner of ValienteHernandez, PA, which has offices in Tallahassee and Tampa. A native of Cuba, Valiente is a Pacesetter member of the Florida CPA/PAC. He is serving a 20th term on the Board of Governors and an eighth term on the Executive Committee. Valiente serves on the board of the FICPA Educational Foundation, of which he is a Platinum member. Valiente supports several civic and professional organizations, including the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the University of South Florida School of Accountancy Advisory Council, the Hillsborough Hispanic Mentors Foundation Inc. and the Rotary Club of Ybor City. Valiente and his wife, Lourdes, reside in Tampa. They have a daughter, Lauren, who is an attorney.

What Would You Like the FICPA to Focus on this Year?
First and foremost, we need to continue working closely with the state Board of Accountancy to resolve the mobility issue. Achieving uniformity and promoting mobility through the concept of substantial equivalency is one of the most pressing issues confronting the CPA profession today.

We need to continue educating our members about the value of mandatory peer review.  There is a lack of understanding, especially among the smaller firms, of the actual cost/benefit relationship of the peer review program. In addition, we need to be at the cutting edge of information and training regarding the IFRS convergence.

For the first time in the history of our Institute, we have surpassed the 19,000 mark in the number of total members. We should continue providing opportunities for member involvement, continue being a one-stop resource center for our members’ CPE and training, and continue our advocacy initiatives on behalf of our members, especially the sales tax on services.

Finally, we should strive to develop a closer relationship with university accounting professors. They are the gatekeepers to our future members; we need to win them over so that that they can preach to the students about their professional responsibility to join the FICPA.

What Motivates You to Play an Active Role in FICPA Leadership?
It is a privilege to be associated with such a finely tuned and well-run organization.  During my 20 years of tenure with the Board of Governors, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some of the finest CPAs in the state. These men and women represent our profession with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism and passion. I have learned many invaluable lessons from these interactions and have made lifetime friends. It gives me tremendous satisfaction to be involved with the leadership of an organization that provides so much value and is so relevant to its members. Also, having the opportunity to interact with and mentor the next generation of accountants, from high school students, to university students, to the young Board of Governors members is extremely rewarding.

What Should the FICPA be Doing to Engage it Next Generation of Leaders?
All of us who are currently in leadership should serve as exemplary role models and mentors to the next generation. The FICPA should be constantly mindful of identifying and providing opportunities for our young members to learn how to lead. Members of the Board of Governors should be assigned to universities and required to go speak to Beta Alpha Psi students about leadership and the FICPA.

Michael R. Pender Jr.
is a partner in the Sarasota firm of Cavanaugh & Co., LLP, and is serving a third term on the Executive Committee. Pender is a member of the AICPA Council and a member of the FICPA Board of Governors, as well as the Finance & Office Advisory Committee, the State Tax Section and the CIRA Section. He is a Platinum Life Member of the FICPA Educational Foundation, a Pacesetter member of the Florida CPA/PAC and the 2003 winner of the FICPA’s Public Service Award. Pender is a member of numerous civic organizations, including Leadership Florida, the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County Foundation Inc.

Priorities for 2008-09
Each year as we work on a strategic plan for the FICPA, I try to focus on our vision and mission. The bottom line of our focus should be our members and keeping their interests as the primary direction of our work. One of the primary national programs continues to be mobility and the need to be on a level playing field with all CPAs. Significant accomplishments have occurred with legislation this year, but there is more to do. The second topic is mandatory peer review. Florida is one of the few states left in our country that does not require mandatory peer review, and without this, we are not on a level playing field with other CPAs around the country. This is a significant issue that will require educating our members, thoughtful discussion and feedback. The third area is continuing efforts to get students involved and interested in our profession. There is a significant need for new talent to follow in the footsteps of many of our professional leaders who are nearing retirement, as well as the increased demand on our profession for our expertise. Today, with the complexities of the economy, we are looked toward more than ever as the “trusted professionals.” We need to have the capacity to respond to the ever-increasing needs.

Motivation for Leadership
I cannot remember a time when volunteerism did not play a significant role in my life. The early encouragement from my parents, who were actively involved in the community and their professions, was a great influence. Being part of a team of leaders who work together to further the mission and vision of our organization is energizing. I think we all hope that when we are done, we have left a legacy that has made the profession a little better. It is a great honor for me to represent my colleagues on the issues that are affecting our profession and our future.

Engaging the Next Generation
I think it is the duty of professionals to mentor young people in our profession. It is their interest and talent that will direct our profession in the future. We should provide a portal for young professionals to learn leadership and become leaders. We should encourage them to take an active role in our profession, which will build the understanding and confidence to take over someday. I believe that we all learn form the thoughts of young professionals. Leadership is an evolving process that is ever-changing as new challenges and influences come together. Young professionals play an integral role in the vision for our future.

Scott G. Price
is co-founder and president of SAS 70 Solutions Inc., a national provider of SAS 70 audit services. Price, who joined the FICPA in 1998, is serving his fourth term on the Board of Governors and his second term on the Executive Committee. He has held chair and vice chair positions on several committees and has served on a number of Sections and task forces. Price was a member of the inaugural class of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Top 30 business leaders under age 30 and the CPA Technology Advisor’s 40 under age 40 influential CPAs in information technology. He has served several terms on the Hillsborough County and West Central Florida Board for Junior Achievement. Scott and his wife, Tina, have two toddlers, Brooks and Adriana, and they live in Odessa.

Executive Committee Goals
During my first year on the Executive Committee, I learned a great deal about the inner workings of the FICPA. It is a tremendous honor and responsibility to be entrusted with representing the views of all of our members. I hope to continue to reach out to our members to understand their needs and bring them to the forefront on the Executive Committee. After completing a challenging first year on the Executive Committee, I look to continue working with FICPA President Steve Stevens on the initiatives that he has embraced for his term. We have some national issues affecting our profession, such as mobility, peer review and international financial reporting standards (IFRS), and our members will look to us as a resource to support them in their work. 

The Importance of Membership
Since I have a specialized CPA practice, I use my FICPA membership to tap into the different types of services our members provide. As our profession becomes more specialized, I want to be able to meet my clients’ needs by referring them to practitioners who can help them accomplish their goals. The networking opportunities that the FICPA provides are unparalleled in our profession. Additionally, the FICPA is a great advocate for our profession. The FICPA watches out for us while we are busy serving clients. Until I became more involved in the FICPA, I did not realize everything it does for our profession. I encourage all members to become involved so they can appreciate the full value of their membership. 

FICPA Involvement
I began my involvement with the Accounting Careers Committee. I enjoyed learning from the committee members and became chair after the committee combined with the Accounting Educators Committee. I continued my involvement in the High School Outreach Task Force, and we had great success placing high school coordinators in our Florida high schools. Concurrently, I became involved in the Young CPAs Committee and became vice chair before I termed out this year after serving for five years. I joined the Board of Governors for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 fiscal years before being nominated to the Executive Committee. I have also served on the Finance and Office Advisory Committee for the 2007-2008 fiscal years. During my years on the Board of Governors, I have served on many task forces.

Stam W. Stathis
is information technology partner of CPA Associates in Bradenton. He is a member of the AICPA and has served on numerous FICPA committees and Sections over the years. He is a member of the Board of Governors, the Finance & Office Advisory Committee, the Membership Committee, the Business Technology Section Conference Planning Committee and a Florida CPA/PAC Trustee.

Priorities for 2008-09
Issue one is to maintain the relevance of the FICPA with the membership. Issue two is to adopt our own version of Section 27 of the UAA. Our legislative staff needs to be working diligently toward this goal. Issue three is adoption of a mandatory Peer Review statute for the CPAs of Florida. This will be a test of FICPA leadership to get the membership as a whole to back legislation to implement a mandatory program. 

Motivation for Leadership
Being a CPA has provided me with a comfortable lifestyle, and giving back to the profession, as others have before me, helps to ensure that those who follow and become CPAs will have the same opportunities to excel that I’ve had. Additionally, the opportunity to work with some of the most outstanding individuals in our profession is extremely fulfilling.

Engaging the Next Generation
First, we need to provide the opportunity for younger professionals to move up into positions of leadership. This is something that current leadership is working diligently to accomplish. Second, we need to justify to the employers of these younger leaders the time commitment necessary to be fully involved with the Institute. Finally, we need to show the next generation of leaders how important their participation is to the continued success of our profession.

Kenneth J. Strauss
is director of taxation and personal financial strategies for Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant CPAs & Consultants, LLP, in Fort Lauderdale. He is a member of the AICPA, the FICPA Board of Governors and a former president of the Financial Planning Association. He is past chair of the FICPA’s Financial Literacy Committee and serves on the Educational Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a number of committees, including Finance & Office Advisory and Relations with the Florida Bar.

Priorities for 2008-09
As the newest member of the Executive Committee, I would like for the FICPA to continue to focus its efforts on keeping the CPA professional as the most trusted financial advisor. The financial literacy campaign with the “Feed the Pig” slogan, which encourages the public to save and casts the CPA in a positive light, is a perfect avenue to show how CPAs contribute to Florida’s citizens. Additionally, we should strive for high standards and pursue peer review for all CPAs.

Motivation for Leadership
Being able to make a difference in the CPA profession has always motivated me to be active in the FICPA. As a volunteer for 32 years, I have been rewarded in meeting other great professionals whom I have learned from. Being in this leadership position allows me to promote things that I feel will help our membership as well as the CPA profession overall.

Engaging the Next Generation
Encouraging newer members to participate on committees, Sections or chapters is a tried and true way to engage the next generation of leaders. I think it is important that the current leaders point out all the benefits one gets from being involved with your professional society. I also believe each current leader in the FICPA needs to make it their personal responsibility to recruit new leaders.

Maria A. “Mia” Thomas
is principal of LarsonAllen, LLC, a national accounting and business-consulting firm. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Mia has served the FICPA in many capacities and has received several honors, including the 2003-04 and 2005-06 Accounting Success Speaker of the Year award. She is president of the FICPA Educational Foundation and is on the Board of Governors, the Membership Task Force and the High School Outreach Committee. She is active in the AICPA, serving as a Board Council member and a Minority Initiatives Committee member. Thomas has a long list of community service, which includes the University of Central Florida Executive Business Alumni Board, the Orange and Seminole County Academy of Finance Board, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors and the National House of Hope Board.

Priorities for 2008-09
I would like to see the FICPA pass legislation on mobility. In addition, the FICPA should be the forefront to educate our members on the IFRS. In a global society, Florida CPAs will encounter IFRS.

Motivation for Leadership
I am honored to serve our profession as a volunteer. Our Institute is such an important organization to the licensed CPA community. I want to be a champion to our members and support them to meet their needs. I have been actively involved at the chapter and committee level for many years and have been able to share our best practices at the state level. I enjoy being part of making a difference for our Institute and for our members.

Engaging the Next Generation
The Young CPAs can volunteer though the FICPA’s local chapters, committees, task forces, the Educational Foundation and the Florida CPA/PAC, to name a few. The leadership opportunities are endless. The FICPA’s Young CPA community and the BOG are creating opportunities for new ideas, and a leadership series is being developed within the FICPA. But sometimes it just takes an “ask” to get our members to become involved. So now, a message to the Young CPAs: Please, won’t you join us in becoming involved in your FICPA?