The Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) on Jan. 12 held its annual in-person advocacy event, Hike the Hill, at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. The event – which was the Institute’s first full-member, fly-in advocacy day – brought FICPA members together with lawmakers to advocate on behalf of the CPA profession in Florida.
It’s time! Thank you to all of our @FICPA members that are joining us for our inaugural hike the hill day at the Capitol! #FICPAAdvocacyDay #CPAsCount pic.twitter.com/tGWjJHTdQO
— Kristin Bivona (@KBivona_CPA) January 12, 2022
“During Hike the Hill, our members met with numerous policymakers who impact our profession every day,” FICPA Chair Kristin Bivona said. “The FICPA is the voice of Florida CPAs in our state’s Capitol, and we were honored to have the opportunity to talk with legislators about issues relevant to the CPA profession in Florida.”
Our FICPA Chair @KBivona_CPA, incoming Chair @JulianDozierCPA and FICPA Board member Key O'Keefe with Florida House Majority Leader @RepMikeGrant. #CPAsCount #HikeTheHill pic.twitter.com/xAV1DQQRoC
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 12, 2022
It was an honor to meet with Senate President @WiltonSimpson this morning during #FICPAAdvocacyDay@FICPA Chairman @KBivona_CPA, me as Chair-Elect, and fellow director Key O'Keefe sincerely believe #CPAsCount, and it's a pleasure to bring that message to Tallahassee #FlaPol pic.twitter.com/Td8SzN0VBb
— Julian Dozier, CPA (@JulianDozierCPA) January 12, 2022
Advocating on CPAs’ behalf is the cornerstone of the FICPA’s mission, and member involvement is crucial to ensuring CPAs count in the political process.
The FICPA was honored to hear a keynote address from Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin. Secretary Griffin expressed her excitement to partner with the FICPA in supporting and strengthening the CPA profession.
Over lunch we're hearing from Secretary @melaniesgriffin (@FloridaDBPR) as #FICPAAdvocacyDay moves forward. @FICPA Leadership Academy graduates are mingling with dozens of #CPA members from around the state who flew in to #HikeTheHill.
— Julian Dozier, CPA (@JulianDozierCPA) January 12, 2022
Up next: meetings with legislators. pic.twitter.com/yE0gelNPVF
In addition to meetings with legislators at the Capitol, Hike the Hill included a Legislative Briefing Luncheon, during which the FICPA celebrated the members of its inaugural Leadership Academy graduating class.
The FICPA congratulates the 16 graduating members of its inaugural Leadership Academy. We're proud of these Young CPAs and eager to see them put their new skills to the test at their respective firms. Thank you @BillReeb, @tbarie and the @SuccessionInst1 for their guidance! pic.twitter.com/OtsrN6eNh1
— FICPA (@FICPA) January 12, 2022
“Effectively communicating with lawmakers, and the strength of our legislative relationships, are paramount to our success in Florida’s governmental process,” FICPA Director of Governmental Affairs Justin Thames said.
That's a wrap for #FICPAAdvocacyDay (2022)!
— Julian Dozier, CPA (@JulianDozierCPA) January 12, 2022
Thank you to all the @FICPA members who joined us, but extra thanks to all the Representatives, Senators, staffers, and other elected officials (like @LtGovNunez) who took time to meet with us today.#CPAsCount #FlaPol #HikeTheHill pic.twitter.com/HlT8muyc7i
Hike the Hill was the second of the FICPA’s two CPA Advocacy Days in January, following last week’s Virtual Advocacy Day, which offered FICPA members an interactive CPA lawmaker panel featuring Rep. Mike Caruso, Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Cyndi Stevenson; a discussion of the CPA profession from House Majority Leader Mike Grant, Sen. Travis Hutson, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bobby Payne, and Senate Finance and Tax Committee Chair Ana Maria Rodriguez; and a Florida Economic Update from Dr. Jerry Parrish.
