October 7, 2014 - Make CPAs Count on Election Day

October 29, 2014

Make CPAs Count on Election Day

Image: Deborah Curry, CPA, CGMA As thousands of Floridians prepare to vote early, or head to the polls Nov. 4 to cast their ballots, I'd like to share some information about a few FICPA members who are serving as members of Congress and the Florida House of Representatives. State societies throughout the country are pleased that more CPAs are running for public office. As the global economy changes and our country's financial welfare continues to improve, CPAs serving in our Legislature help shape the laws that impact us all. We are proud of our FICPA members who've chosen to give back to their communities, state and country by using the skills they have developed as CPAs.

If you have questions about voting locations, please contact your local supervisor of elections. To find your supervisor, click here.

We'll share more stories about these CPAs in future issues of IMPACT Report.

Sincerely,

Deborah Curry, CPA, CGMA
FICPA President/CEO

Incumbent U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy

U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy represents Florida’s 18th Congressional district, which includes Martin, St. Lucie and Northern Palm Beach counties. After graduating from the University of Miami with dual majors in accounting and finance, he became a CPA and went to work for Deloitte and Touche as an auditor.

Congressman Murphy is one of only 10 CPAs currently serving in the House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Financial Services, where he sits on the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, as well as the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy. He also sits on the House Committee on Small Business, where he serves as the Ranking Member on the Agriculture, Energy and Trade Subcommittee. He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate, pro-business Democrats.

Congressman Murphy was recognized as a rising star in the CPA profession by the FICPA’s 26 Under 36 initiative in 2013.

Incumbent State Rep. Michael Bileca

Rep. Michael Bileca has served in the Florida House since 2010 and is running for re-election to serve District 115 in Miami-Dade County. Bileca faces a challenger for the seat in the General Election.

Rep. Bileca graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor of science in management and a minor in classical philosophy. He went on to become a CPA, then earned his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a founding partner and the president of Towncare Dental Partnership Inc., which now employs 650 people.

During the 2014 Legislative Session, Rep. Bileca chaired the House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee dealing with policy decisions affecting early learning, charter schools, virtual instructional programs and Pre K-12 issues.