The CPA Political Action Committee (PAC) of VirginiaWhat is the CPA PAC? Formed in 1981, the CPA PAC is a bipartisan committee that contributes funds to candidates who support CPA interests. The CPA PAC: Financially assists candidates and legislators who actively support CPA business issues — people we need in office to support the CPA profession. Maximizes CPAs' political clout. Recognizes every contribution is vital to create maximum impact and give a clar, pro-business message to legislators — shaping our own tomorrow. Passed a policy in 2004 pledging a contribution to any fellow VSCPA member who runs on a state or local ballot.
How do we decide which candidates to support? Virginia candidates only — local candidates if he or she is a CPA Members of key committees in the Virginia General Assembly Legislators who receive high business-interest ratings from the Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Educational (VA FREE) VSCPA member recommendations Legislative counsel recommendations Legislators who support CPA issues and attend VSCPA functions
How is the CPA PAC related to the VSCPA?
CPA PAC contributions help CPAs gain access to key legislators to keep them informed of important issues affecting the CPA profession. PAC contributions, in concert with strong advocacy efforts from the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA), help ensure our voice is heard at the Virginia Capitol. Together, we have: Prevented legislation that would have created a Sarbanes-Oxley cascade effect in Virginia Successfully advocated for an independent Virginia Board of Accountancy Supported legislation which simplified the accountancy code to allow for ongoing changes to accounting standards Helped prevent a sales tax on professional services Helped advance tort reform in Virginia, making it a business-oriented economy Helped modify Department of Housing and Community Development requirements to protect CPAs from instructions that would have violated the Code of Conduct
We are currently: Touting a bill to commission a study on a single sales factor in the state of Virginia Working collaboratively with the Virginia Department of Taxation to establish an equitable tax appeals process in Virginia Continuously advocating for tax conformity in Virginia Supporting state legislation and similar efforts to require increased financial literacy education in Virginia Staying on top of interstate practice mobility issues with other states, such as California and Illinois, and commenting on those states' practices, when necessary Monitoring all legislation that could possibly affect the CPA profession
What is the goal of the CPA PAC? Advocating the business interests of Virginia's CPAs is one of the highest priorities of the VSCPA. The goal of the CPA PAC is to secure CPAs' scope of practice and enhance CPAs' business opportunities by helping elect candidates who support CPAs. CPA PAC funds are used for contributions to state and local legislators and candidates who support the interests of the CPA profession in Virginia.
Total 2005 contributions to CPA PAC: $32,600
Total 2006 contributions to CPA PAC: $36,500
Total 2007 contributions to CPA PAC: $50,781
2008–2009 goal: $82,000 How does the CPA PAC compare with other Virginia PACs?
*Figures represent amounts raised during calendar year 2007. Virginia Trial Lawyers Association — $254,362
Virginia Bankers Association PAC — $199,137
Realtors PAC of Virginia — $162,116
Virginia Education Association PAC — $160,046
Associated General Contractors of Virginia PAC — $81,812
CPA PAC of Virginia — $50,781
Virginia Nurses PAC — $24,677
Virginia Dental Hygienists PAC — $5,008
Virginia Society of Chiropractic PAC — $1,840 For detailed information on activities of Virginia political action committees, visit www.vpap.org. | 
