There’s strength in numbers, particularly for influencing legislative reform. The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) learned firsthand the power of coalition building when it passed House Bill 5, a bill to reform Ohio’s municipal income tax system, in the Ohio Legislature in December 2014.
OSCPA’s efforts were recently recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with a Power of A Gold Award. The Power of A Awards recognize a select number of organizations annually that distinguish themselves with innovative, effective and broad-reaching programs and activities that positively impact America and the world.
“Congratulations to the Ohio Society of CPAS for helping make their community and their state a better place,” said Hugh “Mac” Cannon, MPA, CAE, Executive Director of ACEC of Metropolitan Washington, and chair of the Power of A Awards Judging Committee. “Their program exemplifies how associations make a difference every day – not just to the industry or profession they represent, but to society at large.”
Passing HB 5 was a multi-year effort of the OSCPA-led Municipal Tax Reform Coalition, a partnership of 33 organizations representing more than 365,000 businesses and professionals. HB 5 creates greater uniformity among Ohio’s hundreds of municipal tax codes, a system that has been called the most complicated in the nation. It ensures a local tax system that is simpler, fairer and more predictable.
“House Bill 5 was the culmination of years of work from our members and coalition partners,” said Scott D. Wiley, CAE, president and CEO of OSCPA. “OSCPA is committed to advancing a legislative agenda that is favorable to Ohio CPAs and the business community. HB 5 will make doing business easier in Ohio, and we’re proud that ASAE has recognized our work in leading this initiative.”
OSCPA has built a strong advocacy program over the years. Members are involved around the state at the grassroots level, writing letters, visiting with legislators and testifying on the issues that matter to the business community.
These efforts have yielded such wins as making Ohio one of the first states to enact the 150 semester-hour education requirement for CPA exam candidates, helping to lead advocacy efforts to enact practice mobility laws in all state, defeating multiple attempts to expand Ohio’s sales tax base, and creating a more equitable business tax structure in Ohio. Recently OSCPA hosted the inaugural Young CPA Day at the Statehouse, where legislators met with young CPAs and encouraged involvement in the political process.
“When you get involved, legislators can see that passion,” said Eric Stover, CPA, co-owner of Besa Lighting in Blacklick, Ohio. “At the end of the day, if you want the issue to advance, you need your voice to be heard.”
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Tags: Sales Tax, State and Local Taxes
