Firm Management
State CPA Societies in Action: Arizona Society of CPAs
State CPA Societies in Action is a series of articles spotlighting the varied educational, advocacy, networking and professional activities of the state CPA societies across the U.S.
Mar. 26, 2024
Celebrating its 100th birthday in 2023, the Arizona Society of CPAs works to create opportunities for its members, while working to promote the interests of Arizona CPAs with governments and regulatory agencies and organizations.
[State CPA Societies in Action is a series of articles spotlighting the varied educational, advocacy, networking and professional activities of the state CPA societies across the U.S.]
The ASCPAs mission is to create professional opportunities for members and prospective members to maximize their potential. ASCPA values include:
- Collaboration
- Integrity & Ethics
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access
- Continuous Growth & Improvement
ASCPA’s current president and CEO, Oliver Yandle, represents a membership of approximately 4,200 CPAs while leading a staff of 12. Yandle previously served as executive director of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), the largest international organization providing support to people in the legal management profession. He has held CEO-level positions for a number of other professional service and trade associations.
- Number of current members: 4,500+
ASCPA offers several levels of membership including Government, Retired, Student, and Affiliate, with rates varying by category. - Headquarters: Phoenix, AZ
- Established: 1933
- Current president: Oliver Yandle, President & CEO
- Website: www.ascpa.com
He has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a member of the first class of Chicago’s Notable LGBTQ Executives. Yandle is a native of Louisiana and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Loyola University of the South in New Orleans, and a JD from Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington, D.C.
“We strive to be the preferred source of professional growth opportunities for CPAs in Arizona,” says ASCPA President and CEO Oliver Yandle. These opportunities include avenues for leadership and professional development through service, connection, and education.
Focus for 2023 and Beyond
“The ASCPA understands that the needs of accounting professionals are changing, and we continue to evolve our offerings to meet their needs by leveraging technology and keeping our members informed on the most important changes in our industry,” says Yandle.
Part of that evolution includes the Society turning its focus towards future CPAs by working to expand offerings to engage college accounting students. This year, the Society is launching new initiatives like job shadow days and community service networking events to help the CPAs of tomorrow realize the opportunity and fulfillment of the profession.
“We represent the voice of the CPA profession at the Arizona Capitol,” says Yandle. “Policy making and regulatory decisions significantly impact the accounting profession, including licensure requirements, tax laws and audit standards. Without active participation in the political process, CPAs risk being overlooked or adversely affected by legislation that does not align with their needs. This work becomes increasingly important as the political landscape of our state changes.”