By Allie Peplau, PICPA manager of public accounting programs and staff liaison to the PICPA Education Committee

The PICPA Education Committee is the policy-setting committee for the PICPA Foundation for Education and Research. The Foundation is the arm of the PICPA that oversees PICPA’s professional education programs. Volunteer members meet with staff to discuss past performance, but even more importantly identify educational needs for members going forward. The committee meets four times per year, most recently on Dec. 5, 2022.  

This blog offers a peek into perhaps one of the most vital committees the PICPA has to offer. I certainly can’t possibly share everything discussed in one meeting, but I did want to share a few of the pressing issues the committee is watching and for which it is developing plans for educational opportunities for PICPA members and prospective members.

One area that garnered a lot of attention at the meeting was the issue of client advisory services. It was pointed out that this is a growth area for many firms, so a debate arose on how the PICPA can address members’ needs and help firm managers train staff in this area. One area that was cited for emboldening was our Evolve Conference. The 2022 year was the first for this conference, which directly addressed client advisory services as well as technology opportunities. While it had respectable attendance for a first-year program, it had trouble gaining traction initially. The committee speculates that the name may have been too ambiguous, slowing potential attendees with an interest in advisory services and technology. A new name that is more on-point will be under consideration. Another drag on attendance may have been that many firms currently involved in advisory services already operate in the areas presented on the conference agenda. Committee members think the PICPA should be elevating firms who are already in the advisory services space to the next level. This could be in the areas of new and applicable technology, benchmarking among firms, incorporating nonaccounting offerings to the suite of services, and emerging areas such as environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) reporting.

Members of the committee have their eyes firmly set on the accounting workforce, too. Another new conference the PICPA will be building on is the Accounting Workforce Conference, which had its inaugural in September. The goal of the program is for CPAs to come together to discuss and provide solutions for the ongoing accounting pipeline and retention challenges, as well as developing teams adaptable to change, navigating the evolving hybrid work environment, and evaluating pay and benefits in an employee-scarce environment.  

In a related area, the committee turned its attention to the IMPACT leadership programs. What once had been the Western Pa. Leadership Summit has become IMPACT, which has offerings in both the western and eastern halves of the state. Essentially, IMPACT is a forum for leadership upskilling, professional development, and team-building knowhow. The group observed that the PICPA is not widely seen as a hands-on professional development training resource, but perhaps it could be. Some said that the more general upskilling companies and their offerings are useful, but very broad. The PICPA, and CPAs in particular, address a very specific niche for accounting firms who, after all, expect perhaps a bit more from their new entrants than most other industries. The committee will continue to refine this critical component for developing future CPA leaders.

As you can see, a lot was discussed in just these three areas. The committee goes much deeper on many more topics because that is what PICPA members want and expect. We will never stop trying to identify the topics that will help you succeed. If you are a PICPA member who wants to share your perspectives, check out our list of committees and sign up for the upcoming 2023-2024 year. Your input may open windows of opportunity that move the whole profession forward.  

Sign up for weekly professional and technical updates from PICPA's blogs, podcasts, and discussion board topics by completing this form.