CPAs in Pennsylvania have earned a reputation in Harrisburg as one of the most trusted and respected voices by state government. Lawmakers regularly seek out the PICPA for insight on tax policy, financial reporting, and fiscal responsibility. That reputation didn’t develop by chance – it was built over decades through steady engagement, thoughtful advocacy, and the active involvement of our members.

At the center of this effort is the CPA Political Action Committee (CPA-PAC). Led by a 15-member board of trustees, the CPA-PAC is the only political action committee in Pennsylvania dedicated solely to advancing and protecting the CPA profession. It provides a way for PICPA members to collectively support candidates who understand the critical role CPAs play in maintaining the integrity of Pennsylvania’s financial and economic systems.

Many assume PACs must be partisan in some measure. I think it is important for PICPA members to understand that the CPA-PAC – our PAC – is not about partisanship, it’s about partnership. It enables PICPA members to come together and support candidates who understand their issues, respect their expertise, and share a commitment to sound public policy. When individual PICPA members contribute to the CPA-PAC, you strengthen the profession’s ability to engage meaningfully in the political process and protect the interests of those the profession serves.

Public policy decisions made in the state capital affect nearly every aspect of the CPA profession – tax administration, business regulations, government audits, and financial reporting standards. The PICPA works year-round to ensure these decisions are well-informed and practical. But meaningful advocacy depends on access and relationships.

The CPA-PAC helps make that possible. By pooling individual contributions, the PAC supports candidates – Republicans and Democrats alike – who share a commitment to sound fiscal policy, business growth, and government transparency. Your contributions open doors for conversation, allowing the PICPA to explain how proposed legislation will affect small businesses, taxpayers, and communities across the commonwealth.

When policymakers know that CPAs are engaged and informed, they listen. They value our input because they know our perspective is grounded in facts, integrity, and a commitment to the public interest. The CPA-PAC ensures that the profession has a consistent and credible voice at the table when key tax, economic, and regulatory decisions are made.

No single member or firm, no matter how experienced or well-connected, can carry the weight of statewide advocacy alone. But together, we make a difference. Each contribution to the CPA-PAC – large or small – combines with hundreds of others to create a powerful, unified presence.

That gives the PICPA credibility with lawmakers, which positions us as a constructive, nonpartisan resource. Over the years, the CPA-PAC has helped support legislative priorities such as corporate tax modernization, CPA Law reform, local tax simplification, and other measures that directly impact PICPA members and their clients.

These successes didn’t happen overnight. They were the result of sustained, bipartisan engagement – built on technical expertise and persistence. The CPA-PAC is what allows that engagement to continue year after year, regardless of who holds political power.

Supporting the CPA-PAC is an investment in the profession’s future. Pennsylvania’s fiscal and regulatory landscape continues to evolve, often at a rapid pace. Whether responding to new tax proposals, defending the CPA license, or addressing emerging business challenges, the CPA-PAC gives the profession the agility and influence it needs to respond effectively.

It also ensures that the next generation of CPAs inherits a strong, respected, and independent profession – one that continues to shape public policy for the better.

The strength of the CPA-PAC comes directly from the commitment of individual members. Every contribution – no matter the amount – sends a powerful message to policymakers: the CPA profession is united, informed, and ready to engage.

Your participation keeps our collective voice strong. Supporting the CPA-PAC is an act of stewardship. It reflects a shared responsibility to uphold the values of the profession – integrity, objectivity, and service to the public interest.

The CPA profession’s influence in Harrisburg is unmatched, but maintaining that respect requires ongoing investment. The CPA-PAC ensures that our voice remains strong and that lawmakers continue to view the PICPA as a trusted, nonpartisan partner in shaping Pennsylvania’s fiscal future.

Your support makes that possible. Together, we can continue to advance and protect the CPA profession and ensure that Pennsylvania’s public policies reflect the sound financial principles that define our work.

Show your support with a donation to the CPA-PAC.

Peter N. Calcara is PICPA’s vice president of government relations. He can be reached at pcalcara@picpa.org.

CPAs in Pennsylvania have earned a reputation in Harrisburg as one of the most trusted and respected voices by state government. Lawmakers regularly seek out the PICPA for insight on tax policy, financial reporting, and fiscal responsibility. That reputation didn’t develop by chance – it was built over decades through steady engagement, thoughtful advocacy, and the active involvement of our members.

At the center of this effort is the CPA Political Action Committee (CPA-PAC). Led by a 15-member board of trustees, the CPA-PAC is the only political action committee in Pennsylvania dedicated solely to advancing and protecting the CPA profession. It provides a way for PICPA members to collectively support candidates who understand the critical role CPAs play in maintaining the integrity of Pennsylvania’s financial and economic systems.

Many assume PACs must be partisan in some measure. I think it is important for PICPA members to understand that the CPA-PAC – our PAC – is not about partisanship, it’s about partnership. It enables PICPA members to come together and support candidates who understand their issues, respect their expertise, and share a commitment to sound public policy. When individual PICPA members contribute to the CPA-PAC, you strengthen the profession’s ability to engage meaningfully in the political process and protect the interests of those the profession serves.

Public policy decisions made in the state capital affect nearly every aspect of the CPA profession – tax administration, business regulations, government audits, and financial reporting standards. The PICPA works year-round to ensure these decisions are well-informed and practical. But meaningful advocacy depends on access and relationships.

The CPA-PAC helps make that possible. By pooling individual contributions, the PAC supports candidates – Republicans and Democrats alike – who share a commitment to sound fiscal policy, business growth, and government transparency. Your contributions open doors for conversation, allowing the PICPA to explain how proposed legislation will affect small businesses, taxpayers, and communities across the commonwealth.

When policymakers know that CPAs are engaged and informed, they listen. They value our input because they know our perspective is grounded in facts, integrity, and a commitment to the public interest. The CPA-PAC ensures that the profession has a consistent and credible voice at the table when key tax, economic, and regulatory decisions are made.

No single member or firm, no matter how experienced or well-connected, can carry the weight of statewide advocacy alone. But together, we make a difference. Each contribution to the CPA-PAC – large or small – combines with hundreds of others to create a powerful, unified presence.

That gives the PICPA credibility with lawmakers, which positions us as a constructive, nonpartisan resource. Over the years, the CPA-PAC has helped support legislative priorities such as corporate tax modernization, CPA Law reform, local tax simplification, and other measures that directly impact PICPA members and their clients.

These successes didn’t happen overnight. They were the result of sustained, bipartisan engagement – built on technical expertise and persistence. The CPA-PAC is what allows that engagement to continue year after year, regardless of who holds political power.

Supporting the CPA-PAC is an investment in the profession’s future. Pennsylvania’s fiscal and regulatory landscape continues to evolve, often at a rapid pace. Whether responding to new tax proposals, defending the CPA license, or addressing emerging business challenges, the CPA-PAC gives the profession the agility and influence it needs to respond effectively.

It also ensures that the next generation of CPAs inherits a strong, respected, and independent profession – one that continues to shape public policy for the better.

The strength of the CPA-PAC comes directly from the commitment of individual members. Every contribution – no matter the amount – sends a powerful message to policymakers: the CPA profession is united, informed, and ready to engage.

Your participation keeps our collective voice strong. Supporting the CPA-PAC is an act of stewardship. It reflects a shared responsibility to uphold the values of the profession – integrity, objectivity, and service to the public interest.

The CPA profession’s influence in Harrisburg is unmatched, but maintaining that respect requires ongoing investment. The CPA-PAC ensures that our voice remains strong and that lawmakers continue to view the PICPA as a trusted, nonpartisan partner in shaping Pennsylvania’s fiscal future.

Your support makes that possible. Together, we can continue to advance and protect the CPA profession and ensure that Pennsylvania’s public policies reflect the sound financial principles that define our work.

Show your support with a donation to the CPA-PAC.

Peter N. Calcara is PICPA’s vice president of government relations. He can be reached at pcalcara@picpa.org.