As part of the COCPA Board of Directors’ commitment to advancing the organization’s mission and enhancing member value, directors engaged in a series of insightful presentations and discussions at the June 19 Board meeting.

The Accounting Talent Pipeline

National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) Chair Lexy Kessler joined the meeting to present NPAG’s profession-wide recommendations for increasing the accounting talent pipeline, as detailed in the draft NPAG strategy report that the group issued in May 2024. 

Kessler provided an update on the group’s in-depth deliberations and encouraged COCPA Board members to read the report with an open mind and offer candid feedback. 

Continuing to Meet Member Needs

In sharing their personal member-value experiences and the return on investment that their memberships have yielded, directors identified opportunities for member-to-member networking and professional connection as being among the key benefits of Society membership. Directors engaged in exercises focused on aligning the COCPA mission and core purpose and ensuring that both reflect members’ most relevant current and future needs. 

Committee and Advisory Reports

The following COCPA committees and advisors offered reports: 

• The Investment Committee provided an update on the COCPA’s portfolio performance, emphasizing the Society’s long-term strategies to safeguard and grow its financial assets for the future benefit of the membership.
• The Financial Oversight Committee presented updates made to the committee’s charter resulting from the COCPA Bylaw amendments adopted on April 25, 2024, and shared its decision regarding the engagement of Eide Bailly to perform a review of the Society’s financial statements for the year ending April 30, 2024.
• The Professional Conduct Board reported on recent complaint activities monitored as part of the AICPA Joint Ethics Enforcement Program. Recommendations were considered related to possible member disciplinary actions.    
• The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee shared progress on ongoing initiatives and upcoming opportunities for the COCPA to engage its members in fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment within the accounting community.
• Colorado AICPA Council representatives offered key takeaways from their attendance at the AICPA Spring Meeting of Council in Orlando, Fla., noting the emphasis on the NPAG recommendations, recent tax policy and advocacy initiatives, the transformative impact of generative AI on the accounting profession, updates on the federal political landscape, and news of the retirement of longtime AICPA CEO Barry Melancon.
• The Office Selection Committee, appointed by COCPA Board Chair Toby Clary to assist in evaluating and determining the Society’s future physical office space in alignment with the March 2025 expiration of the current office lease, provided an update on its research, including a narrowing of options and identification of priority needs.

Administrative Matters

CEO Alicia Gelinas, CPA, delivered the CEO report and engaged in a question-and-answer session with the group, which highlighted early progress on the seven annual Board-approved priorities.  

The Board reviewed and approved banking resolutions for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2024, including approval for the renewal of the COCPA’s line of credit. 

Many thanks to the members of the Board of Directors for their dedicated service. The COCPA looks forward to continued progress and collective success.

The Board of Directors will next meet virtually on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at 8:30 am.