AICPA Membership Now Exceeds 400,000

NEW YORK (Aug. 19, 2014) – The American Institute of CPAs today announced that its membership recently passed the 400,000 mark, a milestone that underscores the continuing value and vitality of the organization and the accounting profession as well.
The AICPA is the world’s largest member organization representing the profession and has seen solid
growth in recent years, despite a volatile economic climate.  Membership has increased almost 13 percent in the past decade and 25 percent since 1994.
“We’ve come a long way since the early days of the 20^th century, when the AICPA had just a little more than a thousand members,” said Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, the AICPA’s president and CEO. “I’m particularly proud of the growth we’ve seen in the past seven years, a challenging period for many professional organizations because of the economic downturn. Hitting the 400,000-member mark is a testament to the multifaceted services offered by the AICPA and its commitment to the public interest, and it’s also a reflection of the high regard in which the CPA credential is held in today’s complex world.” 
The AICPA provides continuing education, a rigorous framework of ethical standards, technical guidance on accounting and audit matters, advocacy on issues important to the profession and the public interest, and a host of other key professional resources for members.
“While membership growth is an important measure of the AICPA’s health and strength, it’s only part of the equation,” Melancon said. “We have a steadfast commitment to member engagement and satisfaction, too.” 
The AICPA plans to honor its 400,000^th member – Jennifer Highsmith, a 27-year-old senior audit associate from Florida – in October. 
“I joined for multiple reasons,” Highsmith said. “The AICPA is a great profession-wide organization to be part of, with a lot of volunteer opportunities. Once you have your license and a job as a CPA, it’s kind of the cherry on top.”
Highsmith works in the Jacksonville, Fla., office of Johnson Lambert, a top regional public accounting firm. She decided to pursue accounting because of her aptitude with numbers and because her mother – who did some accounting work before going into teaching – convinced her it would be a rewarding career. Highsmith will receive a certificate noting her status as the 400,000^th member and has been invited to the AICPA’s Fall Council meeting in Boston for recognition.
For more information about the AICPA and its membership, visit www.aicpa.org.