Founded in 1887, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) is the national professional organization of Certified Public Accountants ( CPAs ) in the United States, with nearly 386, 000 CPA members in 128 countries in business and industry, public practice, government, education, student affiliates and international associates.

In fulfilling its mission, the AICPA works with state CPA organizations and gives priority to those areas where public reliance on CPA skills is most significant.

The AICPA credential for expertise in business valuation is the Accredited in Business Valuation ( ABV ) designation.

The program, launched in 2004, is a multi-faceted effort, spearheaded by the AICPA with the support of state CPA societies.

The AICPA is a leading member of the International Federation of Accountants and the Global Accounting Alliance.

The AICPA is an affiliate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean.

In order to become a CPA in the United States, the candidate must sit for and pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination ( Uniform CPA Exam ), which is set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) and administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy ( NASBA ).

The CPA designation is granted by individual state boards, not the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ).

Membership in the AICPA is not obligatory for CPAs, although some CPAs do join.

It is the second largest body of professional accountants in the world after AICPA.

* the AICPA should coordinate a review of the audit methodologies of the major accounting firms of which Grant Thornton is not one.

This situation is a clear conflict of interest which should hinder an auditor's independence and the ability to audit ( AICPA Code of Ethics ), but some auditors willingly ignore this statute.

* Moreover, only full members of any one of Global Accounting Alliance ( GAA ) is eligible to become an AICPA International Associate.

CIMA members will become eligible to join AICPA as an International Associate Member once the new strategic alliance is approved by the respective governing councils.

Statement on Auditing Standards No. 99: Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit, commonly abbreviated as SAS 99, is an auditing statement issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) in October 2002.

COSO is supported by five supporting organizations, including the Institute of Management Accountants ( IMA ), the American Accounting Association ( AAA ), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ), the Institute of Internal Auditors ( IIA ) and Financial Executives International ( FEI ).

The credential is awarded exclusively to members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) who have demonstrated considerable experience and expertise in that area.

# issuances from an authoritative body designated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) Council ( for example, the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statements, AICPA Accounting Principles Board Opinions, and AICPA Accounting Research Bulletins );

To become a full member of AICPA, the applicant must hold a valid CPA certificate or license from at least one of the fifty-five U. S. state / territory boards of accountancy ; some additional requirements apply.

The AICPA announced its plan to accept applications from individuals meeting these criteria, beginning no later than January 1, 2011.

In 2006, the AICPA and the Ad Council launched a national campaign to encourage young adults aged 25 – 34 to “ Feed the Pig ” as a key step toward building a solid financial future for themselves and their families.

Whether serving as an information resource or offering recommendations, the AICPA represents the profession while protecting the public interest.

The AICPA sets generally accepted professional and technical standards for CPAs in multiple areas.

Before passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley law, AICPA standards in these areas were considered " generally accepted " for all CPA practitioners.

However, the AICPA retains its considerable standards setting, ethics enforcement and firm practice quality monitoring roles for the majority of practicing CPAs, who serve privately held business and individuals.

The AICPA offers credentialing programs in certain subject areas for its members.

The AICPA can suspend or terminate membership for failure to meet continuing professional education requirements, felony criminal convictions, conviction for any part in fraudulent filing of a tax return, or conviction relating to willful failure to file a tax return.

The Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) designated the FASB as the organization responsible for setting accounting standards for public companies in the U. S. It was created in 1973, replacing the Committee on Accounting Procedure ( CAP ) and the Accounting Principles Board ( APB ) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ).

To prepare users for the change, the AICPA has provided a number of tools and training resources.

The majority of these will accept the AICPA self-study Professional Ethics for CPAs CPE course or another course in general professional ethics.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy ( NASBA ) have analyzed the current system for gaining practice privileges across state lines and have concluded it simply does not work.

Uniform adoption of the substantial equivalency provision included in the Uniform Accountancy Act ( the model bill for CPA regulation written and endorsed jointly by AICPA and NASBA ) will create a system similar to the nation's driver license that will provide CPAs with mobility while retaining and strengthening state boards ' ability to protect the public interest.

AICPA members approved a proposed bylaw amendment to make eligible for voting membership individuals who previously held a CPA certificate / license or have met all the requirements for CPA certification in accordance with the Uniform Accountancy Act ( UAA ).

* Certified in Financial Forensics, a specialty designation for Certified Public Accountants awarded by the AICPA.

* A joint venture with the AICPA to establish and promote a new, internationally recognised designation for management accounting — the Chartered Global Management Accountant ( CGMA ).

* The American Institute of CPAs ( AICPA ) in partnership with its marketing and technology subsidiary, CPA2Biz, has developed the IFRS. com web site.

* Personal Financial Specialist, a special financial planning credential granted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ( AICPA ) to CPAs who meet certain requirements

In the Americas outside the U. S., non-U. S. CPAs can obtain the new designation as an AICPA International Associate, after a rigorous assessment process.

The AICPA ’ s founding established accountancy as a profession distinguished by rigorous educational requirements, high professional standards, a strict code of professional ethics, and a commitment to serving the public interest.

In the early 2000s, federal public policy makers concluded that where independent financial statement audits of public companies regulated by the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission are concerned, that the AICPA's standards setting and related enforcement roles should be transferred to a government empowered body with more enforcement authority than a non-governmental professional association, such as the AICPA could provide.

The AICPA runs a number of public relations activities that include: having members available to the media to provide technical support in the areas of CPA practice expertise ; operating an extensive high school and college student recruitment programs called " Start Here, Go Places.