Member Services and Benefits

Affinity Programs - Member Discounts

Group Buying Programs - Several outstanding group buying programs offer you tangible benefits and discounts on essential products and services to make you more effective in your career. Includes discounts on express shipping, professional publications, Internet access, office supplies, and much more.

Hotel Discounts - In scheduling CPE seminars, the Society has been able to negotiate group room rates at various host hotels. Take advantage of special discounts when attending LCPA educational events.

Insurance Programs - LCPA keeps you covered both personally and professionally by offering you options to participate in medical, life, disability, accident and professional liability insurance programs.

Continuing Professional Education

Consistently ranked top 5 in the nation in quality and highest rated instructors, the Society's CPE program provides you with hundreds of accredited educational opportunities -- all at substantial member discounts. Whether you're in industry, public practice, government, or education, you can choose from over 250 seminars, workshops and conferences, self-study and in-house courses, and chapter-sponsored CPE events to improve your professional and personal development.

Employment Resources

LCPA's Online Career Center - Get access to resumes and job postings via a nationwide network of more than 650,000 accounting, finance and banking professionals. LCPA's Career Center provides an outstanding set of services for employers, including discounted job postings and online recruiting tips. Premium services such as priority job postings, an automatic resume matching service, a resume search capability and e-mail notifications also available.

Flexible Work Arrangements Database - Need a work schedule that meets your family's needs? Want temporary help to get your business through a busy season? LCPA's Flex Database contains a listing of members who are seeking alternative employment options such as temporary, part-time, flex-time and seasonal employment. This list profiling preferred work schedules and areas of expertise, is provided to interested employers with similar work requirements.

Job Referral & Resume Service - If you're looking for a new career opportunity, or someone to fill a position on your staff, the LCPA's Job Referral and Resume Service can help. Members mail their resume to the Society office and copies are made available to interested employers free of charge.

Online Classified Ads - Take advantage of the marketing potential of the Internet and place your job opening notice on the LCPA's award-winning Web site. Place your ad on our Web site and in Lagniappe for maximum exposure.

Government Relations

Keyperson Program - LCPA members volunteer to serve as keyperson contacts with state legislators. As important legislation pertaining to CPAs is enacted, key persons establish and maintain contact with political leaders. To volunteer to serve as a key person contact Grady Hazel at ghazel@lcpa.org.

Political Action Committee - The lifeblood of the CPA profession is controlled by the legislature and, in the extreme, the entire profession could be eliminated with the passage of just one piece of legislation. Likewise, the nuances of our profession have changed over the years and as such, numerous pieces of legislation affect what CPAs do on a day-to-day basis. The Society is your voice and Louisiana CPA Political Action Committee (PAC) plays an important role in that voice.

Representation in the Legislature - The Society maintains a strong and successful role in monitoring and influencing legislation to create a more favorable business environment for CPAs, employers and clients. As a member your voice gains the strength of thousands in governmental affairs that affect the accountancy profession. As an LCPA member, you enhance our ability to serve as an advocate in safeguarding your interests and preserving the integrity of your CPA designation.

Information Resources

CPE Annual Index and Monthly Catalogs - LCPA mails both an annual CPE index and monthly catalogs to help you select the course topics, dates and locations that best serve your professional and educational needs. Individual brochures are also mailed featuring workshops, conferences and other special CPE events.

LCPA.org - LCPA's Web site is your instant access to online member services and information resources to serve your needs as well as those of your clients. Register online for CPE events, check out chapter activities, or link to a variety of other Web sites containing valuable accounting-related information. Send staff members e-mail through the "Contact" message form.

Membership Mailing Lists - Stay in touch with fellow members. Membership mailing lists can be purchased by members at a discount. Call Henry Sorbet for more information, (504) 904-1129.

Member Publications - You'll stay current on the issues affecting the CPA profession through LCPA's print and online publications. Published nine times a year, the Society's magazine, Lagniappe, brings members the latest technical and professional developments along with legislative updates.

On-Hold Messages - Listen and learn about CPE events, member benefits and other Society news while on hold at the Society's office. Messages are updated every six weeks. If you hear of an event you'd like to register for or a product you'd like to receive, simply ask a member service representative when they come back on the line.

Small Business Reference Guide - A handbook (available in print or online) developed as a guide for persons and businesses considering doing business in Louisiana and for certified public accountants who serve them. It is a compilation of those state and local agencies providing services to small businesses. To order a hard copy, contact Ann Lupo at alupo@lcpa.org.

Miscellaneous Services

Meeting Room Facility Rental - Your CPA Society has the perfect location for your next meeting, office party or training session. The Society's classroom facilities are available to rent for daytime gatherings on days when CPE courses are not held. Enjoy the comfortable atmosphere and reasonable rates. Catering is available and there is plenty of free parking.

Networking and Leadership Opportunities

Annual Meeting - A great opportunity to earn quality CPE, network with your peers from throughout the state, and have a fun-filled family vacation, LCPA's annual convention has something for everyone. Business and social events also take place, including presentation of Society awards recognizing outstanding members.

Leadership Conference - This annual event brings together Society leaders -- chapter presidents, committee chairs and the LCPA president, board of directors and executive director -- to meet, share ideas, and plan for the year ahead.

CPA Exam Recognition Luncheons - The LCPA in cooperation, with the State Board of CPAs of Louisiana, sponsors CPA Exam Recognition Luncheons to honor successful exam candidates.

Society Awards - Each year the LCPA presents a variety of awards honoring the achievements of Society members. Awards include: Lifetime Achievement in Education Award, Public Service Award, Outstanding CPE Discussion Leader Award, Life Membership Award, Special Recognition Award, Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award.

Society Committees - Build valuable leadership skills and exposure in the profession by volunteering to serve on one of 30 statewide technical, support and member service committees and special task forces. With one of the highest participation rates in the country for volunteers, LCPA is only one of five state CPA societies to reimburse committee members for all travel expenses and meals.

State Chapters - The Society of Louisiana CPAs is divided into nine chapters. Chapter-sponsored activities (monthly meetings, programs for industry members, low-cost or free CPE, social events) allow you to conveniently network with colleagues from your geographic area who share your interests and concerns.

Peer Review Program

The Society administers the AICPA Peer Review program in which member firms who provide audit, compilation and review services are required to participate. LCPA's Peer Review Program promotes and maintains high professional standards, while helping firms to enhance the quality of their practices. For information on scheduling, preparing for and undergoing a peer review contact Stacey Lockwood at the Society office or at slockwood@lcpa.org.

Public Relations and Marketing Support

The Society's Public Relations program is committed to serving the needs of its members by promoting CPA services among the public.

Image Enhancement Campaign - Each year, the Society commits to an extensive radio and print advertisement program in conjunction with the AICPA's national image enhancement campaign. The campaign is designed to remind employers and the general public of the value of CPAs as premier information professionals.

Money Management Articles - Money Management is a weekly column on taxation and personal finance prepared by the American Institute of CPAs and released to newspapers statewide. Every column offers easy-to-understand, practical advice and encourages readers to seek the professional assistance of CPAs.

Tax Season Public Relations Events - The Society sponsors and promotes several tax season events to assist taxpayers throughout the state and to promote CPAs and the valuable services they provide. The annual CPA Tax Hotline in the LCPA's biggest, one-day public service event in which member volunteers answer questions by phone.

Scholarship and Grant Program

The LCPA offers scholarships in varying amounts every year to accounting students in Louisiana through the LCPA Education Foundation and through the LCPA chapters. All LCPA scholarships, including chapter scholarships, the Christopher "Kit" Smith Scholarship and Alex Postlethwaite Scholarship are awarded each spring. Scholarships help to attract potential CPAs to the profession and give students an opportunity to pursue accounting careers.

Technical Assistance

Reference Library - LCPA members have exclusive use of a reference library located at the Society office in Kenner. Library contents can be used on premises and include professional standards manuals, practice aids, audit guides and accounting publications.

Society Contact Information

LCPA wants to make it easy as possible for you to contact us and get the information or response you need.

Toll Free Number - Our toll-free number is for the convenience of members and the public seeking assistance from the Society staff. 1-800-288-5272 or (504) 464-1040 in the New Orleans area.

24-Hour Fax Line - To send a fax, simply dial (504) 469-7930.

Voice Mail - The Society's voice mail system allows you to leave messages for staff and even register for CPE courses after regular office hours.

E-Mail - You can send your message via e-mail to staff 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Check out the "Staff Directory " for names, phone numbers, and easy-to-access e-mail addresses.

Web Site - You can "Contact" anytime. Send us a message, register for CPE courses, or apply for membership online.

Directions to the LCPA's Office and CPE Training Facility