Membership, Just the FAQs
Your 2011 SCACPA membership dues statement will be e-mailed and mailed in November. Please remember that prompt payment saves the Association the cost of additional mailings – your timely payment means you won’t miss a beat when it comes to CPE discounts, your subscription to this magazine, The CPA Report, SCACPA insurance and discount programs, outstanding networking opportunities and dozens of other benefits of membership.
As a member convenience, we’ve printed the commonly asked questions and answers regarding payment procedures and billing classifications. Should you have additional questions, please contact SCACPA at kswartz@scacpa.org, (888) 557-4814 or (803) 791-4181.
Q: What period does my dues payment cover?
A: Your membership investment covers the calendar year 2010, from January 1 – December 31, 2010.
Q: What are the membership types and/or am I eligible for membership in SCACPA?
A:
SCACPA General Membership Requirements and Definitions
(a) Good moral character.
(b) Sponsorship (by signature on the application form) of a member of the Association in good standing.
(c) Those applying who are engaged in the practice of public accounting as a proprietor, partner, or shareholder or as an employee who has been licensed as a CPA for more than two years, are practicing in firms that are enrolled in SCACPA-approved practice-monitoring programs.
(d) Members shall complete continuing professional education established by the Board of Directors.
Fellow Members:
Possession of a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant issued under the rules and regulations of the South Carolina Board of Accountancy.
Associate or International Members:
(1) Possession of a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant issued by a state, District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States of America, or a similar certificate issued by a foreign body having responsibility for governing accounting and auditing matters, or
(2) Completion of examination for obtaining a license as a Certified Public Accountant regardless of fulfilling any requirements with respect to experience, or (3) Employment in an accounting capacity, pursuing CPA certification, and supervised by a member of the association.
Professional Affiliate Members:
Non-CPA employee of a South Carolina CPA firm or individual practitioner.
CPA Candidate Members:
(1) Obtained an accounting degree from an accredited program.
(2) Approved applicant for the Uniform CPA Examination actively pursuing their certificate and licensure.
(3) Employment in an accounting capacity, pursuing CPA certification, and supervised by a member of the association.
This membership category is limited to five years.
Academic Affiliate Members:
Non-CPA teaching accounting-related subjects at the college or university level.
Student Members:
(a) Enrolled full-time (12+ hours per semester) at the college or university level in an accounting program.
(b) Sponsorship (by signature on the application form) of a member of the Association in good standing OR faculty or staff member at their college or university.
Q: I received my dues notice and the billing class listed is incorrect. Can I change it myself and return with the correct dues amount?
A: No, please contact SCACPA via e-mail, mail or fax to have the change approved. We require notification of all membership changes and requests in writing and handle on a case by case basis.
Q: Are my SCACPA annual dues tax-deductible?
A: Dues to SCACPA are not deductible as a charitable contribution, but may be deducted as an ordinary and necessary business expense. A portion of your dues (estimated at 10%) is not deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense, to the extent that SCACPA engages in lobbying.
Q: When should I pay my dues?
A: Dues are payable upon receipt of the renewal notice, due by December 31, 2009.
Q: What forms of payment does SCACPA accept?
A: You may pay your dues with a personal check, firm or company check or Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit cards.
Q: Can I pay my dues online?
A: Yes! Save time, money and valuable resources - we prefer online dues payments. You may pay your dues online by going to http://www.scacpa.org/. Simply login and click on the Membership Area, Pay Dues Online link. Need assistance logging in? Contact SCACPA to obtain your Web site login information.
Q: My contact information has changed. How do I update my information with SCACPA?
A: You may update your information online in your membership account, on the mailed renewal notice or by e-mailing kswartz@scacpa.org with your new contact information. We require all membership contact information updates in writing.
Q: Are there firm discounts for membership?
A: Yes, for firms with 10+ CPAs on staff, all of whom are members of SCACPA. This is called the SCACPA 100% Membership Program. In addition to a 10% dues discount program, 100% membership firms receive complimentary firm administrator memberships for their offices in South Carolina, recognition in the CPA Report and Current Assets and at SCACPA membership events.
Q: What is the SCACPA Educational Fund?
A: The SCACPA Educational Fund is the scholarship arm of the Association and your contribution to the fund is tax deductible. The Educational Fund provides scholarships to accounting students in South Carolina. In 2008, we awarded more than $21,000 to 27 deserving students in South Carolina as a result of our members’ contributions.
Q: What is the SCACPA-PAC?
A: Like many associations, SCACPA has a Political Action Committee to raise funds and make contributions to political candidates. A donation of $50 to the PAC provides you a PAC-Backer ribbon at SCACPA events and pride in knowing your supported this invaluable membership program.
Q: I’ve recently retired or am planning to retire this year. Can I pay the retired rate?
A: No, please contact SCACPA via e-mail, mail or fax to have the change approved. We require notification of all membership changes and requests in writing and handle on a case by case basis.
Q: I’m “semi-retired,” only working during tax season or seasonally. Is there a special membership rate for me?
A: Yes. We have an unemployed/other membership classification for which an annual dues rate of $85 applies. You must request this special rate in writing and complete an inactive membership waiver form.
Q: I’m unemployed or work only part-time (less than 20 hours per week). Is there a special membership rate for me?
A: Yes. We have an unemployed/other membership classification for which an annual dues rate of $85 applies. You must request this special rate in writing and complete an inactive membership waiver form.
Q: At this time I no longer wish to remain a member. Can I just ignore the statements?
A: No. Per the SCACPA Constitution, you must resign from membership by sending a letter or e-mail to request resignation. In addition, we require you return your certificate of membership to the Association office. Members who have not renewed within 90 days are no longer members in good standing. Membership dues must be paid in order to register at member rates for CPE seminars and other events, to participate in Chapter events and to be eligible for SCACPA insurance and discount programs. In June, we send our insurance and benefits providers a list of non-renewing members and resignations so that they may contact you to make other arrangements for their services.
Q: My question is not listed. Who can I contact?
A: SCACPA’s friendly and professional membership services team members are only a phone call or email away!
Main Telephone: (888) 557-4814 or (803) 791-4181
Katherine Swartz, Member Services Director, kswartz@scacpa.org or ext. 105 (General Membership and Chapter Questions, 100% Membership Program, Data Updates and Billing Class Changes)
Glenna Minor, Peer Review and Member Services Manager, gminor@scacpa.org or ext. 107 (Peer Review, Educational Fund, SCACPA-PAC)
Karen Hancock, CPA, Finance Director, khancock@scacpa.org or ext. 108 (Payment Receipts, Other Payment-Related Inquiries)