What Is AICPA?
AICPA stands for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It is the United State’s national professional organization for CPAs. In that role, they create policies for CPAs, including CPA certification requirements. AICPA oversees the examination and certification of new CPAs in the United States.
Founded in 1887, the AICPA has undergone a number of iterations to become the organization it is today. It has refined its certifications, professional standards and ethics, and educational requirements.
While the AICPA is a national organization, its mission seeks to impact global business by training, accrediting, and supporting CPAs, CGMAs, and other specialty credentials. It thinks much larger than just CPAs and just public interest in America. Resources are allocated to places where there is the greatest public need for CPA skills.
The AICPA, as a professional organization, is expected to ensure that its policies, exams, and professional resources are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities, in compliance with ADA requirements. The AICPA consults an ADA lawsuit defense attorney to navigate the complexities of the legal requirements and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What is the difference between a CPA and AICPA?
A CPA is someone who is Credentialed as a Public Accountant indicating expertise and skillfulness in Accounting. The AICPA, on the other hand is a body that is focused on helping such individuals by providing them with resources, also carrying advocacies and posting encourages standard setting as well. CPAs are subjected to intense exams and they have to meet very harsh requirements in terms of experience in order to earn their CPA title. On the other hand, AICPA works as a professional group that guides accounting policy and practice. While the CPA emphasizes on basic utilization of individual accounting skills, the AICPA focuses on the wider scope of the accounting profession. There has been, therefore, a fundamental difference between the contributions of the CPA and AICPA to the field of accounting.
| Aspect |
AICPA |
CPA |
| Definition |
A professional organization for accountants in the United States |
An individual credential for accountants |
| Role |
Sets ethical standards, auditing rules, offers CPA exam |
Provides accounting services, adheres to standards set by AICPA |
| Membership/Eligibility |
Open to accounting professionals, requires membership fees |
Requires passing CPA exam, meeting state-specific criteria |
| Focus |
Professional development, advocacy, standard-setting |
Tax, audit, consulting, financial planning services |
| Scope |
National influence in accounting policies and education |
Individual practice in various accounting sectors |
| Services Provided |
Resources, education, certification exams |
Personalized financial and accounting expertise |
| Primary Function |
Supporting and representing accounting professionals |
Practicing and applying accounting knowledge and skills |
Are all CPAs members of AICPA?
Although not every Certified Public Accountant is a member of AICPA, but many are members by choice. AICPA membership is voluntarily for CPAs is not mandatory for the purpose of preserving the CPA designation. The AICPA offers its members some valuable resources and support that can be useful to their work, however CPAs can practice without them. A lot of CPAs prefer to join the AICPA for professional development and advocacy reasons. Some CPAs do belong to other professional accounting organisations while others do not at all. Finally, despite the benefits offered by AICPA membership, it does not stand for holding a CPA license.
The AICPA Board
AICPA is a non-profit with a board of directors, and a governing council made up of representatives from each of the member regions. (All US states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The board of directors oversees the governing council, and the governing council oversees the volunteer committees.
The governing council is the one that makes decisions on policies and programs.
The current AICPA board of directors are:
- President and CEO – Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA
- CEO of Public Accounting – Susan S. Coffey, CPA, CGMA
- Chair of the CPA – Anoop Mehta, CPA, CGMA
AICPA Membership
AICPA offers a variety of membership options to accommodate the diversity of the CPA industry. AICPA membership is beneficial because it comes with status. Members will also receive benefits like affordable insurance plans.
AICPA members are also members of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
What Is CIMA?
The AICPA is not the only professional organization for accountants. CIMA (the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) is an organization for management accountants and their clients (businesses). Similar to the AICPA, CIMA develops educational resources, sets and monitors professional ethics and standards, and provides resources for professional development.
Founded in 1919, CIMA Is the world’s largest professional organization for management accountants. CIMA is governed by a council. The council is made up of:
- The President (Currently Melanie Kanaka FCMA, CGMA)
- The previous term’s President (Paul Ash FCMA, CGMA)
- The Deputy President (Sarah Ghosh FCMA, CGMA)
- The Vice President (Simon Bittlestone FCMA, CGMA)
- 14 co-opted members
- 37 councilors elected by CIMA members
| Feature |
AICPA |
CIMA |
| Origin |
United States |
United Kingdom |
| Focus |
General accounting practices, auditing, and taxation |
Management accounting and corporate finance |
| Membership Requirements |
Passing the Uniform CPA Examination, meeting experience requirements, and adhering to ethical standards |
Completing the CIMA Professional Qualification, gaining relevant work experience, and committing to continued professional development |
| Certification |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) |
CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant), in collaboration with AICPA |
| Professional Development |
Offers a range of continuing education programs and resources in various accounting fields |
Provides extensive resources for career development in management accounting |
| Global Recognition |
Highly recognized in the U.S. and has international influence |
Widely recognized globally, especially in the UK and Commonwealth countries |
| Primary Audience |
Accountants working in public accounting, industry, government, and education |
Accountants focusing on business strategy, analysis, and decision-making in various sectors |
| Organizational Structure |
Non-profit professional organization |
Professional body with royal charter in the UK |
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants is a partnership between AICPA and CIMA to transform the finance industry and accounting professions worldwide. The Association’s leadership is made up of both AICPA and CIMA’s executive leadership.
Members of AICPA and CIMA are automatically inducted as members of the Association, so it has 689,000 members worldwide. There are 32 offices spread across the world, so the Association keeps up to date with changes in the profession.
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