American institute of certified public accountants

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Formation	1887
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	New York City, New York, United States
Membership	431,000
Language	English
Leader title	President and CEO
Leader name	Barry Melancon
Website	www.aicpa.org

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the national professional organization of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States. Founded in 1887, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private companies, non-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It also develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination.

History

The AICPA was established in 1887 as the American Association of Public Accountants. It was the first national professional association for accountants in the United States. In 1916, the organization was renamed the American Institute of Accountants, and in 1957, it adopted its current name, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Functions and Responsibilities

The AICPA is responsible for a wide range of activities that support the accounting profession, including:

• Setting Standards: The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private companies, non-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments.
• Uniform CPA Examination: The AICPA develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, which is a requirement for becoming a licensed CPA in the United States.
• Continuing Professional Education (CPE): The AICPA provides resources and guidance for CPAs to meet their continuing professional education requirements.
• Advocacy: The AICPA represents the interests of CPAs before legislative bodies, public interest groups, and other professional organizations.
• Publications and Resources: The AICPA publishes a variety of resources, including journals, newsletters, and guides, to support the professional development of its members.

Membership

The AICPA has over 431,000 members in 143 countries, representing a wide range of accounting professionals, including CPAs in public practice, business and industry, government, and education.

Governance

The AICPA is governed by a board of directors and a council. The board of directors is responsible for overseeing the management of the organization, while the council provides strategic direction and policy guidance.

Also see

• Certified Public Accountant
• Uniform CPA Examination
• Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
• Financial Accounting Standards Board
• International Federation of Accountants