What is the difference between a Committee and a Section?

There is no limit to the number of members a Section can have. Conversely, committee membership is limited, so only a certain number of members can participate each year.

Sections are member-driven communities of practice formed to facilitate knowledge sharing and professional development for CPAs concentrating in a specific practice area. According to FICPA Sections Policies, Section members shall be rendered such basic services from the FICPA as approved by the Board of Governors, and such advanced services as approved by the Executive Committee.

Member Benefits include:

• Listserv (online bulletin board for Section members to exchange information via e-mail)
• Section member directory (online)
• Periodic E-Newsletters
• News on topics of interest to Section members
• Useful Web site links used and recommended by Section members

Advanced Member Benefits may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• CPE seminar planning with CPE planning staff, as needed
• CPE conference (if needed)
• Advocacy on Section issues (if needed)
• Periodic reviews of related publications and Web sites

Sections can have issue-specific subcommittees or "teams" that work to accomplish defined objectives of a Section, such as conference development, roundtables, Web content development, etc. These groups are created and implemented as part of the Steering Committee’s Annual Strategic Plan.