100 Years & Still Going Strong - California Society of Certified Public Accountants - Brief Article

California CPA, Nov, 2001

This fall California's CPA license turns 100. Although Marilyn Monroe won't be crooning "Happy Anniversary," CaICPA is celebrating this milestone in a number of ways. Student outreach, featuring a special magazine and an initiative to bring CPAs into high school classrooms to discuss CPA careers, is a primary focus of the 100-year celebration. Even the Legislature is joining in by proclaiming Nov. 4-10 "CPA Week" which will be followed by local chapter celebrations and public service efforts. Following are a few milestones in the history of California's CPA license:

1901 The first accountancy act created the California State Board of Accountancy and 47 "experts of accounts" received their CPA certificates.

1909 The California State Society of Certified Public Accountants is incorporated in San Francisco.

1913 Passage of 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (income tax).

1923 Corporations begin issuing annual reports.

1934 CaICPA members reject a "grandfather clause" in the accountancy act that suggested licensing all public accountants as CPAs.

1935 California personal income tax laws became effective.

1939 CaICPA deletes the word "state" from its title.

1943 U.S. Revenue Act introduces paycheck withholding.

1946 CaICPA dues increases from $10 to $25

1972 Gay. Ronald Reagan signs CPA continuing education requirement bill that is sponsored by CaICPA.

1974 U.S. authorizes Individual Retirement Accounts.