Q. What is TSCPA? What is MAP?
A. Texas Society of CPAs. PCPS and TSCPA jointly administer the National MAP Survey. MAP is ‘Management of an Accounting Practice’ and refers to the processes and resources that firms employ or use to run their CPA firms.
Q. When will the survey be fielded?
A. The Survey was fielded from May 3rd and closed on September 3rd.
Q. How often is the Survey conducted?
A. Currently the survey is every other year. However, the survey was administered on an annual basis in the past. PCPS has fielded the survey since 2002. We administered a survey in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. The next survey year is 2012. Potential participants are invited via email. Also, all CPA practitioners are welcome to visit the PCPS web site for a link to the survey tool. Be sure to watch for it.
Q. Does it cost anything to participate in the survey?
A. No, there is no cost to participate in the survey. All participants will receive a summary report. PCPS members and Texas firms will receive a more comprehensive results report. See the Overview page for more pricing details.
Q. How long does it take to complete the survey?
A. Since the survey is fairly detailed (to provide firms with the most inclusive results possible), we strongly suggest that you print out the PDF version of the survey questions to gather your responses. Between locating your firm’s data and entering information into the survey tool, we estimate that most firms will take one to three hours to complete.
Q. Once I start completing the survey, must I finish it then or can I come back to it at a later time?
A. The survey is designed to allow participants to go back into their results and, if desired, complete the survey in more than one sitting. Once you have started and you exit, all you need to do is RETURN to your survey via the link in your email invitation and you will be directed to the place where you left off in the survey tool.
Q. How are survey questions selected?
A. Survey content is examined each year before the survey goes live. Feedback is received from the previous survey’s participants and industry leaders. Usability, application and scope are closely considered by the PCPS Executive Committee, IntelliSurvey, the AICPA, and outside legal counsel. The goal is to provide firms with the type and level of data on their practices that is most meaningful, while offering a user experience that is friendly and efficient.
Q. If I participate in the survey, what will I receive?
A. As a PCPS firm member or Texas participant, you will receive a PDF of your firm’s personal and comprehensive results report via email along with access to the online reporting tool, both as a complimentary member benefit.
As a non-PCPS or Texas participating firm, you will receive a free summary results report that will line your responses with national averages. You will have the option to purchase a more comprehensive report and access to the on-line reporting tool for $100 as an AICPA member and $200 as a non-AICPA member. If your firm joins PCPS, you will receive the upgraded report and access to the on-line tool as a member benefit. Membership dues are calculated on the number of full-time CPAs employed at your firm, at a rate of $35.00 each, up to $700.00 maximum per 12 month cycle.
Q. What is the difference between a Summary and Comprehensive results report?
A. A Summary report is the minimum results report that any 2010 participant can receive. It is 8-10 pages in length and includes graphs and mini tables that display key 2010 results for the participating firm. The data is benchmarked against comparison groups that include firm size and region/state. A Comprehensive report is the upgraded version that includes the Summary, a more detailed section with additional comparison groups and National tables. In total, the Comprehensive is more than 50 pages of graphs and numerical results
Q. How can I print my responses from the survey tool?
A. Set your printer to print in “landscape” mode and your responses will print without being cut off.
Q. When will the results be available to me?
A. Participant results reports are now available. You should receive an email explaining how to access the results. National and regional reports will be available shortly after the participant reports are released.
Q. If I want to review results but my firm did not participate, what can I receive?
A. As a PCPS member, you will be granted access to the National, Regional and Firm Size results free of charge on this site. Non-PCPS members can purchase results for $200 as an AICPA member and $300 as a non-AICPA member.
Q. My state society is participating in the survey, what does that mean to me?
A. The supporting state societies provide us with a means to achieve nationwide participation. Every participating state society will receive a customized state or regional report depending upon the number of participants from their state. The participating states are encouraged to share this report with their members but are not able to sell it. You can contact your state society to learn more about your state’s report.
Q. What is the on-line benchmarking tool?
A. The on-line tool is an additional benefit to PCPS member and Texas firm participants that allows them to create their own benchmarks and peer groups. You can use the tool to compare your firm’s data to other firms’ data based on the parameters you select. The 2010 tool will be available shortly after survey results are released. If you have questions about the on-line tool or need help accessing it, you can contact us by email at PCPS@aicpa.org.