The EDGE - April 2012 

Five Tips to Branding Yourself
Even though it may seem foreign to you, branding actually begins with you—and the persona, culture and outlook you present to your colleagues, family and friends. Learn how to brand yourself using these five simple tips.

Management by Delegation: Learn to Let Go
What’s your management style? At some point – if you want to effectively lead a project or team and have more time for other projects – you have to learn how to delegate to others. Does letting to mean losing control? Here are eight ways to help you lead, organize and measure your delegation.

Is it Possible to Work Too Much? – Follow-up
Last month, we discussed the pros and cons of working too much. Whether you think that’s good or bad, are you working to your potential? Is there something about your performance and your behavior you can change to work less and focus on other interests? Read this follow-up article to last month’s “Is it Possible to Work Too Much” to get a handle on how to improve, along with a set of tools and techniques you can begin using right away.

Apply or Nominate - 2012 AICPA Leadership Academy
The 2012 AICPA Leadership Academy offers a select group of 30 applicants to participate in a program that exposes them to a strong ethic of leadership and service, while providing them with a foundational set of tools and relationships that will help them expand their leadership competencies and empower them to become leaders within their organizations, communities and the CPA profession. Apply online or nominate a promising colleague before May 15, and help shape the future of the CPA profession.

Nominate a deserving young CPA for the AICPA Maximo Mukelabai Award
The 2012 Maximo Mukelabai Award recognizes a young CPA who has demonstrated outstanding service towards the advancement, stewardship and promotion of the accounting profession and selfless contributions to their community. Peers, AICPA staff, employers or State Society liaisons may submit nominations for the annual award until May 15, 2012. Self-nominations are not accepted. For more information, visit Maximo Mukelabai Award.

Apply to Be an AICPA Volunteer: Applications Accepted Until May 15
If you are interested in contributing to the profession and networking with your peers, then consider applying for one of the AICPA’s nearly 90 volunteer groups (committees, boards, panels and centers) seeking new volunteers. Please send inquiries to volunteerservices@aicpa.org.

AICPA White Paper Explains COSO’s Proposed Updated Framework
The AICPA has published a white paper to help members understand the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s (COSO) proposed update of its Internal Control – Integrated Framework. The framework is used by business and governmental entities in the United States and is widely used in major countries around the world. Initially issued in 1992, the framework is being changed to keep it relevant in the current and future business world. Read White Paper: COSO 2012 – Updated, Principles-Based, and More Guidance now (accessible only to AICPA members).

Mandatory CITP exam is coming in July
Beginning in July, the CITP exam will be required to attain the CITP credential. The deadline to apply while leveraging existing credential requirements is May 25. Find out whether you already qualify and apply for the CITP credential! Visit AICPA.org/CITP to learn more about eligibility requirements

Build on your CPA: Demonstrate your expertise with the CFF and ABV credentials
Registration for the spring CFF exam and ABV exam is open. The exam assesses your knowledge on all aspects of the CFF and ABV Content Specification Outlines. The Financial Forensic Accounting Education Series and the ABV Examination Review self-study course are available to help you prepare. For more information, visit AICPA.org/CFF or AICPA.org/ABV.

We Want Your Quotes: Tell Us What the AICPA’s 125th Anniversary Means to You
The AICPA celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Members will hear more about the many commemorative activities scheduled to begin in late May. As part of the year-long milestone, we want to include your celebratory thoughts on the AICPA, the profession and what it means to be a CPA. Share your insights, send an email with your quote or comment of up to 30 words to cpaletter@aicpa.org. The AICPA will not be able to respond to all submissions; by sending such an email you grant the AICPA the unrestricted right to use, edit, reproduce and distribute the quote or comment in any materials or communications related to the 125th anniversary. Not all submissions will be used.

Explore where the CPA profession can take you
CPAs and potential CPAs have 360 degrees of opportunities in the profession, and the best place to explore those opportunities is the Career Paths section of the new AICPA.org. The Career Assessment Tool enables you to assess your proficiencies, and it's free for AICPA members.