The start of this past tax season saw the kickoff of SCACPA’s #WhyCPA public service campaign. We created humorous – but truthful – statements that we shared over social media and digital advertising to illustrate the difference between an accountant and a CPA.
Here are some of the slogans emphasizing that the value of a CPA is in the ethics and integrity behind every decision:
GETTING YOUR TAXES DONE IN WHAT USED TO BE A HALLOWEEN STORE?
YOU MAY NOT HAVE HIRED A CPA.
I’VE GOT 99 PROBLEMS BUT MY 1099 INCOME ISN’T ONE.
I HIRED A CPA.
THINK OUTSIDE THE SOFTWARE!
HIRE A CPA.
IF YOUR TAX PREPARER’S OFFICE HAS A MASCOT, YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T HIRE A CPA.
LEARN THE VALUE OF A CPA.
Bottom line: The public should know that when you hire a licensed CPA you have a partner who has a responsibility to protect what you’ve built. Once the dust of tax season clears, your CPA will still be there for you. Being a CPA means the accountant is certified by the state, has met education licensing requirements and has passed the CPA Exam.
But we’re not done yet.
As we build on the momentum of this campaign, we’re inviting SCACPA members, students and the business community to submit #WhyCPA testimonials that prove these are more than just advertising catchphrases.
For example, here is a recent comment to a SCACPA LinkedIn post where we asked to hear about your #WhyCPA stories. Steven J. Austin, a content strategist for corporate communications, writes:
“The reason I have a CPA is very simple. Multiple sources of income. Plus, I am great with words but horrible with numbers. It was an easy decision to hire and retain him.”
We want your community to better understand what you do – and why what you do can, in turn, improve what they do. SCACPA is dedicated to growing this advocacy campaign and spreading it across multiple media outlets in the future, increasing its benefit to SCACPA members.
We’re asking you to please go to www.scacpa.org/whycpa to submit your testimonials and your ideas for new slogans. We will share as many as possible on our social media feeds of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
SCACPA understands the value of the CPA credential better than anyone. Those three letters indicate that you are the gold standard. You have more education beyond a four-year college degree; you have more required of you than a traditional accountant; you do more in your career than add numbers and prepare taxes.
Let’s plant in the minds of those who see the ads the question of whether a CPA would be a professional they should consider hiring. Before people consider tackling their own taxes or hiring a non-certified accountant for their taxes, finances or business planning needs, they should consider what CPAs can provide. Ultimately, it means that CPAs across South Carolina increase their visibility and grow their business.
It’s vital to the future of the profession that we educate as many people as possible — locally within South Carolina and to larger communities beyond our state lines — as to who you are, what you do and why it matters.
So show us what you’ve got! Submit your comments and slogan ideas today at www.scacpa.org/whycpa.
