Celebrating the Past, Looking Toward the Future

Creation of State Board of Accountancy in North Carolina

Statute created North Carolina’s board of accountancy, which consisted of three accountants and one lawyer appointed by the Governor.

Preparation begins for a national CPA exam

Board of Examiners began preparing a “uniform” CPA examination.

North Carolina Society of Public Accountants holds its first meeting

First meeting of the state society’s incorporators was held at the Selwyn Hotel in Charlotte, where 9 fellows and 11 associates were admitted into membership. Society issues first certificate to G.H. Adams of Charlotte.

Name of society changes at the annual meeting

At the annual meeting in 1923, the name of the organization was changed to the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

Each state has passed legislation recognizing the CPA designation

All of the 50 states had recognized publicly the importance of the CPA profession. By 1923, each state had enacted legislation authorizing examinations that led to the official designation of qualified practitioners as certified public accountants.

North Carolina passes legislation for class of certified practitioners

North Carolina is third state in the Union (following Maryland and Louisiana) to pass regulatory legislation looking towards one class of certified practitioners—the CPA. The association’s 5th president, D.H. McCollough, was instrumental in passing the “CPA law.”

Due to economic friction, citizens return to school for bookkeeping skills

Stories told of people, unable to find employment, returning to school to take bookkeeping, typing, and other business-related skills. One anecdote describes a story about a CPA challenging an adding machine for accuracy.

The annual Symposium and a quarterly publication are introduced

21st president Erle Peacock of Chapel Hill proposes two new initiatives… the Symposium and a quarterly publication “The North Carolina Accountant.”

Duke University and UNC host the first annual Symposium

First Symposium was held in cooperation with Duke University and University of North Carolina (events on both campuses). Football games are even referenced in the brochures!

WWII impacts the association and programming offered at the Symposium

World War II impacted the national economy and the Association recognized the importance of continuing the Symposium, in spite of difficulties associated with the war, particularly transportation and housing problems. A discussion entitled “The Accountant’s Role in National Defense Training” was broadcasted on UNC’s radio station.

NCACPA celebrates its 25th anniversary

NCACPA produces special booklet for its 25th anniversary, which included content written by President Roosevelt on the importance of accounting, in conjunction with the 5th Annual Sumposium.

78% of NCACPA members are CPAs

Of 566 members, 78% of members are CPAs; 92% of members are in public practice.

Two big changes occur for the Association—an office move and a naming contest for the magazine

The Association’s office moves from the Chapel Hill location, held since 1944, to Creedmoor Road in Raleigh. A contest is held with members to re-name the newsletter—Interim Report is ultimately the membership’s selection.

See an archival of Interim Reports! 

NC CPA Foundation Inc. is established

The Foundation was created to work in partnership with NCACPA to provide scholarships and opportunities for students to explore the accounting career.

Learn more about the NC CPA Foundation Inc. today! 

Mandatory CPE requirement implemented

1982 marked the first year under the new mandatory CPE law for North Carolina CPAs.

Read more! 

John Sharbaugh selected as 3rd Executive Director

John Sharbaugh served the Association as Executive Director from 1982–1988.

NCACPA Board approves the architectural design of the new building

NCACPA purchases 2.25 acres of land in the Gateway Centre office park in Morrisville for $240,000.

First Female Chair of the Board Appointed

Ruth Rogers becomes NCACPA’s first female to hold the position of chair of the board.

Jim Ahler named 4th Executive Director

After serving as Executive Director of the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, Jim Ahler is hired by the Association’s Search Committee, chaired by Elwood Walker.

NCACPA hosts 1040k Road Race

NCACPA hosts a 1040K Road Race that included a TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Filed) event, a one-mile “Short Form” run, and onsite IRS agents to receive and stamp late filings!

NCACPA member Bill Ezzell named Chairman of AICPA

Bill Ezzell becomes first NCACPA member to serve as chairman of the AICPA.

Young CPA Cabinet created

NCACPA becomes first state society to create a Young CPA Cabinet.

Learn more about the Young CPA Cabinet. 

Adoption of the Oath of a North Carolina CPA

AICPA’s financial literacy campaign begins

The AICPA introduces a new national effort to improve the personal finance skills of Americans. NCACPA becomes very active in this initiative by coordinating speaking events at schools, libraries, businesses, and community events.

Learn more about financial literacy.

Connect. Impact. Grow. tagline launches

New tagline Connect. Impact. Grow. was introduced to the membership. The Board of Directors creates a task force in 2006 to develop a new vision and mission statement.

NCACPA embraces the online learning trend and hosts its first online program

The Association responds to members’ interest in online CPE by investing in technology to offer this new type of CPE delivery.

Learn more about NCACPA’s current online learning options.