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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 13, 2021 10:34 AM
From:	Representative Rosemary M. Brown
To:	All House members
Subject:	CPAs Assisting Volunteer Firefighter Organizations

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to create a program for certified public accountants to assist volunteer firefighter organizations. My proposal establishes a four year continuing professional education (CPE) pilot program for CPAs who volunteer their time to assist volunteer fire companies with their financial records. Under the pilot program: Up to 40 hours of CPE may be earned. A CPA’s time spent on reviewing a fire company’s financial records may be used toward the renewal of their license and a waiver of the biennial license fee. A CPA may only review financial records and may not perform an audit. Oversight of the CPA shall be conducted by the CPE program sponsor. CPAs are assigned by the CPE program sponsor. The CPAs may offer recommendations and suggestions about how to better organize and structure their finances. In addition to helping CPAs renew their licenses at a lower cost, my proposal aims to reduce the incidents of theft within firefighter organizations, which will improve a company’s image and in the long term, assist in donations and retention rates. Pennsylvania is composed of 97% volunteer firefighter organizations and has about 12% of the entire nation’s firefighters, with their services saving taxpayers approximately $8 to $10 billion every year. Please join me in showing support for these brave men and women who perform essential services to our communities every day by sponsoring this legislation.

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