[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E718-E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED 
                           PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 2005

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the 100th 
Anniversary of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
  There is little doubt that, without certified public accountants, the 
area of financial reporting would be a quagmire. Financial statements 
would be meaningless as everyone would strive to show favorable results 
without worrying much about honesty or accuracy. For these reasons, I 
am grateful that the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants 
has worked diligently over the past 100 years to work with CPAs 
throughout my state and ensure that the profession of public accounting 
remains safe and stable for 100 years more.
  The FICPA has been instrumental in bringing the first accountancy law 
to my home state of Florida 100 years ago, and since then has worked 
diligently to bring the highest sense of professionalism to all areas 
of accounting. The Institute has also been a key supporter of 
legislation to require an ethics course for all Certified Public 
Accountants in addition to working closely with universities to provide 
aspiring CPAs the skills and education they will need to succeed, even 
going so far as to establish a foundation. Thanks to the FICPA, CPAs in 
the state of Florida also are required by law to take continuing 
education courses, further ensuring that citizens receive high-quality 
accounting services from well educated professionals.
  The FICPA has not only focused on helping qualified accountants, but 
has also worked hard to prevent unqualified accountants from providing 
low-quality, unethical services to the citizens of Florida through an 
unlicensed accounting awareness campaign. Steps such as this have 
helped guarantee that CPAs in Florida will provide the quality service 
that the public deserves, and that Floridians can rest

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assured that their financial reporting will be of the caliber they are 
entitled to.
  With the continued help of their Chief Executive Officer Buddy 
Turman, I am confident that the FICP A will continue to build upon its 
legacy from the last 100 years and allow the profession of accounting 
to maintain its prominent role in our society. Mr. Speaker, on behalf 
of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize the 100th 
Anniversary of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

                          ____________________