The Society has long played a proactive role for certified public accountants in Nebraska, sponsoring bills and defending the profession against legislation that might be detrimental from the Society’s standpoint. Nebraska was the first state to pass mandatory CPE legislation. In 1991, Nebraska became the 14th state to pass the 150-hour education requirement for new CPAs, and in 1994, the Society helped draft and support a successful effort in the Nebraska Legislature to pass the first bill in the nation allowing for the partial ownership of CPA firms by non-CPAs. In 2009, the Society helped draft and support the quick passage of “CPA Mobility” legislation, which allows licensed CPAs from other states to practice public accountancy in Nebraska without the need to obtain licensure by reciprocity, register, or pay a fee to the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy. In 2013, the Society helped draft and support passage of “Expanded CPA Experience” legislation. In 2019, the Society worked with the State Board to draft and support passage of legislation that allows Nebraska CPA firms to create Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Thanks to another joint legislative effort by the Society and State Board in 2024, Nebraska CPA candidates will be able to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination after completing 120 semester hours (or 180 quarter hours) of qualifying college credit and a bachelor’s degree beginning Jan. 1, 2025. In addition, the Society successfully achieved an exemption from inclusion in Nebraska’s occupational licensing legislation in 2024 and we continue to oppose efforts that would extend Nebraska’s sales tax on professional services. On the national scene, the Society monitors events in Washington, D.C., and speaks on behalf of Nebraska CPAs in dealing with the state’s congressional delegation. Key Contact Program The Society involves CPAs at the grassroots level through its Key Contact Program; these individuals assist in communicating the Society’s positions on legislative issues to their state senators and the Nebraska congressional delegation when needed. The Society also works with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to strengthen the profession’s voice both in Lincoln and in Washington. In addition, the Society works closely with state and federal governmental agencies, including the Nebraska Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service, which have operations that directly affect Nebraska CPAs. The Society also maintains contact with other statewide trade associations on issues of common interest. NESCPA 2024 34 Society Overview
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