FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Amy Johnson
Vice President, Communications
The Ohio Society of CPAs
800.686.2727, ext. 341 (office)
614.975.2225 (cell)

Commends retiring President and CEO J. Clarke Price for establishing a culture that positioned OSCPA as a national leader among associations

(COLUMBUS, February 20, 2012) The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA), one of the top five associations in the country representing certified public accountants, today announced that J. Clarke Price, CAE, president and CEO, will retire effective December 31, 2012 after an accomplished 40-year career with the association.

OSCPA has launched a search for a new chief executive to lead the organization and has retained Washington, D.C.-based executive search firm Vetted Solutions to assist in identifying a new CEO.

The Ohio Society of CPAs represents the interests of more than 22,000 members who work in CPA firms, in Ohio businesses and corporations, government and education. OSCPA leverages strong relationships with state and federal legislators and regulators to advocate for CPAs. It also advances initiatives that promote and protect the accounting profession and emphasizes common sense tax and tort reforms that support the goal of making Ohio a more competitive place to live and do business.

During the past four decades, Price has held leadership roles in virtually all areas of OSCPA including public relations, membership, governmental relations and marketing.  He was named CEO in 1990.

“Clarke has been a driving force in elevating OSCPA’s influence with CPAs, legislators, and in the association community at the state and national levels,” said James D. Gottfried, CPA, Chair of OSCPA’s Executive Board.

“He’s positioned OSCPA as a leading advocate for CPAs, Ohio businesses and taxpayers and his drive to be out in front of the major issues facing the CPA profession have earned OSCPA respect among our members and with important constituents.”

OSCPA’s executive board will initiate its search for a new chief executive officer in the coming months. It will work with members this spring to identify important qualities and attributes for a new executive leader, and will begin interviewing qualified candidates over the summer.

To ensure a smooth transition, Price will continue to lead OSCPA throughout 2012.

Gottfried stressed OSCPA’s history of driving important firsts and an entrepreneurial culture make the organization very attractive to experienced association executives. The Executive Board supports staff’s ability to respond quickly to emerging business and professional trends and develop new programs and services to keep OSCPA relevant and a valuable professional resource for its members.

While serving as CEO, Price has led several high-profile legislative wins for OSCPA. These included driving tort reform in Ohio in 2005 to protect Ohioans from frivolous lawsuits and ensure more fair judgments. OSCPA also led the charge to overhaul of Ohio’s antiquated tax code. A centerpiece of this 2005 legislation was elimination of the corporate franchise tax which was replaced by the Commercial Activities Tax (CAT). In 2009, Price and OSCPA’s executive board formed the Ohio Budget Advisory Task Force in response to Ohio’s $8 billion budget crisis. Working quickly, a committee of CPAs identified opportunities for streamlining state and local government and paring expenses through greater efficiencies. The recommendations were advanced to elected officials and in 2011 helped drive several laws that are encouraging creative cost-cutting at all levels of Ohio government and making Ohio more attractive to outside employers.

OSCPA also has been active in advocating on the national level—a role that’s unique for a statewide association. In 2011, CPAs from Ohio testified before the House Ways and Means committee, encouraging a simpler U.S. tax system that is less costly for small businesses and would provide a boost to the economy. During an unprecedented face-to-face meeting with IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman, Price and Ohio CPAs discussed ideas for easing audit compliance and simplifying the process around new regulations for tax preparers.

In 2006, Price earned OSCPA recognition as one of nine “remarkable associations” in a landmark research project conducted by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). OSCPA was singled out in the study and subsequent book, 7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don’t for having a customer-driven culture, in-depth member engagement, organizational adaptability and products and services closely aligned with its mission.

OSCPA also has been featured as a “radical change” case study in Race for Relevance, authored by Harrison Coerver and Mary Byers and published by ASAE, and has been a recipient of multiple awards from The Ohio Society of Association Executives, The Public Relations Society of America, and the International Association of Business Communicators.

Price’s individual recognition includes being named one of the “100 Most Influential” in the accounting profession by Accounting Today magazine on 10 occasions. He’s been named a “Technology Superstar” by Accounting Technology magazine and received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) – its highest recognition bestowed upon a non-CPA.

Price has served as chair of the board of ASAE and in 1998 was selected as an ASAE Fellow, a distinction bestowed upon less than two percent of ASAE members. He also serves as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100. Price was instrumental in forming the State Societies Network (SSNI) and Shared Services LLC (SSLLC), organizations that provide a framework for the state CPA societies and AICPA to leverage strengths and share common functions to benefit members.

“It’s been an honor for me to lead The Ohio Society of CPAs for the past 21 years,” Price said. “During that time, the CPA profession has experienced some of its greatest challenges and opportunities and I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented CPAs to drive initiatives for our members and Ohio citizens.”

I’m confident that Ohio CPAs will continue to lead on important issues and OSCPA will remain an influential force in Ohio and the association world in the years to come.”

Price, a native of New Jersey, joined The Ohio Society of CPAs in 1972 as Manager of Public Relations. He resides in Grove City with his wife, Vicky. They have an adult son, Zack.

About OSCPA

The Ohio Society of CPAs, established in 1908, represents more than 22,000 CPAs in business, education, government and public accounting. The Ohio Society’s members not only meet statutory and regulatory requirements as CPAs, but also embrace the highest standards of professional and ethical performance. This is achieved through ongoing professional education, comprehensive quality review and compliance with a strict Code of Professional Conduct.

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