Alliance of Black Women Accountants sponsored three students and emerging professionals to attend the CalCPA Legislative Summit and CPA Day in Sacrament February. Congratulations to Rosa Kuybus, Saida Hassan, and Kaiesha Davidson, MBA.
The day started with a Legislative Summit for information sharing relative to critical issues for the profession. Presenters included representatives from CalCPA, the California Board of Accountancy and State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Senator Roge Niello. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with policy leaders to advocate for the profession, making CalCPA Legislative Summit and CPA Day an important annual event.
Rosa Kybus said she wanted to attend the event to support the accounting community. Along the way she learned about various bills that impact the profession. Her standout moment of the event: “Seeing how the community of professionals getting together and the unity they all represent.”
“I was actually encouraged to attend by my mentor,” Saida Hassan said. “I had also felt as though I had not adequately taken advantage of all ABWA had to offer, and I had to try. I am still so grateful that ABWA sponsored me and look forward to paying back the favor in the near future.”
“What I learned in particular was how effective CalCPA Day at the Capitol was in achieving its mission, Hassan added. “I follow CalCPA for their weekly highlights, and they just announced that they have gotten AICPA and NASBA to introduce model legislative language for additional CPA paths. It’s amazing to see how quickly effective lobbying can be in real-time.”
Kaiesha Davidson enjoyed the opportunity to support the profession through advocacy for legislation that benefits the profession and the clients we serve.
“I attended CalCPA Day at the Capitol because I saw it as an incredible opportunity to engage with legislators and advocate for the accounting profession,” Davidson said. “I was particularly interested in gaining insight into how accounting and politics intersect. It was truly a confidence-building experience to speak up and advocate for accounting policies. It reinforced that, regardless of my experience level, my voice matters and will be heard.”
Written by Tamarra L. Brown
