Are you a CPA? Do you have a passion for technology? Then the CITP Designation may be right for you.

A CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional) is a CPA who is:

• Credentialed by the AICPA as an information technology professional.
• Is recognized for his or her unique ability to bridge between business and technology.
• Has achieved a combination of IT-related certifications, degrees, continuing education and business experience providing him or her with a wide range of documented IT competency.

CITP Benefits for CPA Firms

There are several CITP benefits for CPAs within a CPA firm. Given the growing technology needs to run a public accounting practice effectively and competitively, it’s imperative to have experienced internal IT professionals at your organization. Having IT resources on staff is optimal especially to:

• Help the firm’s leadership stay current on technology enablement.
• Shape the firm’s IT strategy.
• Guide the selection and implementation processes.

Hiring a CPA who is also a CITP provides your firm with an IT resource that possesses a combination of accounting and IT experience.

CITP Benefits for CPAs Providing IT Consulting Services

The CITP credential is a competitive differentiator for the CPA providing consulting services. CITPs hold both technical and business certifications and are identified as accounting technologists who understand finance and accounting issues and IT concepts. As a CPA and trusted advisor to clients, the CITP can offer both sound business advice integrated with strategic technology advice and direction. In a marketplace in which professional standards are inconsistent, a CITP is a trusted professional governed by established professional standards, a strict Code of Ethics and state licensing laws.

CITP Benefits for CPAs in Industry

In today’s businesses, all financial information is stored, gathered and analyzed through the use of technology. IT and accounting are critically linked with each other.

Having a CPA/CITP on staff provides your organization with a resource who can translate technical information into results-oriented business language that key decision-makers can understand. CITPs generally have invested a great deal in their education and training and tend to take ownership of their role in the business.

Why You Should Become a CITP
Only CPAs can be CITPs, further differentiating your unique blend of skills in the marketplace. As a CPA/CITP you can uniquely blend business acumen with IT expertise for your organization. The CPA/CITP designation also:

• Provides the mark of excellence for CPA business technologists who are leaders in industry, public practice, government and academia;
• Gives you the opportunity to move into new technology-related roles and opportunities;
• Elevates the CPA business technologist to the executive level as an integral part of business planning;
• Affirms your value as an IT specialist and increases your value to your employer or clients; and
• Gives you access to a community in which you can share, debate, network and communicate with other CPA business technology experts.

CITP credential benefits include automatic membership in the IT Section. You have the ability to network in an IT community for CPAs with opportunities to share best practices at events and discussion forum exclusively for CITPs. You have full access to the CITP Marketing Toolkit and updates. Your CITP designation also provides you with:

• Monthly CITP Chair letters, monthly benefit emails and other communications;
• Valuable resources and content exclusive to CITPs on the IT Center Web site;
• Conference discounts and special networking opportunities for CITPs at the annual AICPA TECH+ Conference; and
• Monthly CITP Webinars

How Do You Qualify?

To qualify for the CITP designation, you must hold a valid and unrevoked CPA certificate issued by a legally constituted state authority and be a member in good standing of the AICPA. You must also complete the CITP application, receive an evaluated score of at least 100 points and pay a CITP program enrollment fee.

How to Apply to Become a CITP

First, complete the application. Then reflect on your business experience, testing and learning over the past five years in the following areas:

• Technology and Strategic Planning
• IT Architecture
• Business Process Enablement
• IT Governance and Regulation
• System Development, Acquisition and Project Management
• Information Systems Management
• System Security, Reliability, Audit and Control

For more information visit AICPA IT Section, call 888-777-7077 and select Option 4 or send an e-mail.

James C. Bourke, CPA/CITP is a Partner at WithumSmith+Brown where he is Director of Firm Technology. He is a past president of the New Jersey Society of CPA's and currently serves on AICPA Council and the AICPA CITP Credential Committee.