Certified public accounting profession turns 100

By Elise Braase
MACPA Director of Communications/Marketing
Liaison, History Committee and Centennial Task Force

April 10, 2000 marked the 100-year anniversary of the law that created the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) profession in Maryland. In 1900, Maryland became the third state in the nation to enact legislation providing for the degree of Certified Public Accountant, specifically an act to regulate the practice of the profession of public accountant in the state of Maryland. The legislation approved a certification program to qualify public accountants and established a board of examiners to conduct examinations and recommend successful CPA candidates to the Governor for certification.

The first CPA certificate was issued in 1900 to Max Teichmann, co-founder of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants, Inc. (MACPA). Teichmann, considered the father of public accounting in Maryland, lobbied for passage of the CPA law and was recognized as a key figure in the CPA movement. He and a handful of other pioneers established MACPA on Feb. 12, 1901.

While the profession has changed dramatically in the last century, the hallmarks of the profession have not. Through their professional integrity and commitment to protecting the public interest, the CPA is the most trusted advisor in the United States, surpassing lawyers, consultants and other business advisors.

Today, about 19,000 CPAs hold certificates in the state of Maryland.

Much as the profession's founding fathers followed their vision, today's CPA profession is also guided by a vision for the future. Developed three years ago by thousands of CPAs all across the country, that vision is defining how CPAs will compete and thrive in this New Economy by identifying a set of competencies and skills that CPAs must develop to expand into the growth areas of the future.

Continuing to place Maryland at the forefront of the CPA profession that began 100 years ago, Maryland CPA J. Thomas Hood, III, executive director of MACPA, chairs the National CPA Vision Team.

"The vision process and our history have taught us two things," said Hood. "One, that CPAs can advance to a higher level of influence in business and financial markets, even on a global playing field and, two, that we can continue to control our own destiny just as Max Teichmann and other pathfinders did 100 years ago."

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