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Your professional community at work
2025 Year in Review: Achievements and Highlights
And we'll keep working for you in 2026!
Successful passage of alternative pathways to licensure bill
Aspiring CPAs in Oregon can now choose from three pathways to licensure thanks to the OSCPA volunteers who worked tirelessly with the Oregon Board of Accountancy (BOA) and Oregon Association of Independent Accountants (OAIA) for the passage of SB 797.
Protecting mobility for Oregon CPAs
Our collaboration with the BOA on SB 797 modernized entry requirements while preserving the high standards that make CPA licenses portable nationwide. By keeping the Uniform CPA Exam and experience standards, Oregon ensures its CPAs meet substantial equivalency without extra licensing hurdles.
Modernizing laws and rules
OSCPA continues to collaborate with BOA and the Laws & Rules Committee doing the roll-up-the-sleeves work of revising rules, finding the balance between reducing barriers and promoting workforce development with maintaining high professional standards. A November Town Hall with BOA gave OSCPA members direct opportunity to weigh in.
One million dollars in funding for accounting scholarships
A new grant program approved by the Oregon Legislature for use in the development of need-based scholarships will support Oregon’s accounting workforce and pipeline. A historic collaboration between OSCPA and the BOA on the passage of SB 796 led to the grant, which will allow The OSCPA Educational Foundation to begin awarding scholarships in fall 2026 to Oregon university and community college students who are pursuing certifications or degrees with the goal of obtaining licensure as an accountant in Oregon.
Advocating for the profession
OSCPA volunteers reviewed 234 tax and 14 non-tax bills in the 2025 legislative session, not to mention many had multiple versions. Your peers are tirelessly on alert for legislation that could impact you, your livelihood, and your clients and businesses. And we're about to start up again in the 2026 short session. Read more.
Building relationships with key entities and stakeholders
OSCPA continues to build internal and external relationships with the IRS, the Oregon Tax Court, the Oregon Department of Revenue, City of Portland, OAIA, Oregon State Bar Sections, and AICPA, among others, keeping your professional concerns at the forefront.
Advocating at the federal level
In May, OSCPA leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. for congressional office visits, discussing disaster relief, 529 plans, tax policy, PTE, and other issues on behalf of the CPA profession and OSCPA members.
On May 30, Hester Peirce, Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) met with firm leaders at the OSCPA Center.
OSCPA President/CEO Sherri McPherson and AICPA Incoming 1-year Council Member John Hawkins at Senator Jeff Merkley's office.
OSCPA Board Chair Gary Holcomb with Representative Janelle Bynum.
OSCPA Board Chair Gary Holcomb and SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce.
Member Appreciation Day
OSCPA’s inaugural Member Appreciation Day offered a complimentary day of learning for the most important part of OSCPA – our members!
With overwhelmingly positive feedback, members asked us to bring it back—and we’re excited to present another Member Appreciation Day on January 28, 2026.
Your membership pays off: OSCPA offered 24 hours of free CPE in 2025.
Sharing knowledge and insights
In December we gathered experts to share insights about the accounting and business landscape at the Professional Issues Update. Nearly 300 OSCPA members registered from around Oregon to gain the knowledge and latest updates to prepare for 2026 and beyond.
Connections to accounting students
The OSCPA Career Showcase in Portland brought together representatives from 20 firms to meet 127 college students and aspiring CPAs.
In addition, OSCPA promoted accounting as a career at events at:
- Portland State University
- University of Oregon
- Oregon State University
- Linfield University
- Washington State University-Vancouver
Encouraging candidates toward licensure
- OSCPA presented “Exploring Licensure & the CPA Exam” in November to students and aspiring CPAs to help guide them through the steps to certification.
- We offered CPA Candidate members four opportunities to participate in complimentary mock exams.
Sign up for the next Mock CPA Exam.
Chapters build local ties
• The Emerald Empire Chapter partnered with the UO Beta Alpha Psi Chapter this fall to produce the UO Student/CPA Dinner.
• The Central Oregon Chapter hosted a November gathering highlighting the restart of the accounting program at OSU-Cascades in Bend.
• The Southern Oregon Chapter drew current and aspiring CPAs together in November for a social event in Medford.
• In November, the Emerald Empire Chapter gathered for networking and connections in Eugene.
Late-breaking professional development
We jumped on hot topics and late-breaking developments throughout the year to bring you the expert knowledge you need, whether it was PTE-E, WISP, changing Quality Management Standards, or HR1/OBBB. The SALT Mastery Series continues to draw high attendance, providing the most up-to-date state and local information.
2026 and beyond!
OSCPA is the premier organization for Oregon CPAs. We exist for you and because of you. We will never stop working on your behalf.
See any area above you’d like to know more about? Have an idea or feedback for us? We want to hear from you. Reach out any time at membership@orcpa.org.
