Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
02/25/2011 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB125 | |
| HB147 | |
| HB155 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 125 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 147-BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY SECRETARY
3:50:45 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 147, "An Act setting a monthly salary for the
executive secretary of the Board of Public Accountancy."
3:50:50 PM
JENNIFER SENETTE, Staff, Representative Kurt Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the House Labor & Commerce Committee,
Representative Kurt Olson, Chair, stated that HB 147 would set
the monthly salary of executive secretary for the Board of
Public Accountancy (BPA) at a range 23. She mentioned the
executive secretary position was created during the last
legislature, which was widely recognized and supported since the
all volunteer board was understaffed and struggling to fulfill
its mission. The BPA involves the protection of the public
interest since it has jurisdiction over all public accountants
statewide. After the position was created, the Department of
Administration established the salary at a range 19. The
sponsor believes that the BPA will not be able to attract a
qualified candidate to the position at that range.
3:52:47 PM
MS. SENETTE advised members that the bill that created the
position called for it to be at a range 23. The fiscal note
called for the position to be a range 23. The CPAs statewide,
the BPA, and the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants
all supported this position at a range 23. The CPAs in the
state pay the executive secretary's salary from its license
fees. Their support is vital and the signals from within the
industry provide recognition that a range 23 is appropriate for
this position. The body of professional knowledge is vast,
professional standards can be complex and requires professional
expertise, knowledge and experience. The executive secretary
represents Alaska's CPAs at the National Association of the
Boards of Public Accountancy (NABPA). This organization
significantly addresses policy changes, including enforcement
standards, and proposed revisions to statutes and regulations.
This is an active board and it is important that Alaska has
adequate representation to express Alaska's position on issues.
The BPA needs to attract someone with appropriate credentials to
engage with the national board. She stated that a range 19
earns approximately $58,000 whereas a graduate without
experience can earn $60,000 without a license. The executive
secretaries nationwide are paid significantly higher than a
range 19. She stated that the fact that the Department of
Administration (DOA) did not consider the market factor will
greatly hamper the BPA's efforts to attract and retain an
executive secretary. She reiterated the support for the bill.
She stated that the DOA signals its willingness to work with the
legislature in terms of its decision on the appropriate range
for this position.
3:56:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES asked for the base salary for a range 23.
MS. SENETTE said she did not have the base salary information
for a range 23 employee.
CHAIR OLSON pointed out that this bill was introduced at the
request of Department of Administration (DOA).
3:57:47 PM
DON RULIEN, Member, Alaska Society of Certified Public
Accountants (ASCPA); Council Member, American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), stated that HB 147 is
important to the profession. The professional knowledge needed
is technical and comprehensive, covering audits, state and
federal income tax arena, and ethical standards. The
enforcement can be complex and it is imperative that the Alaska
BPA not be further hampered by an inexperienced executive
secretary. The ASCPA believes HB 147 is an important bill. In
response to Chair Olson, Mr. Rulien agreed the CPA license fees
pay for the cost of the CPA's executive secretary.
3:59:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the ASCPA has anyone in
mind as a candidate at a range 23. He suggested that it would
be a good job for an Alaskan.
MR. RULIEN said he was uncertain. In further response to
Representative Saddler, Mr. Rulien responded that the ASCPA
would like someone in Alaska with CPA experience. He reiterated
that as previously mentioned a person graduating from college
with a degree in accounting can earn $60,000 prior to licensure.
He characterized the field of accounting as a tight market right
now.
3:59:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON asked whether the BPA had any problems
keeping the executive secretary position manned.
MR. RULIEN answered that the BPA has experienced significant
staff turnover. At one point the administrator position was
shared with other boards. He offered his belief that the
training period would require an extensive training period in
order for the executive secretary to learn the CPA rules in
Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES answered her earlier question. She
advised members that a range 19 step A is set at $59,000 and a
range 23, step A would earn $77,100 per year. She suggested
someone could check her math as she based it on the monthly
salary schedule. She related the specific salary would be
$6,425 per month for a range 23, step A.
4:01:27 PM
CHAIR OLSON, after first determining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 147.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES moved to report HB 147 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 147 was reported from the
House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.