Advocacy

The increase in legislative proposals affecting the CPA profession requires representation in the legislative arena. The Society’s presence at the State Capitol and its visibility on the national level remain a priority.

When the Nebraska Legislature is in session, the Society’s lobbying efforts ensure the views of Nebraska CPAs are known on issues of interest. The first lobbyist for the Society was hired in 1956. Today, the Society’s lobbyists, Korby Gilbertson and Justin Brady of Radcliffe Gilbertson & Brady, scrutinize every legislative bill, keep track of amendments, and become involved with legislative action on all bills that have an impact on the CPA profession. In addition, the Society testifies at public hearings and pens letters of support and/or opposition as needed.

The Society has long played a proactive role for certified public accountants in Nebraska, sponsoring bills and defending the profession against legislation that might be detrimental from the Society’s standpoint. Nebraska was the first state to pass mandatory CPE legislation. In 1991, Nebraska became the 14th state to pass the 150-hour education requirement for new CPAs, and in 1994, the Society helped draft and support a successful effort in the Nebraska Legislature to pass the first bill in the nation allowing for the partial ownership of CPA firms by non-CPAs. In 2009, the Society helped draft and support the quick passage of CPA mobility legislation, which allows licensed CPAs from other states to practice public accountancy in Nebraska without the need to obtain licensure by reciprocity, register, or pay a fee to the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy. In 2013, the Society helped draft and support expanded CPA experience legislation. In 2019, the Society worked with the State Board to draft and support legislation that allows Nebraska CPA firms to create Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Thanks to another joint legislative effort by the Society and State Board in 2024, Nebraska CPA candidates may sit for the Uniform CPA Examination after completing 120 semester hours (or 180 quarter hours) of qualifying college credit and a bachelor's degree as of Jan. 1, 2025. In addition, the Society successfully achieved an exemption from inclusion in Nebraska's occupational licensing legislation in 2024, and we continue to oppose efforts that would extend Nebraska's sales tax on professional services.

On the national scene, the Society monitors events in Washington, D.C., and speaks on behalf of Nebraska CPAs in dealing with the state’s congressional delegation.

Building strong relationships with our state legislators is critical to the CPA profession's legislative and political effectiveness. Each year, the Nebraska Society of CPAs holds its annual State Senators Reception & Dinner on the eve of the start of the Legislative Session in January. The Nebraska Legislature convenes the first Wednesday after the first Monday of the year. Mark your calendars for next year's event!

WHEN:  Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Reception / 6:30 p.m. Buffet Dinner
WHERE:  The Renaissance Room at The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln, Neb.