Vision & History
Arkansas Society of CPAs (ARCPA) is Arkansas's premier professional home for CPAs and accounting professionals, serving the profession with integrity.
For more than 109 years, ARCPA has supported the CPA profession by promoting membership among licensed CPAs and fostering meaningful personal and professional connections. The Society works to uphold the integrity of the CPA designation and licensing process, advance professional competence through high-quality education and timely resources, and maintain strong standards of conduct and performance. ARCPA also promotes the value of CPA services—grounded in integrity, objectivity, and competence—while representing members’ interests before government agencies, regulatory bodies, and other organizations.
1916 – Arkansas Society of CPAs formed on September 11, 1916 with 10 CPAs.
1931 – First ASCPA President was E. L. Gaunt.
1954 – Doris Cook became the first woman CPA in the state, and the first woman member of the Society.
1962 – Chapters were first formed for networking and meetings at the local level. ASCPA Student Loan Fund was established.
1964 – First Annual Arkansas Federal Tax Institute was held in conjunction with the AR Bar Association.
1974 – William C. (Bill) Yarborough was hired as the first Society's Executive Director.
1975 – The Arkansas Public Accountancy Act of 1975 (Act 160) created the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy to regulate the practice of accounting within the state.
1980 – Mandatory Continuing Professional Education requirement began.
1992 – Barbara S. Angel was named to succeed Bill Yarbrough as the Society’s second Executive Director.
1994 – Mary Matthews was selected as the Society’s first female Board President.
1996 – The 1st Annual ASCPA Mac Angel Memorial Golf Tournament was held.
1997 – ASCPA’s first website was launched.
1999 – ASCPA purchased a 12,000-square-foot facility to serve as its staff headquarters and provide dedicated onsite space for hosting CPE course, conferences, and other meetings.
2000 - ASCPA moved into its newly renovated facility on March 1, 2000.
2004 – ASCPA Student Loan Fund name was changed to the Student Education Fund and a scholarship program began. Since 2004, the Student Education Fund has awarded approximately $942,000 in scholarships to students majoring in accounting at Arkansas's four-year colleges and universities.
2011 – The Political Action Committee was created.
2013 – Bruce C. Alt was named to succeed Barbara Angel as the Society’s third Executive Director.
2015 – Marsha Moffitt was named to succeed Bruce C. Alt as the Society’s fourth Executive Director.
2016 - ASCPA marked its Centennial anniversary on September 11, 2016, and held a Centennial Celebration on December 1, 2016, at the Albert Pike Memorial Temple in Little Rock, Arkansas.
2017 - ASCPA successfully passed legislation to require peer review for licensure.
2018 – The first annual CPA Day of Service was held, giving members across the state the opportunity to collectively give back to their communities in volunteer service.
2019 – ASCPA rebranded to ARCPA.
2020 – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Society quickly transitioned all conferences, courses, and meetings to a virtual format to ensure uninterrupted access to education and connection. As the profession has adapted to a new normal, ARCPA has continued to expand virtual and hybrid offerings—providing members with greater flexibility and convenience in meeting their CPE requirements in the format that best fits their needs.
2025 – ARCPA launched a newly enhanced, all-inclusive website that seamlessly integrates the Society’s website, association management system, online learning platform, and additional member tools into one streamlined, user-friendly experience.
To promote and engage members for growth and success through advocacy, education, networking, and mentorship.