After graduation, a person can join many other professional organizations. AICPA, or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, is a very popular association for professionals in the field. The AICPA provides training classes, seminars, and networking opportunities for people to share ideas and best practices. Other groups, such as the American Society of Women Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors, and National Association of Black Accountants are all organizations established to provide their members services, support, and resources. Many associations exist at the state level, and there are even international chapters for some groups. There is usually an annual fee to join and costs to attend training and seminars. Most associations have a code of professional conduct, membership requirements, and bylaws to follow. For the most part, the benefits of membership outweigh the nominal expense, in that you can meet others in your field and discuss future trends and perspectives in the industry.

Membership in an association is valuable for many reasons. Conferences are held on specific topics, such as taxes, information technology, law, forensics, and valuation, where you can learn about latest trends and future perspectives in the field. You can benefit by the publications, such as Journal of Accountancy, and news the association has to offer. There are many community activities and advocacy groups to join. In addition, members might receive discounts on products and services such as loans, computers, and car rentals. Many associations give special recognition awards to honorary members who have provided exemplary service. Sometimes these awards are given to people who have distinguished themselves during a public service activity or who have made a significant impact on the profession. These awards can come with monetary prizes or trips, but the recognition these awards carry in the field is priceless.