Excessive state accountancy regulation impedes small business growth. NSA believes that the public benefits from diversity and choice in the accounting marketplace. The public interest is served where the market place is allowed to be its own form of regulation. The practical effect of allowing the public to choose who best serves their accounting needs is that the cost of services is held down. This benefits the entire economy of the State of New York.
Small businesses are the driving force in the economy of New York.
It is just these businesses that are most likely to seek the services of a fully qualified non-CPA practitioner. Excessive state regulation limits access to qualified professionals, drives up the costs of small business accounting services, and thereby dampens economic growth through out our State. The need to protect the public from unqualified practitioners is not unique to the accounting industry. NSA has great respect for the efforts of this Committee and the New York State Assembly to enact accountancy law that protects the public from deceptive practices. For instance, the certified community is involved in an ongoing initiative to amend or eliminate rules to allow for multi-disciplinary practices.