The CITP designation, established this year by the AICPA, is awarded to CPAs with significant experience in information technology strategic planning, implementation, management, and business strategies for information systems.  The CPA/CITP servers as the bridge between management and the technology department, leveraging the CPA's strategic and business skills.

"Market research reveals that business owners and executives need impartial guidance in making strategic technology-related decisions," says Gary Boomer, former chair of the AICPA's Information Technology Executive Committee.  "Currently, no particular professional owns this space.  This is where the CPA with the AICPA CITP designation will provide a valuable service."

Quirk met the requirements to earn the designation, including a CPA certificate, evidence of his technology business experience and life-long learning activities.  Experience and learning include the areas of information technology strategic planning; information systems management; systems architecture; business applications and e-business; security, privacy, and contingency planning; system development, acquisition, and project management; systems auditing and internal control; databases and database management.

CPAs who have earned the CITP designation must recertify their accreditation every three years.  To do so, they must document their involvement in technology services and complete a prescribed amount of life long learning activities during this three-year period.

The AICPA is the national professional association of CPAs with more than 350,000 members in public practice, business and industry, government and education.

Mr. Quirk is the owner of Accounting Technology Strategies, a member of the Society of Louisiana CPAs' Technology Task Force, and a faculty member of the University of Phoenix.