John M. Sharbaugh, CEO Texas Society of CPAs

 Texas legislature passed “Peer Assistance Programs” statute in 1989 (Chapter 467) to promote the creation of approved peer assistance programs  Defined as a program designed to help an impaired professional  TSCPA created its program in 1994  Separate legal entity – TSCPA Peer Assistance Foundation  Coordinated with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

 The core of the Texas program is the “Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN)” – a statewide network of recovering CPAs  CPAs volunteer to share their experiences with other CPAs and accounting students  Not a treatment program – but offers support and makes referrals to treatment programs like AA and others  Volunteers in the network receive training on chemical dependency and mental illness, as well as intervention skills

 The program’s stated purpose is: ◦ “to offer CONFIDENTIAL assistance to Certified Public Accountants and accounting students who may have a drug or alcohol dependency or mental health problem”

 ACAN complies with Chapter 467 of the Texas Health and Safety Code  Also related regulations issued by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse  By meeting these regulations and guidelines, the program qualifies for the grant of civil immunity provided by the statute  Individuals involved in administering and operating the program are protected from civil liability  Chapter 467 requires confidentiality

 Alcohol ◦ Nearly 17.6 million adult Americans abuse alcohol or are alcoholics ◦ Several million more engage in risky drinking ◦ 53% of men and women in the U.S. report that one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem ◦ In economic terms, alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year

 Drug Dependence & Abuse ◦ A major public health problem affecting every community and family directly or indirectly ◦ Drugs take a toll on our society including health care expenditures, lost earnings and costs associated with crime and accidents ◦ In economic terms, drug abuse and dependence is estimated at $181 billion

 Depression ◦ 9.5 % of the population suffers from a depressive illness – over 20 million adults ◦ Depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person if left untreated ◦ Most people with a depression-related illness do not seek treatment, although a great majority can be helped

 Anxiety Disorders ◦ 18% of American adults – 40 million people, are affected in a given year ◦ These disorders commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse ◦ These “other” illnesses need to be treated before a person will respond to treatment for anxiety disorders

 Alcohol, drug abuse and mental health issues also affect the CPA profession  CPAs are not immune from these problems  In fact, some feel that professionals may be more inclined to abuse substances because of the stress and pressures of their work and their personality types - driven to succeed  Substance abuse and mental health issues also can affect the public – end users of the CPA services

 Some disciplinary issues have at their root a substance abuse or mental health issue  The problems can affect the image of the profession for all CPAs  CPAs should care about this problem to help their fellow professionals and, in the end, to protect the public they serve  State boards should care to help minimize such problems for the public

 In 2006, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy approved funding for an improved peer assistance program for Texas CPAs  Initial grant of $65,000 a year to help fund the program  In 2007, TSBPA increased this grant to $90,000 a year  This grant is supplemented by voluntary contributions from TSCPA members to our Peer Assistance Foundation  Support from TSCPA itself – administrative resources

 The TSBPA provides this grant to the TSCPA Peer Assistance program – under the authority granted in the 1989 state statute (Chapter 467)  Under that law, a state licensing board may add a surcharge of not more than $10 to its license renewal fee to fund an approved peer assistance program  The statute allows a licensing board to contract with, provide grants to, or make other arrangements with a professional association or other institution to implement a peer assistance program

 TSBPA Rule – Peer Assistance to Licensees  Provides underpinning for the program  Details that if the TSBPA receives information regarding a licensee indicating possible substance abuse or mental health issue, the board may: ◦ Refer the licensee to an approved peer assistance program ◦ Require the licensee to participate in or complete a course of treatment or rehabilitation

 The grant from TSBPA has enabled us to improve our Peer Assistance Program by: ◦ Hiring a full time director for the program ◦ Engaging on a contract basis a volunteer from within the program to help us recruit other CPAs for our Network ◦ Expanding our confidential hotline ◦ Increasing our outreach to schools and universities ◦ Helping TSBPA assess exam candidates ◦ Continuing to assist and evaluate licensees referred by the TSBPA

 As part of our grant agreement with the TSBPA, our Peer Assistance Foundation agrees to report to the TSBPA on a quarterly basis information such as: ◦ Number of persons contacted as a result of referrals from TSBPA ◦ Number of persons receiving services ◦ Number of persons completing ACAN Mentoring Program ◦ Number of ACAN volunteers ◦ Other information requested by TSBPA

 Texas model is a good example of how the CPA profession and state regulators can partner to help address these problems – call on us if we can be of assistance in your efforts  Other states should look for ways they can help on this front  May require legislative action to adopt a Peer Assistance statute similar to that in Texas  Or you may already have such a law on the books  The key is to look for ways you can help and implement