TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) today announced the winners of “The Impostulators” student video contest. Twelve videos were entered from students around the state and these three teams produced the best videos about the importance of using a licensed certified public accountant (CPA).

Team Gazzillo/Flynn came in first place, receiving a grand prize of $1,000 with an additional $350 contribution to the University of Florida. In second place, Team JJD, received $500 with a $250 contribution to the University of South Florida and in third place, the NSU Accounting Club received $250 with a $150 donation to Nova Southeastern University. The winning videos can be found online at old.ficpa.org/ImpostulatorsWinners.

“We’re very proud of the work that was produced by all of the students to spread the word about the dangers of dealing with an unlicensed certified public accountant,” said DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson. “The videos will be used as part of our annual unlicensed activity media campaign to educate consumers, and we are glad we could involve the students, those who make up the future of the profession, in the process.” 

The judging panel consisted of professionals representing DBPR, the FICPA, the Florida Board of Accountancy, the field of public relations and an accounting program at a Florida college. Judges from the contest were: Ken Lawson, Secretary of DBPR; Deborah Curry, CGMA, President/CEO of the FICPA; Veloria Kelly, Director of the Division of Certified Public Accounting at DBPR; David Dennis, CPA, FICPA member and Florida Board of Accountancy Finance and Budget Committee Chair; Scott Price, CPA, FICPA Chair and Managing Director of A-lign CPAs; Jim Hunt, Vice President of Moore Communications Group, a Tallahassee-based public relations firm; and Terri Walsh, Program Manager of Accounting at Seminole State College  and Florida-licensed CPA for 26 years.

The deadline for students to submit videos was November 12, and Phase One of the judging occurred the following week. The top videos then advanced to Phase Two for public voting. Videos advancing to Phase Two were posted online between November 27 and December 14 so the public could vote for their favorite video.

The DBPR and FICPA’s goals of contest were to educate consumers on the dangers of doing business with unlicensed accounting professionals and to engage the student community in an issue that impacts their profession.

“It has been gratifying to partner with the DBPR and accounting students across the state to raise awareness about this important issue,” said Deborah Curry, CGMA, President/CEO of the Florida Institute of CPAs. “Unlicensed activity is a serious concern for the general public, particularly as we enter tax season. Projects like this are vital in our efforts to advise the public about the benefits of hiring licensed certified public accountants.”

Founded in 1905, the FICPA is a Tallahassee-based, statewide, professional association representing member-CPAs throughout Florida. With a membership of more than 18,500, the Institute’s mission is to promote the value of its members and serve their diverse needs; enhance members’ competency and professionalism; support professional standards; and advocate on behalf of the profession. For complete information about the FICPA, visit old.ficpa.org, follow @FICPA on Twitter and visit Florida Institute of CPAs on Facebook.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and certified public accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

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More information about DBPR is available online at www.myfloridalicense.com. Also, follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.