The CPT Enjoys a Prosperous 2012

The NASBA Center for the Public Trust (CPT) was established with a goal of focusing on the great majority of businesses, corporations and individuals who act in an ethical manner. The CPT also has an effect on college campuses through its StudentCPT programming by providing students interactive environments where ethical behaviors and ideas can flourish.

In these avenues, the CPT enjoyed a busy and prosperous 2012. Here are some highlights from last year:  

Being a Difference Award

The CPT conducted two Being a Difference Award events in the first half of 2012, honoring Robbie Narcisse of Pitney Bowes and Tom Hill of Kimray. The CPT received 13 award nominations in the 2012-13 fiscal year, a vast increase in nominations from the previous year. Nominations for this year’s award are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Annual Audit Conference

Once again, the CPT partnered with the Robert Zicklin Center for Corporate Integrity to host the Ensuring Integrity: 7th Annual Audit Conference at Baruch College in New York, NY. The conference provides a forum for interaction between influential figures in business, public accounting, academia and policy from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). It also examines the current best practices of ethics and independence within the auditing profession.

The conference was attended by over 175 participants and was considered a tremendous success. This event continues to be a valuable activity for the CPT due to its exposure in the tri-state area.

On the collegiate side, the StudentCPT secured official campus recognition for 10 new StudentCPT chapters in 2012. These additions bring the total number of student chapters up to 14, with the organization at varying levels of discussion with over 20 additional colleges and universities about chapter creation.

Here are more StudentCPT highlights from 2012:

National Leadership Conference

Each year, the CPT hosts the annual Student Leadership Conference, held in coordination with NASBA’s Eastern Regional Meeting. In 2012, the CPT improved the Student Leadership Conference experience by adding more sessions about leadership, conflict management, networking and problem-solving from an ethical view. The conference drew 38 students – a significant increase from 2011 – from 18 universities representing a variety of business majors.

University Partnerships

Significant time was spent last year seeking and cultivating opportunities to partner with universities. As a result of this work, the CPT has an agreement with Colorado State University to collaborate on a professional development event in 2013, as well as partnering with the University of Kentucky to host an entire day focused on business ethics, called “H.I.P.” (Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism.)

Discussions are also underway with representatives from several other universities, including institutions in the Pacific Northwest, Mountain Area, Midwest and the South.  Establishing these programs will help the CPT reach its goal of impacting college students across the country. Through these partnerships, the CPT will co-host student and professional programs with established ethics institutes already existing on those campuses.

Ethics in Action Video Competition

One of the most anticipated events in the CPT calendar is the annual national student video competition called “Ethics in Action,” which promotes ethics in business. Last year’s competition saw a record-number 23 entries, more than doubling the 11 entries from 2011. The CPT also secured a five-year sponsorship commitment from Lipscomb University’s Dean Institute of Corporate Governance and Integrity. The 2013 competition recently launched, and once again, a record number of entrants is expected.

Keep an eye on this website for further updates and highlights regarding CPT activity in 2013.