About The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs (PICPA) is redefining how accounting professionals learn, grow, and leverage technology. Historically known for offering high-quality continuing professional education (CPE), we are now expanding into a wider range of learning solutions, knowledge tools, and technology products that support the evolving needs of accountants, educators, and financial professionals.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• LTD
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Overview 

The Advocacy Manager plays a key role in advancing the PICPA’s mission by strengthening member engagement, amplifying advocacy efforts through digital platforms, and supporting legislative and regulatory initiatives. This position is primarily member-facing and engagement-driven, with a strong emphasis on relationship building, social media strategy, grassroots advocacy, and young professional outreach, while also supporting the PICPA’s national, state and regulatory lobbying efforts. 

This role is ideal for a dynamic communicator who is equally comfortable with building relationships in Harrisburg and across the CPA profession nationally, engaging members, energizing early-career professionals, and translating public policy issues into clear, compelling messages. 

This role will begin with hands-on responsibilities in legislative issues, member engagement, and telling the story of PICPA’s advocacy work. Over time, the Government Relations Manager will grow into owning key stakeholder relationships, shaping advocacy strategy, and representing PICPA nationally within the CPA profession. 

Key Responsibilities 

Member Engagement, Communications & Digital Advocacy (Approximately 60%) 

• Serve as a primary liaison to members on government relations advocacy-related issues, ensuring members understand how public policy impacts the profession and how they can get involved.  Comfort with serving as a visible voice for PICPA’s advocacy work is essential. 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advocacy-focused social media strategy, including content creation, scheduling, analytics, and audience growth across platforms.  The ability to explain complex policy issues in clear, engaging language is key. 

• Lead young member and early-career professional engagement efforts, including advocacy campaigns, events, leadership pipelines, and digital outreach tailored to emerging professionals. 

• Collaborate with internal teams and volunteer leaders to integrate advocacy messaging into member programs, events, and communications. 

• Monitor trends in member engagement, social media performance, and advocacy participation; report insights and recommend improvements.  Success here will be evaluated based upon engaging in the advocacy process those not before involved, with emphasis placed on early career professionals. 

Legislative & Government Relations (Approximately 40%) 

• Help develop and implement PICPA’s advocacy strategy. 

• Support PICPA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts at both the state and national level.  Key stakeholders include PA General Assembly, PA Department of Revenue & State Board of Accountancy, NASBA, Government Relations partners nationally. 

• Tracking legislation, regulatory proposals, and policy developments affecting the profession.  Prepare advocacy materials, including issue briefs, testimony, position statements, and legislator talking points.  Manage grassroots advocacy initiatives, including action alerts, member calls to action, surveys, and digital campaigns. 

• Represent PICPA across the Commonwealth as well as across the CPA profession nationally.  Develop credibility, influence and trust with lawmakers, regulators, partners, and stakeholders. 

• Lead political action committee (PAC) activities, legislative events, and advocacy days. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public policy, marketing, or related field. 

• 5 - 7 years of experience in advocacy, communications, and/or government relations. 

• Confidence representing PICPA in public and professional settings. 

• Strong understanding of digital engagement strategies and social media platforms. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, member-friendly messaging. 

• Comfort engaging with diverse audiences, including students, young professionals, volunteer leaders, and policymakers. 

• Proven ability to build long-term relationships, including the ability to influence without direct authority. 

• Interest in public policy, advocacy, and government affairs; lobbying experience is a plus but not required. 

• Highly organized, collaborative, and comfortable managing multiple priorities. 

Please note that some travel is required for this role, both within PA and nationally (estimated 15%).  Working evenings or weekends may be occasionally required. Hybrid workplace with some presence in Harrisburg office dictated by legislation session/schedule.