Business Details
COPAS of Colorado - Petroleum Accounting Professionals
COPAS of Colorado is a non-profit professional organization established to serve accountants working in the petroleum and related energy industries. Founded in Denver, Colorado, we provide specialized education, networking opportunities, and industry-specific resources to support professionals in upstream accounting practices. Our organization hosts eight annual events, including educational luncheons featuring expert speakers, and maintains committees focused on financial reporting, joint interest audits, and technology advancements.Recognized nationally and internationally for our expertise, we offer membership benefits such as access to continuing professional education (CPE) programs, job posting services, and scholarship opportunities for students pursuing careers in petroleum accounting. With over four decades of service, our board members bring extensive industry experience in areas including revenue distribution, tax compliance, and petroleum accounting standards.
Services
Education Programs
CPE Opportunities
Committee Resources
Scholarship Applications
Job Postings
Highlights and features
- We specialize in petroleum accounting education with 40+ years of industry experience
- Our committees address specific energy sector accounting challenges
- We offer exclusive CPE programs tailored to oil and gas professionals
- Our members gain access to job placement services in energy companies
- We maintain national and international industry recognition for accounting standards
Services
Education Programs
Our education programs deliver specialized training for petroleum accountants through luncheon meetings and technical sessions. We provide curriculum focused on upstream accounting practices, joint interest billing, and revenue distribution. Participants gain practical knowledge applicable to oil and gas financial operations while earning continuing education credits.
CPE Opportunities
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) opportunities help accountants maintain industry certifications through relevant coursework. Our programs cover petroleum accounting standards, tax compliance, and financial reporting requirements. Participants receive evaluation forms and sign-in documentation to verify completion of educational requirements for professional credentialing.
Committee Resources
Committee resources connect professionals through specialized groups addressing financial reporting, technology advancements, and audit practices. Members collaborate on industry challenges and share best practices through regular meetings and resource sharing. These committees drive innovation in petroleum accounting methodologies and regulatory compliance strategies.
Scholarship Applications
Scholarship programs support Colorado-based accounting students pursuing careers in petroleum industry finance. Applications are evaluated based on academic merit and career focus alignment with energy sector accounting. Recipients gain early access to industry networking and professional development resources through membership benefits.
Job Postings
Job posting services connect energy companies with qualified accounting professionals for open positions. Employers receive 30-day free listings with requirements for position descriptions and company identification. This service facilitates recruitment of specialized talent for upstream accounting roles across the Rocky Mountain region.
People
Stephanie Schwindt
President
As President of COPAS of Colorado, Stephanie provides strategic leadership for petroleum accounting initiatives. She oversees organizational operations and industry committee coordination while maintaining active membership in national accounting societies.
Ian Dams
Treasurer
Ian Dams manages financial operations for COPAS of Colorado, ensuring fiscal responsibility and proper stewardship of organizational resources. He maintains accounting records and provides financial reporting oversight for membership programs and events.
Michael Carmosino
Secretary
Michael Carmosino handles official documentation and meeting records for COPAS of Colorado. He ensures proper administrative procedures are followed for organizational governance and maintains communication channels with membership.
Ken Nollsch
Board Member
Ken Nollsch contributes board oversight for COPAS of Colorado's educational programs and industry initiatives. He participates in strategic planning while representing member interests in petroleum accounting standard development.
Billy Jo Manzanares
Membership Chair
Billy Jo Manzanares leads membership development efforts for COPAS of Colorado. She manages member onboarding, contact information updates, and coordinates communication between members and organizational leadership.
Questions
What are the membership eligibility requirements?
Membership requires active engagement in petroleum industry accounting. Applicants must complete an application and pay annual dues to COPAS of Colorado's PO Box address.
What benefits does membership include?
Members receive voting rights, luncheon meeting access, committee participation, monthly newsletters, and national COPAS publications with industry accounting resources.
Are there different membership categories?
We offer Regular, Regional, and Student memberships. Regional requires work locations over 75 miles from Denver. Student membership requires full-time Colorado university enrollment in accounting programs.
How does the scholarship program work?
Scholarships support Colorado accounting students pursuing petroleum industry careers. Applications with academic records and career goals are due by March 31st each year.
How are luncheon meetings organized?
Monthly luncheons September-May feature industry speakers. The Meeting Coordinator manages meal counts and venue logistics with hotel partners for each event.
