The Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies, Inc. (COPAS) is a professional organization comprised of the oil and gas industry's most knowledgeable and influential accounting professionals.   COPAS has operated as a non-profit entity for 50 years and has over 3,500 members with 24 societies in the United States and Canada.  Many of our publications and guidelines are incorporated into contracts and establish many of the rules and guidelines used by our members in their daily jobs.  The collective COPAS expertise is often looked to by many governmental agencies for assistance in drafting procedures and rules.   Our members work in academia, governmental agencies, consulting companies and oil and gas exploration and production companies ranging from sole proprietorships to the largest integrated "majors"; there is no better place for networking, knowledge sharing and educational opportunities. 

COPAS was established in 1961 by representatives from various independent local societies throughout the U.S. and Western Canada. These societies recognized the need for standardized procedures and guidelines as the oil and gas industry expanded across the country so that common issues and problems could be addressed in a central forum.  The societies wanted to develop standardized documents in areas such as joint interest accounting, auditing, production volume and revenue accounting, and financial reporting and tax matters so that companies operating in all parts of the U.S. and Canada could be more effective and efficient by using the same standards and guidelines.

The 1962 Model Form Accounting Procedure was the first document published by the new organization and is a part of many Joint Operating Agreements still in effect.  The Accounting Procedure has been updated several times throughout the years, with the 2005 Model Form as the latest Accounting Procedure recommended by COPAS.  In addition to Model Forms, COPAS publishes Model Form Modifications, Model Form Interpretations, Accounting Guidelines, and Training and Reference materials.  These publications provide the oil and gas industry with go-to resources for accounting standards, guidelines, best practices and educational materials.

Our publications are approved by the societies after being developed in specialized committees comprised of COPAS members representing a variety of oil and gas companies, consulting companies and governmental agencies having specialized industry expertise.  This breadth of participation and approval allows COPAS publications to be received by and accepted as industry standards.
 

What can COPAS do for you

• Provide opportunities to learn about and participate in the development of the petroleum industry's accounting standards and guidelines.
• Serve as the industry's premier networking opportunity for oil and gas accountants.
  
• Provide members with a forum to discuss and resolve accounting and other issues, both on a national level and within your local society.
  
• Furnish general and targeted training with our COPAS MPACT joint venture and the Accredited Petroleum Accountant® (APA) certification program.
  
• Host conferences and presentations on a wide variety of up-to-date industry topics.
  
• Be an opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE).