Three months into 2006 and here I am writing about 2007, and more importantly, October 1, 2007.  And so with this date in mind, the question is, "Are you ready?"

Those of us in the assessment profession are all too familiar with the significance of this date – all appointed assessors are up for a "performance review."  Some will be reappointed and some of us won’t.  Yet, others will use this date to call it a career and reap the benefits of retirement. So again, the question is, "Are you ready?"

Whether you are looking for a first time appointment (i.e., an Assessor's Clerk), reappointment or you are looking to put your heir-apparent in a better position for succession, might I suggest you take a look at the "IAO" designation granted by the Institute of Assessing Officers.

The Institute of Assessing Officers can probably be best described as the education wing of the New York State Assessors’ Association. It is chartered by the Board of Regents for the State University of New York.

The IAO designation has never meant, and should never be defined as, one assessor being better than another. Rather, it’s a personal goal of self-evaluation, self-improvement and a well deserved source of pride. The famously-infamous IAO test doesn’t make you a good assessor, it is simply a means by which to measure what you know. The designation means you have gone the extra mile to educate yourself beyond the minimum standards and it means that you subscribe to a high (not higher) standard of professional ethics and conduct. It tells your town board, city council, village trustees, and more importantly, your taxpayer that you have taken the time to be the best you can be.