Lenox Students Get Taste of Accounting as a Career
AMHERST, Mass. — The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), the professional association of CPAs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, previewed what an accounting career future would look like for seven students from Lenox Memorial High School at its “Is Accounting for Me?” conference last month at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The conference included interactive accounting exercises and workshops, discussions about accounting careers and CPA services, information about college programs and student life, and a networking lunch with college students, faculty and CPA practitioners.
The conference provided students with a chance to hear from professional CPAs about their jobs and to talk to college accounting majors about their coursework and experience. In addition, the students competed in an interactive accounting Jeopardy game hosted by the MSCPA’s Academic and Career Development team.
Also in attendance at Thursday’s conference were 21 students from various community colleges who plan to transfer to UMass. These students were able to learn more about accounting as a possible major and received guidance on the transfer process and tips for adjusting to a four-year college.
Amy Pitter, President and CEO of MSCPA, said these programs are crucial in building and sustaining a pipeline of young people interested and passionate about the profession.
“For CPAs, we often see that it is a second generation profession: If your parent is a CPA, you are more likely to follow in their footsteps. However, the Society wants to expose as many young people as possible to the benefits of this career track to encourage even more students to consider the profession in the future,” said Pitter. “MSCPA is dedicated to fueling the pipeline early on by educating students, parents and teachers about all the doors that open upon becoming a Certified Public Accountant.”
Teachers selected the students in attendance based on their aptitude for accounting.
The following young people were among the students from Lenox Memorial High School that attended the event along with their teacher, Ann Barber: Patrick Colvin, Tyler Coon, Caitlin Doherty. John Fontaine and Brienna LaChance.
For more information about MSCPA’s outreach to aspiring CPAs and resources for high school and college students, visit cpatrack.com.
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