The changing face of the accounting profession

Catalyst (Dublin, Ohio), Sept-Oct, 2007

This summer, minority high school students arrived at The Ohio State University (OSU) to participate in the Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio) to find out what it takes to succeed in the business world.

Minorities are still greatly underrepresented in the accounting profession, which is why The Ohio Society of CPAs teams up each year with the Ohio Chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and OSU's Fisher College of Business to present ACAP-Ohio. This year, more than 40 outstanding students from throughout the state were accepted to attend the program and learn about the amazing opportunities available if they choose to become a CPA or enter the business world.

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The ACAP-Ohio experience

For one week in June, ACAP participants live like college students. They stay in dorms on OSU's main campus in Columbus and attend fun, interactive workshops in state-of-the-art classrooms. Workshops are by prominent business and accounting professionals, dealing with topics from public speaking to the CPA exam to dining etiquette.

Students also visit local businesses and accounting firms. They meet exciting, dynamic minority business leaders and find out how they achieved their success. But ACAP-Ohio isn't all work and no play. The week is full of extracurricular activities like a tour of the OSU football stadium and a bowling tournament.

Future business owners

During the week, students also participate in a case study competition. They work in groups to manage a business using some of the skills CPAs use every day. With their fellow "business owners" students are challenged with the task of opening a fictional pizza shop. They work together to make the shop a success, while managing the marketing, financials and a range of other crucial factors affecting the business. The group with the best business plan and most accurate records wins a prize awarded at the closing banquet.

What students have to say

"The entire week was full of workshops and activities to help us better
ourselves as people and as future professionals. In each activity, we
learned so many skills that will allow us to make intelligent decisions
about our futures. The thing that I will walk away with from ACAP--
besides new friends--is the determination to keep going and never give
up."
--Brittany Lovett, Avon

"Through my participation in the ACAP-Ohio program, I learned many
things from the various speakers and workshops. What I learned will put
me a step ahead in my education and in my career. Many people don't get
the chance to go through this kind of college preparation."
--Jesse Batarseh, Pickerington

"ACAP has really influenced my view of business and the specific field I
am interested in. The program definitely surpassed my expectations!"
--Cameron Smith, Whitehall

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RELATED ARTICLE: Congratulations to ACAP Scholarship Winners

The following students each won a $500 college scholarship from an ACAP-Ohio sponsor based on their entries in an essay contest Congratulations to these outstanding students for a job well done!

BISYS Scholarship

Brittany Lovett, Avon

Deloitte & Touche LLP Scholarship

Erica Abercrombie, Cincinnati

Ernst & Young Scholarship

Mir Gill, Cleveland

Honda of America Manufacturing Scholarship

Ronald MaGee Jr., Lima

Huntington National Bank Scholarship

Jesse Batarseh, Pickerington

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JPMorgan Chase Scholarship

Quentin Monroe, Cincinnati

MDS CPA Review Course Scholarship

Alex Guneris, Norwalk

PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholarship

Jacob Robinson, Columbus

The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Scholarship

Cameron Smith, Whitehall

For more information on ACAP-Ohio, visit www.futurecpa.com or contact Melanie Sonderman at msonderman@ohio-cpa.com or 800.686.2727, ext. 953.

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