AICPA: diversifying the accounting profession

Each year African American students enter college apprehensive and unsure yet determined to find the right path for a rewarding professional career. As a result, many students finish college but are unaware of the various professional opportunities available to them. But for African Americans interested in accounting, the opportunities are unlimited. Through the Minority Initiatives Committee (MIC), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the AICPA Foundation help to bring these opportunities into focus.

Our Mission

To identify talented people of color, with the potential to become a CPA, and expose them to accounting career opportunities.

As an underrepresented group, African Americans are poised to benefit from many AICPA programs targeting high school and college students. Proper career awareness is critical to proper career selection.

Key Programs

To execute this mission, a variety of programs exist including:

* Academic Scholarships

* College & High School Outreach

* Leadership Development Programs

* Targeted Advertising

* Strategic Partner Alliances

For many the challenge is more than just getting into college. With tuition rising at a record pace the financial burden is tremendous. The AICPA addresses this concern through our scholarship program. This year the AICPA will award over $500,000 to top minority accounting majors.

Financial Literacy

In addition to its diversity efforts the AICPA has embarked on a mission that is critical to the community. The 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Program challenges CPAs and members of the accounting profession to take a broad leadership role in volunteering to educate the American public, from school children to retirees, on financial topics that apply to their particular stage of life.

With these and other programs the AICPA is committed to providing opportunities for minorities in the accounting profession. To find out more about the AICPA, its programs and careers in accounting log onto our website: www.aicpa.org/members/div/career/mini/index.htm or visit the student website www.startheregoplaces.com/bas.>