More than 80 certified public accountants (CPAs) who are members of the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA) recently visited high schools in the state to inform students about having a successful career in accounting. Through its CPA Career Awareness program, NJCPA members discuss what courses are necessary to become a CPA, what role accountants play in businesses and what they can do with a degree in that field.
“It’s always rewarding to inform students about the many benefits of being an accountant and to assist them in trying to decide on a career,” said David Katz, CPA, a principal at Withum and a Career Awareness presenter. “Educating students about becoming a CPA at the high school level helps to generate an interest in the profession that can carry them through their college years,” he added.
“It’s an important time to make students aware of how useful accountants and CPAs have been during the pandemic and how they continue to help drive growth for businesses. We continually strive to encourage the next generation of CPAs,” added Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO and executive director at the NJCPA.
The Career Awareness program was designed to connect NJCPA members, who often have local ties to a particular community, with students and faculty at high schools to encourage students to enter the accounting field.
The presentations also make the students aware of the many scholarship opportunities that exist at the NJCPA via its Scholarship Fund, which awards $1,500 scholarships to college-bound New Jersey high school seniors who intend to major in accounting or obtain a concentration in accounting. The Fund also awards scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,500 to accounting students at New Jersey colleges or universities who are currently in their sophomore or junior year or in their senior year and entering an accounting-related graduate program. In 2021, the Fund awarded more than $230,000 in scholarships to nearly 50 high school and college students. Learn more at njcpa.org/scholarships.