Accounting Careers Committee

Present: Kelly Miller, Todd Rakowski, Randy Wichinski, Kevin Heil, Bob Gruber, Neil Keller, Mike Friedman,
             Andrew LaFontain  

Teleconferencing: Dan Kelly, Nikki Reed-Ziehr, Alka Arora, Vivian Moller, Sandy Chapman, Sheree Carlson

WICPA liaisons present: Ann Dee Allen, Leah Grunewald, Mary Murray and LeRoy Schmidt

Opening Remarks: 

• Neil Keller will serve as the Chairperson for 2006-07, and Kelly Miller will serve as the Associate Chairperson.
• New accounting careers poster (a photo collage from 2005 events) was on display. Poster will be used at conferences and other events to promote careers.
• Mary will be on maternity leave from mid-April through mid-July.
• LeRoy reported that the Educational Foundation received $155,000 gift, which is expected to be unrestricted, from the Estate of Leroy Seifert and his wife.

Past Business/Updates:

• 100 CPAs in 100 Schools speaking program (Mary)

• We have only had 58 speaking presentations this year; behind last year.
• We need 42 more sessions before June 30 to reach our goal.
• List of schools that have requested speakers is on Web site, http://www.wicpa.org/Student_Teacher/speakers.htm.
• Schedule a presentation with any school on the list or schedule one with your own high school, your child’s high school etc…then let Leah know (leah@wicpa.org).
• New speaking materials created by the AICPA will be available to us next school year.
• Adopt a School (Mary)
  • List showing eight firms and 19 adopted schools was handed out.
  • There is a dedicated Web page for this program, http://www.wicpa.org/Student_Teacher/adoptaschool_homenew.htm.
  • Reasons why or why not industry companies should participate in program were discussed.
  • How much time would be required and what would be involved was discussed.
  • Possible activities to participate in are listed on the Web site. Some include: student interns; field trips; presentations; teacher and/or student job shadows.
  • Suggestion was made that a joint venture could be established with a company and its audit firm to offer more opportunities to students/teachers.
  • There could be significant impact if a large employer participated in a small town.
  • Other thoughts to expand and promote the program next year were discussed.
• Pizza Party at UW-Whitewater (Mary)
  • Pilot program in 2005 to contact freshman & sophomores that are undecided about declaring an accounting major.
  • Over 130 students participated in a crowded room.
  • CPAs and Beta Alpha Psi students rotated between 8 different tables, spending 5 minutes at each.
  • We have received very positive comments on this event.
  • We will again hold it at Whitewater in 2006 and add UW-Oshkosh in 2006.
• Grants for 2006 (Ann Dee)
  • Listing of 2006 grants was handed out and discussed by Ann Dee.
  • Grants totaling $16,680 were awarded to 10 schools, including three adopted schools.
  • Although a number of grant requests were received for software, we are more focused on building relationships with schools.
  • Information about the grant program is provided at teacher symposiums. Only teachers who come to symposium can apply for grants.
  • We are developing an on-line application with more definitive questions.
  • LeRoy stated we would like to keep expanding relationships with the schools, including minority programs to go beyond just scholarships and grants.
• Survey to college professors and students (Ann Dee)
  • Survey sent in February 2006.
  • We received responses from 697 students representing 11 schools.
  • Overall, the students want more contact with CPAs.
  • 62% of the respondents had already declared an accounting major.
  • Most decided on accounting in their senior year of high school or sophomore year in college.
  • A high school teacher was the biggest factor in selecting accounting as a career.
  • Other factors include: deciding on their own; read about it; or parent.
  • Handout containing survey responses was provided, entitled “Study hard and investigate career, accounting majors advise freshmen”   
  • The survey results will be sent to schools, the Educational Foundation Board and will be used as a session topic at the state business educators convention.
• College visits by Leah and LeRoy (Leah)
  • As an attempt to further our programs at the college level, visits were made to 7 campuses, including presentations on the CPA Exam to Beta Alpha Psi groups with approximately 40 to 50 students attending at each presentation.
  • Beta Alpha Psi would like more contact with the WICPA.
  • The WICPA plans to include Beta students in more activities.

New Business/brainstorming:

• Plan for next year (Mary)—Forecast for 2006-07
  • Attend the Wisconsin Business Educators Association Convention on 9/22/06.
  • Conduct two High School Educator Symposiums:  UW-Whitewater on 11/3/06; and the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Stevens Point on 10/13/06.
  • Host two pizza parties:  UW-Whitewater and UW-Oshkosh.
  • Continue to emphasize the school speaker program.
  • Continue to promote the Adopt a School program.
  • Continue to publish and distribute CPA2B newsletter.
  • Promote the Take a Teacher to Work Day.
  • Fall will again be a very busy time.
  • Members should consider participation in the “Reality Store” concept for Wisconsin high schools. This is a financial literacy program. A local community group sponsors the program. Ann Dee participated in a “Reality Store” at Hartford High School.
  • Milwaukee Brewers radio spots about the WICPA have been developed in three different target categories:  general; adults; and business people.
• Take a Teacher to Work Day (Mary)
  • Mary asked that all committee members in Industry take a look at the handout and make changes to it to reflect a program with an industry company instead of a public accounting firm. Mary would like both a public and industry program available on the Web site.
  • Changes can be faxed to her at 262-785-0838.
• Survey to past high school speakers (Kelly)
  • A draft of the online survey was distributed and comments were provided.
  • The survey will be sent to all past speakers in June.

Other business – Committee roster at www.wicpa.org on Accounting Careers Committee page. 

Next meeting (Kelly)

• The next meeting will be at the end of summer, likely in August.

Meeting adjourned