100 CPAs in 100 Schools

Speak to high school students promoting your career and/or
financial literacy!

• Add your name to our database of high school speakers click here!
   
• Fall 2007 List: Print a list of schools requesting speakers (this will open a new window). If the school in your area is not listed, feel free to contact them on your own.
   
• Download a speaker packet with sample presentation outlines and activities.
   
• Click here for tips on speaking to high school students.
   
• Once you have held your speaking presentation, please fill out the
  high school speaking form.
   

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Now is the time to speak at your local high school.
By Carl Popelka, CPA

For several years, the WICPA has been working on a number of fronts to attract more students to the accounting profession. At the same time, Accounting Careers Committee members and staff are continuing long-term outreach efforts in Wisconsin schools.

The careers committee is looking for CPAs to speak to high school students about accounting career opportunities. Fall is the best time of year to visit an accounting, economics, or related class. It's easy to do - the WICPA staff provides all the materials - it doesn't take a lot of time, and it's fulfilling.

Why it's important

A special task force, Accounting Careers for Tomorrow, have studied research and discussed the issues surrounding steep enrollment declines in college accounting programs. They determined that the WICPA must create awareness of career opportunities among high school students and teachers, as well as others.

ACT has concluded that the WICPA and its members must generate these positive perceptions about the profession:

• Accounting is a profession, not a job
• Accounting is interesting, challenging and strategic
• An accounting degree is a good basis for a career
• Becoming a CPA leads to a comfortable lifestyle.

You can help

As a WICPA member, you can tell young people that the CPA profession offers all of these opportunities, and more. By speaking at your local high school, you can dispel negative perceptions and share your knowledge about the profession.

Do this now

1. Sign up to speak
2. Select a high school of your choice
3. Contact an appropriate teacher at the school to arrange for a date to speak to students who are interested in professional careers
4. Download a speaker packet
5. Contact Mary Murray at the WICPA at mary@wicpa.org  or (262) 785-0445 ext. 3005 to have speaking materials mailed to you after your date is set.
6. Click here for tips on speaking to high school students
7. Have fun speaking to the students at your school!

Next step

All you have to do now is contact another school in your area to visit later this year, and mark your calendar to repeat the process next year.

Now get out there and speak! Call your local high school today.

Carl Popelka, CPA, is a past chair of the WICPA Accounting Careers Committee and an accounting instructor at UW-River Falls.

AICPA marketing program

The AICPA has budgeted $25 million for a program which aims to attract youth to the profession. The goals of the program are to reverse the trend of young people not considering accounting and to deliver significantly more new CPAs over the next several years.

The AICPA is working with a national youth marketing firm to connect with young people directly, through interactive venues that they already use, including their own networks and the Internet. The program includes direct follow-up with students, benchmarking, and measurement of progress at each critical decision point.

The program's long-term strategy is to:

• Increase awareness and change attitudes among student groups in order to encourage their pursuit of the CPA
• Encourage higher-education administrators to embrace "vision-aligned" programs
• Encourage a shift in the professional environment to align with young, prospective CPAs' goals and aspirations.

The primary Web site is www.startheregoplaces.com