NABA Partners with AICPA to Expand ACAP - 2018 Fall-Winter Spectrum Magazine

NABA Partners With AICPA TO EXPAND ACAP By Elaine W. Smith Since 1980, hundreds of minority high school students from across the country have been introduced to career opportunities in business in general and accounting in particular through NABA’s Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP). In December 2017, NABA launched the ACAP National Grant for University-Based Programs, which expands ACAP, with funding from the AICPA Foundation, by offering grants to colleges and universities with accredited accounting and finance programs. ACAP exposes high schools students from underrepresented ethnic groups to a career in the accounting and finance profession while participating in one-week residency on a college or university campus.  The objectives for participants are to: • Obtain a basic understanding of career paths in accounting and finance • Understand the importance of a high grade point average • Gain insight on how to improve SAT/Act scores • Obtain an understanding of the college admissions process • Understand and embrace effective study skills • Create a thoughtful, actionable college and career plan Continued on next page FALL/WINTER 2018 | SPECTRUM 17

“ACAP is important to NABA and The success of the new programs is reflected in important to the profession,” said Steven student feedback: L. Harris, chairman of the board of NABA. “The only way that we are going Before this program, I had no interest in to fill the accounting pipeline and ensure business and the things that had to do with that the pipeline is strong is to get these business, but now that I’ve learned a little about kids exposed to the profession.” the field, I plan to look more into it and what it has to offer. In launching the program, NABA’s priority was to select new programs in order to expand the The schedule was jam-packed with amazing number of ACAPs across the country. Of the eight opportunities for me to learn and grow as a grant proposals that NABA received, two programs student and as a person. — Jackson State University and the University of Connecticut — were executed in the summer of The highlight of this [program] was getting to 2018 and two are ready to roll out in the summer know everyone. It is nice to be surrounded by of 2019. like-minded, high-scholar African American All of the 23 high schools students who attended students who all desire to be accountants. the Jackson State University program were African American: 9 males, 14 female, 15 seniors and 8 I learned so much about accounting that I feel juniors. Of the 25 students attending the University confident enough to take some classes my of Connecticut program, there were 11 males and senior year. The value of this is that it gave me 14 females, 12 African American, 7 Latino, 2 Asian, the push to want to learn. My mind isn’t closed and 4 “other.” to anything.” 18 SPECTRUM | FALL/WINTER 2018

Going into this program, I was very interested in accounting. However, I was surprised at how much I was also intrigued by finance and insurance. The ACAP program opened doors to new topics and allowed me to find another interest in business. In this program I experienced multiple challenges that I have learned greatly from. It has also convinced me to take interest in studies of business, finance, economics and accounting. I will now consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields. Robert Day, associate dean, Undergraduate Programs, University of Connecticut, attended the final banquet and presentations and was impressed. “The engagement of the students in learning, the apparent comradery that developed among them, and the extremely high quality of the student presentations were all incredibly positive….I would be shocked if this program didn’t help recruit some very high-achieving students.” Donald McWilliams, CPA, instructor of accounting, Jackson State University, and longtime NABA member, said that the program fulfilled its goal. “The ACAP program is outstanding and much needed. The careers students typically are exposed to are doctor, lawyer and teacher. Some students said that because of this program they feel better equipped to make a decision to pursue accounting.” ▲ FALL/WINTER 2018 | SPECTRUM 19