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Don’t Think Writing is Important in Your Accounting Education? Think Again!
Accounting is all about numbers, right? Wrong! In actuality, entry-level
accountants probably spend as much time writing about numbers as they do
analyzing them. Because future CPAs need to develop strong writing skills,
the computerized CPA exam now has “simulations,” or condensed case studies
(and 30 percent of your overall exam grade!), each of which include a
writing skills exercise. In this exercise, you will read a situation
description and then write a response relating to the situation – in a
clear, complete and professional manner. According to Becker CPA Review,
there are three general writing criteria you should follow: organization,
development and expression. Access the
entire article from Becker CPA Review
for more information on how you can ace the writing portion of the CPA exam.
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Explore
Accounting Careers at 2006 Minority Accounting College Leadership Conference
Find out what rewards lie ahead for you by becoming a CPA at the
2006
Minority Accounting College Leadership Conference. The MACPA, along with the
National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and Walsh College, have
created this conference to show you what it takes to become a CPA and why
you should go that extra mile to earn your certification. You’ll attend
sessions such as Internal Revenue Service Fraud Training Program and
Preparing to Pass the CPA Exam at this new event. Plus, a panel of young
minority
professionals currently in the process of earning their CPA licenses and
newly certified minority CPAs will discuss their experiences and provide tips at the
session titled Step Up to Success.
This complimentary
conference is available only to minority students.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity
–
register today!
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Try Your Hand at Being a Record Company CPA with The Turnaround Game
A company in turmoil, plummeting share prices, low employee morale – who can
lead this once-great business back to its former glory? Why, you, of course!
A new online game produced specially for students by the AICPA asks players
to develop a winning proposal to save an ailing record company, BigNoizz.
The interactive game introduces players to not only the music industry, but
gives them the ability to experience what it’s like to be a CPA. Want to try
your hand at being a CPA? Play the game at
www.theturnaroundgame.com.
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Interview Insights: Test Your Interview Skills
Find out if you know the appropriate ways in which to answer interview
questions. 1st-Writer.com offers a multiple-choice
interview quiz posing
possible questions you might hear in an interview. See if you can identify
the most effective ways in which to respond to the questions. The web site
also offers several other resume writing, interview and job search tools
that you may find useful in your job search.
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Students Dedicate Time to Provide Tax Assistance, Gain Expertise
Several MACPA student members fine-tuned their tax preparation skills by
participating in the Accounting Aid Society’s Tax Assistance Program on
February 11 and 18 in Detroit. By providing tax assistance services to low
income individuals and families, these students not only brushed up on their
professional skills, they also participated in a very rewarding volunteer
opportunity. The MACPA would like to thank our professional and student
volunteers for dedicating their time to making this program a success. If
you’re interested in participating in this program next year, e-mail
Kristen
Benvenuti to be added to the volunteer mailing list.
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High School Leaders Conference Great Success, Thank You Volunteers!
College student members have helped make this year’s High School
Leaders Conferences a success by offering their knowledge, insights and
expertise of what it takes to study to be a CPA or accounting professional
to up-and-coming high school students. Many high school students that
attended the conference have now said they would like to pursue a career in
accounting.
The High School Leaders Conferences reached high school students throughout
the state to inform them of a great profession: accounting! Various speakers
showed students the diverse accounting careers they can pursue, exciting
aspects of the profession – plus, the event featured a luncheon with college
students. Thank you to all the college students who graciously volunteered
to answer questions and offer advice to the high school students at the
program.
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Volunteer Opportunties and Other Events from MACPA Offer Many Benefits
As great resume builders, networking opportunities and general feel-good
activities, volunteering for MACPA events offers countless benefits! Are you
aware of the many opportunities you have to volunteer with the MACPA?
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MACPA Accounting Blitzes with Junior Achievement
Volunteers for the
MACPA’s Accounting Blitzes visit students in kindergarten
through eighth grade classrooms for one day-long blitz to teach them business basics.
CPAs, accounting professionals and college students alike can participate in
this program to spread the business bug amongst Michigan’s elementary
students. Not only will you have the opportunity to encourage students to
following your own chosen career path, you can also network with the other
CPAs and accounting professionals participating at the event.
Task Forces
The MACPA has
more than forty task forces that you can
join as a member.
Depending on where your interest lies,
join one of the MACPA’s task forces
to play a pivotal role in the direction of the Association. You’ll meet one
on one with CPAs and accounting professionals as together you tackle the
many initiatives of the task force. Students are encouraged to join task
forces, as it allows them the opportunity to network with professionals and
learn more about the profession.
Members Advisory Forum
The
Members Advisory Forum is a key event that occurs biannually, giving the MACPA’s influential members the opportunity to meet and hear from
high-profile individuals in the profession providing cutting edge updates
and up-to-the-minute information about the direction of the profession. You,
too, can hear this information first-hand. In fact, students are invited to
attend this event for free. You’ll be rubbing elbows with the Association’s
leadership – and possibly a future employer! Don’t miss this great
opportunity to network with MACPA members already working and making an
impact on the profession. The next Members Advisory Forum is May 10 at the
Lansing Center in Lansing.
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Why Be a Member?
You’re a member of a professional association – the MACPA. Take advantage of
your status with the many MACPA opportunities. Being a member of a professional
association is a great way to stay on the pulse of that profession. With
regular updates, through publications such as Student E-News; invitations to
prestigious events, such as the Members Advisory Forum; opportunities to
volunteer and participate in member activities, such as joining an MACPA
task force – you’ll stay ahead of the game with your knowledge of and access
to people currently in the profession. By participating in various member
activities, you’ll have priceless opportunities to network with
professionals and gain resume-building experience. These, among other
reasons, are all benefits of your membership in a professional association.
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Advice from a Professional
April Royster, CPA
Executive Director, Office of Accounting for Detroit Public Schools
Michigan State University, Accounting
15 years in the profession
April Royster got her introduction to accounting through a bookkeeping
course in high school and has enjoyed the accounting profession ever since.
She feels one of the benefits of working as a CPA is that you provide
valuable information to either your clients or internal customers (if you
work for a company) to assist them with managerial decisions.
“I feel that I am always providing a service and making a contribution,”
Royster said.
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Royster on Licensure
“I would highly recommend that students pursue the CPA certification as I
feel that your career as an accounting professional is somewhat limited
without it,” she noted. “It is like someone going through law school and not
taking the bar exam. You can only go so far.”
Royster on the CPA Exam
Royster notes that her degree in accounting was critical to her success on
the CPA exam. She also warns against getting overwhelmed by all the
information on the exam.
“I am not the best test taker,” she said, “and once I learned to calm down
during the examination, I was able to do well.”
Royster took the exam in the days of the written exam but still thinks doing
the practice questions will be helpful in preparing for the test.
“I used computerized software to help me study and that worked best for me
in passing the exam,” Royster said.
Royster in the Workplace
In her current position, Royster is responsible for the financial reporting
of Detroit Public Schools. In her job, she is responsible for
supervising/managing accounts payable, cash management/accounts receivable,
financial reporting, grant accounting and facilities accounting.
“There is always a new issue every day,” Royster said. “I also like that I
have a very supportive staff and we work well as a team.”
Royster’s Way to Becoming a CPA
Royster started her career with a Big Four firm, and next took a job at a
for-profit corporation.
“The job I have now is partly due to my past experiences but also due to
networking with my former colleagues and getting involved with industry
associations such as the MACPA,” she said.
“I think that you always have to keep educating yourself, but you also have
to network and let people know who you are as well.” |
*View additional articles in the Advice from Professionals series posted on
the
MACPA web site.
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