|
Participate in
a Rewarding Volunteer Experience by Teaching Kids Business Basics
Volunteers for the MACPA’s Accounting Blitzes visit students in kindergarten
through eighth grade 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.
Go from student to teacher by participating in MACPA Accounting Blitzes! You
will be provided with lesson plans from Junior Achievement to assist with
teaching kindergarten – eighth grade students. Join us in this venture to
educate kids about accounting. We will be visiting:
| |
Grand Rapids
Shawmut Hills Elementary School – December 1 |
| |
Detroit
Edison Elementary
School – December 7
Paul Robeson
Academy – December 15 |
If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Academic Department.
 Return
to Top
The MAF Wants
to Help Fund Your Fifth/Graduate Year
The
Michigan
Accountancy Foundation (MAF), through their Fifth/Graduate Year
Scholarship, wants to assist accounting students pursuing a CPA license with
funding their final year of college. Upper-level students interested in
applying for the scholarship, find more information by visiting
The
MAF Scholarship Page. Or,
download the application. Contact Michelle DiDomenico with any
questions.
Return
to Top
A Good Resume Can Lead to a Great Internship
Now is the time to secure a winter internship if you haven’t already done
so. Not sure how to begin? Start with a great resume. Monster.com recommends
using these tips to successfully write a resume:
- Don't be vague, and be sure to customize your resume for each employer
- Don't be long-winded
- Students and recent grads should highlight their studies
- Find out which skills the employer is seeking and be sure to showcase them
- Be clear about what you want
- Never overlook spelling errors or typos
- Have an Experience section
For more tips like these and other information regarding resumes,
internships and the job search, visit
www.monster.com
Return
to Top
Student Financial
Services Offers “Paying for College” Publication
The Department of Treasury’s Student Financial Services Bureau has developed
Paying for College in Michigan, a new publication for students and their
parents. The booklet provides specific information on the Michigan Education
Trust and Michigan Education Savings Program and other college savings
plans, Financial Aid Programs including the Michigan Merit Award, Michigan
Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Nursing Scholarship as well as federal
Financial Aid Programs. Copies of Paying for College in Michigan will be
available at college fairs and financial presentations. The publication can
be obtained by contacting the Student Financial Services Bureau’s Outreach
Services Office at 1-800-642-5626, ext. 37054 or by e-mail at
sfs@michigan.gov. Requests may also be mailed to: Outreach Services,
P.O. Box 30047, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7547.
Return
to Top
Advice from a Professional: CPA Licensure Will
Expand Your Opportunities
George Salloum, CPA
CFO at Chamberlain Marketing Group, Inc.
15 years in the profession
When George Salloum, CPA took his first accounting class while working
towards a degree in Finance, he remembers his initial thought about
accounting. A representative from the Accounting Society spoke to the class
about careers in the Accounting profession. “I thought to myself, are you
kidding? This is not for me, accountants are geeks!” says Salloum. “What a
naďve thought.”
A Change of Heart
As he progressed in his studies, he learned how critical accounting was in
understanding finance. “I spoke with several of my mentors and they all said
the same thing.” Salloum recalls. “…if you want to be successful in finance
you MUST have a strong accounting background.”
Based on their advice, Salloum began taking more accounting classes and
realized how great it really was. “I began researching the accounting
profession, spoke with some CPA’s and joined the Accounting Society,
eventually becoming president of the group.” Before he knew it, Finance was
no longer his path. He was on the road to becoming a CPA.
Salloum’s Education
Salloum earned a B.S.A in Professional Accounting from the University of
Michigan Dearborn. He found that this was very valuable in his pursuit of
CPA licensure. “It built the framework for what I would use in my career on
a daily basis,” Salloum says.
Fast Forward to Now
Salloum is currently the CFO of Chamberlain Marketing Group, a supplier of
promotional products. He also oversees the Import division, as well as the
Human Resources Department.
With a staff of only 55 employees, Salloum enjoys wearing several “hats” on
a daily basis, and being part of an organization where he knows that his
contributions are making a difference and can see the results.
“Everyone has a different path in life, which is exciting to know,” Salloum
says. “I truly believe that becoming a licensed CPA with several years in
public accounting will provide tremendous opportunities for anyone.” For
those students considering transitioning to private industry, he offers this
advice: “A whole new world will open up to you. You could start out as an
assistant controller or a controller, which will provide you with tremendous
insight as to how a company operates from top to bottom,” Salloum says. “Use
that time wisely to listen, learn and achieve. Becoming a CFO is the
culmination of years of experience, a position that can be achieved by
anyone.”
Advice to Students
“Love what you’re doing, have fun with it and be willing to put forth the
effort necessary to reach your goals” says Salloum.
He also recommends that students pursue their CPA license. “Anyone going
into the accounting profession should pursue their CPA license, even if it’s
not your goal to work in public accounting,” Salloum advises. “The vast
experience that you will attain from working in public accounting will
expand your knowledge base, as well as your career opportunities,
exponentially.”
When it comes to studying for the Computerized CPA Exam, Salloum says anyone
can pass it as long as they commit themselves to it. “As Albert Einstein
said, genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”
Salloum has two tips for everyone. First, prepare and pace yourself by
beginning to study months ahead of time. “You don’t want to begin your
preparation just weeks ahead, that’s a recipe for disaster.” Second, he
advises students to take a break the last two or three days before the exam.
“You MUST give your brain a chance to relax.”
No matter what industry, Salloum suggests students apply what he’s learned
to get to the top: Be humble and listen to others with the experience you
are trying to attain, ask questions and don’t be afraid to make mistakes,
set goals and do the work necessary to reach them and last, If you want to
be a leader, always make others around you feel important.
Return to Top
|
