The MACPA Speakers’ Bureau program reached more than 2,000 middle school, high school and college students in the 2004/05 academic year, teaching them what it takes to become a CPA and talking about the benefits a career in accounting can bring.

The MACPA thanks Bureau volunteers that spoke in these classrooms, at career days or conferences over the past school year.

Those who have utilized a speaker from the MACPA Speakers’ Bureau have expressed positive experiences.

Michael Kelch, an educator at Cleary University, said, “Using an MACPA speaker allowed my students to get a reinforcement of concepts I was teaching, as well as a different and more practical perspective on small business development that went outside the confines of text book theory.”

Jim Moss, a student at Baker College – Flint and president of the college’s Accounting Association, has utilized Speakers’ Bureau four times over the course of the school year.

“All of the speakers gave terrific presentations and provided real world testimonies,” Moss said. “Every speaker answered questions until all questions were exhausted.

“Not only were the speakers knowledgeable, most were experts in their topics of presentation. Every single speaker presented their material in a very personable way and included the students in their presentations. After every event, students mentioned they were both entertained and inspired.”

If you’re interested in joining the Speakers’ Bureau, contact the MACPA Communications Department today. Even if you don’t have experience in doing classroom presentations, you can join. The MACPA provides tips, guidelines and ready-made presentations to assist you in this endeavor.

Join the Speakers Bureau to help expand the horizons of Michigan students.

“Some people would consider speakers and their presentations an extracurricular activity,” Moss said. “However, these little ‘extras’ are just as valuable as our education. Education for accountants is very diversified today. It is the contact with CPAs through events like the Speakers Bureau that give students an opportunity to bring their diversified education into focus.”

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