Accounting
AICPA Accepting Applications for 2020 Leadership Workshop for Accounting Students
The ASLW is an all-expenses paid event, with the AICPA Foundation covering the cost of attendees’ transportation to/from the workshop location, hotel accommodations, training experience and meals.
Dec. 03, 2019
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) encourages qualified students to apply for the 2020 Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW) being held May 13-15 in New Orleans.
The annual workshop, now in its 26th year, is an opportunity for minority college accounting students who plan to pursue the CPA designation to strengthen their professional and networking skills and increases their understanding of the career possibilities, while at the same time bolstering the pipeline of minority members of the profession.
“The working population is growing increasingly diverse, with studies showing the U.S. will be a minority majority nation within 25 years. The accounting profession needs to be mindful of those trends and continue to make strides diversifying our pipeline of talent,” said Kim Drumgo, director of diversity and inclusion for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and vice chair of the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.
“We know that diverse organizations out perform their non-diverse competitors, and younger professionals, including millennials and Gen Z, want to work in diverse organizations. ASLW helps show minority accounting students the career opportunities they’ll gain from earning their CPA licenses.”
The U.S. Census projects that minority populations will comprise more than 50% of the total population in 2045, with the largest growth being among multiracial individuals.
During the three-day program, students explore what it means to be a CPA, how their backgrounds and experience can add value to the profession and network with practicing CPAs. Sessions cover business etiquette, interviewing and presentation skills and CPA exam preparation.
The program is open to sophomore, junior, senior, 5th year or graduate students for the 2019-20 academic year majoring in accounting, finance or tax and intending to pursue the CPA credential. Applications will be accepted through January 20, 2020.
The ASLW is an all-expenses paid event, with the AICPA Foundation covering the cost of attendees’ transportation to/from the workshop location, hotel accommodations, training experience and meals.
More information about the program, as well as instructions to apply, are available at thiswaytocpa.com.
This is one of several programs from the AICPA to help promote diversity and inclusion in the profession. The Accounting Inclusion Maturity Model is a tool to help organizations assess and measure their diversity and inclusion efforts. The George Willie Scholarship and Internship program offers students a scholarship and an internship during tax season with one of the AICPA’s Private Company Practice Section member firms. And the AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students, part of the AICPA Legacy Scholars program, provides funding to outstanding minority students studying accounting.