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The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), has committed $25,000 to Middlesex Community College to support the expansion of its Early College High School Academy over the next five years. This commitment will allow the Society to integrate businesses and accounting courses into public high schools across Massachusetts and educate students on various career paths in the profession.
“Accounting is a thriving industry that offers a lot of room for career growth and advancement, and it’s our job to help students explore all of the opportunities available to them,” said MSCPA President and CEO Amy Pitter. “Scaling our Early College High School Academy allows for more students to learn about accounting as a possible career path, many of whom may not be aware that it exists.”
The Early College High School Academy launched in 2019 and is the state’s first accounting-focused, early college initiative in Massachusetts. Participating students learn the fundamentals of accounting, economics, statistics and information technology. In addition to classroom studies, students gain real-life experience through a mandatory internship program supported by area accounting firms and businesses. Community leaders also provide mentorship opportunities and participate in work-based learning exercises. Upon completion of the program, students will earn up to 12 college credits through Middlesex Community College at no additional cost.
This expansion builds on the success of the MSCPA’s program at Haverhill High School, which offers students up to 12 free college credits through the University of Massachusetts –Lowell. Another program at Chicopee High School is set to launch in fall of 2021.
“One of the indicators that students will pursue accounting as a career is if it’s on their radar from early on,” Putter said. “Providing free college credits to students in these programs opens doors to them and help us build a strong pipeline of young and diverse entrants who are interested in accounting.”
The Early College High School Academy is fully funded by the MSCPA’s Educational Foundation, whose mission is to inspire and support the next generation of CPAs. The Educational Foundation also runs summer programs for diverse young people interested in careers in business and accounting and supports future CPAs through a scholarship program. For more information about the Early College High School Academy and MSCPA’s Educational Foundation, visit mscpaonline.org/edfoundation.
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Tags: Accounting, Technology
