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AICPA announces graduates of 2016 Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

The AICPA announced on Thursday the names of the approximately 90 students who completed the2016 Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop(ASLW) - a three-day program designed to bolster students' professional skills and better prepare them for the CPA Exam.

The ASLW is an annual, all-expenses-paid program open to minority students who wish to complete the CPA Exam and have an interest in pursuing the CPA profession. 2016 marks the 22ndyear ASLW program, with this year’s class averaging a GPA of 3.6, according to the AICPA.

“I was honored to be selected for the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop. During the program, we discussed careers in accounting and learned about burgeoning issues in the profession,” said Ola Adenekan, a 2016 ASLW and Syracuse University graduate, per a statement. "Brainstorming ideas with CPA leaders at ASLW gave my fellow students and I great insight into the profession and additional motivation to pass the CPA Exam.”

Attendees engaged in various panel discussions covering topics including social media networking, business culture, strengths-based leadership, the day-to-day life of a CPA, and recent changes to the CPA Exam. 

“The Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop has a long history of helping students through the process of earning their CPA license and preparing them for a career in the accounting profession,” stated Kim Drumgo, AICPA director of diversity and inclusion and vice chair of the National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. “Many of the ASLW scholars have questions about the CPA Exam. ASLW offers them answers in the form of tools and knowledge that give them the confidence they need to prepare for the Exam.”

“ASLW is an example of the AICPA’s longstanding commitment to increasing diversity in the profession and strengthening the pipeline of accounting talent by drawing from the best and brightest students,” Drumgo added.

Eligible candidates for the ASLW program include ethnic minority sophomores, juniors, seniors, and grad students majoring in accounting, finance or tax. Candidates must possess a minimum GPA of 3.0. Candidates who have an intention of obtaining their CPA licensure, have membership with the Student Affiliate Member of the AICPA, or have a general interest in the program are encouraged to apply.

For the full list of the 2016 ASLW graduates, head to the AICPA's site here. For more information pm the Leadership Workshop, or to apply, head to ThisWayToCPA's site here.

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