The American Institute of CPAs announced on Wednesday that 99 minority college students have graduated from the AICPA's 25th annual Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop.
Held in Denver, the three-day, all-expenses-paid invitational program looks to build students' professional and networking skills as they start their accounting careers.
“The Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop shows minority students the abundance of professional opportunities available to them as CPAs and how they can achieve more than they ever knew,” stated Kim Drumgo, director of diversity and inclusion for the Association of International CPAs and vice chair of the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. “For a quarter century now, the AICPA has worked through this program to better prepare minority students for a career as a CPA professional, and we remain more committed than ever to provide students with role models that help them visualize the success that awaits them in the accounting profession.”
Students engaged in panel discussions covering what it means to be a CPA, how to prepare for the CPA exam, as well as additional sessions on how to professionally network and build a personal social media brand. Speakers included president and CEO of the AICPA Barry Melancon, former chairman of the AICPAs' Board of Directors Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, and Billy Williams, audit partner at KPMG.
“ASLW was an incredibly valuable experience and had a tremendous impact on me,” said Neta Galili, an Arizona State University accounting student and 2019 ASLW attendee, per a statement. “Not only did I build an amazing network and meet lifelong friends, ASLW educated me about the importance of taking the CPA exam and the endless opportunities available to me in the accounting profession!”
Eligible candidates for the Leadership Workshop include ethnic minority sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students with majors in accounting, finance or tax. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be involved with campus and community activities and hold a Student Affiliate AICPA membership. Anyone with an interest in the program is also encouraged to apply. Program travel and lodging is funded by the AICPA Foundation.
For the full list of graduates from the 2019 ASLW class, head to the AICPA's
