|

Inside
. . .
The Path to Opportunity
Fundamental Skills = Many
Possibilities
Stay on Course: Focusing
Your Studies for a Career As a CPA
Evaluating Your Ability
Applicability
Accounting Skills Quiz Are
You a Next Generation Accountant?
Preparing for the Computerized
CPA Exam
Accounting Newbies Share
Perspectives on the Profession
Potential Earning Power
A Designation with Distinction
Become a Student Member
of the LCPA
Professionalism to the
Core
It Pays to Join a Professional
Association
Becoming a More Effective
Communicator
Writing a Compelling Cover
Letter
Getting Your Resume Ready
for the Web
A Quick Guide to Writing
Professional E-mail
Five Steps to Getting
More Out of an Internship
LCPA Offers $1000s in
Scholarships
LCPA Chapter Scholarships
Qualifications for LCPA
Scholarships
Kit Smith Scholarship
Alex Postlethwaite Scholarship
2004 LCPA Education Foundation
Recipients
AICPA Scholarships for
Minority Accounting Students
About the Society of Louisiana
Certified Public Accountants
Welcome to CareerWise
Accountants are in demand, well respected,
and major players in the global marketplace. And the best
part, it's a profession that offers job stability and good
salaries.
A career in accounting offers many possibilities
that can bring excitement, achievement, and responsibility.
When opportunities are expanding as rapidly as they are now,
it becomes crucial to stay up to date on this rapidly changing
and diverse field.
CareerWise is an annual publication
that is designed for students who are interested in a career
in accounting. Whether you've already made a decision to
become a Certified Public Accountant or are still considering
your options, CareerWise provides insight into the
accounting profession to help you make the best career decision
possible.
The Society of Louisiana CPAs invites you to
get a head start on your career plans by becoming a Student
Member of the Society of Louisiana CPAs.
We want to be a resource for you throughout
your career. As a Student Member of the LCPA, you'll realize
the benefits of having a strong, professional organization
behind you, providing support and helping you build a bridge
to your future.
If you have a comment you'd like to share about CareerWise or
a question about a career in accounting, e-mail us at lrichardson@lcpa.org.
Good luck and success in all your endeavors.
top
The Path to
Opportunity
Think past college graduation for a moment
and imagine yourself in a career. Do you want to start your
own business or be an executive in a Fortune 500 company?
Travel overseas? Or maybe you want to learn the ins and outs
of different businesses and organizations before you decide
whats right for you.
Through study of business and accounting, youll
have terrific career options in whatever field you choose,
and youll have the chance to work with some interesting
people. When you take it to the next level CPA certification youll
have the opportunity to become a leader in your chosen field.
Unlike someone with a general business degree,
which can be difficult to quantify for an employer, a CPA
comes with an understood set of professional skills and qualities,
like creativity and integrity. These skills can keep you
in high demand in every business today. You can enjoy job
stability and financial security in any industry you choose,
but it all begins with making accounting your choice.
Career Options
CPAs are a lifeline to the business world. They interpret
complex data and help turn it into real knowledge and a
vision for a companys future. In the simplest of
terms, they are relied upon to help companies stay successful.
As such, the need for their skills always exists.
An accountant on a CPA career path holds a
unique position. He or she can work within a company, helping
to shape its future, or follow a consulting path acting
as a specialist coming into an organization, investigating
opportunities for profit and potentials for loss, and giving
invaluable advice before moving on to the next client.
Your entry into public accounting, for example,
will expose you to CPA services like auditing, and the experience
youll gain there will open up other career opportunities
for you. Auditing work brings you extremely close to the
operations of a wide range of businesses, giving the CPA
unique expertise in each. You can use it to measure what
type of business or industry appeals most to you, and focus
your knowledge there.
Because of the breadth of their skills, CPAs
benefit from ease of movement within financial areas. From
the CEO of Nike to a high-ranking official in the FBI these
are careers that started with accounting and CPA certification.
CPAs can also enter nonfinancial areas as well, such as operations,
marketing and human resources.
Creativity
The CPA is often called on to turn a tangle of numbers and
statistical data into something a company or other organization
can use vision. By pursuing the CPA career path,
youre not only developing your financial skills,
youre building leadership skills, communication skills,
and, more importantly, the ability to intelligently and
accurately translate complex data and produce real, tangible
information and knowledge from it.
Job Stability and Financial Security
As old skills become outdated and better ways of thinking
about traditional business problems are required, the demand
for CPAs only increases. Whether the economy grows or stumbles,
CPAs are needed because their knowledge can be crucial
in helping to build or even repair an existing business,
non-profit, or government organization.
Salaries for accountants are stable and continue
to rise steadily each year. Additional qualifications such
as a CPA credential can increase a candidates base
salary by an average of 10 percent. Newly emerging, specialized
fields (for example, forensic accounting or assurance services)
command even higher salaries. (See page 17 for salary information).
Working with People
Youve heard how accounting can influence profitability,
but did you know accounting can also make an important difference
in the lives of the people and businesses it serves? CPAs
work closely with people to take their financial goals estate
planning, planning for a wedding, saving for their kids college
education, passing along a privately owned business, investing
for retirement and develop plans to achieve them.
They help businesses find new avenues for growth, and even
participate in environmental protection (as environmental
auditors).
Working with people is one of the most important
skills a CPA can have. CPAs are often working in an advisory
role, solving difficult financial problems with teams of
individuals from one business to another. They mix with different
personality types and all kinds of different clients, from
rock stars to rocket fuel manufacturers.
Some CPAs, working in areas such as fraud investigation,
even get involved with criminal investigations and appear
as experts on the witness stand in litigation cases.
Integrity and Trust
Theres no question about it CPAs are some of
the most trusted professionals in the world of business.
Their commitment to objectivity, integrity, and education
is both a requirement and a source of respect from their
clients. In protecting a companys or individuals
financial goals, there is both an enormous responsibility
and a level of trust other professions can only hope to have.
Editors Note: Reprinted with permission from the American
Institute of CPAs, StartHereGoPlaces.com.
Fundamental
Skills = Many Possibilities
In business, change (and the ability to successfully adapt
to change) is not an option its a requirement.
Change and adaptability are the keys to survival and success
in business. Todays and tomorrows leading professionals
require a depth of knowledge and a refined set of skills
that can be attained by choosing an accounting major and
becoming a CPA.
The professional skills youll learn as
an accounting major are essential to business. Theyre
also fundamental in preparing you for nearly any other career
possibility you might explore.
Strategic and Critical Thinking
One seemingly small decision today might have a significant
effect on a number of other decisions in the future. A
good example of using strategic thinking in your life is
choosing an internship. An internship can allow you to
make professional contacts within a company or industry
youre interested in working in later. Strategic thinking
is a big picture
skill a professional ability that will serve you in
everything you do.
Problem Solving and Decision Making
The ability to analyze, rather than just memorize, information
is the foundation for intelligent problem solving. In a
career where you could be making decisions worth millions
of dollars, you want to be sure your conclusions are reliable
and 100 percent accurate. Your studies as an accounting
major and professional experience as a CPA will provide
you with the training to make important decisions confidently
in your professional and personal life.
Risk Analysis and Measurement
Equally important to the positive effect of any strategic
decision is its counter side: risk. Your ability to identify
and control risk is extremely valuable. In business, it
can minimize financial loss for some industries; for others,
such as the automobile industry, it can save lives.
Research and Reporting
Unlike an abstract art painting, which is relatively open
to a viewers interpretation, business depends on
hard, statistical data to make intelligent decisions. The
decision-making skills youll learn as an accounting
major, and later in your role as a CPA, are supported by
your ability to effectively research relevant information,
both qualitatively and quantitatively, for a specific purpose
or project and communicate your findings and recommendations.
Technology
You dont have to be a technology expert to succeed
in business. You just need an understanding of how technology
affects business in a broad sense and how one applies it.
The truth is, every business relies on technology in some
way. When you major in accounting and work as a CPA, technology
skills will enable you to act as a translator of sorts, explaining
the strategies of business decision makers to the IT professionals
who implement those decisions through computer software and
hardware solutions.
Resource Management
Resource management is about knowing your limitations and
working well within them. The skills youll learn
as an accounting major and your experience as a CPA will
allow you to manage every type of resource
human, financial, physical, environmental to
sharpen your ability to effectively control any project.
Every type of project operates on the principles of efficient
resource management, from a film production to an undercover
FBI operation. Youre held to strict budgets, and must
ensure that people are doing what theyre supposed to
do, when theyre supposed to do it.
Communication
As with any kind of business professional, you can expect
to be called upon to present complex information in a way
that can be understood by individuals with diverse capabilities
and interests. Youll also need an understanding of
organizational communication and how it can be affected
by various factors such as new technologies. Accounting
studies will give you the training to get in front of groups
of professionals or nonprofessionals and communicate effectively
in the most appropriate medium for your audience. Youll
learn how to listen, speak, write and respond effectively,
as well as gain the ability to recognize and understand
conceptual or theoretical issues.
Leadership and Team Building
In almost every kind of experience youll ever have,
from recreational (theater or athletics) to professional
(for example, as a CPA), youre going to be working
as part of a team. The ability of the group to meet its goals
depends on good leadership and team-building skills. As an
accounting major, youll learn how to work well with
all types of people. And youll learn the importance
of objectivity, diversity, and integrity in a group setting.
This will help you lead and succeed in appropriate circumstances.
Business and Client Focus
Different industries are affected by completely different
factors. For instance, a drought could have devastating
effects on the wine industry, while better standards for
computer encryption and online security could cause an
online retailers business to soar. Factors such as
striking unions, oil embargoes, and even war can have a
great impact on any number of industries which, in turn,
can affect your clients business.
Aside from teaching you how to work comfortably
with a diverse group of individuals, an accounting major
will provide you with the skills to work with diverse business
markets. Youll identify economic and business risks,
and the opportunities of the market in which they operate.
In addition, youll understand different market needs,
how to develop new markets, and provide useful insight in
the global marketplace.
Editors Note: Reprinted
with permission from the American Institute of CPAs,
StartHereGoPlaces.com.
top
Stay
on Course
Focusing
Your Studies for a Career As a CPA
Todays CPAs work in a variety of areas
such as managerial and financial accounting, financial planning,
and assurance services, to name a few. Of course, youll
find them in every industry, from not-for-profit and government
agencies to professional sports, fashion, entertainment and
beyond.
The courses youll take in college will
not only prepare you for these new career paths, theyll
also help you develop some very fundamental competencies
such as strategic thinking, communications, and an understanding
of how technology can be used to provide business solutions.
These skills are the tools of the CPA, and can also be applied
to any profession you choose.
So, where should you focus your studies? Take a look at the
areas of study that represent the future of the accounting
profession.
Managerial Accounting
If financial accounting focuses on past performance, managerial
accounting looks at the present and the future. By using
the information generated in financial accounting, decision
makers within an organization (managers, executives, and
directors) can improve the way they run day-to-day operations
and plan for tomorrow. Managerial accounting courses focus
your ability to think creatively in business for
example, figuring out how to fund an overseas facility
for a business or launch a new product, or improve the
efficiency of an organizations operations.
Here are some college courses you can take
in managerial accounting:
Principles of Managerial Accounting
Cost Accounting and Control
Accounting for Business Operations
Advanced Issues in Managerial Accounting
Financial Accounting
By studying financial accounting, youll gain the skills
to assist people, businesses, or other organizations in reaching
their most essential financial goals. CPAs analyze past activities
and future trends and use that information to help businesses
and individuals make smarter financial decisions going forward.
In fact, the best way to understand a companys real
economic performance is through financial reports.
Here are some college courses you can take
in financial accounting:
Financial Statement Analysis
Intermediate and Advanced Accounting
Corporate Finance and Accounting
Accounting for Investments and Financing
Accounting in Capital Markets
Mergers and Acquisitions
Global Accounting and Reporting
International Business Transactions
Tax and Financial Planning
When companies need important business transactions managed
or individuals want their investment portfolios structured,
they turn to the most trusted, most objective, and most
qualified professional: the CPA. And the CPA turns to his
or her tax and financial planning skills.
This is a core area of study for the profession.
It refers to a wide area of services that interpret and create
financial value (for individuals or businesses) by using
a range of information, and its indispensable in the
profession of public accounting.
Here are some college courses you can take
in tax and financial planning:
Tax of Business Entities
Tax Strategies for Corporations and Shareholders
International Tax
Individual Tax Planning
Investment Strategies
Assurance and Information Integrity
Business leaders require qualified assurance that the information
on which their decisions are based is accurate and reliable.
One of the most important qualified assurances is the financial
audit, which is essential to verify a companys financial
reports only a CPA can do this. Recent business
events have highlighted the importance of accuracy and
integrity in relation to the financial audit. Businesses
in every industry require qualified people to perform this
process in order to ensure continued success this
makes the CPAs role one of utmost importance, and
keeps demand for CPAs high.
Through your studies in assurance services,
youll become qualified to help businesses interpret
data to provide them with insightful information and knowledge.
Youll learn to research and interpret information,
and put it in a useful, ethical context. And your findings
and recommendations can help that company improve operations.
Here are some college courses you can take
in assurance services and information integrity:
Auditing
Accounting Processes and Controls
Operational Auditing
Advanced Accounting Information Systems
Management Information Systems (MIS)
Business Risk and Controls
Forensic Accounting
Fraud Prevention and Detection
Environmental Accounting
Non-for-profit and Governmental Accounting
The continued efforts of hospitals and colleges, as well
as of charity organizations, depend on accuracy and objectivity
in financial reporting and operations. For not-for-profit
organizations, accounting is a lifesaver. Youll learn
how to help not-for-profits allocate their financial resources,
as well as find out about the unique regulations and tax
breaks afforded to them. If you choose to work with not-for-profits
after college, as their CPA you often have the additional
responsibility of helping organizations improve their operations
and fund-raising efforts.
Governmental accounting studies cover everything
from government operations in your hometown all the way up
to federal agencies. At the federal level, some of the largest
government employers of CPAs are the Internal Revenue Service,
State Controller, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Securities
and Exchange Commission. Even the President of the United
States relies on the information supplied by CPAs when preparing
the federal governments annual budget.
Here are some college courses you can take
in not-for-profit and governmental accounting:
Accounting Processes and Controls for Not-for-profit and Governmental
Agencies
Not-for-profit and Governmental Accounting
Editors Note: Reprinted
with permission from the American Institute of CPAs,
StartHereGoPlaces.com.
top
Evaluating
Your Ability Applicability
No ones going to tell you that its easy to
succeed in business. But whether you realize it or not, what
you already know could help take you pretty far. The way
you run your life right now could prepare you for a truly
successful business career in any number of industries or
even running your own business.
The skills youll develop in business studies will
give you a foundation that prepares you for almost anything.
Better still, some of those skills are already evident in
the things you do every day
from leadership and communication skills you might use in
class and on the playing field, to technology skills and
business savvy you may have developed working a part-time
job. Explore this section to learn more about the important
skills youll need for success.
Leadership
Being a good leader requires two things: being able to bring
other people together for a common goal, and knowing how
to get the best out of everyone around you. Strong leadership
is critical to the success of any organization
whether its a football team, a government agency,
movie production company, or an international accounting
firm. Think about the leaders you admire most their
confidence should be totally contagious.
One of the most important aspects of leadership is the ability
to follow. That may sound strange, but think about it for
a moment. As a leader, youre often expected to follow
a set of rules or guidelines and encourage others to do the
same. This helps organize the group along a common goal,
and helps you better manage the outcome. The ability to understand
guidelines often allows you to deal with the unexpected.
Your Leadership Skills
Think about all the ways youve served as a leader to
those around you. For example, have you ever:
Trained a new employee at a part- time job?
Tutored one of your classmates?
Worked as an editor on your school paper, yearbook, or any other publication?
Served as an officer in student government or in an after-school club?
Organized a dance or other event?
Acted as captain of a sports team, intramural team, or cheerleading
squad?
Worked as a camp counselor? Scout leader?
Communications
Good communications arent limited to public speaking.
Thats important, of course, but so is listening. And
writing. All of these qualities contribute to your ability
to communicate well. In business, whether youre working
with a team of people from diverse backgrounds or just one-on-one,
you will inevitably be called upon to present, explain, and
defend your ideas. It may be in a formal setting, like a
meeting or conference, or informally to someone you work
with.
Your ability to receive information is just as crucial as
your ability to present it. Displaying empathy and sensitivity,
as well as your ability to interpret situations critically
and thoughtfully, will earn the respect of the people around
you. Think about the way you relate to your own friends;
that kind of attention is just as important in business.
Your Communication Skills
You can develop some of your communication skills by taking
certain courses in school, but you can also develop some
of those skills by paying attention to the way you interact
with others. Think about whether you already do the following:
Work in a team environment (for a class project, club, sport, or job).
Make presentations and speeches (in class or outside of class).
Write for your school newspaper or other publication (such as an online
journal, zine, etc.).
Organize and write papers for class.
Help your friends with problems. Have you ever been told youre
a good listener?
Participate in any kind of public
speaking organization (debate club).
Act in your school plays, perform stand-up comedy sketches, or play
in a band.
Technology
Nearly every industry is computerized in some way, and computers
may already be second nature to you. You should know about
existing and emerging technologies in business environments
and understand how to use them effectively.
The most common elements of technology include online technologies
like e-mail, instant messaging, net conferencing, and the
Web; wireless technologies; accessing information through
electronic databases; and a familiarity with the latest spreadsheet,
presentation, and word-processing software (for example,
the Microsoft Office software suite).
Your Technology Skills
You may not even realize how much technology you use each
day, and how you can work that into real professional skills.
Here are some ways you might already be flexing your technology
muscles:
Online time surfing the Web, writing and answering e-mail, using
instant messaging, downloading and uploading files.
Creating Web pages.
Computer programming in class, through a club, or on your own.
Writing papers or letters on your computer.
Keeping things organized electronically (such as a database containing
your record collection or friends phone numbers and addresses).
Using online resources to research projects for school.
Business Saavy
Being business savvy is more than just closing a big deal
with a friendly handshake. It requires creative thinking
and problem-solving skills. You should know how to examine
information, interpret it, and use the results to develop
some creative solutions. The innovative answers are often
the difference between being good and being great in the
business world.
And dont ever forget this: in business, youre
potentially dealing with a lot of money. That comes with
a real responsibility, and superior ethics and honesty always
go without saying.
Your Business Savvy
Maybe you havent brokered any multibillion-dollar mergers
yet, but youre probably already doing things every
day that reveal your business savvy. Continuing to exercise
these skills can really mean a lot as you think about college
and everything that follows. Do you do any of the following?
Read or watch the news. (Are you pretty interested in whats going
on in the world?)
Play strategy games. (This might sound odd at first, but the skills
you use to play video games, such as decision making and strategic thinking,
are actually good models for how you will handle business situations.
Excel in classes like math, chemistry, English, history, and physics.
Enjoy solving logic problems.
Create or maintain schedules for a group of people (for work, clubs,
etc.).
Come up with creative ways to solve ordinary problems.
Editors Note: Reprinted
with permission from the American Institute of CPAs,
StartHereGoPlaces.com.
top
Accounting
Skills Quiz
Are
You a Next Generation Accountant?
Accounting is rapidly becoming a knowledge services profession.
Its no longer just a numbers game the next generation
of accountants will be strategists who must understand not
only financial data, but also its impact on all aspects of
the business. Tomorrows accountants must be technologically
savvy. And, they will have to be able to work with anyone
in an organization, from the CEO down, with coworkers in
nonfinancial disciplines as well as colleagues in the field.
Test your knowledge and skills with this quiz to find out
if you have what it takes to be a Next Generation Accountant.
1. Other than traditional financial knowledge, which
will be the three most important aptitudes for accounting
professionals in the future?
A. Attention to detail, ability to work independently, concentration
B. Technological savvy, strategic planning/decision making,
interpersonal skills
C. Ability to multi-task, diplomacy, motivational skills
D. Flexibility, professionalism, logical thinking
2. Which of the following best describes your approach
to working with others?
A. Id rather stay in the background and quietly do
my job.
B. I like to work independently the team approach
seems inefficient to me.
C. I enjoy interacting with different types of people, especially
those outside the accounting profession, because its
interesting and challenging.
D. I prefer to be in charge at all times autonomy
is important to me.
3. How much should accounting professionals know about
technology?
A. Just how to use accounting software leave the rest
to the IT professionals.
B. Accounting software (like spreadsheets) plus a word processing
package for writing letters and memos.
C. The most current accounting software packages, word processing
applications, and e-mail and calendaring software. It might
also be useful to know how to do Internet searches.
D. Accountants should be well-versed in computer code and
programming languages; spreadsheet, database and analytical
software; electronic security and online assurance; how e-
commerce works; wireless technology; Internet engineering
and how to use Web-based accounting applications.
4. Which of the following best describes your verbal
communication skills?
A. Im good at both one-on-one and group interactions,
and I enjoy sharing information with others.
B. Talk less, work more thats my motto!
C. Im uncomfortable speaking with more than two people
at a time.
D. Im outgoing and I dont mind sharing my opinions.
5. Which of the following best describes your written
communication skills?
A. Adequate I want to be an accountant, not a poet!
B. Im no English major when it comes to spelling, but
I get the point across.
C. Im an effective and concise business communicator,
and Im especially good at translating financial data
into a laypersons terms.
D. With spell-checker and other technologies, writing is
really less important than it used to be, so its not
a skill I think about much.
6. Which is the best way to lead and manage people?
A. Determine your objectives, then issue a comprehensive
memorandum outlining goals, activities and related deadlines.
B. Encourage people to brainstorm solutions and new ideas;
give public praise and recognition often; critique the work,
not the person; be sure your instructions are clear and specific;
solicit feedback; listen attentively.
C. Before making a major decision, ask others for their opinions.
Even if you already know what youre going to do, it
will make them feel included.
D. Post motivational messages around the office.
7. How much should corporate accounting professionals
know about other departments and functions in the company?
A. Enough to be able to see whos over budget for the
year.
B. Just the names and basic descriptions of the other departments.
C. Know the names and titles of the people with whom you
interact most often, like the benefits person from HR or
the guy in Tech Support.
D. You should know what other departments do and how their
activities contribute to the bottom line. In addition, you
should know the key players in each division senior
executives, administrative liaisons, project team managers.
8. Assuming basic accounting knowledge as a given, which
of the following are most important for an independent
financial consultant?
A. Specialization
B. Strong marketing skills
C. Technological proficiency
D. All of the above\
9. In the future, a certification such as CPA,
MBA, CMC, CPM will be more important than ever for
those who wish to advance in their careers.
A. True
B. False
10. Which of the following statements most closely describes
your own feelings about professional development?
A. Ongoing professional development really isnt necessary
unless youre a manager.
B. Professional development is important, and my employer
should provide the training I need.
C. I think its important to take classes and workshops
regularly to keep up with changes in the field of accounting
as well as to improve my skills.
D. I learned everything I need to know in college.
11. You are asked to provide a cost/benefit analysis
of your companys new e-commerce plan. Youre
unfamiliar with certain aspects of the plan. How do you
respond?
A. Check the budget for such activities, then ask someone
in IT how much it will cost to configure the website for
electronic transactions. Compare the two figures if
the estimate is overbudget, nix the plan.
B. Through interviews with key players in other departments
(IT, marketing, sales, new business development, etc.), determine
the short- and long- term effects on the business. Analyze
the companys past performance and future goals. Study
the market, assess the state of the economy, consider business
and technological trends. Then compile your analysis and
make your recommendation.
C. Dont waste your time on an analysis. Everybody else
is getting into e-commerce your company probably should
too, so just say so.
D. Tell your supervisor that you lack the technical expertise
to understand the plan.
12. Which one of the following will NOT be an area of
specialization for the Next Generation Accountant?
A. Integrated systems
B. Environmental compliance
C. Business Performance Measurement
D. Architectural integration
Editors Note: Reprinted with permission from
Robert Half Finance & Accounting. Visit Robert Half Internationals
Next Generation Accountant website at www.nextgenaccountant.com.
Next Generation Accountant Quiz Answers
1. B. Technological savvy, strategic planning/decision making,
interpersonal skills are absolutely vital to your career
success.
2. C. Your outlook will make you an effective, productive
addition to any team.
3. D. Accountants should be well-versed in all these areas
of technology. You may not know all of this yet, but if you
do youre highly marketable and on the fast-track to
success.
4. A. One-on-one and group interactions, and sharing information
with others are exactly the traits that make an effective
verbal communicator. Youll do well in the future workplace.
5. C. It will be particularly important in the future for
accounting professionals to present complex data in nonfinancial
terms.
6. B. You recognize the best way to lead and manage people.
Youre management material of the highest quality.
7. D. By being aware of what other departments do and how
their activities contribute to the bottom line, and by knowing
the key players in each division, youll be able to
determine and explain the impact of financial data on every
aspect of the company.
8. D. For optimum effectiveness and success, consultants
need to have in-depth knowledge in one of the hot accounting
specialties (such as information technology, personal financial
planning or e-commerce, for example); skills to market and
grow their business and technological proficiency to leverage
new tools.
9. A. In a survey commissioned of 1,400 CFOs, 85 percent
said they believe a CPA or CMA credential helps professionals
climb the corporate ladder.
10. C. Spoken like a true life-long learner, which is what
you must be to have a future in accounting.
11. B. This is the best way to handle the assignment. And
youre adding value when you include your own informed
recommendation.
12. D. Architectural integration is the imaginary specialty for
now!
Editors Note: Reprinted
from Robert Half Finance & Accounting.
top
Preparing
for the Computerized CPA Exam
The Uniform CPA Examination has a long and trusted history
in the licensing of Certified Public Accountants. To keep
pace with the evolution of the accounting and business worlds especially
in the areas of technology and skills assessment the
CPA Exam has changed to ensure continued protection of the
public interest in a rapidly changing world.
The most visible change in the exam is the transition from
paper and pencil to a computer-based test (CBT). While there
may be some anxiety as the transition takes place, everything
is being done to ensure that exam administration goes smoothly.
One thing is for certain the new computerized CPA
exam better assesses the knowledge and skills that entry-level
CPAs must possess.
To help reduce exam anxiety and make the transition smoother,
here are some of the most frequently asked questions about
the new computer-based test.
General FAQs
How does the revised CPA exam compare to the previous
exam?
The revised exam incorporates increased emphasis on information
technology and general business knowledge with a broadened
scope in the audit area. Significantly, changes include increased
skills testing.
The revised computer-based exam is a 14-hour test with four
sections: Auditing and Attestation (4.5 hours); Financial
Accounting and Reporting (4 hours); Regulation (3 hours);
and Business Environment and Concepts (2.5 hours).
The exam includes multiple-choice questions and case studies
called simulations. The multiple-choice portion of the exam
appears as sequential testlets. Testlets are groups of questions
that are constructed to appear together. Each exam section
includes approximately three multiple-choice testlets. Each
testlet will contain 24 to 30 items (questions). Each section,
except Business Environment and Concepts, also initially
includes two simulations. Each simulation is also considered
a testlet.
Simulations are condensed case studies that test candidates
accounting knowledge and skills using real life work-related
situations. Each simulation is approximately 30-50 minutes
in length and complements the multiple-choice portion of
the exam.
All simulations are intended to assess knowledge and skills
that are appropriate to expect of an entry-level accountant.
What are the content specifications for the computer-based
test (CBT)?
Below are the main content areas for each section of the
exam:
Auditing & Attestation This section covers knowledge
of auditing procedures, generally accepted auditing standards
and other standards related to attest engagements, and the
skills needed to apply that knowledge in those engagements.
Planning the engagement
Internal controls
Obtain and document information
Review engagement and evaluate information
Prepare communications
Financial Accounting & Reporting This section
covers knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, and
governmental entities, and the skills needed to apply that
knowledge.
Concepts and standards for financial statements
Typical items in financial statements
Specific types of transactions and events
Accounting and reporting for governmental entities
Accounting and reporting for non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations
Regulation This section covers knowledge of federal
taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities,
and business law, and the skills needed to apply that knowledge.
Ethics and professional responsibility
Business law
Federal tax procedures and accounting issues
Federal taxation of property transactions
Federal taxation individuals
Federal taxation entities
Business Environment & Concepts This section
covers knowledge of general business environment and business
concepts that candidates need to know in order to understand
the underlying business reasons for and accounting implications
of business transactions, and the skills needed to apply
that knowledge.
Business structure
Economic concepts
Financial management
Information technology
Planning and measurement
What resources will I have access to during the test-taking
session?
Resources available depend on the simulation that the candidate
receives. Those common to all simulations include a four-function
pop-up calculator, a blank spreadsheet with some elementary
functionality, and authoritative literature appropriate to
the section of the test.
While completing the case study simulations, you will use
financial accounting, auditing, or taxation databases. The
financial accounting database will include certain portions
of the FASBs Original Pronouncements and Current Text.
The auditing database will include certain portions of the
AICPAs Professional Standards. The taxation database
will include certain portions of the federal tax code. The
databases include all the excerpts that are necessary for
completion of the case study simulations.
Do I need special training to successfully complete the
simulations?
CPA candidates are assumed to possess basic computer skills
including the use of a mouse and keyboard. In addition, they
are expected to know how to use common spreadsheet and word
processing functions, including writing formulas for spreadsheets.
They must also have the ability to use a four-function calculator
or a spreadsheet to perform standard financial calculations.
In addition, candidates will be asked to use authoritative
literature, to answer auditing, accounting and taxation questions,
to support judgments, and to create formal audit communications.
All CPA candidates are strongly encouraged to review the
exam tutorial at http://www.cpa-exam.org/lrc/exam_
tutorial.html. The tutorial explains the design and operation
of the computer-based test, and reviews the types of questions
and responses used in the new exam.
What skills are going to be measured in these simulations?
How are those skills going to be measured?
The revised CPA exam will assess the skills an entry-level
CPAs must have in order to ensure the protection of the public
interest, as identified by the most recent accounting practice
analysis. The skills are: Analysis, Judgment, Communication,
Research, and Understanding.
Analysis is the ability to organize, process, and interpret data to
develop options for decision-making.
Judgment is the ability to evaluate options for decision-making and
provide an appropriate conclusion.
Communication is the ability to effectively elicit and/or express information
through written or oral means.
Research is the ability to locate and extract relevant information from
available resource materials.
Understanding is the ability to recognize and comprehend the meaning
and application of a particular matter.
How will essays be handled under the computer-based test?
In place of essays, an assessment of written communication
skills will be incorporated into the simulation portion
of the revised examination. The testing of written communication
skills was identified by the most recent accounting practice
analysis and supported by a special task force consisting
of CPAs, psychometricians, and writing experts. They recommended
testing written communication in context by requiring the
candidate to write memoranda, letters to clients, or other
communications that an entry-level CPA would write on the
job.
Can I go back and review/change an answer during the
examination?
You may review and change any answers within each testlet
or simulation. However, once you have exited a testlet or
simulation, you will not be able to go back to retrieve,
review, or change any of your answers to any of the questions.
Will all candidates take the same examination, or will
each candidate take a different test?
Candidates will take different, equivalent exams. In the
computerized testing environment, each candidates examination
will consist of items drawn from a pool of test questions
according to defined specifications. Although candidates
will take different tests, the specifications will ensure
that the results are comparable. The specifications will
also include exposure controls to limit the extent
to which examinees are administered the same sets of questions.
With candidates taking different tests, how do you ensure
that each candidate is being correctly assessed?
The test delivery system will ensure that all tests meet
content and psychometric specifications. The testing package
delivered to test centers will contain not only test items,
but also the rules for the administration of tests drawn
from that collection of items. All items will be classified
according to their content and statistical properties before
they are administered in an operational test. The testing
software will then administer items according to the specifications
to ensure that each candidate is administered a test of appropriate
content coverage and difficulty.
Test Administration
Will the CPA examinations administrative process
change with the computer-based test?
Much of the process will remain the same; what will change
is where and when the examination is given. Individual state
boards of accountancy will continue to determine if a candidate
meets the requirements to take the CPA exam in its jurisdiction.
Candidates will apply for the examination as they do now through
a state board or its designee. After the candidate has been
determined eligible to sit for the examination, the state
board or its designee will send the candidate a Notice to
Schedule (NTS). The NTS will remain valid for six months.
That means candidates will have six months from the date
the NTS is issued to schedule and take the examination section(s)
for which they have applied.
Approved candidates will then register directly with a Prometric
testing center, either by phone or via the Internet, to take
one or more sections of the CPA examination. After the candidate
takes the examination, the AICPA compiles and forwards advisory
grades to the state boards. State boards advise candidates
in their jurisdictions of their grades.
How often will the revised Uniform CPA Examination be
offered?
The computer-based exam will be offered up to six days a
week, during two out of every three months throughout the
year (the testing windows).
What is a testing window?
Each year will contain four testing windows. During the first
four testing windows, the exam will be available:
April - May 2004
July - August 2004
October - November 2004
January - February 2005
Do I need to take all four sections at the same time?
Generally, you do not. In most jurisdictions, eligible candidates
will be able to take any or all sections of the exam during
any testing window. However, you will not be allowed to
take the same section more than once during any testing
window. Candidates are encouraged to contact the state
board in the jurisdiction in which they plan to test to
get specific requirements.
When a board approves a candidate to test, is there a
time limit on when the candidate has to test?
It depends on the requirements of your jurisdiction. Once
candidates pass any section of the CBT examination, they
will have a set period of time from the date of that CBT
test section to pass the remaining sections in order to retain
credit on the passed section
Will I be required to take sections in any particular
order?
No.
How often can I take the examination?
It is likely that jurisdictions will allow candidates to
take each section of the examination four times a year.
Candidates may take any or all four sections of the examination
during any testing window. No candidate will be allowed
to take the same section more than once during any given
testing window.
Will I be required to pass one section prior to applying
to take another?
No.
How soon after taking a section of the computer-based
CPA Exam will I receive my grade?
Distribution of scores is the responsibility of the Boards
of Accountancy. Initially, advisory scores and diagnostic
information will be sent from the AICPA to NASBA at the end
of each testing window. For example, scores for candidates
who take the examination during the first window, April 5,
2004, through May 30, 2004, will be sent to NASBA by June
30, 2004. NASBA will then forward advisory scores to the
Boards of Accountancy for distribution to candidates usually
within one week. Each Board of Accountancy sets its own schedule
regarding the frequency with which it will approve and release
scores.
Will scoring/grading change to just pass/fail?
No. The passing standard for the computer-based version of
the Uniform CPA Examination will be set at a scaled score
of 75, conditioned upon time requirements for passing the
other sections.
Applying for Exam
What are the current minimum educational requirements
to take the CPA examination in Louisiana?
Louisiana candidates must:
Have a baccalaureate degree.
Have 150 semester hours of college credit earned as prescribed by Board
Rules.
Have successfully completed 24 hours of specific accounting and 24 hours
of business courses (including an acceptable business law course).
First-time candidates with a baccalaureate degree, including a concentration
of accounting, obtained prior to January 1, 1992, and conferred by a Louisiana
college or university, may contact the State Board of Certified Public Accountants
of Louisiana to determine if they might qualify without the attainment of 150
hours of college
How much will the computerized exam cost?
The cost will vary for each jurisdiction. In Louisiana, the
fee for first-time candidates applying to take all four
sections will be at least $600. The cost could exceed $600,
if a candidate takes the sections in separate windows.
Where is the exam given?
The examination will be administered in all 54 jurisdictions
at Prometric test centers or Board-operated sites. In Louisiana,
the CBT examination is administered at Prometric Test Centers
in Baton Rouge, Bossier City, and Metairie. Louisiana residents,
depending on their locale, may wish to consider the proximity
of test centers in Jackson, MS and in the Beaumont and Houston,
TX areas if more convenient.
What are the deadlines for the exam?
Application deadlines will probably be eliminated, allowing
candidates to apply at any time of year. Once an application
is approved, candidates will be notified of the time period
in which they may schedule appointments with a test center.
Are there any restrictions on Louisiana candidates taking
the CBT exam outside the state?
Louisianas State Board does anticipate restrictions.
One of the benefits of the computer-based examination is
that a testing center outside of the state may be in a city
much closer to a candidate then a test center within the
state. However, a person may not be a candidate for more
than one state at the same time and will not be able to bypass
a states educational or licensing requirements by taking
the examination outside of the state in which he or she is
seeking to become licensed.
Once I apply to take the exam, how long before I can
actually take the exam?
The time will vary for each jurisdiction and will depend
upon whether you are a first-time applicant or a re-examination
applicant. First-time applicants must have educational eligibility
determined, so the process will take a few weeks. Re-examination
applicants should be able to register and will be sent a
notice to schedule the examination within a few days.
How will I schedule an exam appointment?
You will apply for the examination as you would now through
your state board. After you have been determined eligible
to sit for the examination, the state board will send you
a Notice to Schedule (NTS). You will then call Prometric
to schedule a testing appointment(s). The NTS will remain
valid for a period of time. That means you will have a set
period of time from the date the NTS is issued to schedule
and take the examination sections(s) for which you have applied.
What if a conflict arises after I have scheduled an appointment
to take the exam?
You may reschedule your appointment at no charge as long
as you reschedule at least 30 days in advance. If you reschedule
between 5 and 30 days before your appointment, you must pay
a nominal fee directly to Prometric-currently estimated at
$35. If you reschedule within 5 days of your appointment,
you will have to pay the full Prometric fee for the section
you are rescheduling.
Re-examination
How will current conditioning change under the computer-based
CPA Exam ?
Each state board will set the amount of time their candidates
who have earned conditional credit will have to complete
the examination (transition period). For example, upon the
launch of CBT, if you have three examination opportunities
remaining that you earned under the paper-based examination,
you will likely have three opportunities under the computer-based
test to pass the remaining sections.
Will I lose credit for sections passed under the paper-based
exam?
You will retain credit for sections of the examination you
have already passed. You will not lose credit for sections
previously passed, provided you pass the remaining sections
in the time or number of attempts allowed (transition period).
How will my current credit transfer?
Current examination credit will be transferred to credit
on certain sections of the computer-based test (CBT) as
follows:
Credit on paper-based exam for:
Auditing (AUD) will earn CBT credit for Auditing & Attestation
Law & Professional Responsibilities (LPR) will earn CBT credit for
Business Environment & Concepts
Accounting & Reporting (ARE) will earn CBT credit for Regulation
Financial Accounting & Reporting (FARE) will earn CBT credit for
Financial Accounting & Reporting
top
Accounting
Newbies Share Perspectives on the Profession
New CPA and Aspiring Entrepreneur
Elizabeth Sessions Bradford, CPA
Consultant, P&N Consulting Postlethwaite & Netterville,
Baton Rouge
Passed the CPA Exam in November 2002
Earned CPA certification in February 2003
Why did you become a CPA?
I became a CPA to gain sufficient knowledge and experience
to successfully run my own business one day.
What influenced your decision to begin your career in
public accounting?
I was interested in the variety of work available and the
opportunity to learn about multiple industries and work processes.
I enjoy assisting small- and medium-size businesses convert
to advanced accounting software as well as the investigative
nature of internal audit and litigation support work.
How did having an internship help you with your career?
Interning was instrumental to my career by providing an arena
for practical application of my studies and by giving me
insight into the inner workings of an accounting group.
Were your expectations about becoming a CPA different
from what youve experienced?
As I expected, I have been shown a lot of respect when people
learn that I am a CPA. Being in public accounting provides
a very rewarding experience through the opportunity of working
with a group of highly educated professionals. I did not
expect the flexibility that public accounting allows, such
as the abundance of flex-time and part time workers.
What advice would you give to accounting majors and high
school students considering a career in accounting?
I highly recommend a career in accounting! It is an excellent
opportunity for anyone with strong technical abilities in
the traditional areas of tax and audit as well as those who
have the ability to see the big picture to help provide solutions
to key business issues through consulting.
-------------------------------------------------------
LSU Academic All-American Ready to Tackle Auditing
Rodney C. Reed
LSU Accounting Major & Offensive Lineman for the SEC
champion LSU Tigers
Enrolled in LSUs Masters in
Accounting program.
The only player in LSU football history
to earn First-Team Academic honors
twice.
Why did you select accounting as a career?
Accounting is a profession that affords people the opportunities
to have careers in many other fields. The technical expertise
you get while serving as an accountant is invaluable. For
example, if you start your career in public accounting,
you will have the opportunity to expand upon that or pursue
interests in other corporations because you know how business
works. I enjoy that accounting is not black and white;
there is room for interpretation. Also, many accountants
get to help young, immature companies turn into large worldwide
organizations.
Which career path in accounting are you considering?
I recently accepted a job offer from Ernst and Young in Houston,
TX performing external audit work. Choosing between tax
and audit was a difficult choice for me, but the decision
came down to the fact that I believe (with all the new
compliance measures) auditing will be more challenging.
How do you feel your masters degree will help you
in your career?
A masters degree in accounting is very beneficial because
it gives you more technical expertise. As a professional,
you want to amass as much knowledge in as many areas as possible.
What has been the greatest challenge of balancing school/football?
Time management is the biggest issue facing student athletes.
Athletics is time consuming and sometimes stressful. Student
athletes must make school a reprieve from athletics and
vice versa.
How are accounting and football alike?
To be successful in both, you must be dedicated and a hard
worker.
What advice would you give to accounting students?
Try to learn concepts and understand why. Dont just
memorize for tests because the subject is cumulative. At
some point in your career you will have to learn the material,
so why not now.
--------------------------------------------------------
Successful at Balancing Work and Life
Michelle Wade, CPA, MBA
Senior Audit Associate
Roberts Cherry and Company
Shreveport, LA
Passed the CPA Exam in May 2003
Earned CPA certification in January 2004
What do you enjoy most about your position as Senior
Audit Associate?
I enjoy my friendly colleagues, the interesting clients,
and the everyday challenges encountered in this industry.
Were your expectations about becoming a CPA different
from what youve experienced?
I actually had no idea what to expect by going into public
accounting since I didnt know anyone other than my
professors with an accounting background. It was definitely
an eye-opening experience for me. I didnt realize what
an important role external auditors play in the business
industry and how many people rely on audited financial statements
for a multitude of reasons.
How do you maintain a happy balance between work and
life?
Both my husband and I have careers in public accounting.
During the traditional busy time of year this means extended
workhours and a strenuous workload for both of us. We found
it difficult at times, but still manageable, to balance our
time spent at work with our time at home when we had one
child. However, with the birth of our second child and the
increased demands on our family, we felt it would be nearly
impossible to effectively balance our workloads with our
familys needs.
We decided to look at other options, and realized that the
ideal scenario would be a reduced work schedule for me. I
approached my bosses with this proposal and found them very
supportive and receptive. Now I am working a 30-hour work
week and enjoy the flexibility in my hours and the extra
time I have to devote to our children.
-------------------------------------------------------
Using Networking to Her Benefit
Angelina Hope Rispone, CPA
Manager, Financial Accounting and Reporting
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
Passed the CPA Exam in November 2000
Earned CPA certification in April 2001
Why did you become a CPA?
In May 1998, I earned my accounting degree from LSU but was
still unsure if I wanted to become a CPA. Since I still
needed about 30 hours to meet CPA testing requirements,
I decided to apply for MBA programs instead of pursuing
a masters in accounting.
After focusing in operations management and finance at Tulane
University while also working part time at Arthur Andersen,
I decided that accounting was the correct career choice for
my personal and family goals. After graduating from Tulane,
I accepted a full-time position with Arthur Andersen and
began preparing to take the CPA exam. With luck on my side,
I passed the first time and became a CPA.
Why did you decide to make the move from public accounting
to governmental accounting?
I began working part time for Arthur Andersen in the New
Orleans office immediately after I graduated from LSU, through
graduate school and for 11/2 years full-time after that.
I loved the people and the work. Other than wanting to move
back to Baton Rouge after living in New Orleans for 31/2
years away from family and a serious relationship, I may
not have made the move from public to governmental accounting.
After about six months of searching for a job in Baton Rouge,
luck played a hand again when at a Society of Louisiana CPAs meeting
I was reacquainted with my LSU governmental accounting teacher,
the current Executive Director of Accounting Services at
LSU. She had an opening in her office and asked me to apply
for the position. Three weeks later, I moved to Baton Rouge
and began working for the university.
Were your expectations about becoming a CPA different
from what youve experienced?
As an accountant, I was unsure how becoming a CPA would change
my career. Not until I began looking for a job did I fully
understand the importance of becoming a CPA. As a CPA, and
not just an accountant, I qualified to apply for higher-paying
jobs with more challenging responsibilities. It was very
satisfying to know that all of the education and knowledge
that I had accumulated in order to pass the CPA exam was
recognized and appreciated by employers.
You currently serve on the Society of Louisiana CPAs New
CPA Committee. What do you feel are the benefits of getting
involved with a professional association?
Interaction with other professionals is the greatest
attribute to being in a professional association. I have
met many accounting professionals in the Baton Rouge area
through the LCPA. Association members can be a knowledgeable
resource for accounting issues as well as career development.
-------------------------------------------------------
LCPA Scholarship Recipient and Trusted Advisor
Jonathan T. Batarseh, CPA
Tax Manager
KPMG, LLP
Baton Rouge, LA
Passed the CPA Exam in November 1998
Earned CPA certification in January 1999
Why did you become a CPA?
Initially a career as a CPA in public accounting or industry
appealed to me because of its stability. While a career
as a CPA is still a stable career, I have found unlimited
opportunity.
Were your expectations about becoming a CPA different
from what youve experienced?
Todays CPAs serve an important advisory role to clients.
The CPA certification carries a lot of value in the marketplace
as well as responsibility. Clients trust that the service
they receive from a CPA is honest and delivered with integrity.
What college courses did you take that now help you most
in your job?
The basic and intermediate accounting courses really provided
a foundation to build on. Having that basic foundation has
really helped me transition from the student life to the
professional career.
What courses do you wish youd taken now that may
have prepared you better?
I really wish I would have taken the tax research class.
Because I work mainly in federal taxation, the ability to
research tax issues is an important part of our job. This
is one of the many skills I learned
on the job.
As the recipient of the LCPAs Christopher Kit
Smith Scholarship, how did the recognition and support impact
your life?
The Kit Smith Scholarship was a tremendous help at the time.
I was actually married with one child for the last two years
of college. The scholarship not only provided me with the
much needed financial support, but being selected as a recipient
also provided me additional encouragement to continue to
pursue my goals.
What advice would you give to students considering a
career in accounting?
Go for it! Work hard and study hard. I believe you will find
it as much of a rewarding career as I have.
---------------------------------------------------------
Serving Up a Versitile Business Career
Benjamin R. Fabre
Senior Auditor
Postlethwaite & Netterville
Baton Rouge, LA
Preparing to take the CPA Exam
Why do you want to become a CPA?
I have always had a strong background in math, but I didnt
chose accounting as my first major. I also enjoyed chemistry
and started off at Louisiana Tech majoring in chemical engineering.
Not long after, I transferred to LSU and got a job in the
accounting department, even though I was still an engineering
major. After working there for a couple of years, I decided
I enjoyed what I was doing at work more than what I did in
my classes, so I changed my major to accounting.
What influenced your decision to begin your career in
public accounting?
Public accounting doesnt get boring. I work on so many
different clients and have interactions with so many different
people during the day that is truly an exciting career.
What college courses did you take that now help you most
in your job?
Believe it or not it was the class that covered Microsoft
office. In my job I use Excel and Word every day. The more
you can learn and know about this software the better off
you will be. The other course I had was auditing with Professor
Louwers. He did an outstanding job as a teacher. As far as
accounting classes go, I have learned the most about accounting
on the job. Hands on experience is by far the best.
In addition to your accounting career, you also own a
restaurant. How do your accounting skills help your business?
My wife and I opened Docs Bistreaux in Plaquemine,
LA in August of 2002. My accounting background has enabled
me to keep track of our food costs, operating expenses, and
most importantly profitability.
What advice would you give to students considering a
career in accounting?
Its tough work, but the hard work pays off. Also, accounting
gives you an inside track to how businesses are run. I am
primarily an auditor, so I get to see what works with certain
companies and what doesnt. Its by far the most
versatile business career.
top
Potential
Earning Power
New industries, new technologies, and new rules for the
economy add up to new opportunities for CPAs. Because there
is such a demand for their skills, CPAs benefit from career
stability, better salaries, and a steady upward path in their
professions.
Take a look at your potential earning power as a college
graduate in public and private accounting. With your CPA
certification, you can expect to add around 10 to 15 percent
extra to these salaries. (Figures represent average starting
salaries.)
PUBLIC & PRIVATE ACCOUNTING
| Employer |
Jr. Level (0 3 yrs.) |
Sr. Level (4 6 yrs.) |
Public Accounting
(large firm) |
$35,750-$51,250 |
$48,750-$62,250 |
Public Accounting
(med. firm) |
$31,750-$45,500 |
$44,000-$56,500 |
Public Accounting
(small firm) |
$29,500-$42,500 |
$41,000-$54,000 |
Corporate Accounting
(large co.) |
$31,750-$49,250 |
$48,000-$62,750 |
Corporate Accounting
(med. co.) |
$30,750-$44,500 |
$44,000-$55,250 |
Corporate Accounting
(small co.) |
$28,500-$42,000 |
$40,500-$51,500 |
UPPER-LEVEL CORPORATE ACCOUNTING
Here are some examples of upper-level salaries for Managers
in corporate accounting:
| Position |
Large Co. |
Small to Med. Co. |
| Chief Financial Officer |
$170,750-$346,750 |
$84,250-$153,500 |
| Corporate Controller |
$95,500-$145,750 |
$61,250-$107,250 |
| Tax Manager |
$77,250-$114,000 |
$64,000-$85,000 |
Geographic region, experience, education, CPA certification,
company size, and bonuses and incentives each play a role
in determining salary.
Editors Note: Reprinted
with permission from the American Institute of CPAs.
Source: 2004 Robert Half Salary Guide.
A Designation
with Distinction
Having the CPA designation after your name does have its
benefits. Its a lot like a degree its
shows that youve worked hard to meet the requirements
and that you have the skills and abilities that stand out
from other business professionals. Many graduates seek certification
even though they do not go into public accounting because
possession of the CPA Certificate is considered to be a mark
of professional designation.
According to the revised Louisiana Accountancy Act, signed
into law on June 18, 1999, to obtain your initial CPA Certificate
in the state of Louisiana, you are required to:
Complete a 150-hour degree program in accounting at an accredited college
or university;
Pass the Uniform CPA Examination; and
Attain one year of professional work experience providing any type of
service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, management advisory,
financial advisory, tax or consulting skills.
One year of experience may consist of full-time or part-time
employment that extends over a period of no less than one
year and no more than 4 years. Experience must be obtained
within the immediate
4-year period prior to application and verified and supervised
by an active certificate holder. Experience can be gained
through employment in government, industry, academia, or
public practice.
To learn more about licensing requirements, contact the
State Board of Certified Public Accountants of Louisiana
at (504) 566-1244. Visit the State Boards website at
www.cpaboard.state.la.us to download a copy of the Louisiana
Accountancy Act Rules.
top
Become a
Student Member of the LCPA
The Society of Louisiana CPAs has two student membership
categories
high school and college student. Student membership
categories enable those interested in or currently in pursuit
of a career in accounting to gather the resources, build
valuable contacts, and experience the reality of being an
accountant before entering the field.
High school students (freshman to senior year) can
become an LCPA student member for only $5.00. This annual
fee entitles high school student members to:
A copy of CareerWise, the Societys information-packed career
newsletter
$250 tuition voucher for Becker Conviser CPA Review course
Unlimited use of Members Only sections of LCPA.org
T-shirt recognizing their student membership
College student membership is offered to any student
who either is enrolled in a Louisiana university or college
working towards the 150-hour requirement to become a CPA;
is enrolled in an Uniform CPA Exam preparation course; or
is sitting for the Uniform CPA Exam.
For an annual college student membership fee of $10.00, college
student members receive:
A one-year subscription to Lagniappe, the Societys member
magazine
A copy of CareerWise
Access to the LCPAs Job Referral and Resume Service
$250 tuition voucher for Becker Conviser CPA Review course
Unlimited use of Members Only sections of LCPA.org
LCPA staff available to assist with questions regarding the profession
T-shirt recognizing their student membership
top
Professionalism
to the Core
As part of a profession-wide initiative, CPAs across the
nation banded together to take on the challenge and responsibility
necessary to retain their premier position as a vital part
of the world economy and global community in the 21st century.
The Top Five Core Values were identified. Core Values
are the essential and enduring beliefs that CPAs uphold over
time. Core Values enable CPAs to retain their unique character
and value as they embrace the changing dynamics of the global
economy.
Continuing Education and Life-Long Learning
CPAs highly value continuing education beyond certification
and believe it is important to continuously acquire new
skills and knowledge.
Competence
CPAs are able to perform high quality work in a capable,
efficient, and appropriate manner.
Integrity
CPAs conduct themselves with honesty and professional ethics.
Attuned to Broad Business Issues
CPAs are in tune with the overall realities of the business
environment.
Objectivity
CPAs are able to deal with information free of distortions,
personal bias, or conflicts of interest.
top
It Pays
to Join a Professional Association
By Sally Kearsley
Want to do something great for your future job hunt and
your career? Consider joining a professional association or
the student chapter of a professional association! There
is a professional association for almost any career field
you can mention and you can join at any time, freshman to
senior year (or beyond).
You can check with the staff at your career center for on-campus
and local chapters of professional associations or use the
directory called National Trade & Professional Associations
(published by Columbia Books). Many career services offices
and campus libraries have this resource. You may do a Web
search as well, searching by the career field plus professional
association.
There are some excellent reasons for joining one in your
chosen field. Professional associations publish journals
and/or newsletters (which often are a benefit of membership)
are helpful to:
Keep you up-to-date on issues and developments in your field. If you
are interviewing, this can be invaluable information!
Show you who the movers and shakers are in your field.
Tell you out about companies or individuals with whom
you would like to work.
Offer information about upcoming conferences and professional development
opportunities.
With your membership, you will often have access to member information.
Contacting someone in your field about possible employment as a fellow member
of the association may open a door.
Professional associations often have some mechanism for sharing job
listings. This could be a classified section in the journal or
newsletter, a section on a website, or a separate publication available to
members only.
As a member, you will be eligible to attend the groups
conferences. Whether at the state, regional, or national
level, professional conferences offer excellent opportunities
to:
Build your network of professionals in the field.
Learn the latest developments in your field.
Take professional courses and seminars.
Professional membership is an excellent addition to your resume! There
are few better ways to show your serious commitment to the field.
Local chapters of associations often sponsor programs, maintain
alumni networks, and provide other valuable advantages.
Many professional associations have substantially reduced membership
fees for students who are still in college. Fees can get a little pricey if
you wait until after you graduate.
Do your future a favor. Seek out and join the professional
association in your area of career interest.
Editors Note: Reprinted
from JobWeb (www.jobweb.com), with permission of the
National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright
holder.
top
Becoming
a More Effective Communicator
By Lea Brandenburg
Everything we do in life requires communication. Personal
and business success often hinges on how well we understand
others and how well they can understand us. If one of the
objectives of communication is achieving a shared understanding,
what can you do to become more effective when communicating?
Here are few tips that will help you become a more effective
communicator:
Do you make eye contact when speaking or listening?
Yes, this is simple suggestion. Take a moment to think about
how you feel when someone connects with you in this way.
Do you feel really listened to? Does it seem that the person
is focused on you and the message you want to convey? Adding
a couple of head nods will also demonstrate to the speaker
you are really listening and interested in what s/he is
saying. Making these simple adjustments in your behavior
will help improve your communication.
Do you keep from interrupting and the let person finish
what s/he is saying?
One way to enhance your listening skills is to spend more
time listening. One of the challenges inherent in listening
is that we speak at the rate of 125 to 150 words per minute
and we think at the rate of 500 words per minute. That leaves
a lot of time for a listener to wander off into his or her
own thoughts, jump to conclusions or formulate a response
before the speaker has finished saying what they want to
say. One way you can stay focused and present in a conversation
is by listening
for the speakers non-verbal communication. One estimate
has it that 75 percent of all communication is non-verbal.
So, with the extra 350 or so words of thinking time you have
available when you are listening, focus on the speaker and
what they are communicating non-verbally.
Do your words and actions match?
Since communication occurs both verbally and non-verbally,
it is important to make the message consistent. Send one
message, not two. For example, have you ever found your
posture rigid or tense while saying: Im fine,
everything is just great. There are two messages
being sent. The body is sending one message and the words
are sending another. Another example of this is a feeling
you can get that someone isnt telling you the whole
story. Next time you have this sensation in a business
or personal interaction, look at the persons body
language and/or facial expression. Are the non-verbal cues
in alignment with the words being spoken? When verbal and
non-verbal communication is in sync, the message is perceived
as genuine.
Does your vocal tone and inflexion match the words you
are saying?
How you say the words of your message is as important as
the words you use when expressing yourself. Think of the
phrase, Thank you
and the variety of ways it can be spoken. Depending on how
the words are emphasized it will change the meaning. The
same phrase can mean authentic gratitude or sarcasm. Think
about the phrase, Come here.
A parent speaking to a misbehaving child will have a different
vocal tone than someone in a business context using the same
phrase. Even the word yes, can have many meanings
depending on how it is emphasized. A soft yes has
a different meaning than a
YES that is enthusiastic and forceful. Matching
your intonation and inflexion to the message you intend to
convey will increase your effectiveness when you communicate.
Are you aware of your barriers and filters?
Everyone has a point of view and at times it will affect
how one communicates. Just think about the last time you
were having a conversation with your spouse or significant
other and then somehow, in a split second, you found yourself
in the middle of an argument. How did things shift so quickly?
One of you hit a trigger in the other, thats how
things can change so quickly. We all have triggers and
in order to communicate responsibly in personal and business
relationships it is imperative to know what they are. Everyone
has an opinion and is a result of his/her background; the
challenge when communicating is to become aware of how
these two factors can shut down the communication process.
In the communication process the speaker AND the listener
are equally responsible for the success of the interaction.
And, because communication is a process, the roles are constantly
shifting during a conversation. The speaker becomes the listener
who becomes the speaker and so on.
These tips are just a few of the ways you can become more
effective in your role as a speaker or listener. Remember,
one of the primary needs that communication fulfills is the
need to connect with other people. Incorporating any of these
suggestions will give you greater access to connection, as
well as personal and business success.
Ready to communicate with confidence and ease in EVERY area
of your life?
Editors Note: Lea Brandenburg
is a Coach who specializes in interpersonal and business
communication. To find out more about communicating with
confidence and ease in every situation, visit: www.creatingstrategies.com.
© 2004 Creating Strategies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
top
Writing
a Compelling Cover Letter
By Eric Peters
Everyone knows the importance of a well-crafted resume,
but how many job seekers fully appreciate the power of a
strong cover letter? This is the first document a hiring
manager reviews when considering prospective employees, and
its the applicants initial opportunity to make
a good impression.
The best cover letters explain how your unique set of skills
and experience make you the right person for the job. They
also demonstrate your personality and passion for the position.
Ideally, a carefully thought-out cover letter significantly
increases your chances of being called for an interview.
Know Your Contact
Addressing your cover letter to the appropriate person is
an essential, yet easily overlooked, first step. If a job
listing includes only a post office box or reference number,
call the companys receptionist and explain that youd
like the name and title of the manager of the department
so that you can send him or her a letter. Even if you know
the hiring managers name ahead of time, its a
good idea to double-check the spelling and the appropriate
title. One misplaced letter can send the signal that you
lack attention to detail.
Stick with the Basics
Your cover letter doesnt need a clever or witty introduction
to grab the readers attention; simply state the facts.
First, mention the position for which youre applying
and how you learned about it. Next, say why you want the
position and what you can offer the employer. A good opening
might read: I recently saw your advertisement in the
Anytown News for an audit director and feel my 10 years of
experience in the accounting industry makes me an ideal candidate
for this position.
If youve been advised by an acquaintance to contact
a specific individual about a possible opening, make this
connection clear right away. Dropping a name in your introduction
will catch the hiring managers attention and prompt
him or her to keep reading.
Be Brief but Thorough
In general, a cover letter should include two to four paragraphs
and take up no more than one page, so you dont have
much room to get your message across. Avoid the impulse
to detail your employment history
that information is already contained in your resume.
Instead, focus on what a hiring manager really wants to know:
how you can benefit the business.
Be as specific as possible by calling attention to one or
two points on your resume that highlight past accomplishments.
Try something like,
In three years as product manager for ABC Corp., I
increased revenue by 30 percent One or two typographical
errors on your cover letter are enough to discourage a hiring
manager from calling you back.
through various cost-cutting initiatives. I feel I can use
this experience to help your firm improve operational efficiencies,
as well.
Target those issues that are of the greatest importance
to the company by conducting in-depth research. Visiting
the firms website, scanning industry publications or
performing a keyword search using the organizations
name can yield helpful information. For example, an article
in the newspaper may focus on the companys desire to
expand operations in the near future. Armed with such specifics,
you can tailor your cover letter to directly address the
employers needs. Remember to limit what you say about
your personal attributes and accomplishments. Include this
information only to the extent that it will help the hiring
manager understand how you can contribute to the firm or
department.
End your cover letter strongly by detailing what you will
do next. Rather than saying, I hope to hear from you
soon, take a proactive approach: I will contact
you later this week to answer questions you may have about
my resume. In the meantime, please feel free to reach me
at (555) 555-5555.
Proofread before You Send
Our companys research has consistently shown that one
or two typographical errors on your cover letter are enough
to discourage a hiring manager from calling you back. Use
your computers spell-check function and the help of
friends and family to make sure your material is error-free
before sending it.
If youre e-mailing your cover letter as is
common nowadays
prepare the file in ASCII, or plain text, a computer
code that is universally compatible. Your document wont
feature formatting enhancements, like underline and boldface,
but it can still look professional. Align the text with the
left margin, replace bullets with asterisks or dashes and
then check its overall appearance by sending the document
to yourself prior to submission.
Some job seekers spend hours assembling a resume, then quickly
compile a cover letter. But by taking your time on this document,
youre more likely to distinguish yourself early in
the hiring process. With the proper preparation, you can
write a compelling cover letter that gets you one step closer
to an interview.
Editors Note: Eric Peters
is the Division Director for Accountemps in New Orleans.
Accountemps specializes in the placement of accounting,
finance and bookkeeping professionals. For additional
information contact him at 504/529-9747, send an e-mail
to eric.peters@accountemps.com, or visit www.accountemps.com.
top
Getting
Your Resume Ready for the Web
By
Robert G. Epstein, CPA
Putting your resume online successfully is
not as simple as cutting and pasting from a word document
into an online submission page. For the best results, use
the Web to your advantage by following the follwing four
simple steps:
1. Include Keywords
Think of the words relevant to your industry and profession,
and then include them in your resume. When an employer
searches for a resume online, they most often use their
own keywords to do the search. Give your resume the advantage think
about what potential employers will be looking for and
then add those words to your own listing. You have Certified
Public Accountant listed on your resume, but do you
also have CPA, which is a simpler word that
employers may use when searching for the same thing?
2. Consider Including More Job Functions
In addition to keywords, employers are often searching
for candidates with specific experiences. For each past position
you list on your resume, also include the tasks you completed.
Items such as Financial statement preparation and Management
experience with accounting staff can be effective ways
to match with the searches employers are doing online. Be
sure these functions are listed as nouns rather than verbs,
as employers are more likely to search using nouns.
3. Simplify the Text
Before you just cut and paste from an existing document,
remove all formatting such as boldface, tabs and bullets.
These text formatting tools will often not appear correctly
in an online form and can create a messy, hard-to-read
resume. Youll also want to remove unusual characters
such as pound signs, dashes, etc. These symbols do not
always convert appropriately in different programs and
can appear as unreadable symbols.
4. Stay Away from Graphics
Its often impossible to import graphics or graphic
elements (such as page borders and tables) but dont
even take the chance. Remove all graphic elements from your
resume before it goes online.
Editors
Note: Robert G. Epstein, CPA, is
the President and CEO and one of the
orginal founders of CareerBank.com.
He is a certified public accountant
with more than 15 years of experience
in the accounting profession and accounting/finance
career placement industry. Robert writes
articles covering the accounting industry,
career development and staffing.
top
Quick Guide
to Writing Professional E-mail
By Carrie Payne
E-mail has generally been used as an informal means of
communication. However, as it becomes increasingly popular
in the job application process, students need to take time
to think through the content of their e-mail and address
the message that they might be sending to employers. An e-mail
to an employer should never just say see attached.
The receiver may not even open the attachment.
Although employers dont always read an entire cover
letter the first time, they do expect the writer to take
time to include the necessary information in an appropriate
way. The following rules should be used for e-mail when writing
or responding to: potential employers, co-workers, colleagues,
business members, and college staff or personnel. You will
be taken seriously, and will often be given more credibility.
Common mistakes are:
using emoticons ( :o),
being too informal,
misspellings and poor grammar,
no capitalization, and
spelling words the way they sound.
Because e-mail has become a mainstream form of communication,
students may not easily switch from casual and conversational
e-mail to professional e-mail. I cautioned a student about
practicing the use of professional writing after reading
an e-mail he sent it was full of emoticons and phonetic
spellings. He used ur for youre or
your; he used i for I, and
also used many other common e-mail exchanges. We discussed
how his habit could greatly affect his ability to get a job,
and worked extensively on what he might write in an e-mail
to an employer. A few days later I received an e-mail from
the student, asking me to submit his resume and e-mail note
for a position that I had announced. Although we had discussed
his usage, he still had two mistakes.
Rules of the Road
Professional e-mail is very different from casual e-mail
or instant messenger. Remember: its easier to be
ruled out than ruled in for a position. Here are some rules
to consider when writing an e-mail in which you are job
prospecting or applying for a job:
Always introduce yourself the same way you would in a cover letter.
Dear Mr./Ms. So and So, I am writing in regard to your posting on
.for
ABC position in financial services.
Treat your e-mail as if you were writing a professional cover or thank-
you letter on paper, but be brief.
In the subject line, make it obvious why you are writing: Application
for ABC position.
Make sure you change the contact name and content according to the person/company
to whom you are sending the message. If you are responding to an e-mail,
include the original message in the reply, so the receiver can put your e-
mail into the correct context. Also, respond within two business days.
Always spell words correctly! Dont just use spell check. It wont
catch words that are spelled correctly, but are misused within the context
of the sentence.
Never use all capital letters. Employers may think that you are screaming.
It is also difficult to read.
Think about the message your e-mail address sends. Keep your address
simple, and avoid unprofessional sounding names like studmuffin
or partygirl.
Read your message carefully before you click the send button. The tone
of an e-mail can often be misinterpreted.
Have someone else proofread your message before you send it. It may
be easier to find errors if you print and review your e-mail.
Scan your resume for viruses before you attach it to your e-mail.
Name your document your name, resume. Employers receive
hundreds of resumes via e-mail. If you follow- up by asking recruiters if they
received your e-mail, they wont have to look through 300 attachments
called resume.
If you are attaching your resume, ask the receiver if they would prefer
that you send it in a different format, (i.e. Word Perfect, rich text format,
or as a PDF).
Do not assume that if an employer is informal that you should be.
Dont just rely on e-mail. E-mail can be lost. Follow-ups can often
be done via the telephone or regular mail.
Editors Note: Reprinted
from JobWeb (www.jobweb.com), with permission of the
National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright
holder.
Helpful E-mail Examples
Your e-mail can be a brief introduction: Or your e-mail
can be your cover letter:
To: xyzperson@abccompany.org
From: cap@psued.edu
Subject: Application for summer internship
Dear Ms. Clark,
I am writing in response to the ad posted on NACElink.com
for a summer information systems/technology internship
at ABCcompany (Job #123). Please accept my attached resume
and letter as an application for this position. My skills
and experience closely fit the posted job description.
Thank you,
Jane/John Doe Student
------------------------------------------------------------------
To: xyzperson@abccompany.org
From: cap@psued.edu
Subject: Application for summer internship
Dear Ms. Clark,
I am writing in response to the ad posted on NACElink.com
for a summer information systems/technology internship
at ABCcompany (Job #123). Please accept my attached resume
as an application for this position.
My experience and personality closely fits the posted job
description, and I am excited to apply.
As a management information systems student at Penn State,
I have taken advantage of numerous research and design opportunities
on campus and in class, which may be useful when working
at ABCcompany. During my web design class, I volunteered
to organize a group that would design and create a web site
using Flash technology for a local company. The project was
well received, and the organization is using some of our
ideas. As a student worker in the School of Business, I also
designed an Access data base to track student advising appointments
and progress. The position required a high degree of confidentiality
as well as a person with the ability to work on the project
until it was completed.
In addition to maintaining a 3.0 GPA, and holding an on-campus
job, I have also participated in various campus activities
and leadership programs. By working on committees, I was
able to demonstrate my leadership, teamwork, and time-management
skills, which can be useful in a professional setting like
ABCcompany.
I am eager to learn more about the internship position,
and would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you in
an interview about my qualifications. I am available to work
from May 1 through August 2, 2003, and can be reached at
[phone number].
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joe/Jane Student
top
Five Steps
to Getting More Out of an Internship
There is a general consensus in the professional world
that having an internship at some point during a college
career is a smart move. But theres more to it than
just securing an opportunity with an organization in your
field. In fact, internships are so common today
many academic programs require them to pass that
it takes some extra effort to make your on-the-job experience
stand out post-graduation.
Step #1: Perform at 110% Every Day
As an intern, you may spend quite a few days making copies
and doing Internet research. But in most cases there will
be opportunities to have a hand in the bigger picture.
No matter what a supervisor may assign you, do it with
enthusiasm and top notch quality. Your performance on the
most menial of tasks will be noted, and can earn you more
responsibility down the road.
Step #2: Establish Goals
In your first few days on the job, layout short- and long-term
goals to achieve by the end of your internship. Your supervisor
may automatically do this with you, or you may have to
ask someone to sit down with you and help. Either way,
specific goals will help you measure your success in the
internship and will also be a valuable tool post-internship
to exhibit what you have accomplished.
Step #3: Trace Paths to Success
You will probably meet someone who has accomplished great
things and has a career you find impressive. Sit down and
chat with them to find out how theyve arrived there.
What positions did they hold earlier in their career? What
areas of expertise helped them get where they are? Do they
have specific suggestions for a young professional?
Step #4: Network Like Never Before
As your first foray into the professional world, this is
prime time to start meeting people. Supervisors, co-workers-even
other interns
can all be valuable contacts to have in the future.
And the smart way to network is quality, not quantity. When
you meet someone who interests you, make a note of who they
are, where you met and schedule a time in the future to follow
up and stay in touch. Networking especially as a young
professional is not about asking other people for
help. Its about meeting people who can teach you about
the business.
Step #5: Find a Mentor
If you meet someone you admire and they are willing to be
mentor in some capacity for you, make the most of that
opportunity. Some organizations automatically assign interns
to a staff member during the term of their work. Either
way, a mentor will be a valuable source of insight. In
addition to on-site working issues, mentors can also give
you good information about other professional resources.
Are they a member of a professional organization? Ask if
you can accompany them to a meeting to find out more. Membership
in a professional organization can be an invaluable source
of contacts, continuing education, even employment opportunities.
These tips can help you make the most of an internship.
And whether you are entry-level or executive, they can easily
be adjusted to use at any stage of employment. Start using
them today and enjoy the results throughout your professional
career.
Editors Note: Reprinted
with permission from CareerBank.com, the leading online
career center for the accounting, finance and banking
community. CareerBank.com provides job posting and candidate
search tools for employers in the accounting, finance
and banking community. The site also provides resume
posting, job search and career development resources
for accounting, finance and banking professionals.
top
LCPA Offers
$1000s in Scholarships
The Society of Louisiana CPAs offers scholarships in varying
amounts every year to accounting students in Louisiana through
the LCPA Education Foundation and through the LCPA chapters.
The LCPA Education Foundation was established to further
the development of accounting education and the accounting
profession. Amounts awarded are based on donations made to
the Foundation. The Foundation also maintains an endowment
to sustain the scholarship money for students in the future.
All LCPA scholarships, including the Kit Smith and Alex
Postlethwaite scholarships, will be awarded each Spring.
Look for applications in your university's Accounting Department.
LCPA Chapter Scholarships
The Society of Louisiana CPAs is divided into geographic
chapters. Seven of the Society's nine chapters participate
in the LCPA's scholarship program.
Baton Rouge Chapter awards up to $1000
per year to accounting and auditing majors attending in-town
colleges and universities.
Central Louisiana Chapter awards three
individual scholarships. A scholarship will be awarded to
one student at each of the following: Louisiana College,
Northwestern State University, and Louisiana State University
at Alexandria.
Lafayette Chapter gives $1000 to a University
of Southwestern Louisiana student each year.
Lake Charles Chapter contributes $1,000
to McNeese State each year.
Northeast Chapter grants scholarships between
$250 and $1000 each to Northeast Louisiana University, Louisiana
Tech and Grambling State. In addition, the chapter contributes
to the local Beta Alpha Psi chapter.
Shreveport Chapter offers two or three
scholarships each year of approximately $1,500 to local students.
South Central Chapter awards one $250 scholarship
to a Nicholls State University student.
Qualifications for LCPA Scholarships
Students with Overall 2.5 Academic Average Now Qualify!
- Louisiana domicile
- Enrolled in an accounting program in a Louisiana four-year
college or university.
- Be at least a fifth semester student.
- Academic merit, achievement, and essay:
Academic merit: Sponsorship by two accounting faculty members.
Academic achievement: 2.50 or better on a grading scale
of 4.00
(accounting and overall).
Essay: The essay should explain the student's perception
of the CPA's role on the job and in the community. The
essay should also explain how the student plans to contribute
both to the profession and to the community. Maximum length:
two double-spaced typed pages.
- Applicant must be enrolled in an accounting course at
the time the scholarship is awarded and be a full-time
student (enrolled in 12 semester hours or the equivalent).
Application forms are available through the Society of Louisiana
CPAs' office: 2400 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 500, Kenner,
LA 70062; telephone (504) 464-1040 or (800) 288-5272
Kit
Smith Scholarship
In December 1996, the Board of Directors of the Louisiana
CPAs Education Foundation accepted a generous donation of
$100,000 to establish a scholarship fund in honor of the
late Christopher "Kit" Smith Sr. An accounting
graduate from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Society
of Louisiana CPAs member since 1975, Kit practiced as a CPA
in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. After a long and prosperous
accounting career, he lost his life to a battle with cancer.
To carry on Kit's strong belief in the entrepreneurial
spirit, the Christopher "Kit" Smith Scholarship
Fund was established to benefit students pursuing a career
in accounting. The donation was used to create an endowment
which will award annual scholarships in Kit's memory. The
scholarships are awarded to students majoring in accounting,
entering their third or fourth year at a certified Louisiana
college or university.
2004 Kit Smith Scholarship recipient:
- Jennifer Zerangue
University of Louisiana at Lafayette $2700
Alex
Postlethwaite Scholarship
He is described as a "true professional" and "the
epitome of the Southern gentleman." Alexander Postlethwaite,
the founder of Louisiana's largest independent accounting
firm, Postlethwaite &
Netterville, died on November 15, 2000.
Postlethwaite served as the LCPA Baton Rouge
chapter president and in 1972-73 was named as the LCPA's
President. Throughout his 50 years as an LCPA member, he
was active in several Society committees. He is one of only
nine members to receive the Society's Lifetime Membership
Award.
William Potter, CPA, Managing Director of Postlethwaite
& Netterville, presented the LCPA with a check in the amount
of $10,000 to establish a scholarship in memory of Alex Postlethwaite.
The scholarship will be endowed for $10,000
and become part of the LCPA's Education Foundation.
2004 Postlethwaite Scholarship recipient:
- Peyton Lambert
LSU Baton Rouge $1000
2003 LCPA Education Foundation Recipients
-
Jonathan Booth
LSU Baton Rouge $750
-
Loren Grefer
LSU Baton Rouge $750
-
Sanaz Aghazadeh
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Rachael Bougére
Southeastern Louisiana University $500
-
Sharon Carson
LSU Shreveport $500
-
Kristin Caston
Louisiana Tech $500
-
Lawson Fall
University of Louisiana at Monroe $500
-
Camille Gueno
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
John Gilmore
Nicholls State University $500
-
Khalli Hagan
Southeastern Louisiana University $500
-
Stefanie Holden
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Wendy Kelly
Southeastern Louisiana University $500
-
Annie Leemans
Southeastern Louisiana University $500
-
Olga Lukashevsky
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Jacey Neagle
Nicholls State University $500
-
Ryan Pertuit
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Andrew Pitman
Louisiana College $500
-
Magdalena Szczepkowski
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Suzanne Tessier
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Alicia Vidrine
LSU Baton Rouge $500
-
Katherine Willis
Centenary College $500
AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students
The AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students provides
competitive awards to outstanding full time undergraduate
minority students at regionally accredited institutions
to encourage their: selection of accounting as a major,
entry into the profession and ultimately achieving the
CPA designation. Full time graduate students (who are not
CPAs) seeking a masters degree in accounting or taxation
and students pursuing a masters in business administration,
if their undergraduate degree is in accounting, are also
eligible for this program.
Undergraduate students must have completed at least 30 semester
hours or equivalent of college work, with at least six hours
in accounting. All applicants must have an overall and accounting
grade point average of at least 3.3. Awards are primarily
based on merit (academic achievement). For purposes of this
program, the AICPA defines minority students as those of
Black, Native American, Pacific Island races, or of Hispanic
ethnic origin. All applicants must be U.S. citizens.
The scholarships are awarded by the AICPA Minority Initiatives
Committee and are funded by the AICPA Foundation from monies
contributed by the AICPA, its members, public accounting
firms, and others. The scholarships are awarded once each
year (in July) for the following academic year. All application
materials must be received by the AICPA by July 1 of each
year.
The maximum award is $5,000 and over the past 20 years the
AICPA has awarded more than $6 million in scholarships to
minority students.
For more information on the AICPA's Minority Scholarship
program and an application form, visit http://www.aicpa.org/members/div/career/mini/smas.htm.
For other scholarship opportunities visit http://www.aicpa.org/nolimits/become/ships/AICPA.htm
|