The Accounting Academy and Accounting Education

• In Event: Reception with ELS Displays
  In Poster Session: Effective Learning Strategies Poster Presentations

Abstract

Many in our profession question how we can attract the "best and brightest" high school students to accounting. For the past five years we have worked with our local state society of CPAs on one such initiative, an accounting academy for high school students. Our objective is to generate interest in accounting as a college major. In this four day event, students experience accounting as a diverse, rewarding and challenging profession, much broader than the typical high school accounting/bookkeeping class.

Accounting Academy attendees tour offices of public accounting firms and hear presentations from accounting professionals in music, healthcare, and professional sports industries. Attendees engage in introductory accounting activities (financial and managerial) and network with both accounting professionals and college-level accounting students (camp counselors).

Significant efforts are underway within the profession to attract the most-promising students to accounting. Indeed, the Pathways Commission was established to explore and establish a national strategy for attracting the next generation of accountants. Our session will demonstrate how an Accounting Academy can contribute to this important professional initiative.

Authors

• Beverley Alleyne, Belmont University

• Delwyn D DeVries, Belmont University

• Jane F Dillard-Eggers, Belmont University