UAlbany, Society of CPAs Offer Career Edge to Local High School Students

UAlbany is partnering with the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) to offer the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession workshop to minority high school students. (Photo Michael Parker)

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 26, 2009) -- The University at Albany is partnering with the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) to offer the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program to area minority high school students.

The students, 26 juniors from Catholic Central, Albany, Colonie, Langinsburgh, Schenectady and Troy high schools, will attend the workshop June 28 - July 1 on the University at Albany main campus.

The COAP program was developed by the UAlbany School of Business and the NYSSCPA's Foundation for Accounting Education to introduce promising minority high school students to accounting and related fields as a profession. The program offers students opportunities to interact with successful minority role models and gain insight into the corporate environment, building skills to help them succeed in college and the business world.

"This program sets a path for these students," said Tyrone Reid, director of finance and administration at the UAlbany School of Business and a program organizer. "Accountants have many more job opportunities than simple accountancy. They enter varied careers in government, business, and education. Nearly 100 percent of the students who've attended the program have gone on to college, and a majority of them have majored in business or a related field."

Highlights include a field trip to PricewaterhouseCoopers on Monday, June 29. Representatives of KPMG LLP will lead sessions on interviewing and dressing for success on June 30, and Linda Krzykowski, vice dean of the School of Business, will present a session on public speaking on July 1. Dave Brown, CEO of the Capital District YMCA and a UAlbany alumnus, will share his �10 Rules of Life� with the students at the graduation banquet on July 1.

COAP programs are being held at 11 different colleges and universities across the state this year. More than 1,900 students have taken part in COAP programs since it began in 1987.

About the NYSSCPA

The NYSSCPA, representing 29,000 CPAs, is the oldest state accounting organization in the nation.  Incorporated in 1897, the Society is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to establish and maintain high standards of integrity, honor, and character among certified public accountants.

Chartered in 1934, the Northeast Chapter encompasses the New York State counties of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Washington. More than 1,000 members belong to the Northeast Chapter.

The New York State Society of CPAs is located at 3 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016.  To learn more about the Society call 800-633-6320.

For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds

Educationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts "The World Within Reach" for its 18,000 students. An internationally recognized research university with 58 undergraduate majors and 128 graduate degree programs, UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as public policy, nanotechnology and criminal justice. With a curriculum enhanced by 300 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers. For more information about this globally ranked University, visit www.albany.edu. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.shtml.