Diversity program changing the face of business for future CPAs: support the next generation of CPAs as an ACAP-Ohio sponsor.

• Position: Involvement

Most students know what doctors and lawyers do, but the average student has no idea what CPAs do or even what a CPA is. This is especially true of minority students, many of whom don't have CPA role models to look up to. According to the AICPA, only 4% of CPAs in the U.S. are African American.

To help encourage diversity within the CPA profession, The Ohio Society of CPAs, The Ohio CPA Foundation and the Ohio chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) are partnering to present the 14th annual Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio).

ACAP-OHIO HAS A SIMPLE GOAL--TO ENCOURAGE MORE OF OHIO'S MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PURSUE THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER GOALS AND CONSIDER BECOMING CPAs.

The program will be held June 21-26 at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. ACAP-Ohio will select 45 outstanding students to take part in the 2009 ACAP-Ohio class. These students attend free of charge thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors. Sponsorship helps underwrite expenses such as campus housing, meals, transportation and classroom facilities. Program expenses are estimated at $1,000 per student.

ACAP-Ohio is the most important student initiative that The Ohio Society and NABA present to promote diversity within the profession. Survey results show that the program is working. Nearly 100% of ACAP-Ohio graduates pursue a college education and nearly half are majoring in accounting or business.

What do ACAP grads have to say about the Program?

Kendra Naylor, ACAP-Ohio class of 1996

STAFF ACCOUNTANT, MEADEN & MOORE

"After participating in the ACAP-Ohio program and learning about all of the opportunities in the accounting...