AICPA pulls out all the stops to recruit the best and brightest.

• Position: New Accountant magazine - Minority Initiatives Committee

Ensuring the continual flow of qualified CPAs into the profession is one of the most important missions of the AICPA. In fact, it has been deemed one of the four major areas for our communications outreach efforts (the others are financial literacy, which The CPA Letter covered in Feb., small business success and restoring confidence). Highlighted here are some of the various projects and efforts under way designed to attract the brightest students to the accounting profession.

Start Here. Go Places

As we reported in the Nov. 2003 issue, the "Start Here. Go Places." campaign has received an outstanding response from both college and high school students (see sidebar). This multi-year campaign includes posters, ads, direct mail, e-mail, bookmarks and e-newsletters that steer students to the campaign Web site, www.startheregoplaces.com. The site provides business and accounting information, business simulation games and contests and promotions. An online game, "Catch Me If You Can," teaches college students the importance of accounting and introduces them to forensic accounting. Money Means Business, an online seminar series, shows college-bound students the importance of good money management and how it plays a key role in various areas throughout a company beyond the accounting department. Information on the program, which is being promoted to high school students, is available at www.startheregoplaces. com.

AICPA Student Affiliate and CPA Candidate Membership

The AICPA offers membership categories for students and recent graduates who have not yet passed the CPA Exam. These members receive almost all the benefits and services of regular AICPA membership, with the exception of voting rights and general committee service, at a deeply discounted price. Two options are available: AICPA Student Affiliate memberships are open to any college student. AICPA CPA Candidate membership is open to candidates who have recently graduated, started the CPA exam process, but not yet passed the CPA exam. For more information, visit the student Web site at www.aicpa.org/nolimits/index.htm.

iPACKs

Over 20,000 iPACKs--CPA Information Packages--have been distributed through various channels, including state CPA societies, Beta Alpha Psi Advisors, AICPA on-campus champions, the High School Educators Symposium and a direct mail solicitation. The materials include the award-winning Takin' Care of Business video, an education handbook, 25 career guides, 25...