Becoming a Certified Public Accountant  Presenter Name | Title  Date

What is a CPA? Certified Public Accountants (CPA) are innovative and strategic thinkers who are well respected for their integrity and commitment to excellence. Provide a number of valuable, useful services for >Consumers >Business owners >Government agencies >Nonprofit organizations

Benefits of Becoming a CPA CPAs are in demand Very challenging People oriented profession High respected profession Income & growth potential Job satisfaction Unlimited opportunities

About CPA Services Tax Services Accounting and Assurance Services Financial Services Business and Management Consulting Litigation Services

What’s Hot in Accounting Assurance Services Includes auditing and other exciting services:  WebTrust Services  CPA SysTrust  CPA Performance Review  ElderCare Services

What’s Hot in Accounting Consulting Services Individuals, businesses, financial institutions, non-profit organizations and government agencies need CPAs to offer objective advice and assistance  Assistance to clients in securing loans  Budgeting  Business Planning  Business valuation  Financial ratio analysis  Cash and inventory management

What’s Hot in Accounting Information Technology (IT) Services Exploding IT growth has created huge opportunities for CPAs with strong computer skills to design and implement advanced systems to fit an organization’s needs  Internet security  Cloud computing  Programming  Software development

What’s Hot in Accounting Forensic Accounting Forensic accountants combine their knowledge of accounting and finance with law and investigative techniques to determine whether an activity is illegal. Many forensic accountants work closely with law enforcement personnel and lawyers during investigations and often appear as expert witnesses during trials.  White collar crimes  Security fraud  Embezzlement  Bankruptcy and contract disputes  Money laundering and organized crime

What’s Hot in Accounting Environmental Accounting An environmental accountant analyzes external and internal costs of what happens to the environment.  National focus – Analyze situations with national impact, speak to key private and government decision- makers  Private focus – Evaluate the costs of cutting pollution, including adding in benefits of tax relief for following government regulations or tax credits for utilizing government-approved equipment or methods.  Government and regulatory – Make new regulations and enforce existing ones

What’s Hot in Accounting International Accounting In today’s global economy, CPAs with an understanding and mastery of international trade laws and regulations are in great demand  Global companies  Cultural differences  Travel or live in another country

What’s Hot in Accounting Tax and Financial Planning CPAs help individuals and companies with financial planning, investments, taxes, mergers and acquisitions and much more.  Saving and investing  Real estate  Financial reporting  Litigation  Clients in sports, entertainment, fashion and more!

Where CPAs Work: Public Practice Staff Accountant (entry level) $33,500 – $46,250 Senior Accountant (1-3 years experience) $38,000 – $57,750 Manager (3-10 years experience) $56,000 – $97,000 Partner (7-15 years experience) $100,000 and up

Where CPAs Work: Business/Industry Credit and Collection $28,000 – $88,750 Financial Analyst $45,750 – $66,250 Tax Manager/Specialist $74,750 – $102,000 Controller $80,500 – $182,000 Global Controller, Candy Company $149,325 – $198,000 Treasurer $92,750 – $400,000+ Chief Financial Officer $94,250 – $386,750

Where CPAs Work: Specializations Internal Revenue Agent $53,000 – $100,000 IT Auditor $46,750 – $128,250 Forensic Accountant $59,000 – $93,250 Professor $90,000 – $150,000 Environmental Accountant $80,500 – $182,000

How do I become a CPA? Differs from state to state Three major requirements in Virginia: >Complete 150 hour degree program in accounting at an accredited college or university, visit >Pass the Uniform CPA Examination >Attain more than one year of professional work experience in accounting

How do I become a CPA? High School Preparation Choose relevant courses such as: >Bookkeeping/Accounting >Written Communications >Oral Communications >Computer Applications >Other Business Courses Research colleges and universities Visit office of CPA or accounting professional Speak to a member of the VSCPA Join clubs and participate in professional programs

What is the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants? VSCPA is: The professional membership association for CPAs in Virginia 10,000 members  Public accounting (46.8%)  Industry (28.7%)  Government (4.9%)  Education (2.8%)  College students (9.3%)

VSCPA Mission To enhance the success of all CPAs by: >Communicating information and vision > Promoting professionalism > Advocating members’ interests

National Level American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) At the national level, CPAs can belong to the AICPA Headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington, DC and New Jersey 360,000 members CPAs can choose to belong to the AICPA and/or VSCPA, but is not a mandatory requirement Each state has its own CPA association

Student & Educator Resources The VSCPA is committed to: Supporting initiatives and programs that promote recruitment and retention of highly qualified candidates to the CPA profession Fostering relationships with students and educators from grade school to college/university Serving as a resource for students and educators

Careers in Accounting Programs and Initiatives September named Careers in Accounting Month High School Accounting Club Award of Achievement Speakers Bureau Scholarships Website/social media enhancements Additional student resources

Careers in Accounting Month September Special highlights in Disclosures bimonthly magazine and Footnote e-newsletter Chapter participation at student night events Contests Promotions

High School Accounting Club Cost is FREE! Access to the VSCPA’s website full of tools to improve the financial health of all Virginians Digital issues of Disclosures magazine, the same publication read by Virginia’s CPAs Subscriptions to Footnote and eDisclosures, our monthly e-newsletters for all VSCPA members A network of more than 10,000 Virginia CPAs and the benefit of their knowledge and experience

Award of Achievement Program that recognizes outstanding accounting students nominated by their educators at Virginia high schools, 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities Only one student can be nominated per school each year Nominations due in March CPAs can present the award during spring awards ceremonies

Speakers Bureau Visit from a CPA CPAs can speak at career fairs and in classrooms Variety of topics for all levels  What CPAs do  Careers in accounting  Financial planning  Financial literacy

Scholarships The VSCPA Educational Foundation awarded $30,000 in scholarships in : General: Undergraduate, graduate, minority and doctoral categories Named: Six awards Must complete at least 3 college level credit hours in accounting to apply Deadline to apply mid-January each year

Website/Social Media Enhancements Weekly Federal Taxation Update podcasts Monthly VSCPA CEO Update podcasts VSCPA blog: Social networking groups on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter Flickr and YouTube And more! Visit

Additional Student Resources Financial articles and publications Budgeting guide and quizzes “Ask a CPA” program “What CPAs Do” – information about the profession List of Virginia colleges and universities with accounting programs CPA Exam information Links to online resources

Additional Student Resources AICPA – Accounting Websites Build your own virtual accountant CPA Exam information Scholarships New! Online community for future CPAs

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