1. Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants Student Outreach Become a CPA – and discover a lifetime of opportunity!

2. Introductions Insert headshot of you! Current Firm: Current Position: College Alma Mater: High School Alma Mater:

3. Is Accounting the right major for me? Is the CPA Career path right for me?

4. What is Accounting? A business language. The process of recording, classifying, reporting and analyzing financial data & business transactions -- KEEPING TRACK OF THE MONEY The basis of business operations.

5. A CPA is…… A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a financial professional. CPA’s speak the “ language of business.” * They provide the advice and information others need to make important financial business decisions. CPAs are in high demand as a valued member of any Business team!

6. Not All Accountants are CPAs!

7. Why Did I Choose to Become a CPA? Challenging career Unlimited potential/opportunity High demand for accounting professionals Helping Others Earning potential/job security

8. My “typical” day…. My clients and job responsibilities Hours, travel, dress My career ladder Challenges & fun stuff (Perks) What I enjoy most, least Personal experiences

9. Where Can I work as a CPA? Public Accounting Accounting Auditing Tax Business Valuations Financial Planning Information Systems Consulting Business Advisory Forensics and Fraud Work Public Accounting

10. Source of Data: 2011 Robert Half salary survey

11. Business and Industry Where Can I work as a CPA?

12. Business and Industry Source of Data: 2011 Robert Half salary survey

13. Business and Industry Source of Data: 2011 Robert Half salary survey

14. Government Local State Federal Where Can I work as a CPA?

15. Education –High School Teacher –College/University Professor Dean or Administrator –Conduct Research Where can I work as a CPA?

16. Education 150 Credits for College (a/k/a 5 years) –Bachelors Degree (120 credits) from a 4 year college/university A minimum of 36 credits in accounting 30 credits in economics and business At least 60 credits in general education Requirements for a CPA in CT (4E’s):

17. 4-Year Colleges in CT Offering the Accounting Major Albertus Magnus College Central CT State University Eastern CT State University Fairfield University Quinnipiac University Sacred Heart University Southern CT State University Saint Joseph College Post University University of Bridgeport University of Connecticut University of Hartford University of New Haven Western CT State University

18. Pass the CPA Exam’s 4 Parts: – Auditing and Attestation –Financial Accounting and Reporting –Regulation –Business Environment and Concepts Requirements for a CPA in CT:

19. 2 Years of Experience under a CPA in: –Public Accounting –Industry, Business or Government Passing the Ethics Exam Requirements for a CPA in CT:

20. Skills Needed to Be a CPA Effective Communicator Comfortable with Numbers – but NOT a “Math Whiz!” People Person Computer Skills (Excel/Spreadsheets) Organized, Multi-tasker, Problem Solver Ethical & Responsible

21. Top 5 degrees w/ the best odds for getting hired: 1.Accounting 2.Business 3.Computer/Information Systems 4.Engineering 5.Health Sciences And Your Chances of Working? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

22. Startheregoplaces.com

23. WWW.CSCPA.ORG/STUDENTS

24. Questions?

25. THANK YOU!!!!