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Accounting

AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop to Focus on Talent Pipeline

The goal of the workshop is to help balance representation in the accounting profession by inspiring, motivating and supporting future generations of talent from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

A conference attendee walks past signage at the 2023 AICPA Engage conference, June 6, 2023. Credit: Isaac O'Bannon.

AICPA & CIMA are accepting applications for their annual Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop (ASLW), an event that provides instruction, advice and guidance to diverse college and university students interested in a career in accounting and finance. The program also demonstrates the value these students would add to the growth and development of the profession.

The goal of the workshop is to help balance representation in the accounting profession by inspiring, motivating and supporting future generations of talent from ethnically diverse backgrounds. By providing tools and guidance as well as access to experts and mentors, the program motivates students for a career in accounting.

ASLW, which will run from October 16-18 in Atlanta, provides strategies for individual success, networking, developing a personal brand, and creating a path to students’ dream careers in accounting. Experts from around the United States will offer insight into academic, career and licensure options.

Students who apply should be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, be an accounting major or have expressed an interest in an accounting career, and identify as an ethnic minority.

“It’s vitally important for the longevity of the profession for students from underrepresented populations and diverse backgrounds to be able to envision themselves in this dynamic and fulfilling profession,” said Crystal Cooke, the AICPA’s director of diversity and inclusion. “The Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop provides the opportunity for them to see the immense potential of a career in accounting from professionals who come from similar backgrounds and want to see them succeed. They can make lifelong connections with like-minded peers and seek out invaluable mentors who can guide them throughout their career journey.”

In order to make the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop as accessible as possible, the AICPA Foundation and other organization sponsors will cover the majority of student attendees’ cost to attend, including transportation to and from the workshop location, hotel accommodations, training experience, and meals.

The AICPA Accounting Pipeline Diversity Symposium will run concurrently in the same location as the ASLW, allowing student attendees access to professionals to ask questions and gain insights through one-to-one conversations. Registration for the symposium will open in late spring.

Applications for the workshop will be accepted through June 15.

Individuals and organizations can also sponsor a student to attend ASLW. For inquiries around this, as well as general questions about the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop, please contact diversity@aicpa.org.