Accounting Careers Speaker Resources
As national groups including the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) seek to address the profession’s pipeline issues, the CTCPA Pipeline Task Force, led by Past President Brian Reilly, is working on a state level to mobilize our membership to share why they chose the profession, cultivate student interest in majoring in accounting, and support future Connecticut CPAs throughout their career path.
Read the Connecticut CPA magazine article, "CTCPA Pipeline Task Force Mobilizes to Promote Accounting Career Path to Connecticut Students."
Join the Pipeline Task Force or volunteer for the Accounting Careers Speakers Bureau
Many students are making career decisions before they enter college. Now, more than ever, it's important to share with high school students the opportunities available with a career in accounting. The best way to do that is for them to hear from CPAs and accounting professionals.
If you’re interested in helping with our student outreach initiatives, please reach out to April DiFalco at 860-258-0212 or aprild@ctcpas.org.
We’re particularly in need of Accounting Careers Speakers Bureau members to visit high school and college classrooms, attend career days and fairs, and help us pursue additional interactive outreach avenues. Do you have connections with a high school or college educator or career counselor? Please let us know!
Resources for speakers
- CTCPA Accounting Careers PowerPoint Presentation – The CTCPA Pipeline Committee has prepared this presentation for use in middle school, high school, and early college classrooms.
Tips for a successful presentation
- Personalize the your presentation with your name, title, company/firm, and a picture that shows your personality - at a professional event, with family, enjoying a hobby you love, etc.
- Touch base with the teacher to confirm details and determine the best way for you to provide them with your PowerPoint presentation.
- If possible, ask the teacher to take a few photos of you during your presentation and share it with us! Photos of you speaking at the front of a classroom without students' faces is great. If you take photos with students' faces, we'll need to have a photo release completed by their parents/guardians if they are under 18. Please send your photos to caitlinb@ctcpas.org.
- We want to inspire students to learn more about opportunities in accounting. Being positive and genuine about your passion for the profession is essential.
- Share real-life stories – Help students understand what you are talking about by sharing your stories from work.
- Be honest – It's fine to talk about the realities of the profession. If you work a lot of hours, you can mention that. However, try to also mention how you may also have slower times to accommodate time off, summer hours, etc.
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