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NYSSCPA Prepares Minority Students for Accounting Careers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:Cara Patterson, Public Relations Associate
212-719-8362
cpatterson@nysscpa.org

NEW YORK, NY – June 12, 2009 – The Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE) of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) is holding its annual Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) summer program at 11 college campuses across New York State beginning June 26. More than 1,700 minority high school students have participated in the COAP program since its inception in 1987, and many have gone on to careers in accounting or business.

“COAP gives the students a chance to see what it’s like in a college environment,” said James Passikoff, CPA, president of the FAE Board of Trustees. “It also gives us a chance to get the academically talented kids and attract them to the accounting profession.”

The goal of the COAP program is to increase minority participation in the accounting profession. COAP students, who are entering their senior year of high school, live on university campuses (or commute to day programs) and meet CPAs engaged in a variety of career paths, from special agents with the Internal Revenue Service to controllers of sports teams. They tours local accounting firms and businesses and attend sessions designed to enhance their career and academic skills and prepare them for college.

Professionals from public accounting, private industry and academia serve as members of the COAP Advisory Board. COAP is financed by the FAE and contributions from its members.

The 2009 COAP Programs will be taking place at the following campuses across the state: SUNY Brockport from June 28 to July 1; Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus from June 28 to July 2; University at Buffalo (SUNY) at the north campus from June 28 to July 2; Hofstra University in Hempstead from June 27 to July 1; SUNY New Paltz from June 26 to July 2; the University at Albany (SUNY) from June 28 to July 1; Pace University’s Pleasantville campus from June 27 to July 1; St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens from June 27 to July 1; Le Moyne College in Syracuse from June 28 to July 1; Westchester Community College in Valhalla from June 29 to July 2; and York College in Jamaica, Queens from June 28 to July 1.

About the NYSSCPA

Representing 29,000 CPAs, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) is the oldest state accounting organization in the nation, celebrating its 110th anniversary this year.
Incorporated in 1897, the Society is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to establish and maintain high standards of integrity, honor, and character among certified public accountants. Its members are CPAs working in public practice, industry, government and education in a state that serves as the home of Wall Street and major financial institutions.

The New York State Society of CPAs is located at 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. To learn more about the Society call 800-633-6320 or visit the Society’s website at www.nysscpa.org.