COAP Program Helps Long Island Area Minority High School Students

COAP Program Helps Long Island Area Minority High School Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Emily Dennis, Public Relations Associate
212-719-8364
edennis@nysscpa.org

NEW YORK, NY – June 20, 2007 -- The Foundation for Accounting Education of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) will partner with Hofstra University to offer the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program to 25 area minority high school juniors on June 23 - June 27.

COAP is a residential program designed to educate minority high school students on the many facets of the accounting profession and to provide them with tools to help them succeed in the business world. Through classroom sessions, interactive games and onsite visits to accounting firms and the accounting departments of private corporations, students are able to see first-hand diverse and challenging working environments. Historically, minorities have been underrepresented in the accounting profession and the COAP program aims to increase diversity within the profession. A survey of COAP alumni has revealed that almost 100% of respondents have gone on to college and that 70% are majoring or enrolled in accounting or business programs.

“COAP has provided hundreds of college bound minority high school juniors the opportunity to learn about the accounting profession so that they can make informed decisions regarding what majors they may want to consider during their college careers. The Hofstra COAP program also incorporates classes on skills that are essential in executing any successful career including goal setting, business etiquette, presentation, interviewing and resume building, and business ethics. Students who have participated in the program typically experience successful college and professional careers and are quick to site COAP as a key contributor to their success,” said COAP Chair Arlene Isaacs-Lowe.

“COAP provides 11th grade high school students valuable information in an academic and pre-professional environment that allows them to make better decisions as to choice of college and major as well prospective careers," said Gene Maccarrone, CPA, associate professor of accounting at Hofstra University.

In 2007, COAP programs will be held at 10 different colleges and universities across the state. Over 1,700 students have taken part in COAP programs at nine different universities since it began in New York State in 1987.

For more information on the COAP program or to interview a participating student, contact Emily Dennis, Public Relations Associate at 212-719-8364, or by e-mail edennis@nysscpa.org.

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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.