January 2000

Tri-State AAHCPA Members Celebrate at Holiday Party

More than 125 members and guests attended the December 20 holiday party of the American Association of Hispanic CPAs (AAHCPA) New York Tri-State Chapter. Attendees included Steve Lilien, chair of the Stan Ross School of Accountancy at the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York; David Erlach, of Queens College, City University of New York; and many Hispanic accounting students from New York universities.

The AAHCPA is the national professional organization for Hispanic certified public accountants, CPA candidates, and accounting students. It helps members advance knowledge, improve practices, and exchange ideas. The AAHCPA provides local and national networking opportunities through meetings and a national conference and keeps members informed about issues important to Hispanics in the accounting profession through its national newsletter, La Cuenta, and its website, http://www.aahcpa.org.

The AAHCPA also encourages Hispanic students to select accounting as a career path. Its members participate in the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program sponsored by the NYSSCPA, the accounting profession, and academia. COAP centers on college summer residency programs where students attend classes in accounting, business, and interpersonal skills taught by CPA role models. (See page 20 for related articles on COAP). AAHCPA members Genaro Perez, Bob Rosario, and Pablo Sanchez participated in the COAP residency this past summer at Pace University in Westchester County. Each served as a guest lecturer and spoke to minority high school juniors about accounting and business careers. Rosario and Sanchez also serve on the COAP advisory board.

The AAHCPA Foundation provides financial assistance to encourage deserving candidates to enter the accounting profession. The AAHCPA also is working with accounting firms and industry to promote the hiring and advancement of Hispanics. For further information about the AAHCPA and its programs, call (203) 255-7003 or e-mail the organization at aahcpa@netscape.net. *