August 2001

COAP Concludes Another Successful Residency Program

Networking, goal-setting, and oral communication were among the skills learned by 55 students at Pace University and 40 students at Hofstra University during the intensive sessions of a summer accounting residency program.

Sponsored by the New York State Society of CPAs, Foundation for Accounting Education, and other academic and professional accounting contributors, the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program took place June 24–28 at Pace and June 23–27 at Hofstra.

COAP is a weeklong college residency program for minority high school juniors. Participants attend workshops on finance and accounting, computers, and verbal communication skills and visit local public accounting, industry, and government offices.

Preparation for this year’s program began in January, when applications were mailed to high school guidance counselors. Applicants were interviewed by COAP board members in April, and the curriculum was developed throughout May and June.

Participants found some of the classes applicable to their upcoming senior year and to the mammoth task of applying to colleges. Other classes included business ethics, business writing, interviewing skills, and an etiquette workshop dinner.

These classes went a step beyond, exploring skills the students will need to possess during and after their college years and giving them an idea of what to expect when they enter the professional world.

Field trips to various accounting firms are an integral part of the COAP experience. The group from Pace toured the Stamford, Conn., offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Arthur Andersen. Students from Hofstra visited the Long Island offices of Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche.

During the field trips, students had a chance to learn about each firm and see exactly what a CPA’s work environment is like. Students from Hofstra also visited JP Morgan. Both groups went on an industry field trip: Participants from Pace toured Phillip Morris, while participants from Hofstra toured Cablevision.

Many of the COAP board members were present during the week at both residency programs: New York City COAP Chair Dan Stubbs, Long Island COAP Chair Ed McDougal, Lynne Byrne, Angie Cercone, Dan Hobson, Taiwo Danmola, Lemar Swinney, Tony Kendall, Andre Wade, James Brown, Yvonne Harris Jones, Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, Glenn Deans, Damon Duke, Dean Bennet, Vanda Simon, Rey Padilla, and Gene Maccarrone.

The COAP residency programs ended with a reception and banquet. The keynote speaker at Hofstra was Constance Clark, superintendent of schools, Westbury Public High School. The Pace keynote speaker was Lydia Cutrer, a successful college student who served as a role model to COAP students and spoke to them about the importance of college and how to prepare for it.

“COAP was a unique experience in that it realistically depicted the accounting profession and it taught me skills that I will need to survive in the real world or the business world,” said Tamara Joseph, a participant at the Hofstra residency. “The skills I learned will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“I am glad that COAP was there to lend a helping hand to young minorities, expanding their horizons and showing them the different things life has to offer,” Joseph said. “Honestly, initially I had intended on entering the medical field, but because of the words of the influential speakers I have decided not to rule out a career in accounting.”

This year’s residency programs inspired participants from all sides.

“I honestly can say that in the last four years of being a counselor, this was the best class ever,” said Vivian Coto, a COAP alum and counselor. “I really do believe that it will make an impact on the lives of these students. We won’t see the results tomorrow or next year, but I know deep inside that the exposure they received will inspire them to rise to be great leaders.”