Ohio CPA Foundation brightens the profession’s future

James G. Haubrock, CPA
2007-08 Chair of the Board
The Ohio Society of CPAs

In this issue of Catalyst, we debut a new name and logo for The Ohio CPA Foundation, which was previously known as The Ohio Society of CPAs Educational Foundation. The Foundation’s mission remains the same - to strengthen the profession by attracting the most talented students to careers as CPAs. Yet, the Foundation is taking on significant new projects and is poised to make a meaningful contribution to growing the CPA profession in Ohio.

Attracting the most gifted students will help ensure that the next generation will continue to build upon the strong tradition already established, guaranteeing a healthy future for the profession and an enduring legacy for us all.

Solving a problem

One of our members’ most common concerns is the need for more qualified CPAs to handle the ever-increasing workload related to a tougher regulatory environment. The lasting solution to that problem is to ensure that talented CPAs are pouring into the profession. This will not only ease workload strains, but also increase the prestige and value of the CPA credential we each worked so hard to earn.

Maintaining a full pipeline of new CPAs takes more than just hoping the best students stumble upon a career in accounting. Competition for these students is ever greater as careers in science, engineering and technology have taken a national spotlight with new legislation and advocacy efforts. It’s our responsibility to cultivate student interest in accounting at every grade level and support students through college graduation and successful completion of the CPA exam.

Looking forward as we look back

In 2008, The Ohio Society of CPAs will celebrate its 100-year anniversary. While this is certainly a time to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of the last century, the Society does not plan to rest on its laurels. Looking back puts us at risk of becoming self-satisfied and no longer pursuing innovation and advancement.

Instead, the Society is establishing a forward-looking legacy. Appropriately, The Ohio CPA Foundation is a key component of the planned Centennial celebrations. Just as we plant seeds to reap future rewards, so The Ohio CPA Foundation is nurturing a bright future for tomorrow’s CPAs.

As a reflection of its refined name and purpose, the Foundation has also adopted a new logo and motto. The image of a flourishing tree captures the spirit of what the Foundation is about: Investing in the future through a solid foundation and continued growth.

Building on today’s successes and planning for the future

The Foundation’s endeavor to attract the best students to the CPA profession takes a comprehensive approach and spans from elementary school through college.

The programs currently funded by The Ohio CPA Foundation include:

• Accounting for Kids Day: Reaches 10,000 elementary students annually and captures their imaginations about exciting careers in the business world
• Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio): Encourages minority high school students to major in accounting and become CPAs through interaction with successful minority role models
• Student Ambassadors Program: Rewards motivated college accounting majors to advocate the CPA profession among their peers
• Scholarship Program: Financially supports Ohio’s top accounting students pursuing a degree in accounting and a career as a CPA

For more information or to get involved with The Ohio CPA Foundation, contact Karen West, senior manager, financial literacy and student initiatives, at kwest@ohio-cpa.com or 800.686.2727, ext. 344.

Respectfully,
James G. Haubrock, CPA
Chair of the Board