Connecting students with the CPA profession and providing them with resources to help launch their careers is a priority of The Ohio Society of CPAs and The Ohio CPA Foundation. As part of a new Student Track at the Dayton Accounting Show, area accounting majors had the opportunity to network with local professionals, attend educational sessions and learn about the benefits of OSCPA membership.
The Dayton Accounting Show welcomed 23 area accounting majors from Sinclair Community College, Wright State University, Miami University, Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Through the sponsorship of Steve Martin’s MDS CPA Review, students received a complimentary one-day registration to the show.
Student participants began their day with a welcome from OSCPA staff in a session designed to inform them about membership benefits and opportunities.
“It’s important for OSCPA and the Foundation to engage students now so we can build relationships with them and be a resource for them as they transition from student to professional,” said Karen West, director of The Ohio CPA Foundation. During the “OSCPA 101” session, students heard from Society staff about everything from scholarships to CPA exam resources to volunteer opportunities.
“I came because I wanted to meet local CPAs and learn about career opportunities in the profession,” said Jennifer Widowski, accounting major at Sinclair Community College.
Widowski, who will complete her associate’s degree in accounting this summer, is looking forward to joining the CPA profession and getting more actively involved with OSCPA.
“The Accounting Show is a great way to meet CPAs and learn about how they got to where they are,” she said. “I would definitely be interested in seeing what else OSCPA has to offer and attending local Young CPA events, as well.”
Stephanie Burden said she jumped at the opportunity to attend the Dayton Accounting Show after receiving the invitation by email. Burden, an accounting student at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, attended The Ohio CPA Foundation’s ASPIRE! Diversity in Accounting program last January where she first signed up for OSCPA student affiliate membership.
“The Accounting Show created opportunities for me – it provided networking opportunities and it expanded my knowledge of accounting,” she said. “I wish I could have attended both days!”
Burden, who rented a car to make the trip from Cincinnati to Dayton, said she looks forward to attending future programs hosted by OSCPA and The Ohio CPA Foundation. She encourages other accounting students to do the same.
“I definitely recommend that other students come to this event and get involved with OSCPA,” she said. “It’s a great way to get started in accounting and really prepare yourself for the future. It’s an awesome opportunity!”
During the Show, students attended concurrent sessions, visited the lively exhibit hall and networked with CPAs – and each other – during lunch and the afternoon break.
The day concluded with a CPA exam information session held exclusively for them. Hosted by Steve Martin, president of MDS CPA Review, the session covered the entire exam process, including legal requirements to become a CPA, format of the CPA exam, types of questions on the CPA exam, when and how to apply, various ways to prepare for the CPA exam and test-taking tips.
The session was a highlight for many students, including Todd Figgins, who has a bachelor’s degree in education and returned to Sinclair Community College to take accounting courses and earn the 150 semester hours required to take the CPA exam.
“The timing of this event was perfect for me,” Figgins said. “As I get closer and closer to the CPA exam and a career in accounting, I need resources to help me succeed, a network to get plugged into and an opportunity to learn from others in the profession. This has been a great event!”
Throughout the day, student attendees visited the OSCPA and Foundation booths and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to attend the Show.
“Overall, I think the Dayton Accounting Show has been a great experience for students,” West said. “Based on the feedback we received, we hope to offer the Student Track at all of our upcoming Accounting Shows.”
To learn more about OSCPA’s complimentary student affiliate membership or
The Ohio CPA Foundation’s student programs, contact
Karen West or
Emily Bice, visit
www.ohioscpa.com/Students or call 800.686.2727.