California CPA Society Encourages Students to Choose Careers as CPAs; Outreach Effort Part of Commemoration Of 100th Anniversary of California CPAs.

Business Editors

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2001

With the number of CPA candidates declining in recent years, some 2,600 California high school and community college administrators this month will receive a special publication promoting careers for their students as certified public accountants.

The California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) is distributing the publication in conjunction with its commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the first CPAs licensed in California. The California State Assembly has declared Nov. 4-10 Certified Public Accountants Week in California, and on Nov. 7 and 8 about 9,000 candidates will take the CPA exam at three sites in the state.

The CalCPA publication, Quest, is designed to encourage students to consider pursuing careers as CPAs. "We want to dispel the image that CPAs are primarily 'number crunchers'," said David George, CalCPA chair and an Irvine CPA financial planner 

"Today, computers handle most of the numbers, freeing CPAs to use their analytical skills to advise businesses and individuals on how to better manage their financial affairs."

Studies indicate that between 1990 and 2000, there was a 50 percent decline in the number of college accounting majors as well as a decline in interest in the profession by high school students. "We need to reverse this trend," George noted.

"Accountants -- and CPAs in particular -- are the backbone of American industry. CPAs understand the interrelation of the economy, government regulations, and the financial affairs of corporations and families. As the world becomes more complex, we'll need more CPAs to help businesses and individuals prudently shape their financial goals and develop strategic plans for long-term wealth generation."

Members of CalCPA are volunteering to visit high school classrooms and participate in career days during the coming year to talk about their profession. They will discuss education requirements, salary expectations and various career paths for CPAs. "A CPA license is either required or gives a candidate a 'leg up' for numerous occupations," George pointed out. "CPAs are FBI agents, environmental compliance monitors, educators, financial planners, CFOs, management consultants and advisers to sports and entertainment figures -- just to name a few."

About CalCPA

The California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) (www.calcpa.org) is one of the nation's largest accounting organizations and the largest CPA association in California. It serves 28,000 members in public practice, private industry, education and government.