Get back to school accounting for Kids Day is Wednesday, Nov. 7.

It's that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the air is getting cool--and Accounting for Kids Day[R] is just around the corner! The annual community outreach event takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 7 in elementary schools all over Ohio. Are you ready to go back to school?

What is Accounting for Kids Day?

CPAs, business professionals and college accounting students from around the state give local elementary school students a glimpse of the business and finance world in a captivating way. It is The Ohio Society's largest volunteer outreach program, and it continues to grow in participation year after year.

Volunteers visit fourth, fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms to play an interactive game based on the stock market. The event helps children understand the basics of accounting, economics and finance, while stressing important financial literacy concepts, such as earning, budgeting, saving and investing.

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How it works

Volunteers work in teams of three to four people per classroom. You can sign up as a team with colleagues, friends or even family members, or you can sign up individually and the Society will team you up with other volunteers in your area. The Society will then assign your team to a local elementary school and provide you with a game kit and talking points.

The day begins with a brief introduction to a few basic financial concepts, as well as instructions on how to play the game. This is also a great opportunity for volunteers to introduce themselves and explain what they do for a living.

The investment game

The main activity during the program is a game called Portfolios, Jr. It teaches children what a stock is and the two ways you can make money when investing in stocks. At the end of the game, which simulates investment for 10 years, each group looks at how much money they made.

"The kids chanted and cheered for their companies, and in the end, each group made money. The kids showed just how smart they are and how much potential they possess," said volunteer Anne Branch, a masters of accountancy student at Bowling Green State University.

The event is capped off with a pizza party during which volunteers have a chance to interact with students and answer questions. In total, the program takes about two to three hours, depending on the school's schedule.

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Get involved

Interested in volunteering? Sign up by completing the volunteer registration form in this issue of Catalyst. There is also an online sign-up form at www.ohioscpa.com/cms/AFK_volunteer.aspx. More information about the program is available at that link, including an online training module for the investment game, details about how to get your local elementary school involved, and more. If you would like more information, send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call 800.686.2727 and a Society staff member will be happy to answer your questions.

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"Accounting for Kids Day is a fun way to educate children about our roll as CPAs, and one of the most productive ways to volunteer in the community. The earlier children are exposed to financial literacy, the less daunting it appears. By introducing these concepts through a fun, exciting and interactive activity, the learning process becomes effortless," said Scott Ryan, CPA of UBS Financial Services Inc.

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RELATED ARTICLE: A day in the life of Accounting for Kids Day volunteer Pete Margaritis, CPA

* 9 a.m. -- My team and I enter the fifth grade classroom at Berwick Alternative Elementary and introduce ourselves to the class. No suits required--pizza goes better with khakis.

* 9:10 a.m. -- I discuss a few financial concepts with kids--nothing complex, just some basic concepts. It's probably the first time they've heard about this stuff. Next, I explain how to play the investment game. There's nothing like the word "game" to pique kids' interest.

* 9:30 a.m. -- It takes a few rounds before everyone gets it, but soon the class is roaring with cheers and clapping as students watch their investments grow. They get to see how math, money and business all come together in the real world.

* 11:15 a.m. -- After two exciting rounds, the game comes to an end. Then the pizza arrives and everyone sits together, eating and talking about what they learned. Interacting with the kids is one of my favorite parts of the day. I love seeing their faces light up with understanding and seeing them excited about finances.

* 11:45 a.m. -- It's time to say goodbye, but not before the class thanks the volunteers with cheers and applause. My team and I leave with smiles on our faces, knowing we just made an impact on those students.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Ohio Society of CPAs Educational Foundation

Programs like Accounting for Kids Day are made possible by The Ohio Society of CPAs Educational Foundation. By supporting the Educational Foundation, you can ensure the continuation of programs that bring more talent into the profession and enhance the image of CPAs. Contributions can be made by contacting The Ohio Society at 800.686.2727, or you can also contribute online at www.ohioscpa.com.

How many students do we reach in Accounting for Kids Day?

2004   7,000
2005   8,500
2006  10,000
2007  How many more students can we reach this year?
      It's up to you!