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PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Firms can also work with neighborhood not-for- want to work for a global organization? Be a CPA.
profit organizations to showcase the CPA profes- You want to create a firm with a great culture or join
sion and fund scholarships for students interested in a firm that’s changing its culture? Be a CPA. I think
pursuing an accounting major, Hays said. if we start talking about what the CPA offers in a
more positive way, that could really help.”
Individual CPAs can advocate for the profession
Individual CPAs can be ambassadors for the profes- Teachers and faculty can increase awareness and
sion by communicating the benefits of becoming a engagement
CPA to younger generations. Many people first hear about the accounting profes-
“We can help promote the profession by sion in a classroom. From that first math class in
communicating about the interesting and exciting elementary school to the introductory accounting
aspects of a CPA career,” Hays said. “For example, class in college, teachers have the power to spark
young folks who want to work in crypto, sports, curiosity about the profession.
entertainment, or for companies like Google can Faculty at all levels are already doing amazing
achieve their goals with CPA credentials. This work, but here are a few ways to increase student
should be communicated across all platforms and interest in the profession:
networks so that the students see the value of the Invite interesting speakers into the class-
profession.” room. Professional CPAs have been speaking in
Here are a few other ways CPAs can strengthen classrooms for years, and they remain an effective
the pipeline: way to pique students’ interest in the profession.
Mentor students and young professionals. “Bring in accountants with all different experi-
If you see a young person who could benefit from a ences and perspectives,” said Nancy A. Bagranoff,
helping hand, extend one, Hays said. CPA, DBA, accounting professor at the University
“A couple of students who have gone through of Richmond. “I teach cybersecurity, and I have a
my classes had no interest in the CPA profession partner who specializes in cybersecurity at PwC
when they first started taking my class,” Hays said. who is going to come in and get people pretty
“However, with my encouragement and persistent excited about those careers.”
talks about the profession, by the end of the Students also love to hear from alumni who
semester, a couple of students often jump into the recently graduated and can offer advice on entering
CPA track.” the profession, Bagranoff said.
Volunteer to speak in high schools and on Getting professionals into high school class-
college campuses. Individual CPAs can work rooms can be a bit trickier than at the university
with their state society to go to middle schools, level because high school teachers typically don’t
high schools, and universities to show students the have as much built-in time for guest speakers and
dynamic nature of what CPAs do. Or CPAs can getting permission to visit schools can involve more
start by approaching their alma maters, where they steps, such as a background check.
might have existing connections. Lisa Johnston, CPA, CGMA, director of finance
“Any exposure to the profession you can give to at Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale, Ariz.,
these kids would be beneficial,” said Behn of the suggested getting creative and scheduling visits
University of Tennessee. outside of class time.
Be positive about the profession. When “Maybe we don’t try and get into the classroom
students only hear about the potential downsides and instead bring doughnuts in the morning and
of the profession, such as long hours and a stress- invite anyone who is interested in general business
ful busy season, it’s no wonder they’re hesitant to to listen,” Johnston said. “CPAs can talk about any-
become CPAs. Individual CPAs can help combat thing from business owners to marketing. There’s so
those stereotypes by speaking about the positive much we can tell people who are interested.”
aspects of their jobs. Professionals can also bypass a lot of the difficul-
“The top characteristics of what young graduates ties of in-person visits by creating virtual presenta-
want out of a career include entrepreneurship, secu- tions or speaking to high school students through
rity, stability, growth, and culture,” said Mike Decker, live video.
vice president–CPA Examination & Pipeline at the “With our current remote environment, profes-
AICPA. “If you’re a young student and that’s what sionals can literally Zoom into the classroom and
you want, being a CPA offers all those things. You engage with students,” Hays said.

32 | Journal of Accountancy September 2022