Inaugural event held in partnership with AICPA-CIMA as part of Youth Apprenticeship Program in Maryland

Twenty students from throughout Maryland took their first steps toward becoming future accounting and finance leaders by participating in the Maryland Association of CPAs’ first-ever High School Leadership Academy.

Held July 9-10 at Junior Achievement of Central Maryland in Baltimore, the program gave students access to some of the profession’s top thought leaders and provided them with insider-only knowledge, along with resources to further their professional success. They lived a day in the life of an accounting and finance professional by hearing stories and insights from a panel of Maryland CPAs, took part in a speed mentoring exercise, learned about the impact that artificial intelligence will have on the profession going forward, and explored opportunities to participate in the Youth Apprenticeship in Finance and Accounting program.

Other highlights of the two-day event included:

• Engaging sessions led by officials with Color Accounting, a learning system that delivers accounting literacy, financial skills and business acumen for students.
• The keys to personal branding, featuring Tricia Katebini from GRF CPAs and Advisors.
• Q&A panel discussions with top leaders in the profession.
• Exposure to potential future employers.
• The opportunity for students to present their resumes for possible internships and sit for professional headshots.
• Connections with other top accounting and finance students.
• Critical “future-ready” soft skills training.

Most important, students absorbed invaluable insights and career advice from CPA leaders from Maryland and throughout the country.

“Early career awareness and apprenticeship opportunities are crucial in shaping the future of our profession,” said MACPA President and CEO Rebekah Olson, CPA. “Our first-ever High School Student Leadership Academy, in partnership with AICPA-CIMA and their Youth Apprenticeship in Maryland, is a groundbreaking initiative designed to inspire and guide the next generation of accounting and finance leaders. Together, we’re opening doors to endless possibilities for Maryland youth.”

The “Day in a Life” panel featured Brian Ballard from Aprio; Cliff Petenbrink from Myers and Stauffer, LLC; Yo Seph Kuh from Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc.; and Avonette Blanding from Maritime Applied Physics Corp.

Those participating in the speed mentoring session included Brian Ballard; Cliff Petenbrink; Yo Seph Kuh; Avonette Blanding; Rebekah Olson; Tom Hood, executive vice president of business engagement and growth with the AICPA; Matt McKenney, CEO of the Institute for American Apprenticeships; Joanne Fiore, vice president of pipeline and apprenticeships with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants; Faith Balshan, a senior specialist for apprenticeship programs with the AICPA; Sean Crevier, vice president of the Business Education Division for the Association for Career and Technical Education and owner and founder of Crev Ed Design; and Lauren McDonough, director of member engagement with the MACPA.

Among the Maryland high schools represented at the Leadership Academy were:

• Annapolis High School
• Baltimore City College High School
• Bel Air High School
• Dundalk High School
• DuVal High School
• Eastern Technical High School
• James Hubert Blake Highschool
• Loch Raven High School
• Paint Branch High School
• PGCPS Online Campus
• Pikesville High School
• Poolesville High School
• St. Vincent Pallotti High School
• Walter Johnson High School
• Westlake High School

The MACPA’s High School Leadership Academy was held in partnership with the AICPA, Color Accounting and Crev Ed Design.

The program is 100% federally funded through the Maryland State Department of Education, Grant No. 232095 in the amount of $999,850, awarded to Vermont Healthcare Information Technology Education Center, Inc., dba Institute for American Apprenticeships.