High schoolers throughout Maryland introduced to accounting, learn skills that will guide them throughout their careers

More than 200 students from 10 schools throughout Maryland were given an introduction to the accounting and finance profession and learned skills that will be critical to their future success during the 2024 Maryland Association of CPAs / AICPA-CIMA High School Leadership Academy.

Held at the Community College of Baltimore County’s Essex Campus, the event offered Maryland high school students an inside look at topics such as auditing, forensic accounting, and new technologies like artificial intelligence and the impact they are having on the profession. Attendees also learned the basics of professional networking, discovered the benefits of early-career apprenticeships, and were offered tips on how to build a career path toward accounting entrepreneurship.

Students also received an introduction to the Color Accounting learning system, a new way to learn and teach how accounting works. Color Accounting rapidly delivers accounting literacy which, in turn, supports powerful financial literacy and business acumen for students.

The 230 students in attendance were a cross section of high schoolers from throughout Maryland, representing Baltimore City and Calvert, Prince George's, Charles, Harford, and Baltimore counties. High schools that sent students to the event included Loch Raven, Overlea, Dulaney Valley, Calvert, Huntington, Northern, Patuxent, St. Charles, Bel Air, and Aberdeen.

"We're thrilled with the overwhelming response to this year's High School Leadership Academy," said MACPA President and CEO Rebekah Olson, CPA. "Interest in the accounting and finance profession is on the rise, and more and more CPAs are stepping up to spread the good word about our profession and help inspire the next generation of CPAs. The future of the profession is bright, and getting brighter each day. We look forward to working with these talented students as they begin forging their paths to successful careers."

More than 30 volunteers lent their talents to help bring the event to life. Speakers included former MACPA and American Institute of CPAs Chair Kimberly Ellison-Taylor; former MACPA President and CEO Tom Hood, currently the executive vice president of business engagement and growth for the American Institute of CPAs; and other thought leaders and dignitaries from throughout the profession, including Tanyeka Alexander, Faith Balshan, Michele Chalmers, Sean Crevier, Joanne Fiore, Samantha Fisher, Timothy Redmond, Karl Spanbauer, and Cheryl Zaydel.

The MACPA's 2024 High School Leadership Academy was held in partnership with the American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. It was 100% federally funded through the Maryland State Department of Education's Grant Number 232095 in the amount of $999,850, awarded to Vermont Healthcare Information Technology Education Center, Inc., DBA Institute for American Apprenticeships (IAA).