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College Residency Program Teaches Minority High School Students About Accounting, College, Business And Leadership The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) will host 45 high school and state college students from across Florida during its 14th annual Minority Summer Residency Program (MSRP), to be held June 10-14 at the University of South Florida in Tampa. MSRP is a college residency program designed to increase minority high school students' awareness of and interest in the accounting profession. It includes seminars on college preparation, financial literacy, leadership, interpersonal and communications skills and accounting and finance. According to a report from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), minorities account for only seven percent of the CPAs employed by accounting firms. "This program gives us an exceptional opportunity to cultivate interest in accounting and attract talented minorities to the CPA profession early on when they are making career decisions," said FICPA President/CEO, Deborah L. Curry, CGMA. The residency program also highlights the variety of business-related career opportunities the accounting profession offers, debunking the myth that all accountants just crunch numbers and prepare taxes. "When one thinks of the word 'accounting' as a profession, the first thought is numbers, a cubicle and a 9-to-5 job that requires you to punch numbers and do taxes five days a week for the rest of your career as shown on television," said Esther Saintil, a South Florida resident, and former MSRP attendee. "However, television is not real life and neither is the misleading portrayal of an accounting career. Accounting is the language of business and is probably the best major in the field of business administration as a career choice. At first I wanted nothing to do with accounting; this program has proved I simply cannot do without it." In addition to on-campus seminars at USF, students will visit the Tampa offices of accounting firms Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. They will view the business operations of the Caspers Company McDonald's, and the renowned, 107-year-old Columbia Restaurant. This year, 80 nominations from highly qualified students were received. A team from the FICPA Accounting Careers Committee reviewed the nominations and made the difficult decisions about whom to invite. The weeklong program costs $75 and full scholarships were awarded to eligible students. Funding for the program is provided through corporate, individual and professional association sponsorships. "My experience in the program was unforgettable," Saintil said. "Each day brought a greater understanding of the accounting profession. Those four days were an adventure into growth, interaction and awareness of the vast opportunities that accounting has to offer in the world today." Interview Attendees More Information about MSRP Available Online About the FICPA As of May 31, 2012 (44 students) GAINESVILLE/ NORTH FLORIDA Gainesville Fort White Jasper FT. LAUDERDALE/ BROWARD Coral Springs Coral Springs Coral Springs Coral Springs Ft. Lauderdale Margate JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville LAKELAND Lakeland Lakeland Eagle Lake MIAMI Miami Miami Miami Miami Gardens ORLANDO/ CENTRAL FLORIDA Orlando Orlando Oviedo SARASOTA/ BRADENTON/ Bradenton Bradenton Bradenton Fort Myers Fort Myers Fort Myers Palmetto TALLAHASSEE Quincy Tallahassee TAMPA Brandon Brandon Brooksville Plant City Riverview Ruskin Seffner Tampa Tampa Tampa VOLUSIA Melbourne Port Orange WEST PALM/ BOCA RATON Boca Raton Palm Beach Gardens Royal Palm Beach |
