6TH Annual Phoenix Accounting Career Awareness Program For Highschool Student: JUNE 23 - 27, 2013

PHOENIX - April 29, 2013 - PRLog -- The National Association of Black Accountants – Phoenix Chapter is hosting its 6th annual Phoenix Accounting Career Awareness Program (“ACAP”) for high school students interested in a field in accounting or business related fields.  

This FREE program provides an environment that fosters and inspires the growth of young minority students into professionals within the accounting and business related fields.  Activities of the ACAP program include group projects, networking, presentations and team work.  The final deadline for applying for attendance is May 12, 2013; however, early application is encouraged.  

Onlne registration is available at http://acapphx2013.eventbrite.com or http://www.nabaphoenix.org/ACAP.html.

The National Association of Black Accountant’s Phoenix Chapter has been successful in providing students with the accounting information and exposure necessary to make an informed decision in regards to the area of study they would like to pursue at an educational institution.  We have consistently received great feedback from the students on the events and activities of the program.  They especially praise the executive dinner which provides an opportunity to network with key management level executives of the valley’s businesses.  Many of the graduates who had no idea what accounting was, have now decided to go into accounting or a business related field.  

During 2008 to 2012, we have had a total of 70 students successfully complete the ACAP program.  Out of the 70 students that attended the program, 25 students are currently undergoing a major in accounting or want to major in accounting when they enter college.  Out of the remaining 45 students, 40 have decided to major in a related business field.  In 2013, we hope to have 20-25 students in attendance at the ACAP Program.  The program is sponsored in full by corporations within the Phoenix area, Arizona State University and the National Association of Black Accountants.  This sponsorship allows us to hold the program without charging the students or their parents any amount for attendance in the program.  The program will be held June 23, 2013 to June 27, 2013 at Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus.

The student selection process is competitive.  Participants must complete an application form, secure letters of recommendation and attend an interview.  The minimum participant criteria for the ACAP summer residency program are as follows:

·         A minimum GPA of 2.5 (exceptions allowed based on extraordinary individual circumstances)

·         Completion of an application and essay, receipt of two teacher/counselor recommendations and an interview

·         As initially established and to operate in the spirit of the program, students participating in ACAP should be ethnic minorities, although all are welcome

·         Participants must be at the time of application a sophomore, junior or senior in High School  

We strongly encourage any student that meets these requirements to apply to the program as it will be very beneficial to your future success, no matter what field you may choose to pursue in the future.  Please visit our website at www.nabaphoenix.org for the online application form and follow the instructions on screen for more information about ACAP.  The final deadline for application is May 12, 2013.  

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS PHOENIX CHAPTER

NABA was established in New York City in 1969 by nine African-American accountants to deal forth-rightly and effectively with the many common problems faced by the growing number of African-American professionals in the field of accounting.  Since the founding of NABA’s first chapter in 1970, membership has grown to more than 200 professional and student chapters across the country. NABA’s membership includes individuals with diverse careers in accounting, finance, information technology and other business disciplines as well as students.

Historically the accounting profession has not had representation from the minority population and even more so from the African-American population. NABA recognized the need for a program that would direct African-Americans and other minority students toward the accounting profession.  NABA also recognized that preparation for a professional career begins as a junior or senior in high school.  In 1980, the Seattle Chapter of NABA designed a pilot program that could mark a turning point in the academic lives of secondary students, motivating them to pursue a higher education; thus, the summer residency concept was developed.  ACAP is managed by NABA’s National Board of Directors and is operated at the chapter level.   It has been proven that ACAP programs, such as the one in Phoenix, have been instrumental in increasing the number of students that pursue accounting and business related fields.  The Phoenix Chapter began holding the program in the summer of 2008 and looks forward to many more years of the program.